Meet UNSW Business School's 2026 EDI Student Rep: Affiliated Faculty Club

The UNSW Business School Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee drives organisational change to help UNSW Sydney be a leading exemplar in EDI matters. It fosters an inclusive environment where staff, students and community partners can thrive and support the University’s Social Impact strategic priorities.

Through education and capacity-building, the EDI Committee equips our community to create sustainable economic and social value while nurturing a culture that champions respect, prevents discrimination, and embeds inclusion in everyday practice.

The Business School also provides leadership opportunities for students who want to collaborate with staff to advance the EDI agenda. Student perspectives are essential to this work, and our Student Committee Reps play a vital role in advocating for their cohorts and contributing meaningful ideas that support positive change.

We are proud to introduce our 2026 UNSW Business School EDI Student Rep (Affiliated Faculty Club or Society): Vighnesh Mohota, Master of International Business.

Dream career or industry to work at: I am passionate about entrepreneurship and global ventures, with a particular focus on sustainable manufacturing, Finance, and  Real Estate. My long-term goal is to build businesses that operate internationally while contributing positively to society and the environment.

A little about me

I’m Vighnesh, a second-year Master of International Business student at UNSW from India. I serve as Vice President of the Master of International Business Society, where I help students connect with industry professionals and build networks for the common good. I am also the Sponsorship Director for Startup Link UNSW, supporting student-led ventures and entrepreneurship initiatives.

As a startup founder and a national-level athlete from India, I bring a strong drive, discipline, and leadership mindset to everything I do. Being an international student, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new academic and cultural environment, and I mentor peers to help them feel included, confident, and connected to the UNSW community. Outside of university, I enjoy running, swimming, and have a strong passion for luxury watches.

Why did you choose to a Business Degree? And what led you to study at UNSW?

I chose UNSW Business School for its high employability outcomes and the Founders Program, which supports students in developing ventures and connecting with industry. I wanted a program that blends academic excellence with real-world opportunities. The international environment and strong industry links at UNSW provide the perfect platform to learn, network, and gain practical skills that I can apply globally.

How has your experience helped you make a positive impact in your degree, career and/or community?

Through my leadership roles, I have created opportunities for students to network with industry professionals, build connections, and explore entrepreneurship. I also support international students in adapting to a new academic and cultural environment, helping them feel included and confident.

Beyond university, I founded a not-for-profit platform called Earn for Philanthropy during COVID, which facilitated meaningful contributions to communities in need while engaging volunteers in impactful initiatives. These experiences have strengthened my leadership, communication, and mentoring skills while allowing me to contribute meaningfully to both my peers and the broader UNSW community.

Why did you apply to be a part of the UNSW Business School EDI Committee? and what do you hope to achieve?

I applied because I want to ensure that international students, like myself, have a voice and feel supported within the Business School. Studying abroad comes with unique challenges, including managing financial considerations such as tuition and living expenses in a different currency. Through this role, I hope to contribute initiatives that make opportunities, resources, and support more accessible for all students, particularly those navigating these financial challenges. My goal is to foster belonging, engagement, and confidence so that every student can fully participate in the UNSW community.

What do you think we could be doing more of to help improve student belonging and engagement with EDI principles?

The Business School demonstrates its commitment to EDI through student societies, scholarships, mentorship programs, and leadership opportunities. These initiatives help create inclusive learning environments where all students feel valued and empowered to participate fully.

However, increasing mentorship opportunities between domestic and international students, providing platforms for students to share their experiences, and linking EDI principles to real-world business challenges would make these initiatives more visible, practical, and impactful.

What inspires you to champion EDI principles within your degree and/or prospective career path?

I am inspired by my ambition to build my own companies in finance and real estate, industries where decisions directly affect people’s lives, wealth, and opportunities. In these fields, it is crucial to understand and cater to the needs of people from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that everyone feels heard, included, and valued in the decision-making process. By embedding EDI principles into my leadership, I can create environments where equal opportunity is not just a goal, but a standard.

Championing equity, diversity, and inclusion will make me a more responsible, ethical, and thoughtful leader, allowing me to build businesses that are sustainable and socially impactful. Inclusive practices foster collaboration, innovation, and trust, which ultimately strengthens teams, client relationships, and business outcomes. I see EDI as a strategic advantage — by valuing diverse perspectives, my ventures will be better equipped to address complex challenges, serve a wider range of clients, and generate meaningful impact in the communities they touch.

For me, EDI is not just a principle to uphold, it is a lens through which I want to shape my ventures, guide my teams, and influence the industries I work in. Ensuring that everyone feels valued and represented is the foundation for stronger, fairer, and more innovative businesses, and it motivates me to embed these values both in my studies and in the enterprises I will create in the future.
 

UNSW Business School strives to provide a vibrant, safe, and equitable environment for education, research, and engagement that embraces diversity and treats all people with dignity and respect. We believe equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to building a globally engaged, high-impact, and academically rigorous business school and achieving the university’s strategic priorities: Progress for All.

We are committed to reducing systematic barriers to opportunities available in the faculty, the university, and society by supporting our students and staff to be the best they can be and contribute to building a better, more sustainable future.

Find out more about our equity diversity & inclusion at UNSW Business School.