Oxford place marks amazing turnaround

AN asylum seeker who was forced to flee Iran, Syria and the Taliban in Afghanistan has won a scholarship to Oxford.

When Muhammad Abdul Ghani came to Oldham in February, 2011, his English was very limited.

But he chalked up an A* and As in his maths, chemistry and physics A-levels at Oldham Sixth Form College.

The 18-year-old, who lives in Coldhurst, then faced heartache when he was offered a place to read physics at Oriel College, Oxford. As he has not been granted a visa, he would have to pay 27,000-a-year for the course which he could not afford.

But he has now won a scholarship to study at Wadham College, Oxford, and starts on Monday.

Muhammad (pictured) said: “I picked up a small booklet on financial support and there was only one scholarship available for international students — they count asylum seekers as international students.

“I applied for it and luckily I got it. I am very proud when I think about where I was — my English was basic, I used to record the teachers in lessons so I could listen to them at home.”

Muhammad’s remarkable achievement has earned him a Pride in Oldham award nomination.

He was nominated by the senior leadership team at Oldham Sixth Form College who said: “As a refugee in Afghanistan he was not entitled to receive much education.

“Despite the fact he could not speak much English when he arrived in the UK, Muhammad did very well in his A-levels.”

But Muhammad said modestly: “College principal Jayne Clarke told me I had been nominated. I was really shocked that what I have done is sufficient to get a nomination.”