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From dealing with a degenerative eye condition since birth to experiencing intergenerational trauma as the daughter of Afghan refugees, Siley shares her unique story as she graduates from university

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After leaving Kingston College with a BTEC in Games Development, Siley applied to multiple London universities but was initially rejected from her top choices.

One of her chosen universities was legacy City, University of London (now City St George’s, University of London).

After facing rejection, she sent the university her coding portfolio to showcase her skills in computer science.

I’ve always been a go-getter. From being told ‘no’ my whole life and being made to feel like I’m not good enough during my school years, I’ve built such perseverance.

– Siley Malakbaba

Four years later, at the winter School of Science and Technology graduation ceremony, Siley walked on stage at the Barbican centre and took to the podium to address her fellow City St George’s graduates.

Siley joined the BSc Computer Science programme in 2020 and completed a placement year as part of her degree at Big Four accounting firm Ernst & Young. She was selected as student speaker to share her story with fellow students at her graduation on Tuesday 21 January.

Paying tribute to her parents who fled the war in Afghanistan many years ago to start a new life in London, she said:

My parents fled away from a war – a war which ripped away their childhood, traumatised them in their teenage years. A war which shattered all their hopes and dreams. They risked their lives to escape just for me and my siblings to be able to enjoy ours, just for this very moment right here. Today, I carry their sacrifices with me.

Minutes before she took to the stage, Siley was introduced to the congregation by Professor Golnaz Badkobeh, Head of Department of Computer Science. In her introduction, Professor Badkobeh said:

Siley is truly one of our most remarkable students, and one to whom we did not initially offer a place. That is because her qualifications were not standard. Now, we know, there is nothing standard about Siley.

Siley joined the BSc Computer Science programme in 2020 and completed a placement year as part of her degree at Big Four accounting firm Ernst & Young

While Siley academically thrived throughout her time at university, she faced adversity during her studies. Siley has lived with a degenerative eye condition since birth and has undergone 22 surgeries in her lifetime- four of which took place in her first year of her studies at City St George’s.

After overcoming the disruptions caused by her medical issues, Siley spoke to the audience at the Barbican and shared her reflections on how far she has come.

In her speech, she said:

“Personally, I never felt like I was going to make it to university, let alone graduate.

“I don’t know about you- but it’s been a rollercoaster. Can someone please pinch me?  I still can’t believe I’m in this room.

I didn’t do A-levels, nor did I get good GCSE grades. Matter of fact, the University nearly rejected me.

But I built a portfolio demonstrating my passion, dedication and love for technology. I was hungry and in love with the idea of coding and computer science.  And that alone was enough. Thank you, City St George’s, for believing in me.

The Computer Science graduate has volunteered with charities including suicide prevention organisation Body and Soul Charity and BlindAid, London’s oldest sight-loss charity.

She said she is passionate about advocating for mental health awareness after dealing with her own personal issues but is proud of the resilience she has built over the years.

She told graduates:

Every single one of us has dealt with some type of calamity in life; transgenerational and intergenerational trauma exists in each of our lives, but we have the power to control the future narrative. Life is difficult, but you chose to get up every single day of your life and be resilient; that’s why you are in this room today.

“Remember that with every hardship there will always be ease. Whenever you feel like giving up, remind yourself of this very moment and everything you’ve endured to get here.

“You did it. And that means you can do anything in this world – never, ever give up.”

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