Aisha Sattar, a BSc (Hons) Medical Biology student at Burnley College University Courses (BCUC), has been awarded with a Top Project Award by the Royal Society of Biology.
Her outstanding dissertation, which explored the antibacterial effects of garlic extract on gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as a potential alternative to combat antibiotic resistance, earned her this amazing recognition.
Aisha was invited to the House of Commons to receive her award, marking a proud and inspiring moment for BCUC. It was presented during the Royal Society of Biology Accreditation Conference and Awards, a prestigious national event attended by leading international universities and sector experts.
BCUC stood proudly amongst world-class institutions, highlighting the exceptional quality, innovation and ambition within our science curriculum.
Aisha’s journey to success is nothing short of remarkable. Arriving in the UK in 2015 at the age of 19, she faced the challenge of learning English as a second language.
Her determination and resilience have been evident throughout her academic journey, all leading up to this outstanding achievement.
Reflecting on her win, Aisha said:
“I wasn’t expecting to win. When my lecturer, Samira, told me, I thought she was joking. Then I received the email, and I couldn’t believe it, I was so happy!”
Aisha’s lecturer, Samira Khan, expressed her pride in her student’s success:
“Seeing Aisha receive the Top Project Award was a particularly proud moment as her lecturer, reflecting both Aisha’s outstanding dedication and the strength of support and opportunity available to our students.
“For someone who English wasn’t their first language to overcome barriers and complete everything it’s phenomenal. She’s always keen and ready to put 100% effort in and it reflects in all the awards she’s received.”
The conference also provided valuable insight into the future of biology education, practical skills development and student employability, further reinforcing that BCUC students are thriving within a programme that competes with the very best in the sector.
