University of Greenwich graduate scoops MP's achievement award
A University of Greenwich graduate who showed great determination to succeed in his studies has won a prestigious national award.
Justin Williams, who achieved a first-class degree in Mathematics from Greenwich this summer, saw off competition from hundreds of other students to scoop the London Schools and the Black Child award for higher education. The annual awards, run by Diane Abbott MP, celebrate outstanding achievement among black students at GCSE, A-level and university level.
Justin received his award at a star-studded event at the House of Commons, which was hosted by Ms Abbott and included among its guests ex-England footballer and BBC presenter Garth Crooks OBE, Baroness Howells, the High Commissioner of Jamaica, comedian Stephen K Amos and Miss Black Britain winner, Rachael Williams. His prize included an iPad and an engraved plaque.
Justin, 27, entered university three years ago as a mature student and worked part-time in IT throughout his degree to support himself financially. During his time at Greenwich, Justin taught Maths in local schools, often coaching children from under-privileged backgrounds, and was also president of the university’s Maths Society. He was a mentor to first-year students at Greenwich and was one of the university’s student ambassadors, where his duties included giving campus tours and talks about student life to people thinking of going to university.
Ms Abbott said Justin was a worthy winner. “Justin was an excellent candidate and he really stood out because of the way he juggled his academic work while working to support himself,” she said. “It’s been tougher than ever to decide who to shortlist this year because there were so many good candidates – I received hundreds of nominations.”
Candidates were shortlisted on the basis of their academic achievement, but also on their presence as a role model – be it through overcoming hardships, taking part in extra-curricular activities, contributing to their school or wider communities, and helping others.
“I always look forward to this award ceremony because it reminds us how much young talent we have, it gives them the recognition they deserve and the tools to go forward to successful careers,” Ms Abbott added.
Justin now works as an Actuary Assistant with Xafinity Consulting, based in Reading, and hopes to have completed his actuarial training within the next four years. He said he was honoured to be chosen as the winner in the higher education category. “I shall remember this award for the rest of my life,” he said. “I had to work hard for my degree and so I like to think my determination has paid off.
“The award is also a tribute to my tutors at the University of Greenwich, who offered me the most incredible personal support every step of the way.”
Noel-Ann Bradshaw, Justin’s tutor at the University of Greenwich, nominated him for the award and accompanied him to the awards ceremony at the House of Commons.
The London Schools and the Black Child awards are sponsored by UBS Investment Bank.
Ends
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Photo: Justin Williams gives a speech at the award ceremony at the House of Commons, watched by Diane Abbott MP.
Notes For Editors
University of Greenwich
The University of Greenwich is a large university with three campuses - in Greenwich, at the Old Royal Naval College, a World Heritage site; in Avery Hill, south-east London, set among 86 acres of parkland; and in Medway, at an elegant Edwardian red-brick campus in Chatham Maritime. The university is home to a thriving community of more than 26,000 students, one in five of them postgraduate, and combines strong regional, national and international links with a record for excellence in research and a mission for access to higher education.
The university carried out more than £12 million of research and consultancy for companies, research councils and other public and private bodies last year. The quality of the university's research work has been recognised in the award of three Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher & Further Education and three recent Times Higher Education awards.
Alongside its major economic, social and cultural contribution, the university prides itself on its high standards of teaching, careers guidance and personal support. The two most recent Sunday Times University Guides have placed Greenwich at the top of the London league table for student satisfaction. In the 2011 Sunday Times Guide, Greenwich was ranked 26th overall for student satisfaction, placing it among the top quarter of all UK universities. Greenwich also topped the publication's national league table for student satisfaction in a variety of subjects including Civil, Chemical and other Engineering courses, Law, and Medical Sciences and Pharmacy. The Sunday Times added that students at the Greenwich campus "have some of the most exquisite university grounds in the country".
People from more than 140 countries choose to study at Greenwich, part of an international student community of 5,000. The university also has an extensive international network of partnerships with universities and overseas colleges.