A marriage, a child, and now a graduation have provided Shabana Zain with a lifetime of special memories in the space of just a few years.
The 24-year-old, who graduates with a BSc (Hons) in Human Embryology and Developmental Biology, met her husband Irfanul in first year while they were both living in student halls, and gave birth to their two-year-old son Farhan while in second year.
Having taken a gap year to look after Farhan, Shabana, who lives in Aberdeen, returned to her studies while juggling all the responsibilities that come with being a parent. Looking back on her time at the University of Aberdeen, she says it will always have a special place in her heart.
“I met my husband in first year of University whilst living in Crombie halls, and he proposed to me on University grounds.
“This place is very special to me because not only did I manage to complete my degree here, but I also started my family.
“I took a gap year during my studies to look after our son, and the University was extremely understanding about my situation.
“When I returned a year later, my son attended the Rocking Horse Nursery, which is right on the University grounds, and my husband had also moved on to studying his Masters while I resumed my degree – so all three of us felt like the University was our second home!”
Reflecting on her final year, Shabana said that the pressures of the pandemic, along with her workload and the responsibilities of parenthood, made for a challenging experience. However she praised the University for helping her through this difficult time.
“The staff were really understanding, and I was able to attend lectures and meetings with my son when there was no other alternative. It was tough – sometimes I’d take a break from my workbook and I’d return to find it covered in tiny scribbles!
“But I just cannot emphasise enough how the University has helped us manage workload with a toddler – the teaching staff are extremely understanding and it made it possible for me to finish my degree here, which I am very proud to have achieved.
“My honours' project has really opened my eyes to the field of Bioinformatics and I hope to gain more skills in this field by doing a Masters or a PhD in this area.”