Making a difference

What an incredible difference one year can make. One of the most important decisions for me in 2015 was quiting my promising job for full time a social work degree. It has been a wonderful journey.

Celebrating Nyarai

While it has not been plain sailing, I have had the privilege of meeting some amazing students and staff at UCLan who have helped to shape my experience.

Meet The Amazing UCLan SU President, Sana Iqbal

Meet The Amazing Sana Iqbal

I had an opportunity to interview Sana Iqbal, the current Student Union President of the University of Central Lancashire, and it was remarkable!



I remember our initial meeting at the welcome lobby of Greenbank lecture theater during the pre-event meet and greet of UCLan Entrepreneurial Society. A few months later, her name came up as one of the candidates for SU Presidency, I knew she could win because of her brilliance and endearing personality. What better time to publish the excerpt from the interview than today as she celebrates her 24th birthday.



Lanre: Kindly introduce yourself please.
Sana: Hi, my name is Sana, I am from Manchester. I studied Pharmacy here for four years and recently graduated. I also ran to become SU President and won and now I am here.



Lanre: At what point did you decide to run for the SU Presidency?
Sana: It wasn’t a decision I made in one day. I thought about it for days and even months, some people also spoke to me about it and I eventually just went for it.

Lanre: Was there anyone in particular who inspired you?
Sana: I got a lot of support from Josie Linsel, the outgoing SU president, she inspired me by the way she performed and the amazing things she did during her time. Gareth Pye (Director of Engagement & Support, UCLan) was someone who also helped me get here by encouraging me to get involved in student politics right from my second year at the university.



Lanre: Would you consider mainstream politics when you leave the university?
Sana: (Laughs) No, definitely not. I have other career aspirations and politics isn’t one of them.

Lanre: What advice would you give to Blacks and Minority Ethnics (BME) students/graduates in the UK?
Sana: Seize every opportunity possible. It is easy to be complacent and to get stuck in your comfort zone and wanting to stick with your own group of friends. But, it is very important to break out of that. If I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now. Our University and the Student Union pride ourselves in our diversity but it all depend to students getting involved.



Lanre: If you can send a message to your younger self, what would it be?
Sana: (Laughs) my younger self, oh gosh! I would say, believe in yourself, be a lot more confident, and believe you can do this.

Lanre: It has been nice interviewing you. Thank you very much
Sana: My pleasure

Follow the link below to listen to the full audio interview:

DIVERSITY POD INTERVIEWS SANA IQBAL

LOOKING FOR A UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP?

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS?

Scholarship is a grant or payment made to support a student's education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements (Google, 2016). These opportunities are offered to both home and international students to study in the recipient’s home country or abroad.

The big question is: Who qualifies for a scholarship?
i. Individuals who display excellent academic prowess

ii. Exceptional performers at sport or one with obvious potential

iii. Active participants in social action

iv. Students who excel at examinations set by awarding bodies and
v. individuals from deprived backgrounds who have shown willingness to study.

While sourcing for available scholarships may be demanding, you have to decide: 

What course do you want to study?
Where would you want to study? or where would you have to study?
What are the requirements?
How do I meet these requirements?
What actions do I need to take now?

In case you are asking: “What do I do now?” I would recommend:

Start researching today.

Start planning early.

Believe in yourself.

Remember to share your story to inspire others

See links to more scholarship information below:

University of Central Lancashire Scholarship

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/study_here/fees_and_finance/bursaries_scholarships.php

Guide to UK Scholarship

http://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk

Lanre Olabode