Md. Rifat Mahmud Khan

Master of Public Health student

Pursuing a Master of Public Health felt like the natural next step for him, says Md. Rifat Mahmud Khan, who came to AUT as an international student from Bangladesh.

“I began my professional journey in clinical medicine. Later, I moved into medical education, where I spent several years teaching public health and community medicine to medical students. That experience gradually changed the way I looked at health. I wanted to understand why certain health problems affect populations, how social and environmental factors shape health, and how prevention, policy and health systems can improve outcomes at a community level. Pursuing a Master of Public Health enables me to build on both my clinical and academic experience while developing as a public health researcher, with the possibility of progressing to doctoral research in the future.”

Deciding to come to AUT in Auckland for his studies was easy for him.

“When I was exploring universities in New Zealand, I compared different programmes carefully because I wanted a university that would give me both a strong academic foundation and the flexibility to explore different areas of public health. What stood out to me about AUT was the wide range of courses and areas of study available within the programme. I was particularly attracted to the way the programme covers different dimensions of public health, including research, epidemiology, health policy, Māori health and research practices, digital health, and broader population health issues.

“Another reason I chose AUT was its practical and applied approach to learning. I didn’t want a programme that was only theoretical. I wanted to understand how public health knowledge can be applied to real communities, policies and health challenges. Now that I’m studying here, I feel that this was the right choice. AUT has not only expanded my knowledge of public health, but has also encouraged me to think critically, question established ideas, understand different cultural perspectives and gradually develop my own direction as a researcher.”

An enjoyable journey
For his master’s degree research, Md. Rifat is focusing on the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme and how it is implemented in selected Auckland secondary schools. His research is supervised by Dr Meenal Rai.

“I’m particularly interested in the perspectives of senior secondary students and school staff, as they experience the programme from two different but equally important positions within the school environment. I chose this topic because school lunch programmes are about much more than simply providing food. They can contribute to students’ nutrition, wellbeing, food security and participation in education, but their success also depends on how effectively they work within everyday school environments. Ultimately, I want my research to give both young people and school staff a meaningful voice in understanding a programme that directly affects their everyday school experience.”

Expecting to complete his studies in 2027, he has thoroughly enjoyed his studies so far.

“What I’ve enjoyed most is the flexibility and accessibility of the learning experience. I appreciate the hybrid approach to teaching, which combines face-to-face learning with online resources and gives students greater flexibility in managing postgraduate study alongside other responsibilities. The dedicated student portals and online learning platforms make it easy to access course materials, recorded sessions, academic resources, important updates and support services in one place. One of my biggest achievements at AUT has been maintaining strong academic performance. I was particularly proud to receive A+ grades in some of my assignments, especially while adapting to a new country and a different academic system.

“I’ve also really enjoyed Auckland itself. I love the combination of nature and city life here. The clean environment, greenery, beaches and natural beauty are never far away, but at the same time Auckland offers the energy, diversity and opportunities of a major city. I particularly enjoy how easily you can move between busy city life and peaceful natural surroundings. It’s great to be able to experience a completely different culture, while also being surrounded by people from many different cultural backgrounds. One of the most meaningful parts of my studies has been learning about Māori culture, history and perspectives. It helped me understand that studying in another country isn’t only about gaining a degree; it’s also about learning to see the world through perspectives different from your own.”

Supported to thrive
Throughout his AUT journey, he has been fortunate to receive tremendous support from several staff, Md. Rifat says.

“Associate Professor Ailsa Holloway has been incredibly helpful in guiding me through the programme. From helping me navigate the wide range of coursework options to providing advice and suggestions at different stages of my study, her guidance has helped me make decisions that align with my academic interests and future goals. Dr Meenal Rai, as my research supervisor, has supported me in developing my research ideas, encouraged me to think independently and critically, and helped me gradually shape those ideas into a clear research direction. What I particularly appreciate is that she gives me the freedom to develop my own ideas while providing the guidance and constructive feedback needed to make them stronger.

“As an international student, I’ve also received exceptional support from Haitham Mazyan, my international student advisor. He has been extremely helpful in guiding me through immigration-related matters, understanding my visa conditions and requirements, and other practical issues that come with studying in New Zealand as an international student. Whenever I’ve had questions or needed clarification, he has always been approachable, responsive and supportive.”

He has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.

“My advice would be not to study only for grades or simply to earn a degree. Study for the experience, the knowledge and the opportunity to grow. Enjoy the learning process, explore subjects beyond what is required, ask questions, talk to your lecturers, challenge your own assumptions and make full use of the resources around you. Some of the most valuable learning happens when something doesn’t make sense immediately and you must work through it. For international students especially, the beginning of this journey can sometimes feel overwhelming because you’re adapting academically, professionally, culturally and personally at the same time. Give yourself time to adjust, but don’t be afraid to participate, communicate with your lecturers or ask for help when you need it.”