A FORMER Bury College student has relocated to London to work on one of the largest political and humanitarian crisis of our time.

Mohammed Ahmed, aged 23, has secured the position of policy and programme manager at the Department for International Development, where he is responsible for ensuring that commitments to support Syria and the region made by world leaders are delivered by the UK Government.

Mr Ahmed left Bury College in 2011 after achieving A grades in A Level English Language and Sociology and a B grade in Economics.

He is working with international aid agencies in Lebanon to ensure that the half a million children who have fled from war are not missing out on an education.

In order to achieve this goal, Mr Ahmed and his team works closely with the Lebanese Government, UNICEF, the World Bank and other international donors to ensure there are enough school places, teachers and text books available to support the children.

Mr Ahmed said: “Being part of the UK’s efforts to prevent the lost generation of uneducated, at risk children, amidst one of the most devastating crises provides me with a huge amount of satisfaction.

“Waking up every day knowing I am directly able to help refugee children to gain access to an education, so that they can grow up and have the knowledge and skills they need to one day help rebuild their homeland is very rewarding.”

The former Broad Oak Sports College pupil boasts an impressive CV.

In 2012, Mr Ahmed embarked on a three month volunteering placement in Uganda, where he organised fundraising initiatives, raised awareness of malaria and helped people to seek employment. He also became a trustee of the national volunteering charity, vInspired.

Mr Ahmed went on to enrol with the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme, and from 2,500 applicants, he was one of only 100 people selected to take part in the scheme.

He later secured a position working in the Department for Education where he was enlisted into the Ministerial and Public Correspondence Unit and was responsible for looking into school complaints on behalf of ministers.

Mr Ahmed completed his apprenticeship scheme in September 2015 and received a promotion into a policy adviser role working in the Disadvantage Division providing policy advice to Government ministers, making and implementing education policies and overseeing to the law.

He added: “I truly believe that my time at Bury College prepared me for further studies and employment.

“The teaching and support I received at Bury College was instrumental in helping me secure my career within the Civil Service.

“I also enjoyed being a member of the Student Action Group, a college initiative which organised exciting trips and fundraising campaigns where I developed skills which made me stand out to employers.”