Tshephang Modise – Course Community Development Award Winner

BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance, Botswana Accountancy College, 2018

How do you feel about being nominated for an Inspirational Student Award?

Coming from a developing country like Botswana, I feel it is more of a privilege to even be considered for such an award. I am honored and very happy to be nominated. Receiving such a nomination when life throws you with challenges unexpectedly gives me hope that I too can make a difference in the world.

What is the main thing you have learned so far while studying your degree?

Being in a class with people who have different backgrounds, cultures and life styles has taught me to be open minded, see things from different perspective and develop my critical analysis skills. It is from that, that I now live by a value that says ‘I am, because we are’.

What difference do you think graduating with a degree from Sheffield Hallam University will make to your career?

With high unemployment rate in Botswana, graduating with a degree from Sheffield Hallam University puts me at an added advantage as this degree is internationally recognized. Moreover, the education derived from obtaining this degree is of high quality and thus presented with the opportunity to work in any organization. In summary, it will allow me to explore any avenue because my qualification will set me apart from others as it has a lot of value attached to it.

What is the best thing you have experienced about studying a Sheffield Hallam degree?

It is interacting with my fellow class mates and tutors during lectures and tutorials. There has been a lot of late nights, confusion, group discussion, laughter, tears, team work but best of all it has been learning from my experience as a student while in the process of graduating as a Sheffield Hallam University student.

Sahan Perera – Student Voice Award Winner

BEng Hons Software Engineering, SLIIT, Sri Lanka, 2018

How do you feel about being nominated for an Inspirational Student Award?

Being nominated for an inspirational student award is a great pleasure. I am thankful to all my fellow batch mates and lecturers, who have seen something extra in myself to nominate me for a category like the Student Voice. I feel so grateful to be part of the Sheffield Hallam University.

What is the main thing you have learned so far while studying your degree?

Teamwork and collaboration while helping each other is something that really stood out during each and every module that we learnt. Graduating as a team facing all the hard times together is something that will be memorable throughout the whole university life.

What difference do you think graduating with a degree from Sheffield Hallam University will make to your career?

As a worldwide recognized university offering highly standard degree programs, graduating as a student from Sheffield Hallam University would help us to stand out as a graduate with the knowledge that has been acquired during the degree program

What advice would you give to someone choosing this course about your experience so far to help them decide?

With the experience I have obtained during the degree program, I would never hesitate in recommending the degree programs offered by the Sheffield Hallam University. I would always advice it as the best investment someone could make with time for some great career opportunities in the future

What is the best thing you have experienced about studying a Sheffield Hallam degree?

Working in a multicultural environment while making new friends helping each other to overcome various experiences.

We are starting an exciting project to introduce the role of the peer-assisted learning mentor to students on Sheffield Hallam courses in Sino-British College, Botswana Accountancy College, the School for Higher and Professional Education, Hong Kong, the School for Continuing and Professional Education, Hong Kong, Suzhou Health College and Hunan  University of Science and Technology, China.

Current Sheffield-based student volunteers will be trained to deliver one-to-one guidance and group sessions to Sheffield Hallam students in our partner institutions. The PAL mentors will cover topics related to:

• accessing Hallam learning resources and online databases
• using Blackboad
• study skills
• peer mentoring

The PAL mentors will spend 1-2 weeks in each instutution and will engage with study and social activities with students and staff.

The second transnational student experience survey, which measures the satisfaction of students on SHU courses delivered in partner institutions in Botswana, China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, closed on 9 April.

Over 560 of you shared your experience of studying with us remotely and gave us feedback which will be compared to the experience of students studying on our Sheffield campus.

And 413 of you nominated your teachers for the Sheffield Hallam Inspirational Teaching Awards, and the winners will be announce by prof. Chris Husbands, Vice Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, in May.

As we celebrate all the winners of the Inspirational Student Award at our overseas partner institutions, we’d like to introduce you to Amira and Veronica, who’ve both won Student of the Year.

Amira Fauza (left)

BA (Hons) / BA / Dip HE / Cert HE Interior Design, INTI Malaysia

Third year student Amira was nominated by her lecturer Mohd Sufi Ismail who says this about his Student of the Year,

“I had the pleasure of teaching her Graduation project class. From the first day of class, she impressed me with her ability to be articulate about difficult concepts and design vocabulary, her sensitivity to the issue in design, and her passion for reading, writing, and creative expression- both in and out of the classroom.

I am certain that Amira is going to continue to do great and creative things in her future. She is talented, caring, intuitive, dedicated, and focused in her pursuits. Amira consistently seeks out constructive feedback so she can improve her design & technical skills, which is a rare and impressive quality in a high school student. Amira is truly a stand-out individual who will impress everyone she meets.”

Amira says she feels honoured and excited, ” Now that I won, it feels like a noble price for me!”

Her advice to someone about to start the course is, “If you feel overwhelmed, don’t worry because everyone does. Most importantly, enjoy the course. If you have peculiar thoughts or idea, if you brace your inner passion and keep being curious, you will reach there. In the end of the road, you will see yourself missing those amazing moments of failure and success together with beautiful friendships along the journey.”

Veronica Modisang (right)

BA (Hons) Business Management, Botswana Accountancy College

Veronica is also in her final year, and has some wonderful quotes about her from her peers:

“Veronica is a highly determined student who has displayed leadership characteristics and is always keen on aiding her fellow peers.”

“Veronica is a well put together student, very hard working and determined. She was a class rep and still continued to display great leadership skills with pure diligence. She is an inspiration both to her classmates and outside. I strongly believe she deserves this award.”

Upon hearing she had won the award, Veronica says,

“I am inspired to do more and become more. To me it’s a sign that anything is possible if I put in the work. A sign that I can become a great leader if I keep learning, and possibly make an impact on my environment.”

Congratulations to Amira and Veronica, and all the nominees that have enriched the learning experience of their fellow students!

Having a great time being a Sheffield Hallam student in our valued partners in China, Malaysia, Botswana, Sri Lanka?

Please let us know about it by filling in the Student Experience Survey.

What should I do?

1. Check your emails and find the one from Prof. Roger Eccleston, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement in Sheffield Hallam University
2. Click on the link in the email and fill in the survey
3. Don’t forget to nominate  the teachers who have made the biggest difference to your experience for the Inspirational Teaching Award

Please fill in the survey by 9 April 2018

The Inspirational Student Awards recognise and celebrate students who have made a contribution to the experience of their fellow students, or who have supported staff in delivering their roles and thus enriched the learning experience of all students on their course. The Awards also celebrate the achievements of students who have had to overcome significant difficulties in order to take part in their course.

We are proud to announce the list of the winners at our overseas partner institutions. Congratulations to all!