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UEL student's battle against the odds rewarded by prestigious award in the House of Lords

Friday 12 November 2010

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC and Kamran Dein

Two UEL students who face serious disadvantage have received prestigious Helena Kennedy Foundation (HFK) awards, which will provide them with valuable support throughout their studies.

Kamran Dein and Fru Austin will each receive a £1500 bursary from the university to support their costs whilst at UEL over the 3 years of study. In addition, the university will provide a further £400 to fund specialist support including mentoring and work shadowing opportunities provided by HFK. 

The first-year undergraduates were presented with their awards from human rights lawyer and peer, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, in recognition of their achievements in reaching higher education.

She said: “I am delighted to have presented Kamran and Fru with these awards in recognition of their huge achievements in reaching university against the odds. Each student who receives an award has been selected because they are special and have shown real talent and determination.”

Nirmal Borkhataria, UEL Pro Vice-Chancellor & Director of Finance, and HKF board-member, said: “Fru and Kamran personify an ethos that lies at the very core of UEL’s philosophy.As well as being first-rate students, they have both demonstrated incredible resilience through periods of enormous hardship to achieve all they have, and to get to where they are now. It is our responsibility to ensure they are both supported and encouraged in their pursuit of academic excellence."

Kamran, who is currently in the first year of a BA (Hons) in Social Work, has returned to education as a mature student after being diagnosed with an eye condition which has left him partially sighted.

He said: “I really didn’t want to let the whole thing hold me back. These are the cards I’ve been dealt, and I’ve got to get on with living my life.”

Kamran has undertaken voluntary work with under privileged youngsters in London, and has also run workshops for victims of domestic violence and those experiencing mental health problems. At college he achieved ‘across-the-board’ distinctions, as well as a college-wide award in equality and diversity which was presented by Stonewall.

Fru, who is studying Computer Games Design, has been living with significant health problems all his life. His mother relied heavily upon her carer’s allowance, but this was stopped when he turned 17, posing considerable financial hardship for the family.

Described by his tutor as ‘dedicated, conscientious and talented’, Fru adds he aims to become “one of the best games designers in the industry”. Add confident to that list!

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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