Nigerian students discover the biosciences

The visitors learned more about degree programmes at Southampton from Dr Amrit Mudher and Professor Keith Fox.

“We hope to go on to study at universities in the UK,” says student Godfrey Junior Wechie. “This is a great opportunity for us and we are enjoying being here.” Fellow student Uchechika Iroeglou adds: “Studying in the UK means we get the chance to carry out practical work and laboratory experiments, it’s a good experience.”

The 27 young men and women have been sponsored by the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency in Nigeria to study overseas and are based at Highbury College, Portsmouth, where they are working towards their science A levels. Staff at Highbury will help them with their university applications.

Peter Moutray, Head of Media, Arts and Science at Highbury says: “The students are working on a project on Alzheimer’s Disease at present so it is appropriate they are visiting Southampton where much research is underway into the condition.”

Dr Amrit Mudher, who co-ordinated the visit, said she was very pleased that the College had requested the visit, which would help to foster the good relationship between the School of Biological Sciences and Highbury.

“The students were keen to learn about the various career pathways they can embark upon if they were to study for a degree in a Biological Sciences subject,” she said. “We showed the varied career routes that they can take and followed with a workshop featuring an ongoing research project which my PhD student, Chris Sinadinos, coordinated."

If you are interested in organising a group visit to the University, contact sbssclia@soton.ac.uk.