Student announced as new Mayor
A student from our School of History, Politics and International Relations has become the new Mayor of Oadby and Wigston.
Samia Haq, a final year Politics student, was inaugurated at a meeting in the council offices followed by a reception at Parklands in Oadby.
Mrs Haq said: “I have lived in Leicester and Leicestershire for over twenty years and have been a councillor for nearly 10 years and without doubt it has been the most amazing experience. It has provided me with an opportunity to help others and to better myself in the process.
“Being the first female Muslim Mayor in Leicestershire, I feel my appointment is a vindication of how, in this beautiful borough, we are advancing the cause of equality. I hope my appointment will serve as an inspiration to others.”
The Mayor announced the Leicester Children’s Hospital as her chosen charity for the year.
She said: “Having our beautiful daughter, “our princess”, with us for few years meant that we've had the first hand experience of the excellent compassionate care that hospital provides for poorly and special needs children. It has also made us aware of the challenges that staff face on a daily basis in meeting those care needs. We can never repay the debt we owe to all the hard working staff in the NHS but can show our gratitude by giving something back.”
Speaking of her time at the University, Mrs Haq added: “For me, studying at the University of Leicester was a journey - which I thoroughly enjoyed. The University did not just offer me a first class education, it offered me space to grow as an individual.
“The help and support I received from the School of History, Politics & International Relations has been exemplary especially from the academic staff encouraging me to do my best every step of the way.
“The University is a place where you are never far from new opportunities and experiences and I certainly benefitted from both.”
Update, 14 July 2017: Samia Haq has graduated with a First Class degree from the University of Leicester. She joined some 3,500 graduates of the University of Leicester and their families at the University’s degree ceremonies, graduating on 12 July. She was joined by her husband, Zuffar, and children for the ceremony at De Montfort Hall, Leicester.