A graduate from University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and community activist who has devoted his life to promoting inclusion through the power of sport has received an honorary degree from the Open University (OU) in Scotland.

61-year-old Raza Sadiq graduated with a BA in Management in 2011 before going on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance & Development from UWS in 2015. He is the founder of the Active Life Club, a charity promoting inclusion through the life-changing power of sport.

Raza said: “I am deeply grateful for this profound honour. I hope my journey will serve as an inspiration, a reminder that challenges can be overcome and that each one of you has the potential to etch your mark on the lives of others.”

Empowering young people through sport has been his mission for over 23 years. Raza founded the Govanhill-based Active Life Club (ALC) in 1999 and the club helps black and minority ethnic young people by supporting their physical, mental, and social development. It offers access to sports activities, outdoor learning, and opportunities to develop important skills for life and work.

ALC has been tackling inequalities and poverty by delivering a range of free activities and initiatives including weekly sports programmes, a youth forum, volunteers/young leaders’ recruitment and development, a parents’ forum, collaborative projects, online activities, community events and much more.

“The Active Life Club was born with a mere £50 in the bank, without a grand vision, but today, it stands as a beacon of hope, a community hub, and a testament to the extraordinary power of dedication and social justice advocacy”, added Raza.

Born in a small village in Pakistan, Raza moved to Glasgow in 1989.  Despite a degree and a ten-year career in aeronautical engineering, he struggled to find work and spent several years in low paid and low skill employment before returning to education. 

During this time Raza began to build strong relationships across minority ethnic communities and got involved in community advocacy work, helping people overcome practical challenges in healthcare, mental health and employability.  Increasingly, he began to see his future in tackling inequality and injustice, which led him to undertake a postgraduate diploma in equality & discrimination.

A Careers Adviser at Skills Development Scotland, he has also provided his expertise and experience on tackling racism to a whole range of other bodies. He has served as an advisor to British Transport Police at Scottish and national levels, helping them to improve policing in ways which support better relationships with different communities. He was also one of the founding members of the Running Out Racism campaign in 2021, which raised awareness of the prevalence of racial discrimination in Scottish cricket and is currently serving on their Equality Diversity Inclusion Advisory Group. He is chairperson of the Scottish Black Members Committee, which is leading Unison’s Year of Black Workers in Scotland. He provided years of service to the Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector and is now a committee member for Scotland’s BBC Children in Need Appeal. 

Raza has been recognised many times for his outstanding service to the community: from being a baton bearer for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, to being received multiple awards including Diversity Hero in The Herald & Gen Analytics 1999, Platinum Champion at Queens Jubilee, Community Hero of the Year in the Scottish Sport Awards 2022 and receiving the 2023 lifetime achievement award from the YouthLink Scotland.

Reflecting on his time at UWS Raza said: “Cultivating a legacy of impact through education and unwavering commitment, my journey at the University of West of Scotland served as the catalyst for my transformative professional growth. These foundational experiences empowered me to leverage my expertise in the realm of equality and discrimination, shaping a path of purpose and service.

As I reflect on the power of education and the boundless potential it holds, I am deeply grateful for UWS’s role in shaping my trajectory. The knowledge gained, combined with real-world applications, has not only propelled my personal and professional endeavours but has also ignited a passion for positive change.

With unwavering gratitude and a commitment to continued growth and impact, I celebrate the transformative influence of higher education and proudly embrace the ripple effect it has had on my life’s journey.”

Susan Stewart, director of the Open University in Scotland, said: “Through his achievements Raza embodies the core mission and vision of the Open University – to transform lives and communities, opening a world of possibilities for everyone.”

Raza Sadiq was recognised by the OU, at its annual Graduation Ceremony in Glasgow on Friday 29 September 2023.

If you know UWS graduates making the news please email alumni@uws.ac.uk