A GAMES design lecturer at Keighley College has been shortlisted in a regional awards scheme.

Thanim Adil Hussain is amongst 33 people vying for accolades in the Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers Awards.

He is keen to encourage more South Asian students to pursue a career in the games industry.

The Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers Awards are open to young people aged 16 to 30 of South Asian heritage who were born in, or live or work in, the county.

The honours are designed to recognise 'rising stars' who have overcome deprivation and disadvantage, or broken down traditional barriers, to progress.

This year's awards attracted a record number of entries, across 11 categories – achievement in school or college, health/mental health and healthcare, the arts and creative industries, the private sector, media, education, the public sector, the not-for-profit sector, sport, achievement as a young entrepreneur, and achievement in overcoming life obstacles.

Winners – including the overall Young Achiever of the Year – will be announced at a celebratory dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, on Friday, November 11.

The event, hosted by BBC TV and radio presenter and stand-up comedian Noreen Khan, will be broadcast live on the internet.

Bradford-based charity QED Foundation worked with York St John University to organise the awards.

Dr Mohammed Ali, QED founder and chief executive, said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the quality of entries. Many have overcome great obstacles to achieve what they have and it’s wonderful to be able to share their stories with a wider audience and highlight their successes and achievements in such a positive way."

Last year the Young Achiever of the Year title went to Bradford NHS worker Huma Malik, in recognition of volunteering during the pandemic despite her own long-term health problems.

Others shortlisted this year include female football coach Ikra Ali; Usama Mujtaba, one of only a few Asians in professional football in North America; Zahida Sultan, a train conductor with Northern; junior doctor Anish Mistry; Mariam Rashid, who helped produce a show about female Muslim boxers; Aminah Ahmed, who is supporting international students; student midwife Jawairiya Khan; Hunniya Akram, who has supported research within the NHS, and police officer Mehr Ahmar.

Supporters of the awards programme include Regal Foods, the University of York, the National Science & Media Museum, LOCALiQ, People Cert, Morrisons, Bradford Council, the Home Office, Barnardo’s, MyLahore and the University of Bradford.