UCL student nominated for Black Achievement Award

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Oluwatosin Taiwo, a UCL Human Genetics graduate, has been nominated for an academic achievement award at the 2009 Black Achievement Awards.

Oluwatosin Taiwo, who recently graduated with a first in BsC (Hons) Human Genetics from UCL, received the nomination at a ceremony attended by guests including Mayor Boris Johnson, Education Minister Iain Wright and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu (UCL Linguistics 2005) at the House of Commons.

During her degree Oluwatosin worked as a part-time laboratory assistant, helped with new student inductions and mentored first-year students. Oluwatosin was also on the Dean's list for outstanding achievement in recognition of the high grades she gained throughout her degree.

The Black Achievement awards were set up by Diane Abbott MP in 2006 to celebrate the achievement of black students. The Academic Achievement Awards recognise the young black students who are contradicting negative stereotypes by achieving very high academic grades, and are supported by UBS.

Diane Abbott said:
"The students this year are better than ever. Not only have they achieved some of the best grades in the country, they've done it whilst learning to speak English for the first time, looking after the elderly in care homes, volunteering in soup kitchens and even overcoming learning difficulties. These awards show that Black students are amongst the best in the country."

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