Couple celebrating on International Nurses Day after graduating from same course

A couple studying through the University of Suffolk’s partnership with Unicaf are celebrating this International Nurses Day after graduating from the same course on the same day.

Chukwuebuka Joshua Madu and Favour Nzube Madu received their degrees in BSc (Hons) International Nursing last week, in a special ceremony in Ipswich for students graduating through the University’s partnership with Unicaf.

Studying through Unicaf gave them the opportunity to take the next steps in their nursing careers they may otherwise not have had.

The couple, from Plymouth, had to juggle their studies alongside parenting their two young children, as well as working full time.

The ability to study online and register for modules at a time that suited them were crucial, alongside the support from the scholarship.

“The scholarship was really helpful,” says Favour. “If not for the scholarship I don’t think we would have been able to come and do it together and with the kids.”

Chukwuebuka says: “Most times when the kids had gone to bed, daddy and mummy were in the lounge studying with two laptops doing our assignments. We did the work and proof-read each other’s work.”

The couple, who graduated in a ceremony at the University of Suffolk last week, are now eyeing Master’s course opportunities as the next steps in their careers.

“I wanted to advance more in my career, I work as a nurse and wanted to get more knowledge,” says Favour.

“I believe having this course will help me get into a top nursing job. I want to see myself at a decision-making level as a nurse.”

Chukwuebuka adds: “We do have this attitude of never settling. For myself, I did a first diploma in nursing, done the second one, we were looking at this opportunity and thinking ‘can we do it?’. We got onto it, but we never settle – as soon as we graduate we are looking onto the next one to see how we can advance our knowledge.”

To find out more about the University's partnership with Unicaf, visit the website here.