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SBM Mentoring Programme Celebrated at Annual Ceremony

The School of Business and Management (SBM) at Queen Mary University of London marked the conclusion of this year’s SBM Mentoring Programme with a celebration event held on Tuesday 14 April at the Graduate Terrace. 

Published:
An image of three student mentees standing holding certificates in front of the london skyline

The event brought together student mentees and mentors to reflect on seven months of professional growth, connection, and shared learning. This year, 90 participants took part in the programme, forming meaningful mentoring partnerships across a wide range of industries. 

The SBM Mentoring Programme is designed to connect current students with experienced professionals and alumni, offering tailored guidance, career insight, and personal development opportunities. Over the course of seven months, mentees benefit from one-to-one support, while mentors contribute their expertise and gain valuable leadership experience. 

The initiative continues to play a vital role in supporting students - particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds - in navigating their career journeys with confidence and clarity. 

Held at the Graduate Centre, the evening opened with a warm welcome before moving into a series of speeches from mentees, who reflected on their experiences of the programme and the positive impact it has had on their confidence, career direction, and broader professional outlook. These reflections highlighted the value of the mentoring relationships developed over the course of the programme. 

Participants then took part in a guided reflection exercise, providing an opportunity to consider their individual development journeys and the connections they had formed with their mentors. 

The event concluded with an awards and recognition segment, celebrating the outstanding contributions, commitment, and achievements of participants across the mentoring community. 

Recognising Excellence 

The following individuals were recognised for their exceptional engagement and impact: 

Mentor Winners

  • Inspirational Mentor Winner: Sioban Allen, Marketing Lead at RSM 
  • Dedicated Advocate Winner: Afo Babtunde, Director of Commercial AI Products at Virgin Media O2
  • Exceptional Guidance Winner: Patrick Uzoamaka, Vice President of Technology Internal Audit 

Mentee Winners

  • Proactive Learner Winner: Daniel Blasko, 1st Year BSc Accounting and Finance Student
  • Most Significant Growth Winner: Evamena Ekelumu, 2nd Year BSc Accounting and Finance Student
  • Resilience and Determination Winner: Hruditya Rajwade, MSc Marketing Student 

That's a surprise and I'm really grateful for this recognition. Mentoring Zalus has been a truly rewarding experience! Over the past 6 months, Zalus has shown great progress on the developmental goals we discussed at the start of the programme, and I'm glad to have played a part in his journey. I hope to continue providing any support I can, even after the mentorship programme ends. - Patrick Uzoamaka, Vice President of Technology Internal Audit

Looking Ahead 

The SBM Mentoring Programme continues to grow as a cornerstone of the School’s commitment to student success, employability, and community building. By fostering meaningful relationships between students and professionals, the programme not only enhances career readiness but also strengthens the wider SBM network. 

People sitting in groups speaking in a room with a view of the london skyline
Image of a person speaking infront of a presentation in a room full of people sitting on chairs and the view of the london skyline in the background
Image of a person speaking infront of a presentation in a room full of people sitting on chairs and the view of the london skyline in the background
Image of a person speaking infront of a presentation in a room full of people sitting on chairs and the view of the london skyline in the background
Image of a person speaking infront of a presentation in a room full of people sitting on chairs and the view of the london skyline in the background
Image of a person speaking infront of a presentation in a room full of people sitting on chairs and the view of the london skyline in the background
Image of a person speaking infront of a presentation in a room full of people sitting on chairs and the view of the london skyline in the background
People sitting in groups speaking in a room with a view of the london skyline

 

 

 

 

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