Study and education

I look back with immense gratitude on the journey that began at the University of Birmingham in 1961. Entering as a “mature” student after two years of military service, I was determined to pursue a career in clinical biochemistry—a decision shaped by my experiences in Hong Kong and Colchester. Those years at Birmingham were transformative. The lectures, tutorials, and practical work across three departments challenged me in ways I only came to appreciate fully later in life.

That education opened doors to a career I could never have imagined: my early research roles at Birmingham General Hospital and as PhD student at the University of Birmingham led to pioneering work on macro-enzymes, and eventually to leadership roles in hospital laboratories, the diagnostics industry, and academia. I was privileged to serve as President of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, publish over 150 papers, and secure patents that advanced microfluidics and PCR technology. Yet, beyond the awards and titles, what stands out most is the support I received—from mentors who guided me, colleagues who collaborated generously, and my wife, who married me two weeks before I began my undergraduate studies and has stood by me for nearly 67 years. Everything I achieved stems from that foundation at Birmingham, and I remain proud to call myself an alumnus.

What are the odds?! (BSocSc Maths, Economics and Statistics 1967)
What do you do if you’re good at maths, your parents were persuaded by teachers at school (Colfe’s Grammar in Lewisham, SE London) that you should go to uni, but you didn’t want to become an accountant, actuary (an accountant who couldn’t stand the excitement!), or teacher?

Why, you find a course that looks relevant and offers potential - like MES at Birmingham. Had a great time in my three years there, initially in High Hall, then sharing digs in Northfield, where I made a lifelong friend.

But what do you do with a degree like that? You look for a job in Operational Research (OR), using mathematical concepts to solve business problems. I joined Westminster Bank, which was setting up an OR Group - until it merged with National Provincial to become NatWest, which already had one! So I became Assistant to the Group Statistician. Two years later, my manager left for a consultancy, and at just 25, I became NatWest’s Chief Statistician.

The bank later commissioned a staff survey, bringing in a small, then-unknown market research firm, MORI, led by Bob (now Sir Robert) Worcester. I was involved in sampling, questionnaire design, and analysis, and attended Bob’s presentation to senior management.

Two years later - completely out of the blue - Bob rang me for lunch. A month later, he offered me a job. Most thought I was mad to leave a secure bank job, where a tough day meant staying past 5:15, for a six-person start-up. But my dad and wife (see below) encouraged me. So I joined MORI as Deputy MD and Bob’s No.2, working 50-hour weeks for 38 years - and loving every minute.

However, my career wasn’t my only legacy from Birmingham. One Saturday night ‘hop’ at the Students’ Union, I met a stunning physiotherapy student, Pamela, from Wolverhampton. This May, we celebrate our 56th wedding anniversary with our three children and five grandchildren. A rich legacy indeed!

A wonderful MA year spent at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford (1989-90) where we forged new friendships, fell in love, put on plays, listened to fabulous speakers, had the most wonderful tutors (special mention to Professor Sir Stanley Wells!) and engaged with the world class RSC - standing seats only and attending six days a week! We lived in basic digs but they were in Old Town so full of history. I then became a university teacher, specialising in Shakespeare and using my Masters from the Institute. And the fees were something ridiculous like £2K!! Thank you, William Shakespeare and the Shakespeare Institute!

The University is my second home. In 2018 I completed my BA, in 2020 I completed my MA, and now I am graduating with a PhD in 2025!

The Fleck committee report (published in 1959) into the Windscale accident of October 1957 had as a conclusion "...that steps should be be taken as a matter of urgent national importance to enhance the supply of trained experts in radiological protection." The University of Birmingham rose to the challenge and in 1959 instituted a one year postgraduate course in Radiobiology, leading to a Masters degree by examination and dissertation. I was on that course as a new physics graduate. There were four others: Tom - a surgeon lieutenant in the Royal Navy (our first nuclear powered submarine was under construction at the time), Dennis - a qualified doctor who wanted a change from looking at patients, Barbara - a food chemist who also wanted a career change and Pete - a new graduate in biochemistry.

The course was very diverse, covering human and plant physiology, haematology, genetics, nuclear physics, radiotherapy, and ecology. It was a most enjoyable course and with our wide range of first degrees we were able to support each other in areas of science we thought we had left behind at A level. We all graduated in September 1960 apart from Barbara who left the course to have her second baby. She planned to complete the course in 1961. I accepted a job with the UK Atomic Energy Authority in the Radiological and Safety Division and later transferred to the CEGB conducting research into nuclear power station safety. Tom went to the Royal Navy research facility at Alverstoke. I last heard of Dennis as Chief Medical Officer at the Canadian nuclear plant at Chalk River.

My two children, aged nine and seven, attending my graduation and being inspired by what they experienced and wanting to become graduates themselves.

My grandpa graduated from the University of Birmingham! I am now doing my Masters in 2025, thanks to him - Sir Sunday Udo Akpan who helped me dream this!

Enjoyed studying in the University Library very much - best library.

My graduation day and the ceremony are my favourite memories of my time in Birmingham. My family and loved ones were there and made that day special.

The class went out to visit a Plant Research Centre and it was snowing and so cold. But we thoroughly enjoyed the day.

I realised my true potential. One of the best years of the my life. My hardwork was recognised.

We were in the kitchen refreshing our laptop internet browsers - waiting with dread and anxiety. All we needed to pass the first year was 40% yet we were unsure. The result finally came through and we ended with a 70%! Happy for the rest of the day and knew thereafter we can do anything!

My late mother being proud of me at both my graduations.

Final exams in the Great Hall - an imposing and intimidating space for a significant life event.

After studying for a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry at Birmingham and graduating in 1994, I have worked across science, engineering and senior management for the last 30 years. Initially employed as a research chemist in the Ministry of Defence, I pivoted from the physical sciences to engineering management. Along the way, I served as the President of the American Society of Engineering Management (ASEM) and I am now Head of the School of Engineering at Kingston University London.

During my stint (2008-2012) being a Research Student for my PhD in Dalit Theology, I enjoyed not only the wonderful guidance of my Supervisors Rev Dr Adam Hood and Dr Antony Reddie, but also the richness of the Library, besides the support that I gained from every single person for advancing my research. I still remember those days, though I was not very active in any of the common programmes. Still, I feel proud that I am the product of this University. I share with pride what I gained here with all my contacts in India especially during my addresses in the conferences and my sermons from the pulpit. I will continue to recommend students to this great University for its academic excellence and providing all support for the smooth sailing!

University of Birmingham holds a special place in my heart. It is the place where I transformed my life and built a brighter future.

Thanks to my three demanding, marvellous, inspiring and magical years at Birmingham (1958-1961) that totally validated my love of learning (even though I achieved 'only' a 2.2). I am proud to say that when I exchanged my devotion to English Studies for Fine Art and in my sixties embarked on a series of  Fine Art degrees, I achieved a First at BA, Distinction at MA and - at the age of 82 - my PhD in Fine Art and Experimental Writing.  Thank you, Birmingham - forever grateful!

I learned more in my three years at Birmingham than I could ever have imagined - not just in the Law Faculty but also in everyday life. I am really keen that others have a similar opportunity.

Getting my degree in Dentistry at Birmingham was my best ever achievement, the start of a career and life, friendship and wonderful experiences, which I never imagined would be part of my life.

I was one of the first students to undertake the Masters course in Toxicology at Birmingham. It was the best thing I ever did and led me to Australia where I live and work.

The University of Birmingham has shaped my life in many ways — from the student experience during my undergraduate days to later completing my MBA apprenticeship, and now through the privilege of working here. I’ve grown personally, professionally, and academically thanks to this organisation and the wider University community. Happy 125th!

During my time at the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Birmingham (1973-1978), I enjoyed the guidance and great kindness of Professor Blakeborough and also of Hazel Jennings, being the first woman to be allowed to enter in such a competitive community. I am grateful for such a great opportunity.

My experience at the University of Birmingham's Business School was transformative. It was instrumental in shaping my professional path, and the community there provided me with cherished memories and friendships that I will carry with me always.

So thankful that Birmingham Dental School took a chance on me 46 years ago! I have had a very fulfilling career and count myself fortunate that they saw potential in  the working class girl with no A levels. Forever grateful and happy to give back for other students.

One of my fondest memories of the University of Birmingham was taking part in the Deloitte Consultancy Challenge. Working with a diverse team to solve real business problems and present to industry experts was a defining moment that boosted my confidence and shaped my career path.

Backstage of the first production of Mary Shelley in the third year of my Drama and Theatre Arts degree. Feeling the buzz of anticipation, I suddenly thought I'd forgotten all my lines. Then, a second year stage assistant came up to me and said 'you know your lines, you've got this'. And I did.

As a student in the Physical Education department at the University of Birmingham in the mid-1980s, I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the former Czechoslovakia as part of an long-running exchange programme with Charles University. I had heard many great things about the trip from fellow students who had participated in previous years and was very much looking forward to going myself. Little did I know then the huge impact it would have on my future. The format of the visits was repeated each year - the British students spent two weeks abroad from late December, firstly in Prague and then skiing in the Czech mountains. The following summer, the Czechoslovaks travelled to the UK where we entertained them in and around Birmingham, as well as enjoying a week at the University outdoor centre on Coniston Water in the Lake District. For all concerned it was a truly unforgettable experience, going behind the Iron Curtain and meeting the foreign students, many of whom have since become friends for life. For me, however, the trip was even more consequential.... shortly after graduating from Birmingham, I decided to move to Prague for what I thought at the time would be a short adventure but which has, in fact, turned out to be the whole of my career. During the intervening 37 years that I have been living and working in Prague, the changes and developments in all aspects of Czech society have been nothing short of astounding and certainly nothing that could possibly have been imagined when we first visited all those years ago. In summary, I can say that attending Birmingham, and particularly taking part in that student exchange, changed the course of my life!

As the University of Birmingham celebrates its 125 year history, I would like to celebrate our past graduations at the Great Hall, with a total of four girls (so far!) from our family across two generations.

Ms F. Hussain, BEd (Hons) - 1985-1989

My sister Ms F.A. Hussain, ClinPsyD - 1997-2000

My daughter-in-law Ms Z. Naseem, MSc Microbiology & Infection - 2021-2022

And my daughter Ms A. Ashraf, MSci Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Hons) - 2020-2024

As an alumnus, I am honored to be part of the University of Birmingham. My journey at Birmingham began in July 2007, when I was studying for my PhD in chemical engineering alongside my supervisor, Liam Grover and my co-supervisor, Gary Leeke. They were incredible and never hesitated to help out. I had a wonderful and quality time in Brum. As a CEO of a biotech, I owe much of my current achievements to the PhD training in Birmingham. I truly appreciate my friends and supervisors from Birmingham and really miss them deeply, but reunification chances are slim. Consequently, in 2023, I was overjoyed to find out that Professor Grover was invited to attend a conference in Taiwan, my home country. I was delighted that Liam had such amicable interactions and connections with Far East. I look forward to increasing opportunities for connections and cooperation between Taiwan and the University of Birmingham, especially in the field of regenerative medicine which I have been working on for more than 10 years. Thank you to everyone who made my four-year studies at Birmingham so wonderful. Happy 125th anniversary!

I studied an MSc in Housing Research & Policy in the mid-2000s. I was already working in housing, back then in a homelessness charity. Since then I've continued my work, with housing research as the running theme. I am now Director of Housing Research and Evaluation at Verian, an independent research, policy and advisory agency working mostly with central government. One large-scale contract includes working with one of my former lecturers, Ed Ferrari, who is now the Director at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University. This current role is also the best for applying my master's learning, with a strong focus on housing policy - such as reform of the private rented sector, affordable housing and the planning system - but applying rigorous research and evaluation to support future government decisions. Even better to be doing this with former staff from my Masters course, a real circular moment.

The class of new students admitted to the Geology Department in 1967 totalled 15, of which 12 became professional geologists throughout their careers. We worked in a variety of fields, including mineral exploration/production, petroleum, geophysics, engineering and academia, both in the UK but also USA, Europe, Australia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Uganda, Botswana and South Africa. A close bond of seven of us led to several reunions over the years, but the final gathering, some 50 years since we all first met, culminated with 12 of us, plus two former lecturers reunited at Birmingham in 2017. There is no doubt that the camaraderie reflected our time at Brum, arguably the most meaningful and privileged event of our lives.

A Glimpse Into the Future: An Unexpected Discovery in Brno

During my time at the University of Birmingham, I pursued an MSocSci in Industrial Archaeology, focusing on museums across Europe - from the open-air museums of Scandinavia to the community museums of the United States. My dissertation covered many of these sites, but the most significant discovery of my research never made it into the final paper.

In 1988, while visiting my uncle in Prague - who was then the British military attaché - he took me to an industrial exhibition in Brno. Walking through the exhibition halls, I was struck by the stark contrast between past and future. Most of the technology on display looked like relics from the 1950s, a clear reflection of the stagnation within the Eastern Bloc. Yet, amidst this, two exhibits stood out: a state-of-the-art aircraft simulator and a sleek, modern Skoda car.

It was at that moment that I realized the Cold War was rapidly coming to an end. The Czechs clearly saw it too - they weren’t just showcasing history; they were investing in the future. This revelation, though never included in my dissertation, remains one of the most profound insights from my studies.

The University of Birmingham gave me the tools to analyse industrial heritage, but it was this unexpected encounter in Brno that gave me a front-row seat to history in the making.

A local family celebrated a special full-circle moment when Heather watched her daughter graduate, in the same hall that she graduated in whilst pregnant with her. The first in her family to attend university, Heather juggled a full time job in the NHS, a young family and a masters degree by research in 1998.  26 years later, the baby she was carrying would walk across the stage (for a second time!) to collect the exact same degree. 

Medical School admissions - Professor John Malins in the late 60s and early 70s was Admissions Tutor for the Medical School.  A first MB year had been instituted to provide intensive teaching in Physics, Chemistry and Biology to people who were keen to become doctors but didn't have the required basic science qualifications. As a result, the year that I came, with a Joint Honours Degree from Durham University in Politics and Law, there were also a History graduate from Cambridge, a Director of Music from a Liverpool college, a girl who had been an actor in Canada for a couple of years, and someone who had left school aged 15, joined the Royal Marines, was invalided out after a knee injury sustained in winning the Marines' Middleweight Boxing championship, took and passed an O Level while convalescing ("That wasn't as difficult as I thought!"), worked in a school science lab listening to the teaching, worked in a hospital path lab, got himself HNCs and came to be a doctor.  This is a very different mix to the 3 x A* science A levels, and Professor Malins' view that there is room - a need even - for more than bright scientists to become doctors enabled a group of us to qualify for a profession that would not otherwise have been possible.  Thank you Professor Malins and Brum!