20 November 2008
Rakam Singh Limbu came 2nd in the national competition that celebrates the outstanding achievements of students across the country.
Rakam, who was a Gurkha soldier for 15 years prior to coming to this country, studied English for Speakers of other Languages, Maths and the Access to Higher Education course at the college, has now gone on to the University of Surrey to read for a Degree in Sociology, alongside his daughters who are also studying for Degrees at the same University. He is one of only three students in the whole country to reach the final of the Association of Colleges’ Student of the Year Award 2008.
Rakum collected his prize a cheque for £400 and Amazon Vouchers of £100 at the AoC annual conference in Birmingham on 18 November. Finalists received their awards and prizes, from John Denham MP, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
‘It was such an honour to be nominated for the college Student of the Year so to be short-listed for the national award is an enormous surprise. This college has done so much to support me at every turn and I am most grateful to all of my tutors for all the help I have received’.
Mrs Christine Davis, the Principal of Farnborough College of Technology, said that Rakam was nominated as he is such an inspiration to all learners having successfully demonstrated that teamwork with staff and colleagues, a willingness to make good use of all of the college resources, determination and dedication are the keys to success. ‘We are very proud of Rakam’s achievements and wish him well in his new course of studies’.
The competition, now in its second year, is sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council and aims to highlight outstanding student achievement, often in adversity, while celebrating the amazing success stories so common to the sector.