Higher Education with Heart: Abida Khanom’s Extraordinary Contribution to LSST Birmingham

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In an era where academic success is often measured solely by grades and accolades, the quiet force of human character can be overlooked. Yet, at LSST Birmingham, the story of Abida Khanom – a BSc Health and Social Science student – reminds us that, at LSST, education is as much about compassion and purpose as it is about intellectual achievement.  

 

Her beginnings are as humbling as they are heroic. Born in Bangladesh, Abida was delivered in good health, only for polio to alter the course of her childhood abruptly. Yet, in what might have cast a lifelong shadow, in Abida’s words, became a source of strength: “Polio randomly came into my life,” she reflects with quiet sincerity. “But it has strengthened me in many aspects. It’s made me independent and free.” 

 

Abida exemplifies the type of leadership that rarely seeks the spotlight but certainly earns respect. Her journey, marked by a tireless commitment to motivating and helping others, is a testament to what it means to learn not just with the mind but with the heart. 

 

Since enrolling at LSST Birmingham in September 2024, Abida has not only completed her Foundation Year in BSc Health & Social Science – she has, in effect, redefined the narrative of what it means to thrive within higher education. She is not simply a student team player; she is a presence – vibrant, luminous and inspiring. 

 

She navigates LSST’s Birmingham campus independently, aided not only by the LSST’s wheelchair-accessible facilities but by the firm care of its academic community and support staff. “It’s fairly easy,” she adds. “The campus is wheelchair-friendly and the students and staff are incredibly helpful. Each day is an adventure for me and I just love making new friends here.” 

 

Yet, her journey is not solely one of personal gain. What sets Abida apart – and cements her as an unsung cornerstone of LSST’s student body – is the impact she makes on others. A staunch advocate for kindness and perseverance, she has become a peer leader in every sense of the term. 

 

“Abida is a positive force of nature,” says Mr Mohsin Riaz, Dean of LSST Birmingham. “When students are around her, they just feel better, more hopeful and more capable. She never forgets names. Speaks to others as though she has known them all her life. Simply put, she tirelessly seeks out the best potential in everyone.” 

 

This sentiment is echoed by Lynnette Douglas, Student Support Services Team Lead, who has championed Abida since her first day at LSST: “I knew from the moment I met Abida that she was extraordinary. She transforms every obstacle into an opportunity. She isn’t just studying – she’s shaping the very soul of the LSST Birmingham student community. Her laughter, her warmth and her generosity are contagious. She is, quite simply, unforgettable.” 

 

Balancing motherhood with academia would be an insurmountable challenge for many – but for Abida, it is simply another dimension of her tenacity.  

“The most challenging part has been the work itself – and staying focused, since I’m a mother as well,” she explains. “But when I help others, it somehow helps me keep going. I find being kind to others empowers you.” 

 

“My children are my motivation,” she adds, her voice resolute. “And I have an eagerness to put myself out there to know more and to grow.” 

 

Abida’s passion for learning is matched only by her deep empathy. Her curiosity extends beyond textbooks — it embraces the stories and struggles of others. For her, education is not a solitary ascent but a shared horizon.  “When I meet new people on campus, I ask them to share their stories with me and this has been one of the most rewarding parts of my year. It’s opened me to new perspectives and helps me resonate with others. We must take time to focus on where others are coming from to understand them better.” 

 

Though she is modest in self-description, Abida has emerged as a de facto role model for many LSST students as an embodiment of courage in motion. And when asked what advice she might offer to others navigating hardship, her answer is strikingly insightful: “Get to know other people. Never put yourself down. Always exceed your expectations. Don’t hang on to criticism. And never be scared of the current position you’re in – because anything is possible in the near future.” 

 

For Abida, the future is both a goal and a promise. “I want to get a very good career and plan a better future,” she says with calm determination. “But I remain content in the journey more than the destination.” 

 

But in truth, she is already shaping futures – not just her own but those of countless others who see in her a reflection of what can be achieved through grace and gratitude. 

 

Abida Khanom is not merely studying Health & Social Science at LSST. She is living it – leading by example, curing through hope and reminding us that true education is as much about character as it is about curriculum. 

 

Abida and Lynnette will run LSST workshops in October/November 2025 on the key role that social factors have in the higher educational trajectories of people with disabilities and how to build fairer and more inclusive societies in further and higher education.  

 

For additional information, please direct questions or comments to LSST’s Public Relations Manager via kunal.mehta@lsst.ac. 

 

We hope you enjoyed reading LSST News. Join our vibrant academic community and explore endless opportunities for growth and learning at www.lsst.ac/courses or via admissions@lsst.ac. Discover your path at LSST and embark on a transformative educational journey today.  Think Higher. Think LSST.     

 

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