Medical students scoop top prizes at graduation

A pair of outstanding medical students will be honoured with top prizes at the University of Birmingham’s degree congregations this week.

Majd Protty and Christopher Jones have been awarded the Chancellor’s Prize and Vice Chancellor’s Prizes, and will receive them at their graduation ceremony on Wednesday 10 July 2013.

Majd, who will graduate with MBChB Honours (the medical equivalent of a first class degree), will be awarded the Chancellor’s Prize which is given to the mature student who has demonstrated outstanding academic progress and performance throughout their course and has contributed to the life of the University.

He has also been honoured with a number of other awards throughout his time at University, and also won a Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vacation Scholarship to fund a research project at the University of Oxford.

Earlier this year, he was awarded the Medical Society Cup, given to the student considered to have made the greatest contribution to MedSoc (University of Birmingham’s Medical Society) and the College of Medical and Dental Sciences.

As well as his academic studies, Majd, who hopes to pursue a career that combines adult cardiology with cardiovascular science research and medical education, also volunteered at the London Olympic Games, working as a first responder on the Olympic Park. He has been involved with the charity Sexpression, which teaches sex education to primary and secondary school pupils.

Majd said: “I am greatly honoured and very happy to receive the Chancellor’s Prize this year. I feel very blessed to have had the support of everyone at the College throughout the last five years. This brought out the best in me both academically and on an extra-curricular level, which enabled me to meet and work with like-minded students in clubs, charities and societies to deliver the best outcomes for the College and the University as a whole. “

Chris Jones will receive the Vice Chancellor’s Prize – awarded to the undergraduate student who has an outstanding academic record and contributed the life of the University.

Chris will also be graduating with MBChB Honours. He has undertaken a number of research projects funded through open competition in each of his summer holidays from University. He has also won a number of awards and scholarships including a prize for being the highest ranking intercalating student in 2010.

During his fourth year, Chris undertook his elective period at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka. This year after he finished his MBChB he undertook a research studentship at the Harvard University Reproductive Endocrine Sciences Center.

Chris has also developed research projects for other students to work on and took the leading role in the Resuscitation for Medical Disciplines programme, the largest basic life support course in Europe.

Professor Kate Thomas, Vice Dean Student Development and Support in the College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, said: “Both Chris Jones and Majd Protty are exceptional students. 

“Not only have they excelled in their studies, but alongside that they have managed to undertake scientific research and publish it, teach other medical students and enhance the life of the Medical School. 

“Chris has been involved in running the largest training scheme for teaching basic life support in Europe and Majd’s leadership of the students’ Medical Society contributed to its being voted the best in the country.  What is so nice about both of them is that they haven’t just taken everything the University has to offer, they have given back in an exceptional way.”

For more information please contact Kara Bradley, media relations manager health science on +44 (0)121 414 5134