Five TAFE NSW Granville students have been recognised for their academic achievement and positive work ethic at the TAFE NSW Excellence Awards in Kingswood last night.

Tara Al-Jehlani, Sarah Wadland, Akifa Mujaddidi, Joseph Maberley and Haya Qudsi were announced as the winners in a number of categories at the prestigious Western Sydney Excellence Awards at a gala awards ceremony at TAFE NSW Nepean.

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager, Michael Cullen, commended the winners for the commitment and dedication they have shown to their studies.

“These awards recognise our most passionate, industrious and skillful students, and the fact teachers are the ones who nominate the students’ makes it even more special,” Mr Cullen said.

“I have no doubt these students will go on to forge highly successful careers and will be wonderful ambassadors for TAFE NSW.”

Mr Cullen said the awards exemplified TAFE NSW’s commitment to training the workforce leaders of tomorrow.

“TAFE NSW is proud to equip students with practical skills and work experience so they’re ready to hit the ground running in their chosen field.

“It’s very gratifying for TAFE NSW staff to watch students like these grow and transform their lives through education.”

Mr Cullen said the awards emphasised the commitment of TAFE NSW to train the workforce leaders of the future when, where and how it suits them.

Tara Al-Jehlani moved to Australia three years ago and thanks to the dedication and continuous support of her TAFE NSW teachers was able to find her passion for the finance industry again and gain employment. 

“I was unsure about what I wanted to do after completing my studies but studying with TAFE NSW Granville and with the amazing support and guidance of my teachers I now have a direction not only my professional life but my personal goals as well. My experience with TAFE NSW Granville has been fantastic, the teaching style of TAFE NSW suits me with its practical approach to learning and I feel the knowledge and skills I have gained are invaluable.

Sarah Wadland said “I am a proud fourth generation butcher and hopefully am not the last. My employer (Farmgate to Plate) has encouraged me along the whole journey and provided me with great opportunities. I chose to study at TAFE NSW Granville because I knew that I would learn so much not only from my teachers, but also from my classmates around me and their butchering experience.

I have made so many new friends and also now have so many contacts in my industry all thanks to TAFE NSW Granville, participating in this course was the best decision I have made.”

Akifa Mujaddidi has always been interested in architecture since she could remember and said “during my time studying Building Design and Architecture at TAFE NSW, I learnt a great deal about how structures are made, what different materials are used for, the significance of soil and the ground on buildings and so much more that I cannot even begin to mention because there’s just too much.”

Joseph Maberley started in the industry as a 16 year old washing dishes and equipment every weekend. Slowly but surely he gained more responsibility and moved away from the cleaning aspect and focused more on being a butcher.

Joseph Maberley said “I was not too sure what TAFE NSW Granville was going to be like when I first enrolled but, it has made the see the bigger picture and put me more on a direct path to how I want to be a part of this industry in the future.

“My employer (1888 Certified) has been excellent for me allowing me to go to competitions and really supporting me in my learning. My career highlight to date would be winning my way to a spot in the World Butchers Challenge Apprentice team representing Australia.”

Haya Qudsi decided to study Pathology as she feels it is an essential tool in the health system of any society.

“For me, the decision to study Pathology was based on having the opportunity to contribute to the society, along with the interest in the biological aspects of human body that I have passion for. I completed the Certificate IV Laboratory Techniques followed by the Diploma of Laboratory Technology specialising in Pathology testing,” said Haya Qudsi.

“The course was so enjoyable, detailed and relevant to workplace which helped me to gain the knowledge in Pathology to be able to work in a laboratory and diagnose different diseases and conditions.”

Major awards received by TAFE NSW students:

Media contact: Teresa Lane, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner 9796 5476, mobile 0412 773 887.