May 2003
People

Remarkable Adult Learner Picks up National Award

Delighted student Tayyub Rafiq has won a prestigious award to celebrate remarkable achievements in learning.

Tayyub has been awarded an Adult Learners' Award 2003 - Award for Individuals, Yorkshire and Humberside Region - after studying for an Inner City Studies Certificate of Higher Education in the University's School of Lifelong Education and Development (SLED).

The awards, which are given by NIACE, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, represent the struggles overcome by thousands of adults to develop new skills or revitalise curiosities developed earlier in life.

Tayyub left school with no formal qualifications and a negative attitude to learning. By the time he was 18 he had a criminal record.

Now aged 22 and working hard to put his past behind him, he has decided to return to education.

Slowly, he gained confidence and self-esteem and he now hopes to go on to study for a full-time degree in youth and community work. Tayyub says his ultimate aim is to put something back into his community, put pride back into people's lives and encourage others to achieve something for themselves.

He said: "I left school with no qualifications and mixed with the wrong people. Now I feel mature enough to understand the value of a good education. I have learnt not to blame society for everything that happens in the world and take responsibility for my own actions. Not everything is instant gratification and you have to work hard and this will pay off later. I had to stop being a victim and make changes for myself, make my own destiny.

"I would say to anyone deciding to go back into education to ask themselves if it is really something they want to do. If so, I would encourage them in every way but to be realistic about the commitment needed. Never give up trying, be determined, go for it all the way. Knowledge is something that can not be taken away from you."

The regional awards will be presented at a special ceremony as part of the UK's biggest learning festival, Adult Learners' Week, which runs from May 10 to May 16, 2003. Each of the winners will pick up a £200 learning voucher.

Helen Turner-Desai, of SLED, said: "Tayyub, against all odds, has done tremendously well. His confidence and self-esteem have grown and he has taken responsibility for his own actions, gaining the support and confidence of his family and his classmates. He has encouraged friends to apply for the course and made them realise that if he can do it so can they. He has been a constant support and motivator to his classmates, and when students felt they could not carry on he has encouraged them to get the support they need to complete the course."

6 May 2003

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