Dr Idris Ahmed Yagoub

Dr Idris Ahmed Yagoub was nominated by the British government to come to the University of Edinburgh from Sudan and shares how his time in Scotland has had a profound impact on his life.

Your time at the University

In 1983, the Overseas Development Administration (ODA), now the Department for International Development (DfID), nominated me to participate in an MSc at the University of Edinburgh as part of the technical aid of the British government to the Sudan. Colleagues who had previously studied at Edinburgh felt that it was the best place to study and the Scottish people had left a strong impression on them.

During my MSc, I met vets from England and overseas countries including Colombia, Venezuela, Nepal, Pakistan, Senegal, Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya and many others. It was quite an opportunity to be in contact with people from so many different cultures. In addition, when we first arrived, we were given a chance to live with Scottish families; this allowed us to experience a society we knew almost nothing about.

Being a graduate of the University of Edinburgh is a valuable thing that makes you able to contribute very positively in your society. It will also make you have a great love for every human being irrespective of his colour or religion.

Tell us about your experiences since leaving the University

I was proud of my degree from such a historic University and when I came back to Sudan, I decided to engage myself in the development and rehabilitation of our regional veterinary research laboratories. I spent seven years at Kassala regional laboratories in Eastern Sudan and then relocated in 1990 to Sennar regional laboratory as a Director where I spent 10 years. During this time, I registered for my PhD at the University of Khartoum’s Faculty of Veterinary Science. While working towards my PhD I was transferred to the regional veterinary laboratory in my home town of Al Obied. All three of the labs I spent time at are now considered the best equipped and are capable of performing all the necessary veterinary investigations.

The University of Edinburgh and Scottish society strongly influenced my career choice and accomplishments. I am still in my home town of Al Obied, now as an Associate Professor of Veterinary Research at the regional laboratories.

My daughter Tyseen to whom I dedicated my MSc alongside her mother, was born in the Sudan but joined me in Edinburgh when she was six months old, and I am proud to say she will be sitting the RCOG Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists exam this March.

Alumni wisdom

Being a graduate of the University of Edinburgh is a valuable thing that makes you able to contribute very positively in your society. It will also make you have a great love for every human being irrespective of his colour or religion.

We are interested in the role that the University has played in your life, either directly - in terms of skills and knowledge - or indirectly, via friends, experiences or chance encounters. Please get in touch and you and your experiences could feature on our website.

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