Brunel University of London’s Tienga Ngale has been crowned as Student of the Year at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2024.
The master’s student, who has more than 15 years of experience working within the voluntary and health and social care sectors, was presented with a trophy at a ceremony in London earlier this month.
The Social Worker of the Year Awards is the only major national awards event for social work in England, attracting hundreds of entries every year and reaching millions of people with positive stories of outstanding social work, creative and compassionate practitioners and outstanding practice. Each category of the awards is judged by an independent panel of social workers and senior figures from the sector.
The nomination for Camden resident and former asylum seeker Tienga said that he has far exceeded expectations during his social work training. “He brings flair for creativity to his studies, writing poetry on his experiences and placements, and taking on the role of co-producer, research and co-host for the university’s podcast,” it added.
Tienga has also volunteered with Social Work Without Borders and helped to organise open discussions on death and dying at the West London Death Café.
When nominated, Tienga, 49, remarked that, given his age, the student Social Work journey was always an adventure, uncertain and risky – and that from the go, he has wanted to make the most of the experience.
Tienga had been shortlisted alongside his fellow student Vishal Udaya Kumar, meaning that Brunel students had taken two out of the five places on the shortlist.
“To be nominated and shortlisted as a finalist for the Social Work Student of the Year category of the Social Worker Awards was already an immensely incredible recognition,” Tienga said. “So to actually win the award feels like the cherry on the cake.
“My journey as a student at Brunel has been positive beyond my wildest imagination. I have learned, I have cried, I have laughed, and I have met amazing peers and academics who have inspired me along the way. Each experience has contributed significantly to my personal and professional development. Most importantly, I have grown in ways I never anticipated. So Brunel, I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have had and the support I have received throughout this journey.”
The award has reinforced Tienga’s dedication to the profession – and to making a difference. “Looking ahead, I am excited to embrace my future as a social worker, most likely in adult settings, where I can engage in work that comes most naturally to me,” he said. “I am committed to doing my best to positively impact individuals’ lives and to serve as an agent of social justice, advocating for those who may not have a voice and striving to make a difference in the communities I will work with.”
Dr Yohai Hakak, Social Work MSc Programme Lead at Brunel, said: “Tienga has proven himself to be an outstanding social work student who excelled on so many levels, both in his academic work and in extra curricular activities and voluntary work. He presented his research work at national and international conferences, hosted a whole brilliant season of our podcast ‘How Does the Social Work’, and continued to write poetry in addition to a wide range of ongoing voluntary work. His dedication and commitment is unparalleled.”
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Reported by:
Joe Buchanunn,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268821
joe.buchanunn@brunel.ac.uk