Samuel Fregene – MSc Analytical Science
28-years-old and from the Delta State in the south of Nigeria, Samuel came to Aberdeen in 2021 to further his education having endured a period of working at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, a non-profit institution in Ibadan. Prior to the move overseas he made sure to put in the research.
“Robert Gordon University’s acclaim as the Scottish University of the Year in 2021 captured my interest. I was fascinated by the high-quality education offered at the school under the tutelage of renowned academics.
“Furthermore, the state-of-the-art research facilities and the strong links that the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences has with the industry were motivations for choosing the master’s course. I was also allured by the mix of nationalities studying at RGU, providing an opportunity to learn in a truly international and multicultural community.
“I reckoned that these would be invaluable in my professional development as I aimed to further hone my skills and bridge my knowledge gaps. I was also enthralled by the high employability rating of the graduates from RGU.”
Opting for the on-campus 12-month degree, Samuel was impressed by his experience at RGU’s School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences and by the nature of his course.
“The teaching faculty was outstanding in lecture delivery, very supportive and eager to help. Also, I developed tremendous expertise while working in the laboratory as I learned from technicians with vast experience. I was also able to develop the grit to successfully combine my schoolwork with extracurricular activities.
“My family, friends and pastor were immensely supportive during my studies. They provided constant encouragement, motivation, financial support, and advice which significantly contributed to my success. I was a beneficiary of RGU’s Covid financial assistance too, and also received guidance on writing my CV which was beneficial in securing a part-time job while studying.
“The postgraduate degree has indeed bolstered my skills and positioned me to be more competitive in the industry.”
A highlight of his time here was, of course, his appearance in the famous University Challenge on BBC. Hosted by Jeremy Paxman, the show is an institution in the UK and has graced television screens in living rooms all over for more than 60 years.
In November, RGU appeared on it for the first time since 1994 and only the second time in its history. Samuel was chosen as a team member alongside his peers Emily, Faye, Donald and Ingrid, becoming the programme’s first Nigerian student to appear on the show. And they won! Comfortably beating the University of Roehampton.
“The standout moment from my time at RGU was my representation of RGU in the prestigious University Challenge quiz programme which has given me great exposure and visibility.
“I was able to develop a close-knit relationship with my research supervisor, Dr. Carlos Fernandez, who encouraged and rooted for me as well as Dr. Kay Graeme who was instrumental in my participation. The friendship I developed with my team members at the competition has evolved into a close bond too.
“I experienced a mix of emotions as I watched the episode together with my awesome teammates, happiness and excitement alongside some elements of surprise. Watching it on TV had a different feel from when I was there in person. The editorial team did a very great job; hence the surprises! I felt goose bumps as the episode unfolded.
“I am eagerly awaiting the next round to be aired and am confident that it is not going to deliver any less excitement than the first episode. The euphoria I had of seeing myself on it is difficult to put into words. I can’t wait to get another shot of it!”