DORCHESTER: Award created for Zambian student

Emelio Mbozi was presented with “The Principal’s Award for Dedication to Learning and Self Improvement” at the college’s annual prize-giving ceremony.

The 32-year-old has just completed a two-year National Diploma in Agriculture at the land-based Dorset campus and has returned home to Zambia for the first time since starting his studies.

“We have a range of prizes for our best students every year, but there wasn’t one that applied to Emelio under the current categories,” said Tim Stephens, head of agriculture, countryside and food at the college.

“But we felt his special qualities should be recognised so we created an award for him, and Novartis Animal Health kindly sponsored it.”

Emelio, who works as a government regional veterinary assistant in his home country, said at the ceremony he was looking forward to seeing his family again and hopes now to be promoted to livestock officer.

He travels between farms in southern Zambia administering vaccinations to cattle.

“I feel very honoured to get this award,” he said. “When I first arrived in the UK I thought it cold and the food strange.

“But I will miss Dorset and the friends I made here.”

Mr Stephens said: “Emelio impressed us because he came to an obviously very alien country to study in a foreign language, and took it all in his stride.

“He has been an inspiration to us and his fellow students.”

More than 115 further education students received awards at this year’s prize-giving ceremony.

PICTURE: Zambian student Emelio Mbozi at Kingston Maurward College has had an award created especially for him

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