Shahzeb Hashmi is one of two students nationally to have won a Peter Roberts Collab Group Bursary award. He received the £2,500 award at a presentation held outside the College’s City Campus on September 14th 2020.
He completed an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Level 2 qualification at the College, secured the highest grades in all progress and final exams, and is now progressing to the University of Sheffield to study law.
Shahzeb said: "I'm ecstatic and humbled to be one of the award winners. I would like to be a solicitor and will utilise the award to buy books and equipment to support my education. I have really enjoyed the delivery of education at The Sheffield College, including the e-learning due to Covid-19."
The Peter Roberts bursary consists of two awards, each of a value of £2,500, to support two students from the end of their college education into self-employment or higher education. The second award winner is Tanaya Singh of Bedford College.
Angela Foulkes, Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College, said: “Further education transforms lives through learning and inspires our students to go further and achieve more than they thought possible. I am incredibly proud of Shahzeb and his achievements and would like to congratulate him on this success and wish him all the very best in his studies at university.”
The award has been set up to honour the memory of Peter Roberts, who was an outstanding Principal of Stockport College and Leeds City College as well as a former Chair of Collab Group.
Known throughout the further education sector as a warm, humorous and dedicated professional totally committed to the success of his students, the FE sector was deeply saddened at his untimely death only weeks after his retirement.
The Skills Network and Collab Group wanted to recognise Peter's unique contribution to the sector by supporting an annual award to two students who reflect the outstanding work of the sector.
Shelagh Legrave, Chair at Collab Group, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer this bursary award for a second year and congratulate Shahzeb and Tanaya for their outstanding applications. The award is a fitting tribute to the memory of Peter Roberts who was an exceptional Chair of 157 Group and an inspirational leader in the further education sector."
Peter McCann, Executive Chairman at The Skills Network, said: "The purpose of these awards are threefold for The Skills Network. Firstly, to celebrate the outstanding work of partner further education colleges in providing a second chance, high-quality education and training, and lifeline support to enable these students to achieve through adversity.
"Secondly, to commemorate the memory and legacy of our dear friend and former colleague Peter Roberts who equally gave so much to the students in his care. Finally, it is a genuine privilege to share in some small way in the wonderful achievements of Shahzeb and Tanaya and to support them in the next stage of their careers."
Collab Group is a national membership body of further education colleges and college groups. Places are still available on courses at The Sheffield College starting this September.
