Final year vet student wins prestigious award
Adeel receiving his award with the vice-chancellor.
Final year vet student Adeel Khan has become the latest recipient of the prestigious Vice-Chancellor's Achievement Award, in recognition of his successful campaign to improve student safety.
During his time at the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Sciences, Adeel has successfully campaigned to have street lights installed on an unsafe road used daily by a large number of students and staff. He was also president of a student-run market that won the BBC Food and Farming Award for best UK market.
Commenting on his success, Adeel said: "Receiving the Vice-Chancellor's Award feels truly amazing - such a prestigious award! The Station Road campaign and the farmers' market couldn't have happened without an amazing team and I thank them for all their support."
Adeel was nominated for the award by Professor Gary England, dean of the vet school, and Una Lilly, communities co-ordinator of the Student Union.
During his three years as campaigns officer for the Students' Union Guild, Adeel organised numerous campaigns. One of his major achievements was the #SaferStationRd campaign. Station Road is used daily by students and staff, yet a large part of it does not have any street lights.
In 2013, the Student Union surveyed students and staff based at Sutton Bonington Campus, where around 2,000 students, including Adeel, live. Of 1,034 respondents, 60 per cent said they used the road on a daily basis, while nearly a quarter (23 per cent) used it weekly.
Forty-four per cent said they felt unsafe travelling along the road and 14 per cent said they felt very unsafe.
Adeel led an 18-month campaign involving talking to the local community, schools, businesses and councillors about the issue. More than 1,500 people also signed an online petition, which was taken to Nottinghamshire County Council.
Thanks to Adeel's dedication, street lights will be installed on the road at the end of this month.
In addition to his work on the #SaferStationRd campaign, Adeel was also on the founding committee of the Sutton Bonington Farmers Market - a student run market that was set up in 2011 to provide fresh, local produce for students, staff and the wider community.
In 2012, Adeel took over as president and the monthly market won the BBC Food and Farming Award for the best market in the UK.
Adeel will graduate this July, when he plans to do an equine internship.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
