Alumnus Ken Subraj supports Westminster students with awards and internships for a second year

Ken Subraj has supported 18 Westminster students for a second year in recognition of their outstanding achievements and excellence in the fields of innovation, enterprise and real estate development. This included awarding prizes to five students for their work and providing funding for 13 interns to embark on Westminster’s internship programme at the United Nations (UN) International Organisation for Migration (IOM).  

A prize giving and networking event took place at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 22 July, following the Westminster Business School graduation ceremonies. Prize winners were joined by their families, academics, UN IOM interns from 2024 and 2025, as well as Ken and his team, who flew in from New York. The event was an opportunity to celebrate Ken’s generosity and the students’ achievements, formally hand over engraved glass trophies and hear more about the winners and interns’ future plans.  

Celebrations continued with an academic dinner hosted by Ken the following day at The Langham Hotel, next door to Westminster’s historic Regent Street building where Ken once studied.  

Westminster’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Bonfield joining the celebratory dinner from graduation ceremonies

The winners of the Ken Subraj Awards Competition were Investment and Financial Risk Management MSc student Queen Jenzer Dyson in first place, followed by Emmanuella Boamah, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise Development MSc student, in second place, and final year Finance and Business Management BA Honours student Samir Wansiedler in third.

Ken also awarded prizes for the final-year Real Estate BSc Honours Development Project module, with students Anaya John-Baptise taking first prize and Gurleen Ghotra as runner up.  

In addition to the awards, Ken has contributed to the funding of 13 students to undertake international work placements at the UN. The students embarked on their internships in May in locations across the globe including Geneva, Nairobi and Sarajevo. The internships, which are four to nine months in duration, provide students with excellent opportunities to excel in their professional careers, develop skills, gain exposure to the workings of a leading international organisation and build a firm foundation for their future careers. In their roles, the interns have the chance to engage in a wide range of global issues relating to migration and development as well as disaster preparedness and response.

Ken is a self-made millionaire who moved to London from Guyana at the age of 20 to pursue an Engineering degree at Regent Street Polytechnic. From humble beginnings, he developed himself into an international structural engineer, working on projects in South America and the Middle East. He later joined his brothers to establish Zara, which has become one of the foremost property ownership organisations in New York.

The Subraj family’s charitable activity stems from the Zara Charitable Foundation, the George Subraj Family Foundation and the Jay & Sylvia Subraj Foundation. Examples of their donations include the creation of new student technology centres and labs at over ten locations worldwide, as well as the establishment of eye clinics and pioneering organ transplant programmes.

About the Development Project Prize, Dr Jan Wilcox, Senior Lecturer in Real Estate and Director of Employability in the School of Applied Management, said: “It is not just the award that inspires our students, but also Ken's story of his progress from his studies at the University of Westminster, formerly the Polytechnic, to the entrepreneur and generous philanthropist he is today, making a positive impact on society around the globe.  

“Both winners, Anaya and Gurleen, were committed students from the start of their courses. Neither of them were afraid to come forward and ask for help when needed, and it is hugely satisfying to see the outstanding progress they have made both academically and professionally. They are both starting graduate programmes at major real estate firms and I have no doubt that they will continue to shine brightly.”

Dr Irene Brew-Riverson, Principal Lecturer in Finance and Accounting, said: “I am delighted that Ken Subraj's magnanimity provides our students with an excellent opportunity to showcase their diligence as well as their commitment to contributing to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals through their entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial activities. The awards enable our students to continue to invest in these activities that positively impact our community at Westminster as well as local, regional and international communities.  

“Ken demonstrates how being kind and reaching out to facilitate opportunities for others can make a significant difference to the trajectory of the lives we touch.  His achievements are particularly inspiring, considering the modest start he had in life. I would like to thank Ken Subraj, Richard Mahase, June Subraj and the rest of the team for everything they have done to make such a meaningful difference to the lives of our students.”

Jordan Scammell, Head of Development and Fundraising at Westminster, added: "Ken’s enduring support for our students is very much appreciated. His commitment to recognising talent and unlocking opportunity embodies the very best of what alumni engagement can achieve. From awarding academic excellence across business, finance, entrepreneurship and real estate, to funding life-changing global internships with the UN’s International Organisation for Migration, Ken is setting graduates up for their professional careers. That he and his team travelled from New York to celebrate our students in person speaks volumes about his belief of the potential of Westminster graduates and his commitment to his alma mater.”

Ken Subraj’s generous support directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.  

To find out more about how alumni can support students and set up a fund at the University of Westminster, email the Development Team.