Being a student at UCL is about so much more than just acquiring knowledge. Studying here gives you the opportunity to realise your potential as an individual, and the skills and tools to thrive.
Find out more about what makes UCL research world-leading, how to access UCL expertise, and teams in the Office of the Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement).
Discover the many ways you can connect with UCL, and how we work with industry, government and not-for-profit organisations to tackle tough challenges.
Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, UCL is London's leading multidisciplinary university, with more than 16,000 staff and 50,000 students from 150 different countries.
Meet the future of public value: Spotlight on MPA student… Farah Khan
Introducing Farah Khan, 2020-21 Master of Public Administration (MPA) student at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP). We get to know more about her, while discussing public value and why she chose IIPP and our MPA.
5 November 2020
What were you doing before you joined the IIPP MPA? I was working as Deputy Commissioner at the Inland Revenue Services (IRS) for the Government of Pakistan and was responsible for the collection of direct and indirect taxes, audit proceedings and refund processing.
Why did you choose to apply to the IIPP MPA? My career goals include learning different approaches of public sector reform and institutional capacity building. I found all the relevant modules being offered at the IIPP MPA. The amazing faculty was an equally convincing factor.
What challenges or topics around innovation, public policy and public value concern/interest you the most? Digitisation, taxation and public sector transformation.
What do you hope to get out of the IIPP MPA? Through this degree, I hope to build on my skills as a leader who will morally and intellectually determine the rules of the game for the coming generations in Pakistan and abroad.
Why do you believe it is important that we change how public value is imagined, practised and evaluated? How we imagine public value decides how we work towards creating and increasing it. It is important to add public value as the key ingredient for policies leading economic and technological developments if we want to create a braver and more sustainable world.
What is your favourite album, film or novel? Album: Season 9 of Coke Studio Pakistan
If you had to remove one social media app from your phone, which would one would it be and why? Instagram — the addiction!
Who would be your top three dream dinner guests (dead or alive)?
If your fellow MPA students were to visit you in your city, where would you take them and what is a local dish they would have to try? Chicken biryani at a local restaurant in Pirsohawa, Islamabad.
What is your life motto? Quite simple — live and let live!
The Bartlett School of Planning visit Shanghai to expand collaborations in China
The Bartlett School of Planning (BSP) Director, Prof. Raco and Research Director Prof. Andres spent a week in Shanghai to launch new projects and forge new partnerships.
IEDE TALKS 2025: Prof Ian Durbin in conversation with James Ford (Hoare Lea)
James Ford, Director at Hoare Lea, joins IEDE Talks 2025 to share insights on innovation, sustainability, and thriving in future careers across the built environment.
