Students studying on the Project Management MSc course at the University of Westminster have raised over £2,000 for the charity Niños de Guatemala as part of their coursework, demonstrating how project management education can create meaningful social impact beyond the classroom.
The fundraising initiative formed part of the Project Leadership module, where students apply project management principles in a real-world setting through an authentic assessment. Working in teams, students planned, delivered and evaluated fundraising projects while engaging with charities, businesses, community organisations and members of the public.
The funds were raised in support of Niños de Guatemala, the charitable arm of the Good Foundation, which is also behind the social enterprise Good Hotel London. The organisation works to break the cycle of poverty through education, supporting children and young people in Guatemala to access quality schooling and opportunities for a better future.
At the start of the project, students shortlisted and voted on the charity they wished to support, giving them ownership of the initiative. Once the charity had been selected, student teams designed and delivered a range of fundraising activities, managing budgets, stakeholders, communications, risks and project delivery throughout the process.
The amount raised was £2,085.53, the equivalent to the charity’s target of providing daily school meals for all 530 students for one month. The total also exceeds the annual sponsorship cost of sending one child to school for a year, highlighting the tangible impact that student-led projects can have on communities around the world.
Dr Dania Issa, Course Leader for the Project Management MSc course, said: "It has been wonderful to see our students transform their learning into meaningful action that benefits others. This is what authentic assessment and sustainable education is all about! The experience enabled students to work with external stakeholders, navigate uncertainty and deliver outcomes that matter; skills that are highly valued by employers and essential for future project leaders."
Himanshu Jain, Lecturer of Project and Product Management, Founder and President of the Rotary Club of Stratford, and Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London, said: "I am incredibly proud of our students for turning project management theory into real-world impact. Raising over £2,000 to support education and school meals in Guatemala is an outstanding achievement and reflects both their professionalism and compassion. Having been a long-time supporter of the Good Hotel and the work of Niños de Guatemala, I know the difference these funds will make to young people and their families. This is project leadership at its very best: delivering meaningful outcomes while developing the skills needed to become future leaders."
The initiative contributes directly to several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The project reflects the University of Westminster’s longstanding commitment to sustainability and its strategic efforts to embed the SDGs across education, research and civic engagement
Find out more about sustainable development at the University of Westminster.
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