Fine art fellowship

Vivian Ezugha

Vivian Ezugha, a second year student at the School of Art in Aberystwyth University, has been awarded a Windsor Fellowship which is a one year professional and personal development programme for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) undergraduates committed to working in Wales.

Vivian is the only Wales-based candidate to have been awarded the Fellowship this year and will this summer be undertaking a six-week internship with the Welsh Government as well as a 50-week employment programme upon graduation.

During the year she will be attending seminars which relate to leadership skills, personal development skills as well as learning to work on building a brighter future for Black and Ethnic Minorities in England and Wales. 

Originally from Nigeria, Vivian moved with her family to live in Birmingham when she was eight-years-old.  She decided to study at Aberystwyth because of its strong cultural identity and to be closer to the sea and the countryside.

The 22-year-old explains, “I was absolutely delighted when I heard I was awarded this Fellowship because not only will it improve my own personal development but also my career progression.

“The programme is intense but very rewarding because it challenges you, makes you think about things differently and improves and develops your confidence and presentation skills.”

The leadership programme is composed of intensive residential seminars, a personal enhancement programme, community work, a paid summer internship and 50-weeks paid work experience upon graduation with the Welsh Government. 

Research shows that individuals from BME backgrounds do not go on to maximise their talent and potential after attending institutions of higher education.

BME students are less likely to find employment upon completing degrees, and the relative rates of unemployment or under-employment for adults from these communities are on average twice as high as that experienced by their white counterparts.

Vivian adds, “I am aware that there is a great deal of work to be done with helping people of black and minority ethnic backgrounds to achieve their potential. I want to help break down those barriers and help people to fulfil their goals and aspirations.

“I also believe in helping young people from all backgrounds in gaining confidence and knowing that they can achieve excellence regardless of their social situation.”

More information on the Windsor Fellowship can be found here: http://www.windsor-fellowship.org

AU14713

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