Birkbeck student wins Adult Learners' Week award
East London visual arts student Radha Virahsawmy has won an Adult Learners' Week regional award.
Radha Virahsawmy (pictured, right), a student on Birkbeck’s Certificate of Higher Education in Understanding Visual Arts, has been awarded an Adult Learners’ Week regional award.
Radha, from Leyton in east London, began her course at the age of 70, following a long working life as a housing benefit officer. Though she had not studied for several decades, Radha embraced the learning demands of the course and is now in her second year of study at Birkbeck.
After her retirement, Radha seized the opportunity to return to education. In addition to her classes and assignments she began an IT course, significantly improving her technical skills, and has attended study skills workshops to improve her academic reading and writing. Working with Birkbeck’s library learning support she has learned how to conduct her own research and use the library resources fully.
Radha has become a frequent visitor to museums and galleries, and her improved IT skills have enabled her to email her grandchildren, family and friends in Mauritius. Receiving her award at a ceremony on Thursday 12 June, Radha commented: “I wanted to do something worthwhile and constructive with my spare time. My experiences at Birkbeck have made me a stronger person and helped to build my confidence. My grandchildren are amazed and proud that I am still studying at this ripe old age. I would really like to thank all Birkbeck staff for their support, particularly Sarah Potter for her encouragement. Without her help I would not have won this award.”
‘An inspiration’
Sarah Potter, a learning support officer at Birkbeck, said: “With her determination, dedication and willingness, Radha is simply an inspiration.”
The Government’s Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said: "The achievements of this year’s NIACE Adult Learners’ Week winners show the positive change education can make.
“I am a big fan of Adult Learners' Week and the contribution it makes in celebrating the people who have embraced education in adulthood and in encouraging those who are considering starting out on a similar journey.”
Adult Learners’ Week (14-20 June) celebrates the transformational power of lifelong learning through activities and events. It demonstrates the dynamic personal, social and professional benefits of adult learning. The Festival of Learning, which takes place throughout May and June, gives individuals, families, communities and workplaces the opportunity to take part in activities and celebrate learning achievements.
Birkbeck will be running a Pop-Up University in Leytonstone Library from 23 June-10 July, where visitors can explore new topics, discover new passions, debate big ideas and find out more about undergraduate and postgraduate study at Birkbeck.