Faith in the Faculty with Mohammed Aufogul

Our Faculty’s Religion and Beliefs Equity Lead, Annouchka Sterling, has created a blog called ‘Faith in the Faculty’ where she asks staff members interesting questions about their personal relationship with their religion and beliefs, and how it influences their roles at UCL.

Mohammed Aufogul, Head of Technical Design and Delivery, ISD:

• Who is Mohammed Aufogul? Three words to best describe you…

I am a 1^st generation UK born Mauritian Muslim, so I do say I am English as I was born in the UK, three words to best describe me, Happy, Optimistic & Pragmatic

• What life lesson have you learnt since the pandemic?

How important in-person, face to face interaction is and what a difference it makes. I had a personal experience with a close member of my family who was living alone, and I experienced 1^st hand what a negative effect not having real, in-person human interaction could have. I also feel coming into work is so much more productive for me due to those interactions I have that I don’t get when you work from home.

• How would you explain your work to a young person?

I always start by saying I work for UCL where I enable world leading research and teaching to happen, it’s how I truly feel, and I am so proud to be part of it. I sometimes give examples of some of the innovations & research UCL has been at the centre of.

• Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us?

I once owned a Pizza Delivery Franchise.

• What’s your faith background, if you have one? How did you grow up?

I am Muslim and I grew up in a Muslim household. When I was young my parents were not practising but I was sent to an Islamic Saturday school. It was more of a social for me TBH where I could hang out with other Muslim kids most of whom were from a Mauritian background which gave me a sense of belonging. When I was 18 and at college, I got more curious about religion and found it to be very comforting for me as a young Asian person growing up in the UK. It gave me a sense of identity.

• How do your values and/or faith impact your citizenship of UCL?

In a very positive way and natural way, both for me go hand in hand. I never have to make an apology for who I am, and I believe that tolerance and understanding are very important. I strongly believe that if I make an effort to understand and listen as well as educate myself it gives me a better understanding and therefore better relationships and interactions with others.

• What is your highest aspiration for interfaith cooperation at UCL?

I would like us to aim for open conversations and understanding from all parties, believing that questions will come from a place of sincere curiosity and if we have a genuine two-way conversation, it will give us better understanding and help us embrace our shared humanity.

• Tell us how being open to/open about faith and spirituality with your colleague/line manager has impacted your working relationship?

The journey I have been on with my line manager has been amazing for me, I feel like I can come to work as my authentic self, and I don’t have to leave any part of me at the office entrance. We have such deep, honest, and respectful conversations and a lot of the time I have to take time to reflect and increase my knowledge. It allows me to see things from another perspective and it is always done with respect and understanding. In essence it has made me a happier and more complete employee with a sense of understanding.