A BRADFORD College student won one of the top prizes in the British Biology Olympiad 2024.

Laibba Arshad Mahmood Sadiq, who studies A Level Biology, Chemistry and Maths, won bronze in the national science education competition.

More than 13,000 students from nearly 900 schools and colleges participated in the advanced problem-solving competition for pre-higher education students. The Olympiad challenges and stimulates students interested in biology to expand and extend their talents.

The competition consists of two 45-minute multiple-choice papers taken offline under exam conditions and on unfamiliar topics. Students use problem-solving skills to answer papers that expect participants to apply knowledge to unfamiliar topics.

The award comes as the nation celebrated British Science Week – a 10-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This year, the campaign focussed on #SmashingStereotypes and celebrating diversity in STEM.

Laibba hopes to become a neurosurgeon and study at Murray Edwards College at The University of Cambridge.

She said: “I’ve got really great teachers at Bradford College; there’s no doubting that they’ve helped me a lot. I came from Pakistan without any GCSEs which meant my options were narrowed down at that point. When you’re new to a country it can be hard to adapt to things like the accent, but my teachers and friends have helped me out a lot.

“I managed to get three A* in my AS Levels and now I’m working towards 3 A*s again for A Levels. Bradford College is a friendly environment where people are happy to help, and the teachers are supportive. It’s so diverse with various different cultures and communities that all respect and value each other.”

Laibba is the latest student success story from Bradford College – an established provider of further and higher education science programmes. Past students have progressed into careers including pharmacy, forensic or biomedical science, dentistry, ophthalmic dispensing, nursing, medicine, and emergency care.

Over the last two years, the College has secured nearly £29 million in funding to enhance, refurbish, and build new aspirational facilities in the heart of the city. Part of this investment is being used to enhance existing STEM facilities.

• Visit the Bradford College website – bradfordcollege.ac.uk – for more information about all Science courses and how to enrol. Applications are now open for 2024/25.

A CAREERS And Work Experience Fair at Bradford College will open its doors to students on April 16, 10am-2pm.

Pop to the ground floor of the David Hockney Building and meet over 30 employers and universities.

Employers include West Yorkshire Police, Bradford Museums and Galleries, Morgan Sindall, Tilbury Douglas and MyDentist. The Bradford College Apprenticeship Team will be available to discuss opportunities to study for qualifications while you work.

University stands will include Coventry, Glasgow Caledonian, Leeds Becket, Leeds Trinity, Liverpool Hope, Manchester Met, Newcastle, Sheffield Hallam, the University of Bradford and York St John.

Come along on the day, no need to book. Employers and higher education providers can request stalls by emailing workplacements@bradfordcollege.ac.uk