Minor offence causes major knockback
Mahid Ahmed is, by all appearances, a young man who is going places. Aged 18, very bright with 4 A-grade A-levels, volunteer work for disabled charities and £11,000 raised to send poor children on an adventure camp under his belt, Mahid can claim a record of achievement more than befitting of his dreams of a place at Imperial College London to study medicine.
But when he disclosed a criminal conviction, a small part in a burglary at the end of 16 that resulted in a four-month period of community service, Majid found the place he had already been granted withdrawn. His hopes of becoming a doctor were crushed.
Reported in the Daily Mail on July 3rd, Majid’s story is stark example of the prejudice that can face those with a conviction to disclose. Imperial stated that ‘Medical practitioners hold a position of responsibility in society and must often deal with vulnerable people. The public must have confidence in the integrity and probity of its doctors’.
But this blanket approach refuses to consider the individual merits and situation of an applicant already acknowledged, by Imperial’s selection process, to have the academic and personal qualities demanded by the course and the profession.
Growing, maturity and earning trust and responsibility is a process that, for all, involves taking risks, making mistakes and learning from them. Majid was punished immediately for his transgression, recognised the lesson and used the experience to enhance his thinking about his life path – his decision was to serve his community in future. This kind of positive choice should be encouraged rather than obstructed.
Majid acknowledged the role bad company played in his offending. His striving to join the social groups, and expectations, of those receiving an Imperial College medical education is proof of his desire to lead a life very different from the one in which he grew up.
The value lacking in Imperial College’s decision is one of the fundamental traditions of the western world – forgiveness for genuine repentance. Once the criminal justice system applies its punishment, it should not be the task of academics to apply themselves as moral arbiters and reapply the penalty.
Four-months of community service pales by comparison as a punishment to being shut out of a life-changing educational opportunity, and the chance to fulfil a dream. A chance is all Majid Ahmed asks.
Ino Mag website launched
The Ino Mag website has been launched.