Distinguished businessman Ken Subraj, an alumnus of Westminster’s predecessor institution, the Regent Street Polytechnic, generously hosted University of Westminster colleagues and alumni for a dinner in the US celebrating global impact, philanthropy and international engagement. The evening highlighted the profound and transformative impact of the United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration (IOM)–funded internships, a programme that continues to open global pathways for Westminster students.
The event took place on 28 March at Jericho Terrace on Long Island, US, where guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, canapés and a three course dinner. Subraj was joined by his brother, Jay Subraj, Executive Vice President of Zara Realty. Beside the dinner, Subraj took the Westminster group for a tour of Zara Realty Holdings in Long Island.
The programme for the evening included talks from Stephen Wallis, Director of Transnational Education and Global Engagement; Jordan Scammell, Head of Fundraising and Development; and Amaan Haris, an alumnus and 2024 UN IOM Intern. Each speaker highlighted the positive and far-reaching impact of Westminster’s partnership with the IOM, an initiative made possible through Subraj’s sustained philanthropic support.
The University’s partnership with the UN has opened doors for students to step beyond the classroom and into the heart of global policymaking, humanitarian response and international cooperation. What began as an ambitious institutional collaboration has evolved into a flagship programme that places Westminster students in IOM offices around the world, equipping them with the skills, confidence and networks required to navigate complex global challenges.
Amaan spoke in detail about his placement with IOM, where he served as a Regional Humanitarian Protection Assistant in Vienna between May 2024 and February 2025. During his internship, he supported humanitarian protection programmes across Europe and Central Asia, collaborating with more than 50 country offices. He designed Standard Operating Procedures and workflows to help safeguard migrants vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and abuse. These tools were adopted regionally and incorporated into colleague training delivered in Tajikistan.
To date, the IOM Internship Programme has supported 37 interns, with an additional two interns funded directly by IOM London. Of these, ten interns, representing nearly 25%, have gone on to secure positions within IOM. The programme has funded over 250 months of international internship experience, with 90% of participants coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students have completed placements in 15 countries, including Switzerland, Kenya, Austria, Burundi, Lao PDR, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Botswana, Greece, Jordan, Costa Rica, Senegal, Tunisia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.
Subraj has also established a series of awards that recognise outstanding student achievements in innovation, enterprise, real estate development and international success. These awards reflect his belief in the transformative power of education and global opportunity and will be presented this year in July.
Amaan said: “It was a privilege to be invited to New York for Westminster’s Alumni and Fundraising Dinner, and to continue building the partnership between the United Nations Migration Agency and the University of Westminster.
“Meeting alumni now based in New York and hearing how their time at Westminster shaped their paths was powerful. What stood out most was how committed they are to giving back and opening doors for the next generation of students. That support is what makes opportunities like the IOM internships possible, especially for students who wouldn’t otherwise have access. It’s also driven by people like Ken Subraj, who has spearheaded the IOM programmes' funding and brought alumni together with a clear focus on student development in a global context.”
Jordan Scammell added: “Spending time with Ken and the Subraj family, and visiting the Zara Realty business, really brought home the scale of Ken’s journey since his time at Regent Street Polytechnic. Seeing first-hand what he has built, and the global impact he continues to have, was both inspiring and humbling. What stands out most is his commitment to ensuring others can follow in his footsteps. Through his support of the IOM Internship Programme, he is opening doors for Westminster students like Amaan to gain life-changing international experience and to contribute to global challenges facing the world today.
“It was a genuine pleasure and privilege to be hosted by Ken for this special fundraising engagement event, and I’m incredibly grateful for his generosity, vision and continued commitment to the University and its students.”
Through Subraj’s support Westminster’s IOM Internship Programme directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 17: Partnerships for the Goals 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 ensure more students can benefit from these internships, support the United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration Internship Programme.
To find out more contact the Development Team at the University of Westminster.
