Eva Nakacwa

Digital Media Technology – BSc (Hons)

Like many students at BCU, Eva commutes to university. She found the commute tiring, yet her passion for her subject was stronger. During her time at BCU, Eva has been able to achieve a lot of things she’s proud of and feels like a part of the community. She has learnt to collaborate, use professional equipment and gain the necessary skills to realise her creative aspirations fully.

"I had always wanted to go to University as it was a personal aim of mine, following my Grandparents’ advice to pursue an education. Deciding what to study was difficult due to my varied interests and hobbies. After attempting a Diagnostic Radiography course, I decided to take a year out to get a better idea of what my interests and career options were.

I rediscovered my passion for creative subjects and their transition into the digital age, and was drawn to the Digital Media Technology course. The course was broad enough to allow me to develop my interests in photography, animation and graphic design while also covering the technological background of web design and development, media technology and interactive applications.

Once I was enrolled on the course, I was sent the student survival kit which made me feel welcome and excited to take on my degree. When I started my course, I quickly found I fitted in well within the BCU community despite commuting to campus. Though commuting was definitely the most challenging thing about being a student. Journeys between home and campus were tiring. I overcame this by being more self-disciplined and thinking of ways to work around it through the help of family and course mates.

Following the advice of a lecturer to get stuck in, I began to collaborate on ideas with friends and utilise the universities resources. BCU’s Hires and Loans service taught me how to use specialised equipment from cameras, lights, to studio space. I also had the opportunity to network with media and tech organisations. The extracurricular opportunities, university resources, passionate lecturers and members of staff, all pointed me towards things I hadn’t even considered. It all encouraged me to work on a couple more projects and collaborate with course mates, friends and community organisations.

I am most proud of developing a prototype of an AR App for my Final Year Project. I also achieved a Graduate+ Bronze Award which allowed me to gain vital skills in order to become a versatile graduate. Both achievements encouraged me to build up a portfolio of my photography, video and web design projects, which I aim to continue adding to.

From my time at BCU, I have become a more proactive, well-rounded person. I have gained clarity and confidence in my abilities in pursuing my creative aspirations.

“I am BCU” means that I am a part of this institution and the things I have gained from it are a part of me."