Latifah Faisal Mandani

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I graduated in 2001 from the College of Basic Education at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) in Kuwait with a bachelor’s degree in education.

What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds?

As a scholarship student from the College of Basic Education I hope to complete postgraduate studies Master and PHD in Education. In my MA dissertation I will investigate the relationship between practicing the democracy beliefs of educators in teacher training and democratic values among pre-service teachers related to educational life in the College of Basic Education at the Public Authority Applied Education and Training (PAAE) in Kuwait.

What is it that makes you passionate about your area of study?

I have eighteen years’ experience teaching primary then moving to higher education,. During this time, I published two studies: the first, "The Path of Singapore's Education System and the Keys to Success," and the second, "The Democratic Practices of 12th Grade Teachers from the Students' Perspective."

What do you think of your course so far – what aspects of the course have you enjoyed the most or are looking forward to the most?

I’ve most enjoyed understanding the process of doing educational research ethically and efficiently by engaging in different modules that raise my knowledge to communicate with other in filed of education and creating debate critically, conference participation skills and more.

What would you say about the learning facilities at the University of Leeds?

I found the University of Leeds helpful and provides successful academic support during study periods, such as Library resources, workshop, IT service, one to one session on library skills.    

How would you describe the student support and community at Leeds? Have you taken part in any co-curricular or social events you would like to mention?

Yes, as mentioned above I often enrolled to academic workshop to improve ability in doing research, writing literature review and other skills such as time management, statistical analysis software.     

What do you think about Leeds as a city?

Leeds it is considered as a multi dimensional life environment that provide the international student with the requirements of life, entertainment and educational workspace. 

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course?

I’d encourage all student to start forward and applying to study at university of Leeds.

What do you plan to do once you’ve finished your course? What are you career aspirations?

My plan is to apply for PHD in the school of education at university of Leeds. The main topic I am considering for my PhD research proposal will focus on the role of critical thinking awareness in developing a comprehension of democracy skills concerning individual educational experiences assumes that people who think critically are expected to have democratic values. Practically, my PhD proposal aim is to investigate the relationship between critical thinking awareness and democratic values among students’ teachers at the College of Basic Education at the Public Authority Applied Education and Training (PAAE) in Kuwait.

Any other comment you would like to make?

Thanks a lot for every things.