Aafreen Naaz, a B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) 2024 graduate from the Faculty of Law, Jamia Millia Islamia, has been awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship by the UK Government to pursue Master of Laws (LL.M.) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a globally acclaimed and foremost institution for legal studies.
The Chevening Scholarship is among the most competitive international scholarship programmes in the world. This year, over one lakh applicants from more than 160 countries competed for the honour, with only around 1,000 ultimately selected. Aafreen’s selection places her among a distinguished global cohort of future leaders and changemakers.
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Aafreen’s academic and professional journey exemplifies a blend of outstanding achievements, dynamic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to driving meaningful change at both national and international levels, said the university. During her time at Jamia Millia Islamia, she served as Convenor of the Pro Bono Club, an initiative under the Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India, where she led impactful programmes to expand access to justice. Beyond her university endeavours, she has also held significant leadership roles, including President of the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Delhi Legal Rights Consortium (WICCI-DLRC), Chief Operating Officer at the Grinspire Welfare Foundation, and Head of Mooting Advocacy Programmes at the Maldives Moot Court Society. Aafreen excelled in moot court competitions both nationally and internationally during her time at Jamia.
Her professional journey spans some of India’s most respected legal and human rights institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC), the Office of Senior Advocate Dr. Pradeep Rai, and leading law firms such as Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys, along with several prominent NGOs and advocacy organisations.
Aafreen said: “Jamia Millia Islamia has been instrumental in shaping my values, skills and commitment to justice. This scholarship is not just an academic achievement, it is a pledge to bring positive change to my home state Jharkhand and beyond.”
After completing her LL.M., Aafreen intends to return to India to work on legal policy reforms, improve the effectiveness of justice delivery systems, and lead initiatives that promote fairness, equity, and dignity for all sections of society.
The Dean, Faculty of Law, Jamia, Prof. (Dr.) Ghulam Yazdani, congratulated Aafreen on this remarkable achievement. He stated: “We are extremely proud of Aafreen’s accomplishment. Her success is a testament to her hard work, resilience, and determination. She has brought great honour to the Faculty of Law and to Jamia Millia Islamia. On behalf of the entire Jamia fraternity, I extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes for her future journey.”
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Chevening Scholarship recognises individuals with exceptional academic achievement and provides full financial support, covering tuition fees, travel costs, a monthly living allowance, visa fees, and other essential expenses during the scholar’s stay in the UK.
