Journalism student bestowed honour at 2026 Asian Media Awards

Maariyah Kadu, who passed away in June just two weeks before she was due to graduate, was remembered at the prestigious evening gala that honours the leading Asian talents from across the UK’s creative industries.

For the previous two years, she’d worked as part of a dedicated student media team at the awards, interviewing guests on the blue carpet, so in tribute to her, the organisers invited her family to attend and come on stage to receive a special recognition award for her efforts from the BBC’s Talat Farooq-Awan.

The awards also announced that the Outstanding Young Journalist Award would be renamed in her honour.

Speaking on stage, her brother Ahmad said: “In a tribute to my sister Maariyah, it is an honour to accept this certificate on her behalf.

“Although she is no longer with us, she would be so proud to see the impact that she has had on the community. We will treasure this forever.

“The space left in our hearts can never be truly filled, but moments like today remind us of the impact, and her memory will never be forgotten.”

Paul Broster, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching at the University of Salford, said: “Maariyah was simply an inspiration. Her positivity and passion to help others shone through so brightly.

“Staff and fellow students saw that every day at the University, whether that be in the classroom, in student forums or with all her voluntary activity, including helping every year with the Asian Media Awards. She wanted to give people a voice and help them. She is so missed, but has inspired so many to continue along this path.”

The University has been the premier partner to the awards for the last 13 years and also handed out awards on the night in the Outstanding Young Journalist and Best Programme / Show categories.

Jasmine Sandhar was named Outstanding Young Journalist by Salford lecturer and broadcaster Sanny Rudravajhala. The reporter completed the BBC Journalism Apprenticeship with distinction and now works as a leader reporter, newsreader and presenter.

On accepting the award, she said: “Thank you so much, I really didn’t expect this as there are so many outstanding people in this category.

“This is my first ever nomination and my first ever award. Hopefully I can keep it up!”

Maire Tracey, Senior Lecturer in Media Practice, presented the Best Programme Award to the filmmakers behind the Halcyons Heart Films production Vengeance: Murder on the Heath. The production, which aired on Channel 4, tells the story of the killing of 21-year-old Gagandip Singh by his friend Harvinder Shoker in 2011.

The full list of winners from the night are available on the Asian Media Awards’ website.