Student of the year - here are the finalists
The jury has selected three finalists for the OsloMet Student of the year award. The three finalists have made a particularly good effort for their fellow students.
Student of the year is awarded to a student who has excelled in their efforts for the study and learning environment, and has been a role model for other students.
The winner will be chosen and the prize will be awarded by the end of August.
Statutes for Student of the year
Three finalists
The finalists for the Student of the year award 2021 are:
- Sahil Zafar, Journalism (bachelor level)
- Carla Louise Hughes, International Social Welfare and Health Policy (master level)
- Ali Mohammed Zedan, Computer Engineeing (bachelor level)
About the finalists
Sahil Juneed Zafar
Sahil Juneed Zafar has taken initiative to improve and simplify the everyday life of fellow students. He was elected the class representative and has worked fabulously in this role. Sahil has focused on fellow students' mental health and well-being and has on several occasions taken initiative for social activities. At one point, he arranged an open zoom lunch every day so that those who struggled would have a place to meet and talk to someone. Sahil spends his free time communicating with fellow students and always includes everyone in everything.
Sahil is aware of his role as a class representative and represents the students in a good way by contributing to evaluation of the studies and give feedback on what is not working. Sahil Zafar has also been active in social media with welcoming posts for those who have a little extra difficulty in adapting to student life.
Carla Louise Hughes
Having moved to Norway during the pandemic from the UK, making connections with anybody at all was a challenge, but Carla has nevertheless built a great network wherever it has been possible. She made the very most of her time here. This included spending time with her new friends and other international students during special times of the year (Christmas, New Year, Easter etc.). After being affiliated with the Centre for Research on Pandemics & Society (PANSOC) in 2021, she also suggested other fellow students to contact and become part of PANSOC.
Carla's affiliation with PANSOC and the extra-curricular Norwegian language classes that she takes at OsloMet are great examples of how she has excelled and strengthened her studies in a positive way. This is also alongside continuing to receive good grades in her mandatory studies and engaging in the Buddy-program which unfortunately was cancelled due to Covid-19.
Carla contributes to OsloMet’ s reputation through social media both personally and through her student staff work with OsloMet social media. Part of her success in this role has been widening OsloMet’ s international audience by consistently sharing information in English. Carla's community involvement and understanding of people’s lives and background can also be mostly demonstrated by a particular video where she discusses tips on how to live as an international student during corona, where she highlight the need to care for our mental and physical health during this time.
Carla Louise Hughes is a great ambassador for OsloMet.
Ali Mohammed Zedan
He possesses exceptional skills as an initiator and has been very inclusive towards fellow students and others. His social skills and contributions have been of great value to the faculty. His cross-cultural competence is a unique trait that gives him a unique perspective. He is a board member of the Syrian Student Association. The association promotes a diverse student environment where everyone should have the same opportunities. We need this at all faculties. Ali Mohammed is a social bridge builder.
He has contributed academically to fellow students both as a student mentor and Oracle which is available both during and outside the study period. He has helped students who have recently come to Norway and who do not have good enough information on how to apply for higher education and other relevant information about opportunities at OsloMet.
Everyone knows Ali Mohammed and how helpful he is. He has engaged students to do our best and never give up. He is simply a role model. He recommends OsloMet to all applicants and always talks about the good environment we have at school. Ali Mohammed is active in social media and talks about many current topics.
"When I started at OsloMet, I knew nothing about what it was like to study at a university. I did not know how to register, write an assignment and so on. With Ali Mohammed's support and help, I had the opportunity to study and get better. He deserves this award!” – Student at OsloMet
