University students nominated for student of the year
07 July 2008
Three students from Canterbury Christ Church University have been nominated for the Xcel Student of the Year Awards 2008 for their academic and personal achievements over the past year.
Abigirl Mudzingwa has been nominated in the Health category Abigirl Mudzingwa, 39, has been nominated in the Health category, Gabriella Onyidobara Benamaisia, 23, in the Social Sciences category and Elton George Lewis, 18, in the Education category. The awards ceremony is due to take place in London in October 2008.
Xcel, Britain’s first and largest careers e-magazine for multi-ethnic and minority group students, aims to promote the success of students as well as acting as inspiration to future potential applicants.
Students are nominated by their universities and colleges in the following categories: Built Environment; Business and Commerce; Creative Arts and Media; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health; Humanities; IT Computing and the Web; Law; Performing Arts; Sciences; Social Sciences; and Sports.
Abigirl, who has completed a Diploma in Adult Nursing at the University, was born with a congenital loss of her left palm and fingers. She said: “I have worked hard to achieve the stage I am now at. Others were concerned that my disability may be a stumbling block but I had a positive attitude to everything and I am really happy with how I have managed. I hope I can inspire other people with disabilities by showing them that they can do something for themselves and that disability is not inability.”
Gabriella Onyidobara Benamaisia has been nominated in the Social Sciences category Gabriella, who has completed a BSc Social Science degree at the University, said: “I was surprised yet thrilled to be nominated and pleased that all the hard work has paid off. I have consistently improved my academic performance during the three years by applying myself and discovering my strengths.”
Elton, who is in the first year of a BA Hons Primary Education degree at the University, said: “I was quite taken back by the nomination as I am not used to being singled out for my exploits as a student, it made me feel very proud. I plan to finish my degree at the highest standard I can possibly achieve, and hope to eventually teach in an inner city school, as it will provide a stern challenge for the start of my career as a teacher.”
Notes to Editor
If you are a member of the media and would like a photograph of Abigirl, Gabriella or Elton please contact Canterbury Christ Church University’s External Relations Assistant, David Cutts, on 01227 782826 or email david.cutts@canterbury.ac.uk
Xcel Student of the Year Awards 2008
Elton George Lewis has been nominated in the Education category Designed to acknowledge as well as encourage student achievement, the Xcel Student of the Year Awards 2008 will be the first major headline event to do so exclusively for ethnic minority students.
Any student currently attending any UK college or university and undertaking a post-school qualification, diploma or degree can be nominated. Students from a minority group or multi-ethnic background can also include women, the disabled and those from a deprived or challenged background.
Nominations have to be from students involved in the 13 subject areas. Award winners will be titled by topic, such as the ‘Xcel Healthcare Student of the Year’. The two main criteria that nominated students should fulfil are academic achievement and personal development and achievement.
An appointed panel will decide upon award winners and runners-up. Award winners will be publicly presented with their awards at the Award Event in October 2008 and will also be invited with their attending guests to enjoy a post-presentation celebration party.
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University is the largest centre of higher education in Kent for public services – notably teacher training, policing and health and social care. The University is also a significant provider of programmes in a wide range of academic areas within its Faculties of Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, and Sciences.
From a small independent College of less than five hundred students – all training to be school teachers – in the 1960s, we have grown to be a fully fledged university with almost 14,500 students and 1,100 staff members with campuses in Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Broadstairs, Chatham and Folkestone. Our teaching and learning facility for health, education and policing students at Chatham is part of the Universities At Medway Project in partnership with the Universities of Greenwich and Kent with Mid-Kent College.
Inspired by the University’s Church of England Foundation and the aspirations of its students and staff, our mission is to pursue excellence in academic and professional higher education thereby enriching both individuals and society.
Contacts
Claire Draper, Media Relations Officer,
Canterbury Christ Church University,
01227 782391, claire.draper@canterbury.ac.uk
David Cutts, External Relations Assistant,
Canterbury Christ Church University,
01227 782826, david.cutts@canterbury.ac.uk
Contact Details:
Claire Draper
01227 782391
Email the Press Office
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