Abimbola Olatunde Abodunrin
I am Abimbola Olatunde Abodunrin, a post-graduate student from Nigeria. My choice to undertake the MSc Education, Public Policy and Equity (EPPE) course was motivated by the desire to become an education policy researcher and to gain practical knowledge and experience in a reputable higher education institution, with a robust course structure overseas. The University of Glasgow (UofG) fits this gap as it is highly ranked according to the 2020 University League Tables by Times Higher Education. For example, the university is the first in the UK to achieve the highest rating of five plus QS Stars for teaching, facilities and research. In fact, the UofG is internationally renowned for being a research-intensive institution and consistently rated among the first 20 in REF rankings in the UK for quality research outputs (Research Fortnight, 2020).
Studying at the UofG presented me the opportunity of interacting and learning from high diversity course mates and erudite academics with proven expertise in education policy, especially those related to widening participation for marginalized groups. The learner-centred nature of the course, which enabled me to develop critical-thinking skills, was quite stimulating. This did not only broaden my perspective but also created avenues for mutual exchange of ideas and experience. Further, the staff at the UofG, especially those in the EPPE programme, have been hugely supportive with guidance on the practical aspects of living and studying in Glasgow. The fact that Glasgow is named the world’s friendliest city is true, as I have witnessed first-hand hospitality from Glaswegians.
As an African student coming from a relatively hotter climate, I initially found it difficult to adapt to the constant rainy and cold weather in Glasgow, but as time went on, I acclimatized. Again, studying at a time when many nations, the UK inclusive, faced the COVID-19 pandemic, made my personal experience in Glasgow less exciting, as this forced restrictions on movement intermittently, preventing me from fully touring Glasgow and Europe. I recall that a study trip to Paris got cancelled due to the lockdown. Nonetheless, I relish my visit to Loch Lomond and my routine walks through the beautiful parks in Glasgow namely, the Kelvingrove Park, Botanic Gardens and Pollok Country Park.
Lastly, obtaining a master’s degree with Distinction from the UofG has paved way for me to undertake a doctoral research, which l believe will further my career ambition of becoming an academic, majored in HE policies of equity. The transversal skills I have acquired while undertaking my master’s has honed my professional competence and at the same time position me to work within academia and research institutes, where I can further explore the efficacy of educational policies and their effects on educational opportunities, towards improving equity in HE spaces. I intend to leverage the human relationships I developed within and outside the academic landscape to further my career and expand my professional network.
Abimbola Olatunde Abodunrin, outdoor scene with highland cows.
Abimbola Olatunde Abodunrin