16 | FOREVER Keele
From hospital bed to first-class degree: Aliya’ s remarkable Keele journey
A Keele University student who feared her degree ambitions were over after being diagnosed with sepsis just weeks into her first term has graduated with first-class honours and received the Vice-Chancellor’ s Commendation Award.
Aliya was only a month into her studies when she became seriously ill and was admitted to Royal Stoke University Hospital with sepsis. After spending a week in hospital and continuing her recovery at home in Yorkshire, she worried she might never return to university.
Reflecting on that difficult period, Aliya said:“ When I became ill, I genuinely thought my university journey was over before it had really begun.” However, while recovering, she received the result of her first university assignment.
“ Seeing that I had done well gave me a huge boost and reminded me why I’ d chosen to come to university in the first place,” she said.
Determined not to give up, Aliya returned to Keele and went on to excel in her Biochemistry and Neuroscience degree. Alongside her studies, she contributed to research exploring health inequalities and neurodegenerative diseases, completed a Business Transformation internship with the General Medical Council, and took on a range of student support roles, including Student Ambassador, Resident Adviser and Students’ Union Hub Adviser.
Reflecting on her time at Keele, Aliya said:“ When I returned to Keele after my illness, I realised how precious time is and that I wanted to make the most of every opportunity available to me.”
She credits the University’ s supportive community with helping her thrive.“ I fell in love with Keele from my very first week. The campus, the community and the support I received made it feel like home,” she said.
Looking back on her achievement, Aliya added:“ Graduating with first-class honours feels incredibly special because of everything it took to get here.”
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