Bristol University student receives Masters after family fled Taliban

  • Watch student Gurvin Chopra speak to ITV News West Country about her family, education and graduation.

A student has graduated from the University of Bristol after her family fled religious persecution by the Taliban.

Gurvin Chopra’s parents Jaspal and Waryam left Afghanistan in 2000 because of their Sikh religion.

Although neither received any education, and cannot read or write, they encouraged Miss Chopra and her two younger siblings to work hard at school.

Miss Chopra became the first person in her family to attend school, and her success led to study at university.

This week, the 23-year-old graduated from the University of Bristol with her master’s degree in human rights law and has ambitions of becoming a lawyer.

Gurva Singh graduated from the University of Bristol with a master's degree in human rights law. Credit: PA

Guvin Chopra: 'Access to education can be life-changing'

"For me, as an Afghan woman, the significance of this day cannot be overstated,” Miss Chopra said in her ceremony speech.

"In Afghanistan, women and girls have been denied the right to an education, the right to be seen and heard.

"These are privileges that I, through education, have been fortunate to receive and foster.

"As the only educated woman in my family, it is an honour and privilege to have earned my master's in human rights law.

Miss Singh has ambitions of becoming a human rights lawyer. Credit: PA

"It is through my education that I have been able to see first-hand how access to education can be life-changing, in providing a voice, freedoms and, most importantly, choices.

"So, as we all celebrate the end of this chapter, we must remember the power education has in transforming lives, and, more importantly, the privileges we hold and the responsibilities we bear in ensuring that these opportunities are available to all."

Growing up in west London, Miss Chopra would read the family’s post, fill out their forms and read books to her brother and sister.

She believes those childhood experiences shaped her studies and helped propel her towards a career in law.

Miss Chopra completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Bristol (pictured). Credit: PA

"In their youth, my parents weren't really allowed to participate in education," she said.

"My grandfather died young and my dad had to work, and there was a cultural element of what a woman's place was. Despite that, they've always seen the value in education.

"I always saw education as a way out and a way of making myself different from the women I saw growing up, who often didn't work.

"I've found education really empowering in breaking away from that, developing a voice and helping the people around me."

Now working as an elected officer for Bristol Students' Union, Miss Chopra has also set up a charity, The Beathard Project, which seeks to uncover miscarriages of justice to posthumously exonerate people who have been executed for alleged crimes.

After finishing her year-long service as a students' union officer, Miss Chopra plans to work on her charity before becoming a human rights lawyer.