“Getting to Imperial is actually a magic key for other opportunities.”
As an experienced clinician, Awad Algarni has found that the MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare at the National Heart and Lung Institute not only advanced his expertise but also expanded his knowledge base in clinical research.
What were you doing before you came to study in Imperial?
Before studying in Imperial, I was a senior ICU respiratory therapist for almost seven years.
Why did you want to study a post-graduate course?
I was going through the clinical practice for a while. You get to the point when you feel you get enough experience and you need to add more. Adding a degree, especially from Imperial, is going to add a lot of knowledge and that, I believe, one of the best things to do to invest in myself and to upgrade basically all the knowledge I have. And this is one of the main things that makes me do this master’s programme.
And specifically, why did you choose Imperial?
There are two reasons. First of all, Imperial is a top university in the world. Also in Saudi Arabia, Imperial is listed as one of the top and they’re offering a scholarship for studying at Imperial. Those things led me to look at the details and the programmes at Imperial.
What made you choose this specific course and what did you expect from the course before starting?
Reading the course information on the Imperial website and looking at the course descriptions, I felt it touched both sides because I’m looking at the clinical side where my career is, and also at the research side. So the course description kind of cover all of this.
It’s quite a well-balanced course. So who inspired you during your time on the course?
I would say everybody is supportive. But the two people that inspired me are the Senior Teaching Fellow Dr Leanne Felkin, as she is the one who supports us through all the modules and keeps up with us with the right advice. And also Dr Andre Amaral, which I worked with on the research project. Working with the real research team inspired me to actually look at the research part more than just doing a course.
What was your favourite module or what was your favourite part of the programme?
Starting this programme the first class we got for our modules was foundation and study design. Those are the basic things. The basic we need to start doing research and give us kind of a guide of what to expect next. I think this is my favourite, the foundation of study design.
How have you found studying in London?
London aside from the expenses, overall it’s multicultural. I have lived in three different countries before. UK, and London specifically, is easy to adopt to. It is easy to actually move around and I am in love with London. London is amazing.
There are many campuses in Imperial, did you get a chance to visit?
Yeah, actually this is a really good advantage to have not just only one main campus. As I live a little bit far away from the South Kensington Campus, so having a couple of campuses, for example, the White City Campus, which is close to my home is a really good thing. Each campus basically has a study area, it has the things that I’m looking for, say, if I want to study, or do some of my project, I have a couple of options to do it with the resources from Imperial. It was great.
What advice would you give to someone starting the course or considering applying for the course?
I resigned from my previous job for this opportunity. Getting to Imperial is actually a magic key for other opportunities. The outcome of the programme actually supports me to see different things in different corners. The main advice from me is that if you are going to be a student in Imperial, you have to devote to it as a job five days a week. Try to treat this as a job. It may sound too much. But you will realise when you get to the end of the programme and the research project how much knowledge and skills you have gained. Really, it’s worth it. And this is what I’m trying to say.
That’s fantastic advice, it’s just about having that confidence and to get up and go and like you say, take risks.
Yeah. And through the exposure and the connection we build through this programme, I have been actually asked to represent the research study I’m in with the team and back home I have already been approached by other research teams in Saudi Arabia just because of my Imperial experience. Doing research wasn’t the thing I thought I would love, but right now that is completely different.
That’s great. A student goes in and thinking I’m just in it for a clinical purpose, and then coming out thinking I’m going to do research, that’s brilliant. So what are you doing next?
Before even getting my degree from Imperial, the previous hospital that I used to work, which is also one of the biggest medical cities in Saudi Arabia, has already offered me a better job. I have actually been offered as a director for education. And this is going to be in the educational side. I think I’m going to invest my time in research as well.
Fantastic. Sounds absolutely brilliant. So we’re moving on to some slightly different questions now. And what three words would your friends use to describe you?
Old man with hobbies.
I love that. That is the best I have heard so far. And what would surprise your course colleagues about you?
I work with wood as well, and I have other hobbies, like, resin epoxy.
And what’s been your kind of study soundtrack, so what would you listen to while writing up an essay?
Right before coming to Imperial, I used to listen to rock music. While I’m doing the Imperial programme, I switch to classical music to be in the mood.
To learn more about the postgraduate programmes offered by the National Heart and Lung Institute, please visit our Postgraduate taught website.