Medical Student Kaavya Chandrasekar Receives Rector’s Award for Contribution to Inclusion and Student Welfare
Second-year medical student Kaavya Chandrasekar has been awarded the prestigious Rector’s Award at the University of St Andrews’ Student Association Student Excellence Awards, presented as part of the One Union Awards ceremony held on 2 May 2026.
The Rector’s Award recognises students who have made a meaningful impact through activism, particularly in fostering a more inclusive, accessible, and supportive university environment. It highlights work that has improved access to opportunities and strengthened support for marginalised and underrepresented groups. The recipient is shortlisted by the President of Union Affairs, the Rector, and the Rector’s Assessor.
Kaavya was recognised for her sustained commitment to widening participation, strengthening student support, and building communities where students feel connected and represented.
One of her initiatives addressed the isolation sometimes experienced by minority students. Through her work with the BAME Student Network, she organised its first staff–student networking event, creating space for open conversation between students and staff from minority backgrounds. The event provided an opportunity for participants to share their experiences of navigating academia, helping to foster connection, mentorship, and a sense of belonging across different stages of university life.
Alongside community-building, Kaavya has contributed to efforts to strengthen student welfare support. As a volunteer facilitator with the St Andrews Sexual Assault Support Group, she supports survivors in a setting that prioritises confidentiality, empathy, and trust. Recognising the challenges of sustaining student-led welfare services, she has also engaged with senior University staff to advocate for clearer structures and longer-term institutional support, helping to reinforce the continuity of these services.
Her work in student welfare includes volunteering with SupporED’s St Andrews group, which supports individuals navigating eating disorder recovery. In this role, she contributes to maintaining a consistent, non-judgmental environment for both students and members of the local community, helping to reduce isolation and support recovery through regular, structured group sessions.
Kaavya has also been active in promoting cultural inclusion. Through her organisation of Desi Ball, she introduced the University’s first fully halal formal ball menu, widening access to an aspect of student life that had previously been less inclusive for some. The event created a space that celebrated South Asian culture while encouraging broader participation across the student body.
Beyond St Andrews, Kaavya has engaged in wider advocacy, representing students at an Indian National Students Association event at the Scottish Parliament, where discussions focused on improving the experiences and support available to Indian students studying in Scotland.
Reflecting on her work, Kaavya emphasised the importance of collaboration and continuity in creating meaningful change, noting that many initiatives rely on collective effort and sustained engagement over time.
Colleagues within the School of Medicine have highlighted her thoughtful and consistent approach across a range of activities, from peer support to advocacy.
Dr Andrew O’Malley, Kaavya’s Personal Tutor, said,
“Kaavya thoroughly deserves the Rector’s Award. Her work has contributed both to strengthening existing support structures and to creating new opportunities for connection and inclusion within the University community.”
Kaavya’s recognition with the Rector’s Award reflects the impact of her contributions across student welfare, representation, and community-building, and the ways in which these efforts have supported a more inclusive environment at St Andrews.
Congratulations on a great achievement, Kaavya.