Five WBS students recognised for their contributions to the wider community

Five exceptional students from Warwick Business School have been presented with the University of Warwick’s Outstanding Student Contribution Award (OSCA).

Together with their Bachelor’s Degree certificates, Advait Arya, Tomasz Losinski, Htet Myat Noe Oo, Raghav Verma and Sahil Chawla walked away from the degree congregations this summer with recognition for achievements outside their academic studies.

“The OSCAs celebrate individuals who have made a positive impact on society,” said Mark Johnson, Professor of Operations Management and Associate Dean for the Undergraduate portfolio.

“In their desire to change the world for the better, these five students are perfect examples of the Change Maker mindset at Warwick Business School.

“Not only have they excelled academically, but they have also managed to champion good causes, found student societies, help fellow students to launch business ventures, and lead initiatives to empower people from communities lacking access to opportunities.”

How to change the world

As a BSc Accounting and Finance student, Advait Arya provided mentorship to more than 50 students from underprivileged regions, while his AQ Mentors initiative guided more than 100 Warwick peers towards better career paths. His leadership has extended globally through Defy Organisation, which has sought to empower 2,000 youths across four countries, earning the prestigious Diana Award.

Empowering people from disadvantaged communities has also been the keynote of the work of Raghav Verma, who studied for a BSc Management with Strategy. His Grow Together initiative has mentored underserved communities, guiding them toward self-reliance through business literacy and access to government schemes.

At university, he led the Warwick Incubator, mentoring over 100 student entrepreneurs across Europe, helping them raise more than £250,000 and launch new ventures.

Launching a new venture was exactly what Htet Myat Noe Oo did when she founded the Myanmar Society at the University of Warwick, creating a vital space for Burmese students and connecting them with professionals and peers across the UK.

While studying for her BSc Management, she was involved with the global youth organisation, AIESEC, helping to host its Global Village event at Warwick.

Beyond campus, Htet launched Purple Talks, a mental health platform in Myanmar, and The Art Academy, offering affordable creative education. Both initiatives helped to empower thousands during the pandemic.

While Htet championed Myanmar at university, Sahil Chawla showed his leadership skills in the areas of sustainability and social equity. The BSc Management with Finance student co-founded the Warwick ESG Society and organised major cultural events through the Warwick India Forum. His Golden Heart Foundation, meanwhile, has helped to feed more than 1,000 underprivileged children and raised £100,000 globally.

As a BSc student in International Management, Tomasz Losinski was always going to take a global perspective. His research into the cultural dimensions of peace and security has earned international acclaim, including a prize-winning presentation at a peace forum in Italy. As a member of the University Royal Navy Unit, he instilled leadership values that also put the emphasis on promoting peace, earning him the honorary rank of midshipman.

At Warwick Business School itself, Tomasz led diverse international teams through the Teamwork programme, delivering innovative solutions to global businesses and earning accolades such as the Bosch Innovation Certificate.

“I think the common attribute of all these students was the ability to identify a challenge and to seek ways to address it,” said Professor Johnson. “That’s what Change Makers do. They see obstacles as opportunities, paving the way for others to follow.”

The University of Warwick judging panel for the 2025 OSCAs consisted of: Registrar Rachel Sandby-Thomas, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Rebecca Freeman, Student Union President Enaya Nihal, Student Union Vice President for Education Muneeba Amjad, and Student Union Vice President Postgraduate Alijah Taha.

Discover Warwick Business School's Change Makers.