Ali Kasim - BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering | London South Bank University
What does it mean to you to attend the LSBU graduation ceremony this October?
It fillls me with Joy that 30 years later I can graduate. Better late than never. London South Bank University has been excellent in dealing with the request and really made me feel appreciated and welcoming back an old student of theirs means a lot to me and the family.
What was it like studying at LSBU?
I really enjoyed my time at London South Bank university - its obviously changed much since my time however as someone new to the country it was welcoming and I always found the support system with lecturers really helpful during my time.
What are some of your favourite memories of studying at LSBU?
A particular memory is actually of a professor John Douglas - he was my Hydraulics Lecturer and really challenged me during this module. It quickly became one of my favourites and I achieved a good score as a result of his teachings and his passion. My passions for hydraulics continued long after my degree through my children as I was pushing for my son to study hydraulics.
A question for your son and his siblings: What inspired you to study Engineering at university?
We are 4 siblings. The eldest (Hussein) studied architecture and is an Architect currently. As a child watching his Dad draw structures by hand as he was new to technologies is definitely an influence on Husseins work today as he sketches ideas and brings them to life on CAD.
I'm the 2nd eldest and I studied civil engineering - I followed in my Dads footsteps as I felt like I wanted to continue what he did and go a step further and work in the industry. His passion while teaching me maths and mechanics through GCSE and A-levels put me in the direction of civil engineering and after 10 years of experience, my career has allowed me to work on the biggest projects in the UK and Australia and now I'm a senior project manager.
The 3rd sibling (Mohammed) studied mechanical engineering and similar to myself, Dad pushed us in maths and mechanics so it was natural that Mohammed studied some form of engineering at university. Since completing his degree and further studies Mohammed now works as an assistant project manager on London underground.
The 4th and youngest sibling (Rabab) could not be converted to an engineering field. We always knew her life would be in English/history and is currently studying at university.