Navaz Ebrahim and family have established this scholarship with Kingston University for international postgraduate students in the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences in memory of Niloufar Ebrahim, one of the 176 passengers and crew who lost their lives when Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 was downed in Iran on 8 January 2020.
Niloufar, an MSc Occupational and Business Psychology graduate, and her husband Saeed Tahmasebi Khademasadi, were among those who died when the passenger plane was hit by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) surface-to-air missiles shortly after take-off from Tehran on 8 January 2020. The couple had been returning to London to start their lives together, after celebrating their wedding in Iran just weeks earlier. Niloufar had been due to attend her graduation ceremony the following week. The family is continuing to campaign for those who lost their lives as active members of The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims.
To continue Niloufar's legacy, the Niloufar Ebrahim Scholarship in Memory of Flight PS752 Victims has been set up by her family to provide the opportunity for passionate students to pursue their ambitions of making a difference in the world.
The scholarship will support an outstanding international postgraduate student to complete a one-year masters course at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. The scholarship will cover a large portion of tuition fees for the applicant, up to the value of £11,100.
In light of the recent killing of Mahsa Jina Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, whose arrest in Tehran for alleged loose hijab and subsequent death in police custody sparked a wave of protests throughout Iran and among Iranian diaspora under Woman, Life, Freedom; Niloufar's family is honoured to prioritise this year's scholarship to women applicants currently living in Iran, dealing with the same struggles and fighting for their basic human rights. We hope this decision provides an opportunity for women of Iran to continue Niloufar's legacy, making a better world for all of us.
Navaz Ebrahim, Niloufar's sister
A named scholarship is a prestigious award that recognises merit and motivation, not only financial need. Named scholars are chosen through a selection process. A panel of faculty members will review applications and the donor will have the opportunity to participate in the shortlisting process. The donor does not correspond with applicants and the decision of the panel is final.
To say thank you and show the impact of such a generous gift, Niloufar's family will be sent yearly updates on the scholar's progress. We hope and expect that scholarship recipients will value the opportunity to help honour and celebrate Niloufar's memory and will therefore be open to communicating with both Kingston University staff and Niloufar's family.
Applications for entry in the 2024/25 academic year are now closed.
Alternative scholarships are available for UK students and international students.
Other financial support is also available for postgraduate students.
Please note that Kingston University reserves the right to withdraw or amend a scholarship without prior notification. Scholarships are offered subject to funding and availability.
If you have any questions about the application and selection procedure, please contact us at development@kingston.ac.uk.