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Cameroon refugee is City College’s top achiever

22 October 2008

Aime Yomba, a 21-year-old from Cameroon who had to flee his country in 2004 because of political uprising, has been named as City College’s overall Achiever of the Year at an awards ceremony held at the College’s Pelham Street campus. The yearly awards provide a unique opportunity to celebrate student achievement from right across the curriculum areas at City College. Around fifty local people who excelled in such diverse fields as engineering, hairdressing, catering, public services and music technology all received Achiever awards with one overall winner receiving the accolade of ‘Achiever of the Year’. Aime Yomba’s remarkable life journey in the last four years impressed the College’s senior management team so much that it was a unanimous decision that he should win the top award. Aime says:

"I had to leave Cameroon because of my family’s political beliefs. It was a very frightening time and I was only sixteen years old. It all happened very suddenly and I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived in the UK and I also couldn’t speak the language. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, it was very hard. My family always said that education is very important and I think educating myself is the best thing I can give to myself and to my parents so after a month of being in England, I said to my social worker that I wanted to go back to school. When I arrived at City College I thought the atmosphere was fantastic, my English tutor really helped me and the people in my class were really friendly."

Aime Yomba (centre) with City College Principal Phil Frier (left) and Chairman Martin Perry (right)

Aime Yomba (centre) with City College Principal Phil Frier (left) and Chairman Martin Perry (right)

"My dream when I was growing up was always to be a policeman or an army officer and I think I have to give something back to this community and the country in general because it has done a lot for me. My tutors at City College - Cathy Biggs, Joy Edwards and Richard Carter - are brilliant people. Without them I couldn’t have achieved what I have. They really helped me through my coursework and were very understanding and supportive when they knew I had to combine my studies with working long hours as a security guard. City College is such a great environment to be in and you get so much support. I’ve made a lot of friends here and the teaching staff are fantastic. City College isn’t just about education, it helps you to learn about life."

"Getting my qualifications at the College meant a lot to me and winning this award has been unbelievable. The awards ceremony was one of the best nights of my life. If you’d told me when I was sixteen that in four years time I’d be winning this award and applying to join the Police, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’ve become a father recently too so this is an amazing time for me."

Joy Edwards, City College’s Curriculum Team Leader of Public Services, says:

"Seeing how Aime has overcome hardship, shown such commitment to his course and strived to make the most of every opportunity he’s had in this country has been an inspiration. His humility and kindness are appreciated by his tutors and peers and it’s been a pleasure to see him go from strength to strength. He’s a remarkable young man."

Phil Frier, Principal of City College, says:

"Aime is an inspiration to all our students. Not only has he shown the will and determination to overcome real difficulties in his life, he’s also demonstrated to us all the power of education which enables everyone to change their lives. He’s an ideal winner of Achiever of the Year and at the age of 21 is mature beyond his years. To see Aime celebrating his success with his partner Zee and their baby son Evan at the awards ceremony was a genuinely heart-warming sight. We’re proud to now put Aime forward for the Association of College’s National Student of the Year Award."

For media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk

About City College Brighton and Hove: Founded over 100 years ago, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of excellence. Every year, around 9,000 students, including many international and European students, choose City College as their education provider. Over 500 14 to16 year olds from local schools also attend the College. City College provides training to over 2,000 businesses and has a ‘City Business Skills’ department which focuses on employers’ needs. Offering hundreds of courses from basic level to pre-University level, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.