A biomedical science graduate from the University of Central Lancashire is already putting his studies to good use after setting up a software business to improve life in his native Sierra Leone.
Momoh Mustapha Kamara took to the stage this week at his graduation ceremony in Preston with more than his degree success to celebrate.
Alongside juggling his studies, the 26-year-old has set up a start-up social enterprise focusing on developing innovative technology to improve healthcare, academia, finance and NGOs in Africa.
My journey into biomedical science started with the loss of my mother. This personal experience has driven my mission to address the worrying maternal mortality rate in Sierra Leone, which is currently the highest in the world.– Biomedical science graduate Mustapha Kamara
PTech Innovation was established in 2024 as part of Mustapha’s long-standing ambition to improve healthcare in Sierra Leone and has grown to include other sectors. He is particularly passionate about improving prenatal and paediatric care, after the tragic death of his mother in 2013 during childbirth when Mustapha was 14-years-old.
“My journey into biomedical science started with the loss of my mother”, Mustapha said. “This personal experience has driven my mission to address the worrying maternal mortality rate in Sierra Leone, which is currently the highest in the world.
“Through every lab practical, lecture, and assessment, I’ve grasped the knowledge that will now become the foundation of my career.
“Through PTech, I am working on a centralised electronic medical database that has the potential to revolutionise healthcare. This database is designed to record, track, predict, analyse, inform, and respond to crucial indicators throughout pregnancy, enabling informed, and ultimately safter, treatment for women and their babies.”
This database is designed to record, track, predict, analyse, inform, and respond to crucial indicators throughout pregnancy, enabling informed, and ultimately safter, treatment for women and their babies.– Biomedical science graduate Mustapha Kamara
As well as losing his mother, Mustapha’s father died in 2002 when he was only two-years-old. Having lost both his parents, Mustapha looked after his six siblings during the Ebola crisis in 2016, which killed more than 11,000 people in Sierra Leone.
Mustapha said: “Losing both parents and then moving to the UK was very challenging as I grew up looking after my siblings. Sometimes I felt the pressure to take care of them, which compelled me to work extra hours to earn some money and nearly affected my academic performance. However, with the support of a student coach, hard work and commitment, I’ve achieved my goals and feel very proud.”
The determined graduate is also planning to return to the University in the future to complete a Masters degree and eventually build a health centre back in Sierra Leone.
Some students come from faraway homes, carrying the hopes of our families, communities, and countries.– Biomedical science graduate Mustapha Kamara
Mustapha added: “As I complete my degree and the end of this incredible academic journey, I cannot move forward without pausing to express my deepest gratitude to all my incredible professors in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science.
“Some students come from faraway homes, carrying the hopes of our families, communities, and countries. My tutors didn’t just teach me, they inspired and mentored me and were the guiding lights who have shaped my education, character, thinking, and long-term goals.”