Naeem Qureshi

Electrical and Electronics Engineering BEng

Naeem’s journey to university was not straightforward. Having grown up in a deprived area of Birmingham, battling illness, and getting married at just 17, higher education seemed like a distant dream for him. But he refused to accept limitations and is now empowering youths to do the same.

Naeem’s journey to education was anything but conventional. Growing up in a deprived area of Birmingham, facing illness during childhood, and stepping into marriage at just 17, higher education seemed like an unattainable dream. But he refused to be defined by limitations. Now, he dedicates his life to empowering people to breakdown their barriers and rewrite their own futures.

"I didn’t have the traditional qualifications to enter university, but I knew I had potential. Due to family circumstances, I was unable to complete all my A-levels. However, one caring lecturer at BCU saw beyond my academic record—he saw my ability and determination. He gave me the chance to take an entrance test. I scored over 90%. That single moment changed my life.

At 18, I was juggling family responsibilities, part-time jobs, and my studies, while also volunteering alongside my father. I embraced the opportunity to learn at BCU, beginning with an HND in Computer Technology and later earning a BEng in Electrical & Electronics Engineering. My time at BCU was not just about academic work; it was about lifelong learning, building relationships across cultures and faculties, and discovering the power of knowledge beyond the classroom.

I wasn’t there just to pass exams or earn a certificate—I was there to grow, to challenge myself, and to make a difference. I explored everything BCU had to offer, from law to business to engineering. Every experience shaped me.

After completing my MSc in Telecommunications, I turned my focus towards empowering communities. I recognised that knowledge was only valuable if used to create real change. I began by teaching unemployed adults computer repair, but my vision extended far beyond technical skills. I mobilised people, lobbied for millions in regeneration funding for East Birmingham, and championed Neighbourhood Renewal Schemes. My mission was clear: bridge the gap of inequality and create a structure to stimulate change, ensuring that people from disadvantaged backgrounds had access to opportunities that could transform their lives.

For over 30 years, I have fought tirelessly to break the cycle of underrepresentation in marginalised communities. Through teaching, mentoring, community initiatives, and welfare support, I have worked with people, systems and institutions to create tangible pathways for individuals who felt trapped by circumstance. My work has connected citizens, patients, and young people to opportunities that empower them to live out their dreams.

Creating change means being a disruptor, a fighter. It means challenging the status quo to open doors for those who have been historically left behind or ignored. My greatest reward isn’t recognition—it’s seeing people succeed because of an initiative I helped or supported to create, feel great even if people never know it was me behind it." That is an amazing feeling

I now serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Ashiana Community Project and Development Manager for Qadria Trust UK. My contributions to the Sparkbrook community have earned me an MBE, but my mission remains unfinished. I firmly believe there is still untapped potential in our communities—potential that, when nurtured, can reshape futures, and above all, transform communities.

Education isn’t just about earning a degree; it’s about what you do with the knowledge, experience, and wisdom gained along the way. It’s about the impact you make next. I want every graduate to leave university feeling empowered, with a sense of purpose - not lost.

Through my role of a BCU Community Ambassador, I am committed to fostering resilience, prosperity, and opportunity for the next generation.

My advice to students is to learn, connect, and use your education to create opportunities, not just for yourself, but for those who need it most. That is the true measure of a person’s success and legacy."