What being an ambassador means to me

Alumni, staff and students share how becoming a Birmingham Gives ambassador means paying it forward and championing education.

No one knows the University of Birmingham as well as alumni, students and staff. The years you spend here give you unique insights, and your personal experiences of what helped you most can help deliver extra support for both students and researchers.

In 2025, alumni, students and staff volunteered to lend their voices to support Birmingham Gives, a 36-hour online event uniting our community to support students and medical research at Birmingham. Sharing their Birmingham story helped spread awareness and encouraged friends, family and colleagues to get involved.

I volunteered to spread the word about an incredible campaign that helps students from underrepresented backgrounds at university gain access to a top-class education.

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Jules Singh
BA Political Science, 2020

I volunteered as an ambassador because I believe in widening access and opportunity, and I’m proud to support initiatives that help Birmingham students thrive.

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Dr Helen Onyeaka
PhD Chemical Engineering, 2004; PGCert Academic Practice, 2017

Being part of the Birmingham Gives campaign was a meaningful opportunity to support students who want to pursue further studies but are held back by financial constraints. I’m truly grateful to have been involved, as I see so much of my own journey reflected in theirs.

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Rithika Bekal
MSc Molecular Biotechnology, 2024

On paying it forward

Paying it forward is a principle of mine that is dear to me. Last year, it was a privilege to volunteer my time to support the Birmingham Gives Campaign because I am a beneficiary of generosity from others hence I deem it as necessary to also pay it forward so someone else can benefit. A better world is created when we pay it forward!

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King Wellington
MBA International Business, 2021

I was lucky enough to attend the University of Birmingham because of a scholarship, which completely changed my life trajectory, and I wanted to help ensure that other students have access to the same life-changing opportunities I had.

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Kritesh Bisht
MSc Management Operations, 2022

On how Birmingham helped graduates to where they are today

The University gave me such a great start to my career, it's a pleasure to support them when the opportunity arises.

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Baljinder Atwal
LLB Law, 2015

It was a real pleasure to be asked to take part in Birmingham Gives. As a Birmingham alumnus, and a member of staff of some 13 years standing, it’s great to have the chance to give back and make a difference – however small – to my alma mater.

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David Evans-Powell
BA History with Ancient History and Archaeology, 2003