Graduate overcomes the odds to launch accountancy career

Dunia Azziz

A woman who escaped Kurdistan 16 years ago has just graduated from the University of Salford with a masters degree and now wants to become an accountant.

Dunia Aziz, 27, arrived in the UK in the year 2002 to be with her father, who fled from the country following the violence which took place through much of the 1990s.

Despite suffering from severe asthma and having to look after two young children, Dunia has just achieved a Merit in MSc International Banking and Finance from the University of Salford Business School.

Dunia said: “It has been such a special day for so many reasons. I was so happy when I got my results and saw I had a merit, and to have my children here today as I graduate is amazing.

“It was hard coming over to the UK and trying to learn a new language, but thanks to the support of my husband and family I have achieved my dream.

“Juggling all the demands of my family and the course made things even harder for me. I would be studying in the library in the evenings and weekends and then when I got home late at night I had to cook for the children and look after them.”

Her tutor Dr Nazam Dzolkarnaini paid tribute to her hard work and dedication.

Dr Dzolkarnaini said: “Despite all the adversity Dunia has gone through in her life she has achieved a wonderful result. She deserves all the success for the amount of hard work she put in to get this degree. I am very proud of her achievement and determination – it’s a real testimony of the role of educational institution in transforming life and offering wider opportunities.”

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