CUSU University Councillor Umang Khandelwal has been named one of the top 100 women to watch in 2017.

The Future 100, compiled by The Tab with sponsorship from Barclays,  is a “definitive list of women at UK universities who are set to achieve incredible things in the future”. The list, which is based on votes from students at universities across the UK, aims to celebrate and encourage aspiring young women across the country.  

A second-year Law student at Newnham, Khandelwal received 2,980 of the 215,841 votes cast by students online to come tenth in the poll.

While Khandelwal is perhaps most recognisable for her bitterly contested re-election campaign in this year’s CUSU elections, her other accomplishments include participating in the 2016 G20 Youth Summit as an official member of the Canadian delegation.

Umang Khandelwal ekes out narrow win in University Councillor election

Aside from Khandelwal, five other Cambridge students were featured in the list, including Olivia Buckland, President of Pink Week, in 17th place, and Nina Rauch, the campaign’s founder, in 62nd place.

Members of May Ball committees put in a strong showing, including Suroor Rahimtoola, Ticketing Officer and Theme Coordinator of Homerton May Ball, in 16th place. Raniyah Qureshi claimed 45th place as the first BME Muslim Women’s Officer and current Co-President of Trinity May Ball.

Also featured on the list was Rose Payne, Head of Strategy for Cambridge for Consent, in 18th place.

Speaking to Varsity, Khandelwal said that she was “excited” to be featured in the list and “grateful to Barclays for the opportunity to meet women in leadership positions”.

She added, “I am also encouraged by the diversity of [the] young women on the list”, emphasising that “this initiative highlights for me the value of mentorship and the need to actively promote women in the workplace”.

Fellow Newnhamite Olivia Hylton-Pennant, who nominated Khadelwal, told Varsity she “instantly thought of Umang” after seeing the award.

“She’s achieved so much,” said Hylton-Pennant, “yet remains extremely approachable and down to earth.”