WINNER : KIRAN THIND
Sponsored by AV Dawson
STUDENT OF THE YEAR
WINNER : KIRAN THIND
( HALO PROJECT )
From significant barriers to her own education to pursuing a career as a barrister – it ’ s been quite the journey so far for Student of the Year Kiran Thind .
A delighted Kiran was presented with her prize at the Hardwick Hall ceremony by Louise Croce of category sponsor AV Dawson .
And Kiran , who combines her University of York studies with parttime work at the Middlesbrough-based charity Halo Project , admitted it was “ absolutely amazing ” to win , saying : “ I wasn ’ t expecting that at all , so I just want to say thank you very much .”
Proudly clutching her trophy , she said : “ I ’ ve no idea why I got it . Maybe it ’ s because of the resilience I ’ ve possibly shown .
“ I had significant barriers to my own education , but I ’ ve always advocated for other students and have done as a law student .”
Now in her second year at university , Kiran says she ’ s proud to be working with the Halo Project – an award-winning charity that aims to eliminate forced marriage , honourbased abuse and female genital mutilation .
She said : “ It supports women who have been through honour-based abuse and domestic violence , so it ’ s a really good cause I ’ m hopefully supporting .
“ I hope to be a barrister in the future – a public law barrister , maybe , or human rights . I ’ ve always wanted to do that , especially after the barriers to my own education . I ’ m glad that now , as a mature student , I am able to .”
As for the message her success may send out , she said : “ I hope it sends the message out to students and young people that no matter what , you can achieve what you set out to as long as you have those role models there .
“ Just go out and look for those sorts of people – the sort of women here tonight , for example .”
Journey – Louise Croce , people and culture director of category sponsor AV Dawson , with Student of the Year Kiran Thind .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
GRACE DAVIS
( WANDER FILMS & NORTHERN SKILLS GROUP )
Grace is a project manager at Wander Films and has just completed her level 3 apprenticeship in business administration with Northern Skills Group . Grace earned distinctions in all modules taken and was awarded a distinction overall .
Her role at Wander is to be the link between the team and clients , managing around 50 projects at any one time . Her colleagues say she is an invaluable team member who contributes to the great Wander culture while keeping all projects on time and to budget .
Grace has not only contributed to Wander but she has used her experience to help her course mates .
As the Wander team predicts : “ Grace is going to have one super exciting career !”
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
HALEEMA KHUSHI
( HALO PROJECT & TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY )
Haleema has a passion for engineering and a relentless drive for excellence . She achieved first-class honours in her Teesside University degree , despite facing difficult personal challenges . However , her resilience and determination have propelled her to excel and serve as a role model to her peers .
Haleema ’ s innovative thinking and attention to detail make her work a standard for others . With a strong academic background and a collaborative spirit , she ’ s destined for a great career in engineering . She also does voluntary work with the Halo Project , creating impactful and educational videos .
Louise Croce , people and culture director , AV Dawson , said : “ The Student of the Year award was an incredibly strong category to judge . It showcased the talents of some fantastic future leaders across the Tees Valley . The welldeserved winner , Kiran , demonstrated her hard work and commitment to not only her studies but to her remarkable work with the Halo Project .”
44 | Tees Business