Keeping it in the family for graduation

A Bahraini family are following their career paths with help from Teesside University.

Shaima Albalooshi graduates with a BA (Hons) International Management in the same year her mother Najat Bushalaibi graduates from the MSc International Management.

The family tradition began in 2010 when Shaima’s father Ibrahim travelled from Bahrain to study BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering, graduating in 2013.

Shaima, 23, said: 'Je is now working in Bahrain but I heard such good things from him about Teesside that it made me want to study here too. It is a really friendly environment and I really feel that I have developed as a person by studying here.'

The family’s Teesside links continue as Shaima’s brother Omar is in the final year of his BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree and her younger brother Faisal recently started an engineering degree.

Teesside University has been a great experience for Shaima, who said: 'My course is about cultural engagement and looking at the different ways that people work and think. English is a universal language, so I found it easy to adapt. 'We’re encouraged to research our own ideas and I have really enjoyed how the course has helped me to develop so many skills.'

Shaima, who is considering postgraduate study, is seeking employment in Bahrain and she is confident the degree has prepared her well for a career in management.

'Choosing a degree subject such as international management has prepared us both for the workforce.'

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