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Spotlight on... Amad Uddin

12 March 2020

UCL's Student Centre celebrated its first birthday last month! We caught up with Amad Uddin, Student Centre Manager, to hear about his experience working at the building.

Amad Uddin

What is your role and what does it involve?

I am the Student Centre Manager, managing UCL’s flagship building operated by Library Services.

I work collaboratively with colleagues from Student Enquiries, Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Security, ISD and Sodexo to support services and oversee operations within UCL’s newest facility. I manage the team of frontline Library Services staff and have given tours to groups from over 100 different institutions since the building has opened.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I have been at UCL since 2016 during which time I have worked in roles including Night Services Manager and Evening and Weekend Manager in Library Services. My previous role prior to managing the Student Centre was at the Main Library where I was the Customer Service Manager covering maternity leave.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

It has to be looking after the Student Centre from day one. I feel immensely privileged and proud to be working in and looking after this amazing building. Seeing the smiles on students' faces as they enter the building makes this job extremely satisfying.

I enjoy helping and interacting with the students and, in doing this, I have received feedback on how to improve the building and its services.  

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list?

Looking after the Student Centre is a continuous project! Now that we have been open for a year we have been able to observe how students use the space on a regular basis. When the building opened we could not fully anticipate how students would use the space. Now we have a feel for it we can plan accordingly and adapt to service needs and changes.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

Favourite film – Seven Samurai
Favourite novel – Autobiography of Malcolm X

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

My daughter’s joke: 
Q. Why did the chicken cross the playground?
A. To get to the other slide.

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Jesus (peace be upon him), Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X.

We could learn a lot from these guests as we live in troubled and uncertain times. There is a need for tolerance, respect, and understanding for different faiths and beliefs if we are to live in this beautiful world we call our home.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Have no regrets – everything has a purpose and your life is not bad as you make out – others have harder lives to deal with. Stand up for injustice and be kind and help all people no matter who they are.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I run a lot of community events where I help bridge the gap with understanding Islam and breaking down myths and misunderstandings about Islam and Muslims. 

I volunteer at my local Mosque helping with daily activities and I engage with other faiths and non-faiths on the Mosque’s behalf. I play football with a team who are from every corner of the world – they are young players and help keep me young.

What is your favourite place?

I like the simple life – my favourite place is where I live, off Caledonian Road. Home is where my heart is and we have a nice community, I know everyone having grown up there from a young age. Also the Student Centre is now becoming my favourite place as well (don’t tell my wife that though!)