Safiyyah Muhamad Ridzuan

Global Challenge: Educational Inequity and Limited Access to Holistic Learning Opportunities

Bio:

Safiyyah is a junior studying Business and Technology Management at New York University, with minors in Computer Science and Mathematics. She is interested in the intersection of business, technology, and finance. Outside of class, she enjoys hiking and spending time in nature.

Safiyyah is involved at NYU as a member of the Muslim Student Association and Malaysian Student Association. She previously worked as a Marketing Associate for the NYU Tandon Consulting Club and volunteered with the NYU Legacy Project and Tandon Poly Project. During her Digital Channel Change Management internship at the Employees Provident Fund in Malaysia, she developed skills in Excel, project coordination, process documentation, and communication. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career that combines finance, technology, and analytical problem-solving, with a particular interest in impact investing. In the long term, she hopes to help direct capital toward businesses and initiatives that generate both strong financial returns and meaningful social and environmental impact.

Safiyyah studied abroad at NYU London, where her experience deepened both her global perspective and sense of purpose. Through programs with Iman Moment Europe and connections with Muslim students from diverse backgrounds, she found a supportive community grounded in shared values, faith, and a desire to contribute positively to society. Her time in London helped her become more confident in building relationships in larger group settings and challenged her to think more critically about how her future career can serve communities that are often overlooked. It also reinforced her belief that meaningful change is built through consistent action, strong communities, and a commitment to helping others.

Being part of GLASS has given Safiyyah a community that encourages her to think beyond her own academic and career goals and consider how she can contribute to global challenges. It has strengthened her awareness of the unequal opportunities that people face across different communities and reinforced her belief that meaningful change requires collaboration, empathy, and action. The UN Sustainable Development Goal that resonates most with her is SDG 4: Quality Education, which calls for inclusive and equitable education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. As a student who has benefited from educational opportunities in Malaysia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Safiyyah recognizes that access to education can expand opportunities and empower individuals to improve their communities. She hopes to apply her skills in business, technology, and finance in cross-cultural settings by supporting initiatives that expand access to quality education, practical digital tools, and economic opportunity for underserved communities.