Leicester student scoops prestigious award
Medical student Leya Luhar (centre) pictured at the award ceremony with comedian and host Calvin Eden (left) and Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE (right).
A Leicester medical student’s fledgling startup has scooped a prestigious regional award.
Leya Luhar’s OSCE Toolbox provides a dedicated digital platform designed to help undergraduate pharmacy students across the UK prepare for their clinical assessment and real-life patient interactions.
Now her ingenuity has won her the Graduate Startup of the Year category in the UK StartUp Awards (Midlands region).
The awards are a national initiative that celebrate the most exciting and innovative new businesses across the country. Designed to recognize founders who have launched within the first three years of trading, the awards highlight dynamic entrepreneurs reshaping industries and driving economic growth.
Despite being in operation for less than two years, OSCE Toolbox has already reached over 5,000 pharmacy students and won several awards, helping student pharmacists gain confidence and career readiness.
A delighted Leya, 24, who graduates this summer, said: “I really wasn't expecting it. When they read out our name, I felt the last few years hit me all at once, the late nights, the doubt, the quiet building long before anyone was watching.
“OSCE Toolbox exists for one reason: to help future healthcare professionals walk into real patient care feeling prepared, not terrified. To have the judges see that gap, and believe in what we're building to close it, means more than I can say.
“Seeing all the effort recognised proves the impact it’s having is extending beyond passing an exam. It’s testament to the hard work taking place to support students through some of the most challenging parts of their degree.
“I’m passionate about helping students to feel prepared and supported because I know what it’s like to be in their shoes.”
Last year Leya and OSCE Toolbox picked up several awards, including being named in the top 10 young entrepreneurs of the year at the UK Small Business Awards, winning the University of Leicester’s business startup competition, and receiving the Corporate Vision’s education and training award for rising stars in health education technology.
Leya leads a growing team with tailored OSCE scenarios, mark schemes, videos and interactive learning tools, as well as delivering workshops at UK pharmacy talks and conferences. She is currently exploring how the role of AI, gamification and evidence-based learning can enhance pharmacy education and make training more engaging and effective.
Tom Ledgard, Head of Careers and Employability at the University of Leicester added: “Leya’s success is an outstanding achievement and a real testament to her talent, ambition, and drive. I have been continually impressed by her ability to combine her studies whilst making tremendous progress with OSCE Toolbox. I really am so pleased she has been recognised for all her hard work. I’m excited for what she and OSCE Toolbox will go on the achieve in the future.”