DCG Success Stories

Adult student Mouaead Albalkhi joined Derby College Group with a clear goal – to improve his English and maths skills so he can build a stable future for himself and his family.

Originally from Syria, Mouaead and his family spent several years in Jordan before moving to the UK to seek safety and a fresh start.

He previously studied journalism for two years at university, but the war forced him to leave his home and education behind.

Despite these challenges, Mouaead has shown remarkable resilience, positivity, and determination to rebuild his life. And, through his own hard work and the support of Derby College, he’s well on the way to achieving his goals

Since arriving in Britain, one of Mouaead’s biggest challenges has been learning a new language as an adult.

At 40, he acknowledges that acquiring English has not come easily. Alongside this, he has family responsibilities, including caring for his young twins.

Time constraints and childcare commitments have made studying particularly demanding. However, his desire to improve his skills and contribute meaningfully to society keeps him motivated.

He said: “Derby College has played a crucial role in helping me overcome my barriers to learning.

“My experience at the Roundhouse and St James Centre has been transformative. Their supportive, professional teachers have given me confidence, structure, and encouragement.”

With guidance from his tutors who include Amy, Ianina, Antoinette and Matthew, Mouaead has already passed several key assessments, including Entry 3 and Level 1 Maths, his reading exam and sat GCSE maths.

He credits College’s positive classroom environment for helping him develop both academic skills and self-belief.

Looking ahead, Mouaead hopes to progress into plumbing and eventually into gas engineering.