Kamal D. Ibrahim

Balancing a young family with part-time study enabled Kamal D. Ibrahim from Ghana to study for his social work qualification, and to contribute to the OU’s work on removing barriers to access for students from BAME backgrounds.

It was while working as a social work tutor that Kamal D. Ibrahim decided to enrol on the Open University’s (OU) Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work to develop his career.

However, Kamal was far from new to academia. He had already gained a PhD in Social Policy at the University of Edinburgh, completed a post-doctoral fellowship with the Sheffield Institute for International Development at the University of Sheffield, an MA in Theory and Practice of Human Rights from the University of Essex, and done an undergraduate degree in Political Science with Philosophy at the University of Ghana.

Starting his social work studies at 40 with a young family to consider, he found the flexibility that the OU offers and the cost-effectiveness of studying this way a good fit.

‘Very supportive with funding’

Kamal enrolled to pay for his studies independently and applied for an OU Student Budget Account (OUSBA) loan to pay for module fees, which can be repaid as either a single sum or as monthly instalments. 

He later benefitted from an OU Students Educational Trust (OUSET) grant, covering 90% of his fees for the second module, saying: “The Head of Social Work in Scotland was particularly very supportive in my grant application.”

He has found the work placements that are part of the social work degree programme particularly helpful, after gaining employment with the Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB) in Edinburgh, where he did his first work placement.

“I got a job with the agency I did my first placement, initially to cover a maternity leave, and now a permanent project worker role. I also got an offer with the council during my second placement, but I had to politely decline because I was already committed to my current employer.”

‘We feel like a team’

We have a close-knit group here in Scotland, with our cohort using WhatsApp group. It’s been incredibly supportive.”

Studying to be a social worker during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a big challenge, he shares: “Any form of studies is hard enough, but to study for a social work qualification under COVID-19 was even more challenging. Our cohort had just return from our maiden residential school at Milton Keynes when the first COVID-19 restrictions were imposed across the UK…It’s been a journey of resilience, courage and luck.”

As well as facing financial challenges and studying during a pandemic, Kamal adds that balancing studying and family life “hasn’t been easy”, but he has felt well supported by his tutors and the feedback he’s received from other students in his role as a student representative has been “exceptionally positive”. He particularly welcomes the support he’s received from his fellow social work students.

“We have a close-knit group here in Scotland, with our cohort using WhatsApp group. It’s been incredibly supportive,” he highlights. “In fact, the support offered to members sometimes transcends course work to personal issues. We feel like a team and are lucky to have each other.”

‘Sharing lived experience’

I think representation in social work is absolutely significant for two main reasons – inclusivity and perception.”

As well as being a student representative on a number of different OU groups, Kamal, who is originally from Ghana, is also actively involved with a number of projects helping the university to review its admissions processes and curriculum development for Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students.

“I think it’s hugely important for students, particularly those from BAME background, to take interest in such opportunities because we’ve got to tell our individual stories and as a collective,” he says.

“Given my background, I’m in quite a privileged position and thought I needed to share my lived experience and contribute to the general good.”

Discussing the barriers that still exist to successful outcomes for BAME social work students in Scotland, he suggests: “Scotland, just like the rest of the UK, still has a long way to go in this area.” 

“I honestly think that universities and other higher education institutions need to do a lot to bridge these barriers, starting with fundamentals such as decolonising the educational curriculum and proactively seeking to include people of BAME background in decision-making across all levels,” he comments.

“I’m aware some efforts are being made in this regard and, again, I have been lucky to be part of these efforts. These efforts are definitely in the right direction, but we’ve still got a long way to go with the population of Scotland becoming ever more diverse.”

I unreservedly recommend the OU programme to anyone thinking of studying. It’s probably the best decision one could ever make in terms of a choice for further studies – affordability, career re-engineering, and supportive tutors.”

As for greater BAME representation among the social work community, he adds: “I think representation in social work is absolutely significant for two main reasons – inclusivity and perception. It’s about getting a seat at the table and there couldn’t be any better inspiration than seeing people who look, act, and experience life like us at the helm of decision-making. 

“Not only does representation makes us feel included, it also reinforces positive views of ourselves and boost our sense of achievement. It is a core democratic principle that promotes social justice.”

To anyone considering studying social work with the OU, he says: “I unreservedly recommend the OU programme to anyone thinking of studying. It’s probably the best decision one could ever make in terms of a choice for further studies – affordability, career re-engineering, and supportive tutors.”