NAHID Almanea was a Saudi Arabian university lecturer who arrived in Colchester to study English just months before she was killed.

The microbiology lecturer, at Al-Jouf University, was studying for a PhD and, with English being the preferred language among the worldwide scientific community, she wanted to improve her skills to help with her future studies.

The 31-year-old studied at Essex University and lived with her brother, who acted as a chaperone, and was also studying at the Wivenhoe Park campus.

Her family, in a statement read shortly after her death by Essex Police, said: “Nahid was a remarkable and gentle person who was loved for her kind and caring nature.

“Publicly, Nahid was a quiet and dignified lady, who chose to pursue her academic studies in order to work towards her PhD, “When she was with her family, Nahid was a warm and loving person, who enjoyed laughter and the company of her parents, siblings and extended family.

“The number of people that attended Nahid’s funeral is a tribute to how much she was cared for and respected.”

She was wearing traditional Muslim dress including a full length robe, called an abaya, and a headscarf, known as a hijab, when she was killed.

Nahid’s body was flown back to the Al-Jouf region of Saudi Arabia and a funeral was held four days after her death with thousands of people attending.

Hundreds of people also turned out to a memorial service hosted by Essex University’s Islamic Society which included representatives from the Saudi Arabian embassy.

Lecturers at Essex University revealed the day before she died she scored 96 per cent in a grammar exam, the highest at the university.

She was praised for her progress and attitude and had already moved on to higher level classes despite having only been studying at the university for six months.

Her peers described her as friendly tand said she had a great attitude to learning and and was an inspiration to others at the university.

A book of condolences was placed at the Colchester campus and the Almanea scholarship was set up in her honour to help others complete studies she was ultimately denied the opportunity to complete.

Speaking on Friday, Bryn Morris, registrar at Essex University, said: “Nahid was a bright, talented and conscientious member of our university community.

“She was a considerate and well-respected student on our English Language Programme and is missed by her teachers and fellow students.

“We will continue to honour her memory through the Almanea Scholarship for Science, which is offered to overseas students studying science or health-related subjects at postgraduate level.”