University News Last updated 18 February 2009
A Birmingham City University graduate raised the roof at a prestigious housing industry awards ceremony after winning a top accolade.
Wondu Mekonnen scooped the Student of the Year Award from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) at a national award ceremony earlier this month.
A graduate from the Postgraduate Diploma and MA Housing degree, Wondu is currently a project worker with the homeless charity St Basils in Birmingham. He became interested in working in housing during his involvement with the Refugee Council in Coventry in 2003 and 2004, and he was determined to gain a housing qualification. He completed a Postgraduate Diploma in 2007 and then an MA in Housing and throughout this time he took a series of short term contracts to finance his studies. At the same time, he continued to do voluntary work with the Ethiopian Community in the West Midlands advising and supporting refugees and asylum seekers on immigration and housing matters.
The Chartered Institute of Housing recognises one student each year who has achieved outstanding success despite having to face real challenges in their lives at the time of their study. Wondu, originally from Ethiopia, was granted asylum in the UK in 2004 and he has worked as a volunteer ever since helping asylum seekers and refugees settle into the community.
CIH President, Steve Benson, congratulated Wondu as he received a medal and a cheque for £200 at the CIH Presidential Dinner at the Natural History Museum in London.
Wondu said: "I feel so honoured to receive this award as it genuinely motivates me in developing my career in the housing sector. I feel better equipped to tackle challenges in the future."
Veronica Coatham, Head of the Division of Housing, at Birmingham City University added: "The Housing Division at Birmingham City University has found it very rewarding to work with Wondu over the last few years; the key to his success has been the hard work and effort he has put into his studies. His success is well deserved and we wish him well for the future."