Asima Nazir from Dudley has been named the winner of this year’s life-changing Millennium Point Charitable Trust Scholarship, earning her a fully-funded undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University (BCU).
The 37-year-old mum of five is currently studying Social Science and Humanities at Dudley College, with the aim to read for a degree in Planning at Birmingham City University (BCU).
Asima Nazir is a single mom of 5 children. As part of her previous employment, she used to work in the Local Planning Authority for 12 years prior to starting her degree. She also previously opened up a business but then left to take a couple of years out to raise her younger two children.
Following a rigorous assessment day earlier this month, which included individual presentations to the panel of five judges, Asima was selected to be the latest lucky recipient of the Millennium Point Trust Scholarship, which has already helped launch the careers of six outstanding STEM students.
Finalists were chosen following a competitive open call for applications from across the West Midlands earlier this year.
Now in its seventh year, the Millennium Point Trust Scholarship has already funded six inspiring young people from the region through their degrees, including 2017 Sagal Qodah, who has since gone on to graduate with a First Class Honours degree in Civil Engineering.
Each year, the Millennium Point Charitable Trust fully funds an undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, which covers over 20 different courses across computing, digital technology, engineering and the built environment.
We spoke to Asima Nazir about winning the scholarship.
Q - How did you find out about the scholarship?
I found out about the scholarship through UCAS emails, which were encouraging students to apply for Science Technology Engineering and Maths related careers.
Q - What kind of preparation is required to win this scholarship? Please elaborate on your statement of purpose.
You need to be passionate and determined about the course you want to do. You need a goal that you are working towards. The judges are looking to see your future aspirations and where you see this degree leading to in the future. Be yourself, enjoy the process and learn as much as you can because you have nothing to lose but so much to gain.
Q - For women like you who may want to get back to academics at an older age, what would your advice be to them in order to strike a balance?
It is never too late to get yourself back into education. Education helps us grow and opens many opportunities. I want to get my degree, which will hopefully lead to a successful job and career to support my children. Because changing your life will change your family’s life and it's never too late to make a positive change.
Q - How supportive has your family been throughout?
My family has always encouraged me to make progress academically. They are proud of how I juggle my family and academic life.
Q - How can this scholarship change and transform the careers of women?
Millennium Point Trust is giving out this scholarship in order to financially take a burden off Students who can then concentrate purely on studying. And not stress about how they will need to repay back a student loan or need to save before starting the course.
Q - Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years’ time, I see myself as an academically strong, financially stable and confident Town Planner. Who worked hard while times were difficult and got through it. Because if we have the determination then the opportunities will arise and if we have prepared ourselves academically then these opportunities will become our future.
