Passion for social impact lands PhD candidate a UN scholarship

Khouloud Kamalmaz is incredibly passionate about social impact.

The CQUniversity and Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (FFWCRC) PhD candidate is currently working on a project that aims to reduce food waste in Australia - and has now become the successful recipient of a United Nations Association of Australia (NSW) scholarship.

"I've always wanted to do research that has a social impact'" Ms Kamalmaz said.

"Now I can do both my research and the UNAA NSW Diploma' both of which align with my personal and professional goals."

Ms Kamalmaz's PhD is centred around how Foodbank (Australia's largest hunger relief charity) can enhance its stakeholder engagement to reach more families in need of food relief' with an overall goal in reducing food waste.

"This project is very close to my heart as it aligns with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) of zero hunger by 2030'" she said.

"If my project were to succeed by increasing capacity by 0.1 per cent' this will result in 100 000 more meals available to food insecure individuals across Australia' as well as 25 000 kilograms of food being rescued. The impact and the practical implications are plentiful."

While working on the research project in which she is halfway through the four-year PhD candidature' Ms Kamalmaz decided to apply for the UNAA NSW Diploma scholarship.

"I was extremely excited when I was awarded a partial scholarship. Whilst I am currently focused on the UNSDG of zero hunger' through this diploma' I am keen on being exposed to other UN goals such as zero poverty."

The course teaches the history' structure and operations of the United Nations with several competency-based subjects that provide students with recognisable skills that can be used in either UN work or their own careers.

After completing the UNAA Diploma' Ms Kamalmaz may be requested to act as Liaison Officer for the UNAA (NSW) with activities including visiting schools and conducting briefings on behalf of the UNAA.

Ms Kamalmaz was one of only three successful scholarship recipients and is currently four weeks into the 20-week course.

"I am learning so many diverse topics related to the United Nations structure' different United Nations agencies' and the United Nations SDGs to name a few so far."

Ms Kamalmaz said she was keen to connect with link-minded individuals to further her research capacity.

"I would love to hear from anyone who wants to collaborate in my area of research."

Interested parties can contact Ms Kamalmaz via khouloud.kamalmaz@cqumail.com.