Photo: Paige Sharma (l.) pictured with her two MACA Awards and Dr Barbara Adewumi (r.)
Student Success Diversity Mark Officer, Paige Sharma, was nominated for two young black achievers awards by the Medway African Caribbean Association. She was awarded for her commitment and contribution to education and was nominated for a young inspirational award. The award ceremony was held at the King’s School, Rochester on 28 October 2023.
Paige Sharma is from Malawi and is a dedicated leading Diversity Mark Officer at the University of Kent. Diversity Mark is an institutional award given to lecturers that embark on anti-racist teaching practices by consciously selecting diverse and inclusive reading lists. She plays a central role in helping lecturers gain confidence in discussing issues about race, ethnicity and inclusion and engage students with culturally sensitive teaching and global South readings. Her sterling contribution has transformed lecturers teaching materials helping them to go on and win Student Success Diversity Mark awards.
MACA, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting an awareness of African and Caribbean Culture through arts, educational and social programmes in Kent and Medway. Special guest, Nina Gurung, Nepalese and of British Gurkha heritage mayor of Medway said ‘ She is very proud to be the first ethnic minority female mayor for Medway and was so impressed by the MACA’s contribution to equality and diversity, bringing the community together and celebrating the talent of tonight’s impressive young winners’.
Dr Barbara Adewumi and Dr Daisy Emoekabu members and local supporters of MACA went along to present MACA awards and receive the awards on Paige’s behalf. Paige said: ‘I am ecstatic to be awarded the education and inspirational award! That is such amazing news!’
Paige’s work has been impactful improving global students’ sense of belonging. She was so keen to continue her work as a Diversity Mark officer that she decided to stay at Kent to study her Masters in Computer Science.