University News Last updated 30 September
For one student, the news arrived after a night shift working as a security guard. For another, it finally means having the tools to turn a passion for fixing broken electronics into bigger and more ambitious engineering projects.
Birmingham City University students Bukhaari Aden and Temi Obatola are just two of the latest recipients of Henderson Programme awards, joining a growing community of students being supported to develop their skills, ambitions and careers.
Bukhaari, a Birmingham-born Computer Science student, has been awarded a Henderson Scholarship, which covers his tuition fees for all three years of his degree, while Londoner Temi has received a £2,000 Henderson Bursary to support his studies in Mechanical Engineering.
For Bukhaari, the scholarship came as a complete surprise. He discovered he had been selected after finishing a night shift working as a security guard.
“I didn’t expect it and didn’t picture myself in that circle,” said the 19-year-old. “My family were ecstatic. My mum and dad were jumping up and down. It was a very emotional time.”
Bukhaari says the scholarship will have a major impact on his time at BCU.
“It allows me to put all my energies into my studies,” he said. “I want to become a positive representative for the Henderson Programme and show how grateful I am.”
Temi already has a clear idea of where his passion for engineering could take him.
The 18-year-old from Brixton hopes to become a designer, ideally working on electric cars, and says his interest in engineering started at home.
“My dad calls me a tinkerer,” said Temi. “He’s a car mechanic. I’ve always taken stuff apart. Games consoles, controllers, cameras. If something is broken, I will fix it.”
He says his £2,000 bursary will allow him to take on more ambitious projects.
“I will use it to buy equipment, like better soldering irons and a workstation that means I don’t have to hold something with one hand and solder with another,” he said.
“The money will enable me to work on bigger projects with better equipment.”
The experiences of current Henderson Scholars show that the programme is about more than the financial support.
Jordan Badger, a second-year Computer Science student, said the community and connections offered through the programme have been just as valuable as the scholarship itself.
“The money was important but being a Henderson Scholar is not just about the money; it’s about the community and support you build while on it,” said the 26-year-old from Birmingham.
“There is so much experience and knowledge you can take advantage of. I am milking it for all the connections I can, especially in the tech industry where it’s so competitive.”
For fellow second-year scholar Sharna Henry, who studies Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence, the programme has encouraged her to push herself to new limits.
“Being part of the Henderson Programme has been such a good thing for me because it’s given me confidence,” said the 30-year-old from Edgbaston.
“The Henderson Programme is not just about a scholarship or an award; it’s about growing as a person. It’s important to get out of your comfort zone, it’s the only way you grow.”
The Henderson Programme was established by BCU Software Engineering alumnus Cal Henderson, Co-Founder and former CTO of Slack and an early engineer behind Flickr.
Through the Henderson Family Foundation, Cal has donated $3.31 million to BCU since 2023, including a $2.75 million investment to expand student support between 2026 and 2028.
The programme is designed to widen participation in Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment by supporting talented students from under-represented backgrounds.
It provides a combination of scholarships, bursaries, awards and development opportunities, helping students overcome financial barriers and make the most of their time at university.
Speaking at Tuesday’s celebration event at STEAMhouse, Professor David Mba, BCU’s Vice-Chancellor, said the programme was helping to create opportunities for students who may have faced barriers on their journey into higher education.
“Thanks to generous donations from BCU graduate Cal Henderson and his wife, Rebecca, hundreds of students have already received life-changing support at BCU,” he said.
“What began as a pilot scheme in 2024 has transformed into an annual programme, helping students overcome challenges preventing them from getting into higher education.”
The Henderson Programme has already provided financial and development support to 326 unique students across Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment since 2024.
It aims to support more than 200 unique students each year from 2026 to 2028.
Alongside the Henderson Scholarships, the programme offers an Innovation Seed Fund of up to £5,000 to support student projects, research and business ideas.
The opportunities provided through the Henderson Programme form part of BCU’s wider commitment to improving access and participation, supporting student success, developing talent and helping students progress into successful careers.
By 2028, the programme aims to create a sustainable school-to-career technology pipeline, a strong community of Henderson Fellows and a proven model for widening participation.
For more information about the Henderson Programme and the opportunities available to students, click here.
Pictured: Bukhaari Aden (left) and Temi Obatola.