Community-spirited Barking & Dagenham College student gets university scholarship

A former Uniformed Public Services student from Barking & Dagenham College has won a university scholarship for demonstrating a commitment to his community.

The Middlesex University Community Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who have been an excellent role model within their school, college or community, and/or have succeeded in overcoming personal difficulties or challenging situations.

The scholarships make it possible for talented people to pursue a life-changing education whatever their background or circumstances.

19 year old Connor Andrews from Newham won the scholarship, worth £6000, due to the work he did on a number of community projects that he worked on during his three years at the College. The projects included: Connor’s role in a student-led team who raised over £5000 for the Poppy Appeal, restoration of the Old Dagenham Parish Church garden and running a debate as part of the ‘Peace not War’ event at Barking & Dagenham College where local primary schools debated topical issues,

Connor explains:

“Doing these events was so much fun and quite challenging at the same time. I’ve never really thought of myself as someone who could represent the College to the whole borough of Barking and Dagenham. But working with my tutors and class, we were able to pull of the events spectacularly.”

His former tutor Steve Burge commented:

“Connor securing the scholarship comes as no surprise to the team. I would like to congratulate him on behalf of the College and wish him well for the future.”

On receiving his award at Middlesex University’s annual Scholarship and Awards Event on Wednesday 7th November, Connor remarked: “I feel honoured to be chosen for the community scholarship; when I applied I thought I wouldn’t be good enough for it, but when they emailed me saying ’You got it’, you wouldn’t believe how loud I screamed. It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to showcase my skills for the university and the community.”