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An honorary degree, and a lasting commitment to access
During UEA’s 2025 graduation ceremonies, alumnus and entrepreneur Koolesh Shah (ECO73) was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law. A successful hotelier and founder of the London Town Group, Koolesh is also a passionate advocate for education and access. Through the Koolesh Shah Family Foundation, he supports a number of charitable initiatives – including the UEA University of Sanctuary Koolesh Shah Scholarship, which is enabling a student from a refugee background to pursue an MSc in Data Science.
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We spoke to Koolesh about the values that guide him, and the message he shared with the Class of 2025.
Q: Congratulations on receiving an honorary degree. What does receiving this award from UEA mean to you?
It’s a deeply humbling moment. Behind the numbers and the buildings, my mission has always been about people – about building communities, not just properties, and creating access, not just income.
Q: What stands out from your time as a UEA student?
The sense of possibility. My time here gave me both a strong academic foundation and the confidence to take calculated risks. It taught me that learning is more than acquiring knowledge, it’s about thinking differently and challenging yourself. I studied Economics, but I was always looking for ways to apply what I was learning. I sold clothes on campus to earn extra money and understand my customers - it was my first taste of running a business.
Q: Were there other early experiences that shaped your entrepreneurial journey?
Yes - one that stands out was travelling to Nigeria in my early career. I went to explore a business opportunity, but I also learnt an important lesson on how to adapt quickly to new environments and cultures. That experience gave me the confidence to take calculated risks and seize opportunities wherever they arose.
Q: What principles have guided you in your career and life?
Curiosity, perseverance and generosity. I believe that if you work hard and lift others as you climb, you’ll create success that lasts beyond your own lifetime.
Q: You spoke about generosity in your graduation address. What does success mean to you?
Real success isn’t about what you accumulate, i’s about what you give back, and what you help others become.
Q: Much of your philanthropy focuses on education and social support. Why those areas?
Education is the most powerful tool for change. It opens doors, breaks cycles and creates opportunities for generations to come. But you also have to address the barriers people face in reaching that point, whether that’s homelessness, mental health challenges or financial hardship. That’s why our foundation works across both areas.
Q: What message did you want to leave with this year’s graduates?
I spoke about the importance of lifting others as you climb – a value that underpins everything we do at the Koolesh Shah Family Foundation. Use your skills, your networks and your success to help others. At the Foundation, we support those facing barriers and disadvantage, because access can change a life, and those lives can change communities. I believe that using your success to help others is one of the most meaningful things you can do.
The UEA University of Sanctuary Koolesh Shah Scholarship
One student, supported through the UEA University of Sanctuary Koolesh Shah Scholarship, recently began an MSc in Data Science at UEA after being forced to flee conflict in their home country.
With a background in computing, the student overcame immense challenges, including displacement, discrimination and barriers to education, before arriving in the UK. Since settling in Norwich, they’ve become a vocal advocate for inclusion, volunteered in local healthcare education, and supported fellow refugees through the City of Sanctuary movement.
Thanks to the scholarship, they are now pursuing further study and using their experience to help others.
"I am so excited to study Data Science and use what I learn to support my community and beyond. This opportunity means the world to me."