We spoke to Manchester Metropolitan University's senior lecturer in healthcare Dr. Manju Pallam about navigating higher education as an international colleague and student.

Dr. Manju Pallam is recognised for her extensive contributions to healthcare education, management, quality analysis, and clinical research. As well as her roles in the Chief Nursing Officer’s BAME Strategic Advisory Group and the British Indian Nurses Association, she is also the international lead at Manchester Metropolitan University, and is passionate about building inclusion.

In this episode, we explore:

• Barriers and challenges for international colleagues and students entering HE.
• How international colleagues and students can navigate these challenges.
• What higher education institutions can do to minimise these barriers.

Host: Dr Sayema Rahman Khan, founder of SAWHE

Producer: Sumaiya Motara, SAWHE Digital Communications Lead

About the SAWHE network

This is a grassroots, community-led initiative dedicated to amplifying the visibility, voice, and leadership of South Asian women across UK universities.

We exist so that South Asian women are never alone in their academic journey – offering a safe, inclusive space to connect, be supported, and be celebrated.

Website: https://sawhe.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-asian-women-in-higher-education-network/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawheofficial/?igsh=MWZqOTg5enQ3OTJl#

Join the network here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8Gy_HKfUNmdW-HFEh29A3pPOHC8Qe44tdvEoHJGJgx7zn-w/viewform

Talkng about equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in UK universities, we are joined by the brilliant Tahira Majothi and Ushma Khadia from the University of Manchester.

Tahira Majothi is an EDI partner linked to the faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health. Previously, Tahira worked as a careers consultant at the Universities of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan for over 10 years. She also worked in the not-for-profit sector with charities such as Citizens Advice, Save the Children, and Barnardo's.

Ushma Khadia is a careers consultant in the Faculty of Humanities and the co-theme lead for Inclusion at the Careers Service. Previously, she was a teacher and course leader for A-level Business at a sixth form college for almost 18 years.

Tahira and Ushma share their insights on:

• What EDI means and why it's important in higher education.
• The progress made in EDI and what can still be done.
• Their personal career journeys and what inspires them to work in EDI.

Host: Dr Sayema Rahman Khan, founder of SAWHE

Producer: Sumaiya Motara, SAWHE Digital Communications Lead

About the SAWHE network

This is a grassroots, community-led initiative dedicated to amplifying the visibility, voice, and leadership of South Asian women across UK universities.

We exist so that South Asian women are never alone in their academic journey – offering a safe, inclusive space to connect, be supported, and be celebrated.

Website: https://sawhe.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-asian-women-in-higher-education-network/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawheofficial/?igsh=MWZqOTg5enQ3OTJl#

Join the network here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8Gy_HKfUNmdW-HFEh29A3pPOHC8Qe44tdvEoHJGJgx7zn-w/viewform

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