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Warwick love story: Akansha and Pujan

Akansha Sumaria
and Pujan Sumaria Shah

BSc Management, 2011 and BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 2011

Akansha and Pujan
Akansha and Pujan on her graduation day

This Valentine's Day, we're celebrating your heart-warming love stories that began at The University of Warwick.

Akansha Sumaria (BSc Management, 2011) and Pujan Sumaria Shah (BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 2011) are among many couples who found their lifelong partners during their studies here. Their friendship sparked on the first day of university, brought together by neighbouring rooms and an instant connection. Here, Akansha shares their journey from friends to family.

Can you tell us about your time at Warwick and why it was so special?

Warwick was more than just a university for us—it was where we built lifelong friendships, experienced new cultures, and created unforgettable memories. The diverse and vibrant campus gave us the perfect balance of academic excellence and social life. From late-night study sessions to Diwali parties and Bollywood nights, every moment at Warwick contributed to shaping who we are today.

What are your fondest memories of your time here?

Some of our fondest memories include lunches at Xananas, Monday Top B nights, and meeting incredible people from diverse backgrounds. While the late-night study sessions at the library were often stressful, they also became moments of camaraderie and connection. The friendships we built during our time at Warwick remain among the most cherished relationships in our lives.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day on 14 February, we’d love to share your Warwick love story – can you tell us a little bit more about how you met your partner?

Our friendship began on the very first day of university! With our rooms right across from each other, we instantly connected. Despite being on different courses, we spent a lot of time together, forming a deep friendship over the next three years. 

After Warwick, life took us to different continents—Pujan continued working in the UK while I returned to India to join the family business. Yet, we always stayed in touch. Then, in 2012, we reunited in Goa, and that’s when we realised our connection was more than just friendship. What started as a long-distance relationship soon became something more, and in 2013, Pujan moved to India. From that moment on, our relationship only grew stronger. We married in 2015 and moved to Dar es Salaam in 2016. Today, we are blessed with a wonderful journey together—now as parents to our three-year-old daughter and 18-month-old son.

Many alumni talk about the lifelong connections they make at Warwick in terms of friendships too – can you tell us about the friendships you made at Warwick and why they remain so important?

Warwick introduced us to an incredible community of friends who have remained a significant part of our lives even years after graduation. The friendships we formed were built on shared experiences—celebrating festivals together, supporting each other through exams, and just being there through all the ups and downs of university life.

Many of these friends are still a part of our journey today, and despite being in different parts of the world, we always pick up right where we left off. We’ve been fortunate to celebrate many Warwick weddings, and now, seeing our children play with our friends’ children feels like the start of Warwick 2.0. Warwick truly gave us a second family.

Did you make connections at Warwick that have influenced your life? Whether it’s a love story, a cherished friendship, an impactful experience, or a career achievement, we’d love to hear about it. Please share your stories with us for our April Warwick Connections Newsletter by emailing alumni@warwick.ac.uk.Link opens in a new window