 Sushmita Saha
PhD in Biosciences, University of Leeds
Country of origin India
Sushmita Saha from India graduated in 2005 with an MSc in Biosciences with specialisation in Human Genetics at the University of Leeds. She is currently a PhD student at the University.
‘I loved the multicultural feel of the city, which is why I decided to come back to Leeds for my PhD.’
My time at Leeds was and still is enjoyable. Highlights have included meeting some wonderful people and making some fabulous friends, in addition to the academic gain of knowledge and skills.
Career development
My interest in stem cells was triggered by a master’s module on stem cells and developmental biology. Once I finished my master’s, I went to work as a research fellow with Professor M M Panicker at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore, working on a project investigating the role of serotonin in stem cells.
The practical laboratory skills I had learnt on the MSc programme helped me to secure the position and were invaluable during my time at NCBS. In due course, my experience at NCBS helped me secure my PhD admission and I am currently working on my thesis on in vitro and in vivo cartilage tissue engineering, back in the UK. Upon completion of my PhD, I hope to work in industry in the field of regenerative medicine.
Vibrant city
Leeds is a very vibrant and cosmopolitan city. It offers a lot of wonderful dining places with food from all over the globe, and there are regular opportunities to catch your favourite bands playing in the city/university.
 Tajudeen Ahmed
MBA, University of Leeds
Country of origin Nigeria
Tajudeen Ahmed was a Senior Assistant Manager at one of Nigeria’s largest banks before embarking on his MBA course. During his studies, Tajudeen has been shortlisted for the AMBA (Association of MBAs)/Independent newspaper ‘MBA Student of the Year Award’.
‘I recommend the University of Leeds to any person aspiring to give their qualifications a quality lift.’
Choosing the University of Leeds
Like most international students, I did ample research into the best crop of value-for-money MBAs in the UK. I consulted the web, UK universities’ alumni, lecturers in top Nigerian universities, and looked at global rankings, fees, faculty quality, course content, career guidance, quality assurance ratings, AMBA accreditation, vibrancy of the city – and the University of Leeds MBA was top of the bill!
Learning and living in Leeds
Coming from a society where the lecturer is the all-in-all in terms of programme delivery, I found the very interactive class and seminar sessions
revealing and ultimately rewarding. Lectures are structured to assist you make progress and enable clear understanding of concepts, theories
and, importantly, application to real, business life. Leeds is a vibrant city with excellent facilities and an open environment for people of diverse faiths
and beliefs to live in harmony with the local community.
Career development
The careers centre is another quality part of life at the University of Leeds. With its one-on-one, tailor-made meetings and several career presentations from diverse recruiters, I have fully discovered a ‘new me’ in terms of where the future lies once I have completed my MBA.
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