University News Last updated 27 July 2011
A former Dudley College access course student has got top marks at university.
Taiwona Kanjanda, 38, has won Birmingham City University’s Student of Excellence Award - BSc (Hons) Social Work, after gaining a first class honours degree from the University’s Faculty of Health.
Taiwona gained a place on the University’s BSc (Hons) in Social Work in September 2008 after completing an access course at Dudley College. He decided to take this course because he completed his A Levels in Zimbabwe, back in 1991, and wanted to prepare himself adequately for university education. Previous to his studies, Taiwona worked with vulnerable children and adults for eight years, and chose to study social work so he could play a vital role to help bring positive change to people’s lives.
As well as classroom-based studies, students on the BSc (Hons) in Social Work are given placements to enhance their learning and provide experience in a professional setting. Taiwona had placements with Oldbury voluntary organisation Options for Life, the YMCA in West Bromwich and with Birmingham City Council’s care management team working with children, young people and their families. He is now about to start a new job working as a social worker with the city council.
Taiwona received his plaque at the Faculty’s awards ceremony on Friday 22 July at the Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, Birmingham, where the guest speaker was Barbara Kuypers, West Midlands Local Supervising Authority Midwifery Officer.
He said: “When it was announced that I had won the award I almost went down on the floor with disbelief - it was a real shock!
“I enjoyed every moment of my three years at Birmingham City University. In particular, I enjoyed the key features of the Social Work modules which emphasises skills development and professional. The course has helped me to have a sense of self belief and self-awareness.
“I am so enthusiastic and cannot wait to start work so I can have the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills I learnt at University and transfer them to relevant cases in practice. My ambition for the future is to do Masters in Social Work after working in the frontline for a year or two preferably with a local authority.”
Professor Ian Blair, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health said: “This is the fifth year that the Health and Social Care Awards have been held, and this year the selection process has been more difficult than ever.
“The awards were created to provide formal recognition of the excellent efforts and achievements of our outstanding students, and to celebrate the relationships the Faculty has built with our practice partners.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our award winners and wish them the very best for the future.”
Birmingham City University is running a major awareness campaign in the Midlands to demonstrate how it is upgrading the future of individuals and companies. To find out more visit www.bcu.ac.uk