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Student has designs on success after winning regional award

27/06/2019
Rasha-Shrourou

A talented University of Wolverhampton student is celebrating after clinching a top award recognising the achievements of women in construction. 

The skills and ambition of the region’s female property and construction student undergraduates were celebrated at the annual Midlands Women in Property Student Awards, held at Savills, Birmingham on 26 June.

The Student Awards seek out the best Built Environment degree students, highlighting to industry the necessity to link with universities early in the education process and also improve the students’ knowledge of the career options available to them. Many secure work placements as a direct result of competing in the Awards, which often translate into permanent positions upon graduation.

The judging panel, comprising professionals in surveying, planning, development and engineering, gave two Awards to students from Universities in the West and East Midlands.

The winners are:

  • Rasha Shrourou, a student at the University of Wolverhampton, where she is in her second year studying Architecture.  The judges described Rasha as “passionate about architecture, she was confident but respectful, personable and professional.”
  • Charlotte Ripley, a student at the University of Loughborough, where she is in her second year studying Architectural Engineering and Design Management.  The judges described Charlotte as “an inspirational student, very personable and engaging, very articulate both in her presentation and interview.”

The judges were so impressed with the standard, they also awarded Highly Commended to Saylah Hussain, studying Architecture at Birmingham City University.

Rasha Shrourou said: “It truly is an honour to have been awarded regional winner for the West Midlands at such a prestigious event celebrating the achievements of women in property and construction. I would like to thank my family and the architecture staff at the University of Wolverhampton that have helped me grow my passion for the construction industry. Best of luck to everyone competing for the National Students Awards!”

Women in Property Midlands Chairman, Kam Saini, of WYG, said: “These inspirational young women have demonstrated the skills, commitment and ingenuity the property and construction industry will need in the future and we are delighted to have met them during the course of this competition.  Congratulations to all of them and, in particular to Rasha and Charlotte – we wish them every success in the national final.”

Dr Vicky Hutchinson, head of social value at ISG, Midlands Awards sponsor, said: “There is currently a dearth of women in the property and construction industry and we need to continue to support industry-wide initiatives that attract more young women to these disciplines. By supporting programmes like this, we are creating a talent pool of young women capable of taking on the vast opportunities that exist in the industry – giving them the positive start they need to build successful careers.”

Rasha and Charlotte each received a trophy, £300 and the opportunity to take part in Women in Property’s acclaimed mentoring programme.  They will represent the Midlands region on 18th September, when they go before a National judging panel, each competing against 13 other regional finalists for the National Student Awards, which are sponsored by Bouygues, Linden Homes and Savills.

The National winner will be announced at the Best of the Best Awards dinner, to be held at Claridge’s on 18 September.  This year 134 students were nominated for the Awards, across eight of Women in Property’s branches.  14 were selected to go through to the Final. 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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