Senior LSBU Lecturer shortlisted for Outstanding Woman in STEM Award
LSBU Senior Lecturer and Enterprise Champion Dr Safia Barikzai is a finalist in the PRECIOUS Awards Outstanding Woman in STEM categoryLondon South Bank University (LSBU) Senior Lecturer in IT and Enterprise Champion Dr Safia Barikzai has been nominated for a PRECIOUS Award in recognition of her work to promote entrepreneurship across the University. The Senior Lecturer in IT and Enterprise Champion has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Woman in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) category for her support of students' business ideas and entrepreneurial mindset.
The PRECIOUS Awards identify and celebrate women of colour in business and leadership, who demonstrate exceptional determination, innovation and entrepreneurial skills and talent. The Outstanding Woman in STEM category highlights individuals who have a clearly defined career path and have achieved outstanding success in their career to date.
As a Senior Lecturer in Informatics, Dr Barikzai has always encouraged her students to gain real-world experience. Through her Enterprise Champion role for the School of Engineering, Safia has run a variety of activities including the Employer Engagement series, which gets employers to work with Informatics students.
She has also been involved in numerous multidisciplinary talks, workshops and projects, including the Start & Evolve series, the Investment Escalator scheme and the Informatics Student Society.
Upon hearing the news of her nomination, Dr Safia Barikzai said:
“I’m absolutely honoured to be nominated for such an inspiring award that celebrates women of diversity and am extremely touched that it was organised by one of my students.”
Linsey Cole, Head of LSBU’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute, said:
“On behalf of everyone in the Enterprise team, I would like to congratulate Safia on this great achievement. Having her as one of our Enterprise Champions has really helped us to reach out to more students and support them with their entrepreneurial ambitions. Our mission at LSBU is to develop the STEM leaders of the future. This recognition of Safia’s work acts as a big step towards this.”
The winners will be announced at the 10th Annual Precious Awards on 27 October 2016 at The Royal Institute of British Architects. Guests from across the industry, the media and government will attend, alongside women and men who run their own business or are influential in corporate life.
Find out more about Safia’s work with the Student Enterprise team.