Meet the student stars of MDX's bumper 2022 Graduation fortnight

Fashion Textiles and Design graduate Ivy Ct Yu has faced more obstacles than most during her degree as she balanced studying with working part-time and raising her young son.

The 36-year-old, who moved to London from Hong Kong in 2014, says Morrissey, three, has been her motivation throughout the course and she makes clothes for him as well as creatively patching up old ones.

“I entered a competition called Alter-Eco which is a national vintage upcycling competition by Goldsmiths [University of London]" said Ivy. "The garments I used to make that windbreaker were vintage deadstock and inspired by Morrissey.”

Ivy’s final collection had a strong emphasis on sustainability, working closely with a knitting factory and using only deadstock Merino yarns to create tailored jackets.

“Every day I can see how much waste there is" she said. "They are just lying there ready to be chucked away but they can be stunning.

“If you can find a way, there is always a way to re-use things and think outside the box.” This ethos led to Ivy using melted bottle caps and fruit nets to make all the buttons for her garments after taking part in a jewellery workshop.

“They look really gorgeous and everyone loves them," she said. "Because I have mixed so many colours inside, nobody can tell what they are made from".

Ivy admits to finding managing both a full-time degree and motherhood challenging at times.

“Our course is really intense - full time plus work at night,” she said. “My good time-management and organising skills developed throughout my life help me a lot in juggling.

“The hardest thing is fighting with the sleepiness since I always have to work until midnight.”

Ivy thanks MDX's technicians for helping her while studying during the pandemic. “They are always supportive and I know I wouldn't have finished my last year without them," she said.

Studying at Middlesex University has been a life-changing experience for Midwifery graduate Aqsa Rabbani, who was diagnosed with traits of autism aged 17 and was extremely shy around other people.

“I have flourished, it’s like a miracle, I don’t recognise myself from the person I was seven years ago,” she said.

Aqsa was awarded an MDX Community Scholarship which included grants of £2,000 per academic year and as part of the scheme has been representing the university as an ambassador, which she describes as the “best thing ever”.

This flexible role, managed by the University’s Uni Temps employment service, has included working on social media PR campaigns, attending careers events and open days, visiting schools and colleges, calling prospective students, marshalling at events and delivering workshops.

Recently Aqsa was named Student Ambassador of the Year by Uni Temps.

Having been on placement at Barnet Hospital while studying, Aqsa now works at the Royal Free.

As well as leading to a First Class degree, Aqsa credits her time at MDX for transforming her confidence and social skills.

She said: “It’s extra special to graduate because I’ve been through a lot of my life.

“Because of Middlesex I am the woman I am today. I’ve gained the social skills I needed to become an effective midwife and compassionate individual.

“Growing up I was very apprehensive so graduating from Middlesex is such a beautiful feeling because I thought I’d never graduate from university.

“This university and campus has helped me change so much, everybody is so friendly. I felt like I was part of a family.” She thanks her family for all their support while she was studying.

Matthew Roze, from Stanmore, came to MDX via direct entry into the third year of BA Theatre Performance & Production, after studying on courses with LAMDA.

As someone with dyslexia, who had once been told that he would never get to university, he found MDX lecturers and tutors "beyond helpful, incredibly nice... They knew how to talk to me, they would leave it to me until I asked. I’ve never had that, ever".

During his time at MDX, when he also had caring responsibilities, Matthew set up a workshop programme called The Neuroclusive Project.

Originally he thought this would be aimed at neurodivergent students to help them learn through drama, but he soon realised it could offer "life skills for everybody" - such as people who speak English as a second language. One coursemate congratulated him for hitting on an overlooked area.

He also won a placement to do drama facilitation with teenagers at artsdepot, as part of the National Theatre's Connections programme.

This culminated in a production of Like There Was No Tomorrow, a play about global warming from a young person’s perspective. Holding workshops to help the actors with character development gave him confidence that he could make a career in this field.

Looking ahead, he hopes to keep performing in some way.

"Whether you have a learning difference or not, whatever someone thinks of you, it doesn't matter: you shouldn't have to feel you’re the odd one out," says Matthew.

"That’s what I want to bring to my workshops and classes. I’m going from my own experience and turning it positive".

Graduation continues this week, with students who were unable to attend ceremonies in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic, collecting their degrees.