Middlesex graduates celebrate their success

Middlesex students talk about their inspirational journeys and accomplishments as they graduate this week

BA Photography student Thrishka Soosaipillai, who is deaf and wears cochlear implants, wanted to share her experience of “how deaf people have struggled” through her pictures. She revealed how photography had begun as a hobby but turned into a career.

She said: “When I was growing up, I never saw deaf adults and children in stories and articles and I thought was alone, but now through university and photography I have met lots of deaf people.”

Thrishka’s best friend and brother are also deaf, and she described her final project as a “personal journey”, and “conversation between her and her friend” as they often use sign language when struggling. She describes herself as a very visual person through regular lip reading and observing facial expressions to help her communicate, and loves capturing landscapes, including nature and buildings.

Her work has been showcased at City Lit Gallery in an exhibition featuring deaf and hard of hearing artists during Deaf Day 2026, which was staged by the renowned deaf artist Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq. The exhibition’s theme was Interrogating Identities: Portrayals and Perceptions. Thrishka entered two pieces, including one from her Foundation Year project: Connection, and another from her BA Photography degree: Harry M Lee at Middlesex University.

In addition, Thrishka, who is from Wembley in Northwest London, has had images featured on the Source Photography website which she described as a “fantastic opportunity to showcase my work to a wider audience, promote myself as a photographer, and raise awareness of the deaf community”.

After her course, she is interested in volunteering  and doing journalism in the deaf community to raise further awareness. She said: “My experience at Middlesex University was amazing. I was fortunate to receive a lot of support and encouragement from my tutors, the photography technicians, and the Kit Hub team throughout my studies. Their support helped me build my confidence and believe more in my abilities.

“Creating a project focused on deaf awareness and sharing my own deaf journey through photography allowed me to grow as both a person and an artist. It helped me find my voice as a photographer and gave me a clearer sense of who I am and what I want my work to represent.”

Middlesex student and Arsenal fan, Alfie Callaghan, talked about meeting his football heroes during his course. The Sport and Exercise BSc honours graduate had a placement with Borehamwood in his second year, where the Arsenal women’s team occasionally hold fixtures. “You’re saying hello to European Cup and World Cup winners walking through the door,”  he said.

Alfie was then on placement with AFC Wimbledon Under 18s, reaching the Professional Development League (PDL) final against Luton FC, whose senior team is managed by former Arsenal legend Jack Wilshere. 

 He added: “I got to meet Per Mertesacker (ex-Arsenal defender) who was a funny guy; very friendly. And then this year I met Jack Wilshere at the PDL Cup final.  I have had some amazing experiences that I will never forget and that will live with me throughout my career.”

AFC Wimbledon’s academy had a remarkable season during Alfie’s time, winning four trophies. His role included everything from helping with warmups, gym sessions, nutrition, and a special project involving goalkeeper GPS data.

“People who don’t work in the sport don’t realise how much goes into the preparation, there are so many different coaches and specialties in a pro-environment,” he said.

As well as his studies and football club roles, Alfie was nominated at the 2026 University Rugby Award as an Outstanding Student Volunteer for his work with the Middlesex rugby and women’s football teams, as well as with East London side Kulture FC, and the local Hendon rugby club.

Alfie, from Sandwich in Kent, is planning to begin a Master’s in Strength and Conditioning at Middlesex and he hopes to become a lead sports scientist at a top professional club in future.

“If you look at other universities in London they have good facilities, but nothing compares to StoneX, the lecturers and facilities are amazing; the placement opportunities are fantastic. I couldn’t recommend it more to someone who is looking for a degree in sport.”

On his advice to fellow students, he said: “I suggest they get a LinkedIn account and start looking for placements as soon as they can, because it is such a useful tool, and gets you a million miles ahead of everyone else and it really improves your profile when you finish your course.”

Dorentina Bajrami, a Fashion Textiles and Design BA Honours graduate, recently worked in the costume department of a major feature film through her course. 

While the full details can’t be currently disclosed, she said: “It was really, cool and they were impressed. I got called back for another two days at their main studios and got to see what it was likely behind the scenes.  It was lovely doing that experience and I found I really enjoy the costume side.”

Dorentina, who grew up in Chalk Farm, Northwest London, is an actress herself outside of her studies and cites designers such as Virgil Abloh as her big inspiration for his collaborative work in films, art and music. Middlesex alumnae, Martine Rose, from South London has also inspired her, and she added: “You're like, maybe if you work this hard and build your network, you can reach those same places.”

Her final year show’s theme was called SONDER, which means "the realisation that each passer-by has a life as vivid and complex as your own".  

Dorentina explained that she always “tries to find the truth” in films which relate to herself or someone she knows and the beauty in creating something personal. She also described missing the “chaotic but in a good way” creative, studio environment. “I used to complain about being there every day, but I think those are the moments when you’re all in the studio collaborating that you’re going to miss.”

Throughout her time at Middlesex, she says she learned to “get out there, talk to people, don’t be afraid; go on Instagram and message people”.

On her advice to fellow students, she said: “A lot of people, when they're applying to fashion, have an idea in their head that the runway is the finished product which it is, but they don’t realise the work that goes into it. You spend so much time researching, sorting out the photo shoots, models, and collaborating with photographers. I don’t think people realise how hard it is but if they are willing to do it then go for it 110%. When you get to that final product you will be so proud of yourself.”

Yolande Gunn, a BA (Hons) Primary Education (QTS) graduate, has certainly made the most of her time at Middlesex University. She has been a course ambassador, attending open days and acting as a contact for prospective students as well as being involved in UCAS fairs. She has also been active in sports at Middlesex.

She explained: “I have always played handball but decided to sign up for a football on my first day at the University, which is the complete opposite. I’ve always enjoyed football but never played it and that was fun because I met girls from different year groups and courses, and it was such a fun way of experiencing university life and meeting people who I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

Yolande grew up in Örebro, in Sweden, where she was involved in her school’s student association and she was part of its drama department. “I always been very social and outgoing and enjoy meeting people,” she said.

On her advice to other students, Yolande said: “I was 23 when I started and 26 now but when you’re straight out of sixth form, it’s easy to be reserved or find one friend group and stick with them. They should reach out to other people, talk to people on different courses, join societies and attend society events. I would talk to anyone you can be social with.”

Yolande moved to London in the summer after the first Covid lockdown and had been working in nurseries and at a Swedish school before her course.
Her outgoing personality helped Yolande land her first teaching role with a primary school in Hackney, East London, where she has been on placement.

She said: “It’s taken that pressure off, it’s nice because I know the leadership team, the teachers and my way around the school. All of these things will make it easier to start full time.”

Middlesex student Ayanne K De Oliveira has managed to juggle working as a practice manager in a dental clinic with her BA Business Management degree.

“It was quite a challenge,” she admitted. “I had to balance personal life, work and studies all at once. Becoming a dentist was my biggest dream growing up, but after completing work experience in a dental clinic, I realised it wasn't the right path for me. I found it difficult seeing blood or patients in pain during treatment.”

Having helped her father with his construction company, Ayanne chose to embark on a business degree. She did, however, start working at a dental clinic and she has now progressed from a receptionist to become a practice manager – aged just 23.

“My degree has been incredibly valuable because it has strengthened my leadership and management skills,” she added. “I enjoy working with people and overseeing business operations, so I was learning the theory at university while applying it in practice every day at the clinic.”

She moved to London from the Brazilian state of Paraná in 2016 and has thanked her parents for being the “biggest help I’ve ever had”.

Ayanne, who now lives in Kensal Rise, North-West London, has also not looked back since joining Middlesex, which she praised for its “beautiful campus” as well as thanking staff in the Faculty of Business and Law.

She said: “All my professors were lovely and helpful which has made my journey at Middlesex much easier. I felt like an adult at Middlesex because they really value their students. They really help you try to achieve what you are looking for.”

In her final project, Ayanne worked on a consultancy project with McLaughlin & Harvey, the lead construction firm on a major waste transfer station in Brent Cross and helped with community engagement. Ayanne is considering a Master’s in Human Resources but for now just wants a “nice break”.