Dorset award for Zambian student

A Zambian student has received an accolade created especially for him, in recognition of his hard work and dedication here at Kingston Maurward College.
 
Emelio Mbozi (CORR) was presented with ‘The Principal’s Award for Dedication to Learning and Self Improvement’ at our annual prize-giving ceremony.
 
The 32–year–old has just completed a two–year National Diploma in Agriculture and has returned home to Zambia for the first time since starting his studies.
 
“We have a range of prizes for our best students every year, but there wasn’t one that applied to Emelio under the current categories,” said Tim Stephens, head of agriculture, countryside and food. “But we felt his special qualities should be recognised so we created an award for him, and Novartis Animal Health kindly sponsored it.”
 
Emelio, who works as a government regional veterinary assistant in his home country, said at the ceremony he was looking forward to seeing his family again and hopes now to be promoted to livestock officer.
 
He travels between farms in southern Zambia administering vaccinations to cattle.
 
“I feel very honoured to get this award,” he said. “When I first arrived in the UK I thought it cold and the food strange.
 
“The food is still strange,” he joked.
 
“But I will miss Dorset and the friends I made here.”
 
Mr Stephens said: “Emelio impressed us because he came to an obviously very alien country to study in a foreign language, and took it all in his stride.
 
“He has been an inspiration to us and his fellow students.”
 
Emelio says he hopes to return to Dorset for the 2012 Olympics, if finances allow.
 
More than 115 further education students received awards at this year’s prize–giving ceremony.