Category: City Alumni Stories

In his father’s footsteps – With ambition to help others

Mohammad with a city scape in the background.

Mohammad Taqi Yasir (Bar Professional Training Course, 2019) was recently recognised in Forbes 30 under 30 Asia for his work as co-founder and vice-president of Footsteps, a development organisation in Bangladesh. We spoke to Mohammad about the recognition, his goals to provide help and support to other people, and his studies at City.  “Honestly, it feels surreal to…Continue Reading In his father’s footsteps – With ambition to help others

From City to Rio (Ferdinand): Sulthan Ahmed’s journey

Sulthan Ahmed

Sulthan Ahmed (BSc Computer Science 2006) knew from a young age he wanted to work with computers. Sulthan also knows it can take some time to find a sense of confidence and fulfilment. As a Senior Developer for the Government and a musician, Sulthan believes he can finally be himself and make a difference.  When Sulthan…Continue Reading From City to Rio (Ferdinand): Sulthan Ahmed’s journey

Khadija Siddiqi: Fighting for equal protection for everyone

Khadija sits work on a laptop surrounded by books in a large office.

Khadija Siddiqi (Bar Professional Training Course, 2019) was recently awarded a British Council Study UK Alumni Award for Social Action. Khadija is a human rights lawyer and activist in Pakistan whose conviction in her work grew as she fought for her life, and her rights, after a brutal knife attack.   “Had it not been for…Continue Reading Khadija Siddiqi: Fighting for equal protection for everyone

Your Show – Pitch perfect novel about the Premier League’s first and only black referee

Author Nels Abbey and Ashley sit next to each other behind a desk and Ashley speaks to the audience.

– In conversation with Ashley Hickson-Lovence Ashley Hickson-Lovence grew up secretly wanting to become a poet. He also wanted to be a football referee. In Your Show, a novel based on the life and career of former football referee Uriah Rennie, Ashley got to embrace both passions, and hopefully inspire children from marginalised backgrounds to break down barriers…Continue Reading Your Show – Pitch perfect novel about the Premier League’s first and only black referee

From kitchen table to global brand – an interview with Amy Baker, CEO of The PIE

Amy Baker sits on stage with several other people.

Amy Baker’s journalism degree launched her into the international language learning industry. After a decade of working in the sector, Amy decided to start her own media company with a focus on international higher education. This year, The PIE, now a global b2b media brand, celebrates its 10th anniversary.  It takes knowledge and grit to…Continue Reading From kitchen table to global brand – an interview with Amy Baker, CEO of The PIE

Award-winning work with focus on solutions

A photo of Dina Aboughazala next to a photo of a laptop with the Egab logo and tagline on the screen.

Dina Aboughazala (Interactive Journalism, 2019) recently won the Business and Innovation award at the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards in Egypt. Dina is the founder of Egab, which focuses on Solutions journalism and empowers reporters in the Middle East to create nuanced, high-quality journalism that provides the world with a different perspective. “I think deep down it was my…Continue Reading Award-winning work with focus on solutions

Championing women in STEM – An interview with Dr Fauzia Idrees Abro

A photo of Dr Fauzia Idrees Abro next to her quote "I strongly believe that women can be equally outstanding in STEM professions if given the same opportunities."

Dr Fauzia Idrees Abro (PhD, Information Security, 2018) is a Cyber Security expert and a champion of women in STEM. Acutely aware of how difficult it can be for women to get a higher education, she supports women’s success through her non-profit organisation WiSTEM in Pakistan. Fauzia also leads by example as CEO of her own…Continue Reading Championing women in STEM – An interview with Dr Fauzia Idrees Abro

To support and protect – An interview with Steven Walker

Steven walker next to the quote "My studies at City University reinforced my belief about facts and accuracy and gave me critical skills to assess current affairs and news management."

Steven Walker (Journalism, 1981) worked as an Investigative Journalist in the 1980s with a special focus on social justice and anti-discriminatory practices. The contact he had with poor and vulnerable families at a difficult time encouraged him to change career and become a Social Worker. Steven recently published his 14th book “Children Forsaken”. “The book…Continue Reading To support and protect – An interview with Steven Walker

“I was told several times by teachers at school that university ‘wasn’t for me’…”

Gary Abbott

Gary Abbott (International Politics, 2021) was the first in his family to attend University. He was discouraged to apply due to “past misbehaviour and low grades” but felt driven to understand the world around him better and be socially mobile. Gary completed his degree at City last year and is now studying for his postgraduate…Continue Reading “I was told several times by teachers at school that university ‘wasn’t for me’…”

Textbook research demanded genre-crossing adventure thriller

The cover of the book Upload.

After five non-fiction publications and founding her own writing company, Elesa Zehndorfer (Exercise & Health Behaviour, 2000) loved every minute of writing her first novel; Upload. Research for a neuropolitics textbook became the catalyst for her story, and the novel was published in December 2021.   “The entire plot for Upload ended up being inspired…Continue Reading Textbook research demanded genre-crossing adventure thriller