Pakistani honoured with highest youth award in Australia

Khurram Jahangir Khan was named 'Young Victorian of the Year' for his volunteer work with immigrant communities

In the space of only three years, a 20-year-old Pakistani has managed to impress the Australian state of Victoria with his volunteering work with migrant communities and was duly awarded one of the highest ranking youth awards there.

Khurram Jahangir Khan, a former student of The City School PAF Chapter, was awarded Young Victorian of the Year 2016. The award was presented in Melbourne by the Victoria Day Council as part of Victoria Day celebrations on July 1.



Currently a University of Melbourne Biomedical student, Khan says he loves to volunteer. "I was inspired by our culture of generosity and selfless care. But I must acknowledge, exceptional people including Sir Abdus Sattar Edhi, Dr Adeeb Rizvi and Dame Elizabeth Murdoch who played a huge role in shaping my passions," Khan said, while speaking to The Express Tribune.

"Volunteerism is a core element of leadership, as I sometimes say, it teaches the true subjects of life; the chemistry of a community and the physics of a society. Moreover, joining Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning Program, directly linked me to migrant communities and refugees," he added.

PHOTO: KHURRAM J KHAN

Khan volunteers with several local and international organisations in Victoria, including Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning (SAIL), where he is the coordinator and mentor for migrants with a non-English background.



No stranger to awards, Khan was earlier named the New Resident Volunteer of the Year – Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Award 2014 for his outstanding contribution to the Australian and international community.

The 20-year-old is also an Alumni Representative for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Victoria, where his role is to create leadership opportunities for the participants. He has also received the Mayoral Youth Award from Wyndham City Council in May 2014 for the category ‘volunteering, community service and leadership’.

While studying in Pakistan, Khurrum was ‘Student of the Year 2013’ at The City School PAF Chapter, A Level Section. During his time at The City School (Melbourne), he actively participated in volunteer and charity work and received a commendation for his work as the President of the Outreach Society (2012-13).