A mother and daughter were among the many graduates celebrated on Friday (January 16) as they both achieved top marks on the same postgraduate course at the University of Leicester.
Mehnaaz Fayaz and her daughter Kauser completed the MSc in Cancer Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, each graduating with a distinction – the highest grade possible. They were two of a large cohort of students who crossed the stage on Friday 16 January at De Montfort Hall, during an emotionally charged graduation ceremony.
Picture credit: University of Leicester
Speaking after the ceremony, Kauser described the moment as unforgettable.
“Stepping onto the stage was exhilarating,” she said. “It was the first time we were able to celebrate our graduations together and acknowledge our achievements side by side. We both graduated with distinctions, with my mother achieving a higher grade than me, which makes me incredibly proud of her – especially considering everything she has been through over the past few years, including the recent loss of a family member.
“I also hope mum’s achievements will inspire other women who might think they are too old to go to university to pursue education. She’s shown it’s never too late.”
Kauser explained that a family bereavement played a significant role in their decision to study together. Mehnaaz had previously graduated from the University of Leicester with an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences in 2021 and had considered postgraduate study, but chose to wait. Kauser completed her undergraduate degree at De Montfort University in 2024, around the same time as the family loss.
“After the loss, we felt that being on the same course would allow us to support one another through our grief and grow closer together while continuing our education,” Kauser said.
Living together at their family home in Leicester, the pair had to adapt to the unusual experience of studying side by side. While they discovered they had different study styles, they often sat near each other in lectures and worked together as lab partners on one project, achieving strong results. They also walked to and from the university together each day.
“When our classmates found out we were mother and daughter, most were shocked and assumed we were sisters because we shared the same surname,” Kauser added. “There was no hierarchy between us at university – our relationship was very friendly and relaxed, which surprised people.”
Since completing the course last autumn, both have continued on parallel paths. Kauser has begun a new role as a medical writer for a medical device company, with plans to move into clinical research in the future. Mehnaaz is preparing to start an internship as a medical article writer while seeking research roles in scientific, pharmaceutical, or medical fields.
Their shared success, celebrated alongside hundreds of other graduates on Friday, marked not only an academic achievement but a personal milestone for the family.
