A COLCHESTER student has been awarded a prestigious scholarship after completing an online access course.
Kamana Gurung, 24, moved to the UK from Nepal in 2022, shortly after getting married.
After arriving in the UK, Kamana completed her maths and English GCSEs while working full-time.
She then enrolled in an online Access to Higher Education (Science) course at South Hampshire College Group (SHCG), which allowed her to pursue her dream of studying pharmacy.
Kamana has now been selected as one of the first recipients of the University of Reading's new Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship.
Speaking about her online course, Kamana said: "I immediately felt supported.
"The most impressive thing was how kind and helpful my tutors were, especially with academic writing.
"I could send drafts for feedback before submitting the final versions – that’s something my friends at other colleges didn’t have.
"They went above and beyond, even replying to my queries at weekends and the summer period.
"I never felt a barrier despite it being a remote course."
Kamana's dedication earned her offers from both King's College London and the University of Reading, and she chose the latter.
Carolyn Basely, health and social care lecturer at SHCG and Ms Gurung's tutor, said: "Kamana was an extremely motivated mature student who was very determined to achieve her goal to study pharmacy.
"She completed her Access to HE science diploma entirely online, studying biology, physical and chemistry modules, and achieved 141 UCAS points.
"She is a great example of how, with hard work, you can change your career and fulfil your dreams."
The Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship is a new programme, beginning this autumn, that supports 300 undergraduates with £6,000 per year.
Kamana offered advice for other access students.
She said: "Please communicate because communication is so important.
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"Don’t hesitate to ask questions, get feedback and build rapport with your teacher.
"Distance doesn’t have to be a barrier with remote learning."
Kamana now hopes to finish her degree and train to become a qualified clinical pharmacist.
She then hopes to become involved in the field of clinical trials and future medical drug development.
