Page 43 - Future Leaders 2018-2019

ANTHONY EMMANUEL
ONWULI, 20 OPOKU, 23

School: Imperial College School: Imperial College
London London
Course: Materials Science Course: Chemistry (BSc)
and Engineering (MEng) Year: Graduated
Year: Second Grade: 2:1 Politics, Sciences & Human Sciences
Grade average: First class
When Emmanuel received an offer to
As first year academic representative for the 104 students study Chemistry at Imperial, he discovered to his horror that
on his materials course, Anthony successfully lobbied for a he was considered an international student – despite living
change to the workload and the structure of the curriculum. in the UK since the age of nine – and would be liable for
Having surveyed his peers he found many were hugely £27,000 a year in tuition fees alone.
stressed over the course content – specifically having to Seeking the advice of a solicitor, he became involved with
write long lab reports every week, which impacted upon the Let Us Learn Campaign – set up to address this injustice
the time they had to focus on revision of lectures. Following – and has worked with them as a volunteer ever since.
his intervention, the lab reports were made shorter with an As education team leader, he spreads awareness in schools,
earlier due date, allowing more scope for study. organises and chairs meetings and trains other volunteers.
Anthony also campaigned for the introduction of a course With the help of the Amos Bursary, Emmanuel did three
common room, which was granted, allowing students across months’ work experience at a hospital in Gambia, then
the years to mix and support one another. worked as a teaching assistant for a year at his old school.
After trying lacrosse for the first time, he has been appointed He eventually had his fees paid by the little-known Tikl
captain of the second team, making it his aim to encourage Foundation, on the proviso that he secures a 2:1.
more new people into the sport. Under his leadership, For the past ten years, Emmanuel has been a member of
membership has increased from 80 to nearly 100. “It’s quite the Union of Youth Samba Group, where he is now assistant
a physical game and it’s also team-based,” he says. director, responsible for rehearsals and performances.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I’d like to have stayed in the engineering industry and be I would like to be teaching chemistry in a school in Hackney
working to achieve my chartered engineering qualification, because I think there’s a lack of positive role models.
and to be in a project management role. There’s a lot of talent in these inner city boroughs that
needs to be recognised and encouraged.

RASHEEDA SHAQUILLE
PAGE-MUIR, 21 WILSON, 21

School: School of Oriental School: Aston University
& African Studies Course: Human Resource
Course: Politics and Social Management (BSc)
Anthropology (BA) Year: Third (of four)
Year: First Grade average: 2:1
Grade average: 2:1
Having just finished a year-long placement with JP Morgan
While studying for her A-levels, Rasheeda founded as part of his course, Shaquille says he is proud to have
an organisation called RevolYOUtion London. overcome the ‘stigma’ of his school career to achieve so
Since she started university, RevolYOUtion has acquired much. Having studied for BTEs – gaining the equivalent of
its own office and venue space, where Rasheeda and her three A*s at A-level – he believes a dedication to ‘reinvention’
team carry out monthly and weekly events. has got him where he is today.
Their work is assisted by £9,000 worth of funding He has been elected vice president of Aston Bright Futures
received from sources including UnLTD and Vinspired. Society, which looks at increasing skills and careers sessions
One of these events, which has been ongoing for the on campus. It won the ‘Society of the Year’ award from the
past two years, is Rev Exchange, where students who Students’ Union out of more than 150 contenders because,
are leaving sixth form donate their old text books to says Shaquille, of the calibre of events. BP decided to use
younger students. one of these events as a fast track process to one of its early
Rev Exchange also offers a range of opportunities career programmes. Five people were selected to take part
for younger students to gain insight and advice from in BP Spring Week placements as a direct result. Before
older students who have recently completed A-levels university, Shaquille travelled to rural Zimbabwe for two
and university. months as part of an outreach project with his church. There,
For the past four years, RevelYOUtion has facilitated a he managed a group of four adults and 16 youths providing
Christmas hamper campaign fundraising money to create sports activities to children in a deprived community.
hampers for new young and vulnerable mothers. “They want us to go back and I would very much like to.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Teaching and encouraging young people into social activism, I’d like to be in consultancy and go into a non-profit
and for RevelYOUtion to have grown as an organisation. as a long-term goal.

10 ANNIVERSARY EDITION FUTURE LEADERS 41
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