Sha named first ever Chair of the Young Ambassador Network
First year Biomedical Science student Sha Owusu came to Keele to combine his passion for healthcare with his interests in science and research.
His motivation to make a difference to the lives of others developed at a young age. Born in Italy before moving to a rural village in Ghana when he was only seven months old, Sha says that seeing the effects limited healthcare and difficulties in accessing it had on his community drove him to pursue a career in medicine.
He said, “Moving to the UK when I was 16 gave me the chance to gain the education and opportunities to follow this career path, while also shaping me into someone who values resilience, adaptability, and service to others.”
Sha joined NCSG Newcastle College to study a BTEC Level 3 in Health and Social Care and quickly became a prominent figure at the College, holding the roles of both Student Governor and President of the College Student Union, where he shared the ‘student voice’ with senior managers. After meeting the Chief Executive of the University Hospital of North Midlands (UHNM) at a governors meeting, Sha was also offered a work experience placement at Royal Stoke Hospital. Upon completing his placement and impressing colleagues at the hospital with his drive and determination, Sha was offered a job in biomedicine but decided to decline the opportunity to pursue the academic route into his chosen career.
Last year at the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, Sha received the Learning and Development award, which recognises outstanding achievements by individuals who have shown dedication to continuing their professional development and demonstrated exceptional accomplishments within a business or learning environment. He said: “I think I received the award because of my commitment to personal growth, leadership, and representing student voices. The award recognised not just my achievements, but also my drive to keep learning and to help others to develop too.”
Moving on from his role as NCSG Students’ Union President, Sha has now become Chair of the newly launched Young Ambassador Network, a group which provides young people in Staffordshire with a voice in policy decision-making, as well as helping them to engage with local organisations. His role includes leading meetings, guiding discussions, and representing the group at events to ensure that the ideas and perspectives of young people are considered in shaping opportunities across the county. He said: “I want to continue using my voice to inspire and support other young people in the region with We Are Staffordshire.”
When deciding which university to go to, Sha said: “Keele’s strong reputation in health and life sciences, and the opportunities it provides for practical experience alongside academic study appealed to me. I was also drawn to the supportive, close-knit community, which I felt would be the right environment for me to grow both personally and professionally.”
Since joining the University in September, Sha has continued to be an advocate for peer representation and is a Student Voice Representative. Discussing how he balances his studies with his commitment to the Young Ambassador Network, Sha said: “Time management has been key. I prioritise my university work while dedicating set times to my responsibilities as Chair. I also see them as complementary - my leadership role develops skills like organisation, teamwork, and communication, which help me as a student, too.
“My lecturers and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences have been extremely supportive. They understand the commitments I have outside of my studies and encourage me to take on leadership roles in terms of group projects, sports, and more. They also provide excellent academic support, which helps me to balance both areas effectively.”
Following the end of his degree, Sha aims to continue studying to become a doctor and to carry on taking up placement opportunities offered to him within UHNM. He said, “Studying Biomedical Science will give me the strong scientific foundation I need, and I plan to use my degree as a stepping stone towards medical training. I’ve always been passionate about improving people’s lives through healthcare, and becoming a doctor will allow me to directly support patients and make a meaningful impact in my community and beyond.”
