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Malaysian student Abigail Choong's inspirational story of student life in Leicester has resulted in her being named a runner-up in the regional finals of the UK’s biggest international student competition.
University of Leicester student, Abigail, was one of more than 1,500 students, representing 127 nationalities, to enter the sixth annual International Student Awards – a major initiative from the British Council that aims to shine the spotlight firmly on international students and their contributions to life in the UK.
Abigail will celebrate her extraordinary achievements at a national awards ceremony to be held in London later this month.
Nelson Blackley, International Connections Manager at East Midlands Development Agency said: “We believe these Awards are an excellent way of highlighting the talents of this region's International Students.”
In support of the Awards, East Midlands Development Agency (emda) provide trophies for the East Midlands regional winner and the two runners up and is also represented on the judging panel for the East Midlands.
Abigail will receive her trophy from emda on 16 April at the University of Leicester
To enter the competition, international students were encouraged to write a personal ‘letter home’ in English, detailing the out-of-class achievements that help make their time in the UK so rewarding.
Students studying at universities, colleges of further and higher education, schools and English language institutions across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales shared stories about the extra-curricular achievements that illustrate how they are making the most of their time in the UK.
A judging panel met last month to discuss the merits of shortlisted entries from the region. Abigail’s letter was judged to be one of the best in the East Midlands area and she will receive a £100 prize.
As well as working hard for her medical degree, Abigail has devoted much of her spare time to charity work. She is currently preparing for a trip to Mozambique and has so far raised over £600 for an orphanage there. Later this year, she will be taking part in the Cancer Research ‘Relay for Life’ at the Walkers Stadium and a London to Leeds charity bike ride organised by the Marrow Society. Abigail has also travelled extensively around the UK and Europe, taken part in the BUNAC summer programme in New York and has won a travel scholarship to India.
Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, said: “The British Council knows that international students make a huge contribution and commitment to life in the UK.
“This competition provides a fantastic opportunity for them to earn some well-deserved public recognition for their achievements – a great chance for them to show the world what they’ve achieved while living and learning in the UK.”
Further information
- There are currently 443,255 international students studying in higher and further education in UK. More than 16,770 international students entered UK independent schools in 2005-6, while an estimated 600,000 international students come to the UK to learn English every year, on a wide variety of courses. The most recent estimate of the economic contribution of international students to the UK is £12.5 billion per year.
- Major international figures that have studied in the UK include former US president Bill Clinton, former Indian Prime Minister Indira Ghandi, sculptor Anish Kapoor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, fashion designer Rifat Ozbek, authors Jung Chang and Vikram Seth, and Malaysian-born shoe designer Jimmy Choo.
- The International Student Awards are open to international students studying full-time at UK universities, colleges, English language schools and boarding schools, on courses lasting six months or more.
Latest News
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Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in Groby | |
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Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall | |
| Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall |
Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell | |
| Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres MonsellHomes of elderly residents in Eyres Monsell are being given a security boost to help prevent distraction burglaries. Officers from Leicester City Council and Leicestershire Constabulary will be visiting up to 300 properties to carry out security checks and install crime prevention devices such as door chains and bolts, window locks, kick boards to strengthen front and back doors, personal alarms and digital spy cameras, where appropriate.... 11 Feb 2010 Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell |
Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers | |
| Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers Elderly residents in Leicester are being warned following a series of distraction burglaries by two men claiming to be police officers. Four distraction burglaries were reported to police in the city during the evening of Wednesday February 10.... 11 Feb 2010 Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers |
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Relevant News
VITAL CELL STUDY ACCOLADE FOR UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER RESEARCHER | |
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| A University of Leicester student has achieved an extraordinary milestone in her career by being selected for a prestigious national prize.... 08 Apr 2008 VITAL CELL STUDY ACCOLADE FOR UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER RESEARCHER |
Loughborough trio to fly the flag for Britain at international arts festival | |
| Three graduates from Loughborough University School of Art and Design will be jetting off to Italy in May to take part in a prestigious international arts festival.... 11 Apr 2008 Loughborough trio to fly the flag for Britain at international arts festival |
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 | When Mr Richard Everard visits the University of Leicester on April 25th to renew the Everard Foundation?s support for Contact student volunteers and present them with a cheque, he will discover that they have had another record-breaking year of activity working in the community.... 16 Apr 2008 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WHO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCESTUDENT VOLUNTEERS WHO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE |
WINNERS OF ?LEICESTER INVENTS? TO BE ANNOUNCED | |
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| Loughborough University is ranked third for student satisfaction below only Cambridge and St Andrews in The Good University Guide, a national league table.... 24 Apr 2008 Loughborough University secures another top ranking in national league table |
Most Read News (today)
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN | |
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UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
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Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity | |
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Two men charged with murder | |
| Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder |
Most Read News (this month)
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN | |
|---|---|
| A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN |
Cannabis Farm Closed | |
| A cannabis factory has been discovered by officers from Hinckley Road local policing unit. The factory was discovered at a house on Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, at around 11.... 19 Apr 2008 Cannabis Farm Closed |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
| A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME |
Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity | |
| Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity Sgt Julie Strong, Jo Adams, PCSO Sarah Eastwood, PCSO Maggie Hill, Jonathan Rogers & Chris Barratt with some of the donated bikes Police in Leicester are helping a local charity to get back on track after it was targeted by thieves. Neighbourhood officers from Hinckley Road police station have organised the donation of 20 mini motos and motorbikes to Nacro, the crime reduction charity, to help it continue its work tackling anti-social behaviour and engaging with young people.... 12 Jun 2009 Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity |
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| Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder |
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Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University | |
 | Professor Stephen Hawking to deliver 50th Anniversary lecture at University of Leicester The University of Leicester will be making history on Wednesday 28th May when one of the best-known and most remarkable scientists of our time will talk on the beginning of time and the cosmos. As part of the University s 50th Anniversary celebrations, Professor Stephen Hawking, CBE, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, will discuss theories on the origin of the Universe in a public lecture.... 01 May 2008 Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University |
Creative graduates start up in business | |
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Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall | |
| Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall |