Goodness recognised for outstanding contribution to student life
Goodness Ojo-Solomon from Nigeria has graduated with an MSc Global Health from Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, capping off an outstanding year in which she was recognised for both her academic success and exceptional contribution to the university community.
Alongside completing her postgraduate studies, Goodness played a leading role in student life as the QMU Students' Union Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer in her final year. Her commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming campus was recognised at the 2026 QMUSU Star Awards, where she was named Officer of the Year.
Goodness worked closely with the Students' Union to champion initiatives that celebrated diversity and strengthened the University's student community. She helped deliver QMU's Black History Month programme, including the Black History Month Spotlight Series and the University's first BME Community Gathering, while also encouraging students to share their experiences and get involved in shaping campus life.
One of her proudest achievements was restarting the Afro-Caribbean Society at QMU, helping to rebuild a student community that hosted three successful events during the year.
Goodness also helped connect students with career opportunities by supporting the Big Career Conference, a networking and mentoring event held in Glasgow that aimed to improve access to employment for Black professionals across Scotland. Alongside her work to restart the Afro-Caribbean Society and champion inclusion on campus, these contributions earned her the Dean's Student Citizenship Award upon her graduation from QMU.
Serving as BME Officer was a valuable part of my time at QMU. I wanted to help make the University an even more welcoming and inclusive place for Black and Minority Ethnic students, while creating opportunities for people to connect, share experiences and build a sense of community. Alongside this, studying MSc Global Health allowed me to explore the wider factors that shape health and inequalities around the world, while developing my understanding of how communities can work towards positive change. Learning alongside people from different backgrounds and perspectives was an important part of my experience at QMU and helped broaden my understanding of global health challenges.
Following graduation, Goodness plans to continue her academic journey by resuming her PhD in Social Policy, supported by a fully funded studentship. This will allow her to continue building her passion for global health, equality and social impact.
She said: "My interest in Global Health began during my undergraduate studies when I took a module on Global Health Diplomacy, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Studying the subject while witnessing the pandemic unfold made me realise how interconnected health issues are and how a health crisis can extend far beyond one country, influencing economic, political, and social systems across the world. It sparked many questions that I wanted to explore further and ultimately inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in Global Health.
"When I began researching postgraduate programmes, QMU stood out as one of the very few universities in the UK offering a Global Health programme that aligned with my interests. I was also drawn to the programme because it welcomed students from a range of academic backgrounds, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of global health. After reading through the programme modules and learning more about what the course had to offer, I was confident that QMU was the right place for me to continue my studies."
Goodness celebrated her graduation on 6 July 2026 at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall alongside human rights activist Fatou Baldeh MBE, who was awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her campaigning work to protect women and girls from violence and discrimination, and to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM). Goodness’ graduation marked not only the completion of her Master's degree but also recognised the lasting contribution she has made to student life at the University.
For further media information contact Emma Reekie, Media and Content Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: ereekie@qmu.ac.uk (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk).
