Student battled heartbreak and history for her place at UWTSD

Madiha Hassan came to the UK from Pakistan for her education at University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Birmingham Campus. But her journey wasn’t a smooth one…

“I started from scratch,” she says. “I left Pakistan and came to university to prove that girls and women from my country can achieve more than what they are led to believe, that there’s more purpose in life than to just produce a family.”

“People in my past told me that my role was simply to have children and claim money. It always made my blood boil.

“So, I did something about it. I arranged to take an exam that would get me into university, and I got accepted.”

But getting to the UK turned out to be the easy part.

Madiha continues: “At the start of my time at UWTSD, I lost my home. I had three children, I was completely heartbroken and without a roof over my head, so naturally that impacted my mental health.

“Some of the modules on the course actually helped me with that – to understand myself a bit better and ease the mental strain a little by learning about it.

“But my goal was still a burning fire inside me, so I just got on with it. I had to become something, to inspire my daughters and many girls like me, and show them what they can achieve against all odds.”

Fast forward a few years and, against all these odds, Madiha did succeed. Now a Bachelor of Science graduate, she was awarded a First Class degree which gave her a “wholesome feeling”.

Now, Madiha looks to the future: “I’m aiming for a Masters, but it’s a step-by-step process, so I’m pleased I’ve built up the functional skills needed to get me closer to this goal.

“I am thankful to my God who has given me strength, and to my University and lecturers who have helped me through hard times, offering the support I needed to achieve what I’d always dreamt of.

“I recommend UWTSD 100% to everyone! They’ve assisted me, enhanced my skills and boosted my confidence.

“University totally changed me – a girl who, once upon a time, could not even speak to strangers, can now give whole presentations alone. Thank you UWTSD.”

Further Information

Ella Staden

Press and Media Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: ella.staden@uwtsd.ac.uk     
Phone: 07384467078