Fauzan Shamsudeen was the winner of the 2007 Bella Rangel Callen Student of the Year Award. He completed his BTEC Travel and Tourism course in less than five months with the Home Learning College.

The 26 year old has a Science degree from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. He decided to study for a travel qualification because travel is one of the fastest growing industries. He chose the Home Learning College course after finding a leaflet on the train; it was the flexibility of home study that really appealed to him.

Incredibly, Fauzan managed to complete the course in just five months, studying whenever and wherever he got the chance – on the train, during work breaks, before and after work and at weekends. His self-motivation and commitment to complete the course so quickly and to such a high standard demonstrates his dedication to all future employers.

Fauzan said he was “privileged and proud to be the ITT Student of the Year 2007. Gaining recognition within the only professional travel and tourism membership body in the UK for individuals is an achievement of a lifetime. And having the opportunity of visiting the House of Commons and giving a speech to the ITT membership means so much to me.”

He became an ITT member when he registered for the course. He’s currently working as a retail relief officer, but his ambition is to find a job in travel with the aim of eventually taking his experience and expertise back to his homeland, Ghana, where he plans to set up as a tour operator.

As the winner, Fauzan won £500 towards attendance at any ITT event - he's already decided to use it to attend next year's ITT Conference.