Valentine shines in British Council's International Student Awards 2011
Kenyan student Valentine Nkoyo, who is studying BA Business
Management at York St John University, has been named the Yorkshire
and Humber International Student of the Year 2011 in a prestigious
competition organised by British Council.
The 27 year old won the title having shared
her inspirational story about life as a student in the UK and will
now prepare to challenge for the title of overall International
Student of the Year 2011. Valentine is one of 12 regional winners
who will gather in London on 13 April 2011 to meet a final judging
panel, before going on to have their extraordinary achievements
honoured in a national awards ceremony.
Valentine was one of more than 1,200 students,
from 118 countries to enter the ninth annual International Student
Awards – a major initiative from the British Council that shines
the spotlight on international students and their contributions to
life in the UK. To enter, each student was asked to write a
personal ‘letter home’, detailing the extra-curricular
achievements, including volunteering and involvement in community
projects, that illustrate how they are making the most of their
time in the UK.
A judging panel met last month to discuss the
merits of short-listed entries from the region. Valentine’s letter
was judged to be Yorkshire and Humber’s most impressive and she
will receive a £1,000 prize. The ultimate winner of the
International Student of the Year 2011 title will receive a £2,000
prize at the competition final, to be held in London next
month.
Valentine has suffered an ongoing fight for
education all of her life. In her homeland of rural Maasailand,
Kenya, Valentine’s community does not value the right for girls to
have an education. So when her father struggled to pay for
Valentine’s school fees, she was often sent home. Her fortunes
changed though when she was offered a place at Kabarak University
in Nakuru in the Rift Valley. A chance encounter with senior York
St John teaching staff at an academic conference at Kabarak
University presented her with the opportunity to apply for a
scholarship to come to York St John.
She came to England in January 2009 to
undertake a semester of creative writing and film-making at York St
John and in September 2009, she won the University’s Inspire
International Scholarship to complete her Business degree in
England. Determined to help other students have a right to an
education, Valentine volunteers with York St John University’s
Alumni Development office alongside her studies. In this role she
has helped raise scholarship funds, co-hosted events, acted as an
ambassador at VIP events, given seminars at local schools and
recruited fellow students to also volunteer.
Valentine said:
“I am delighted to be recognised in this way.
The award will not only be felt in the Yorkshire and Humber region,
but back home with my family, friends and in my village
Eor-Enkitok. I would like to thank all my sponsors who have
consistently supported me in my educational journey and for always
believing in me.”
Brett Arnall, Alumni Development Manager
said:
“In her two years with York St John she has
excelled in every area and given so much back to the University.
She has not just received outstanding marks for her work but
supports other students through her roles as a Student Ambassador
and Student Warden.”
He added: “Last year Valentine was awarded the
Adult Learner of the Year for the Yorkshire and Humber region, and
so receiving this new accolade demonstrates her continued journey
and recognises the incredible impact she has made in York.”
Martin Davidson Chief Executive of the British
Council, said the letters home written by the entrants were both
poignant and inspiring:
“The students have immersed themselves in life
in the UK and are making a huge contribution not just to their
campuses but to the wider community. The British Council is
delighted to recognise their considerable achievements.”
For further information please contact Amy Hall, PR
& Communications Officer on T: 01904 876466 or E: a.hall@yorksj.ac.uk
