A PhD is on the horizon for a former Engineering student from Solihull College & University Centre.
Ahmad Tariq initially wanted to become a doctor, but it was only when he visited university for an open day that he realised it wasn’t for him. “They were demonstrating a dissection and my friends were all engrossed. I wasn’t – I realised at this point medicine wasn’t for me.”
Ahmad then moved his focus to engineering and completed a level 3 apprenticeship as he wanted hands-on experience. He felt this was the best way to have a more ground level view of engineering.
Ahmad then found his place at Solihull College & University Centre. “I thought the facilities for the HNC Electrical & Electronic Engineering were great. I found the lecturers very supportive and they had a wealth of knowledge of their subject – they would often give us examples from industry too, so we could see how things worked outside the classroom.”
The Oxford Brookes Foundation Degree was next, followed by the Top Up degree for a full BSc – all studied at the College’s Woodlands Campus – which gave Ahmad industry standard practical examples in electrical and electronic engineering.
Ahmad then progressed to Derby to complete his Master’s Degree alongside full time work. When asked how he did all this, he remarks: “It’s all about making people proud, leaving a positive legacy. I went to state school and only arrived in the country in year 7. I was then in the bottom set for everything as there was a cultural change I had to break through. In the following three years I was in the top set. I always try to show my work ethic, surrounding myself with positive people and working to the best of my ability.”
Ahmad is now working on his PhD which is being funded by his employer. It should take around 5 years to complete and focuses on the future of energy in the UK.
