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Warwick students win at the Student Social Mobility Awards

The Student Social Mobility Awards took place at the House of Lords on 27 November 2019, hosted by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC. Four Warwick students were nominated in different categories and two came away with awards - congratulations to Bashirat Oladele and Muhamad Muhamad!

Warwick students received nominations for Community Champion, the Sector Award for Law, the upReach Ten award, the Sector Award for Banking and Finance, and the Sector Award for Professional Services and Consulting most notably for their passion, commitment and drive outside of their studies.

The Community Champion award was won by Law and Sociology undergraduate student Bashirat Oladele. Bashirat has embarked on internships every summer since she was 15, to reach her goal of becoming a corporate lawyer. Among many achievements, she won a place on the prestigious Clifford Chance PRIME scheme. She also supports others with regular volunteer work. Bashirat came to Warwick via the Pathways to Law programme and is now a Warwick Scholar. Bashirat said,

"Winning was a major surprise to me. It means that my efforts have been recognised and this is something that I really appreciate. The support I have received from Warwick so far, especially from Becca Kirk and Andy Johnson, is immense and I really appreciate it because it provides me with the platforms and opportunities to reach my goals."

The Sector Award for Law was won by Muhamad Muhamad, who was awarded an undergraduate bursary through Pathways to Law, is now a Warwick Scholar, and has gained a training contract at White & Case.

Muhamad also won one of the upReach Ten awards for students that have achieved, or have the highest potential to achieve, outstanding success academically, professionally and/or personally. Muhamad said,

"Achieving this milestone has served as a testimony for the words that I always chant to students from similarly challenging backgrounds – ‘you are the author of your own life’. This is the beginning of my transformation, and a lot of thanks is owed to the Warwick Scholars team and my tutor, Andrew Williams.

"The level of support that Warwick has provided me with is unprecedented. Not only have initiatives existed to help me academically and professionally, but also personally."

Congratulations to PAIS student Naomi Elliot and History student Fatima Patel who were nominated for the Sector Award for Banking and Finance and the Sector Award for Professional Services and Consulting.

The awards were organised by upReach, a charity who works in close partnership with employers and universities, including Warwick, to improve social mobility by creating the conditions for undergraduates from less advantaged backgrounds to access and sustain top graduate jobs. The partnership currently supports 110 Warwick students.

Learn more

Interested in Widening Participation? Meet colleagues, share best practice and exchange ideas at the Widening Participation Staff Network.

Questions about upReach or the Warwick Scholars undergraduate programme? Contact the team at warwickscholars@warwick.ac.uk

Bashirat

Muhamad