Syeda Rahat

We have learned, with great sadness, of the passing of Atiya Rahat (known as Syeda), a postgraduate research student in the School of Business.

Diani Gatenby Davies writes:

We welcomed Syeda into our University in 2022, and watched as she became a valued member of the School of Business, and a colleague and friend to all who lived and worked alongside her. Syeda was a bright and dedicated PhD student researching the ‘Impact of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem on university-based start-ups: A comparison across UK and Pakistan’.

We will remember Syeda as a lovely person, vibrant, friendly, and passionate about her research with a sense of fun. Her research was not only academically rigorous but also deeply rooted in her desire to make a meaningful impact on the entrepreneurial landscapes of both her home country and the UK.

Syeda was driven by a vision of advancing her expertise and becoming a respected researcher and mentor. She followed that path with quiet determination and a deep curiosity about the world, always bringing warmth, humility, and grace to her work. We were deeply touched by the kindness, laughter, and genuine care she brought to everyone around her.

Her family shared with us how proud she always felt to be a student at the University of Leicester. The University supported her through difficult times, and even just a few weeks before her passing she had been in contact about returning to her studies – a reflection of her enthusiasm and commitment to her academic journey.