Top Yorkshire investigative journalist awarded with Honorary Fellowship

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Multi award-winning presenter, journalist and filmmaker, Mobeen Azhar, was recently awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Leeds Trinity University for his exceptional achievements and contribution to journalism

Filmmaker Mobeen Azhar and family at our Honorary Fellowship evening.

Mobeen, who studied Broadcast Journalism at Leeds Trinity and graduated in 2005, returned this summer to accept his Honorary Fellowship. The ceremony took place in the Chapel at the University’s Horsforth campus, ahead of the filmmaker returning to the nation’s screens with his latest documentary ‘Scam Land: Money, Mayhem and Maseratis’.

In his latest series, Mobeen puts his investigative journalist skills to use and delves deep into the story and lavish lifestyle of Gurvin Singh, a 20-year-old medical student who went from handing out cash to strangers to being at the centre of an alleged multi-million-pound scam. The hard-hitting five-part series aired on BBC Three in August and is now available on BBC iPlayer.

Mobeen’s specialist areas include religion, drugs, addiction, extremism, and counter extremism, Prince and Pakistan. He has produced and presented content across BBC Television, Radio and Online for almost 20 years. He is a BAFTA, Grierson, Amnesty and Royal Television Society award-winner.

He has fronted documentaries for the BBC, including ‘Secrets of an ISIS Smartphone’; ‘The Battle for Britney: Fans, Cash, and a Conservatorship’; ‘The Best Pakistani Transgender Retirement Home’; and multiple editions of the flagship current affairs series Panorama.

The 42-year-old was thrust into the spotlight following his investigation into the fatal police shooting of Huddersfield drug dealer Yassar Haqub. The six-part series won an award at the Royal Television Society Awards in 2020.

Mobeen is a Yorkshireman proud of his roots. Born in 1979 and raised in Huddersfield, Mobeen is one of four siblings. He is the son of a bus driver and a store owner who immigrated to the United Kingdom from Sialkot, a small village in Kashmir, Pakistan.

During his moving speech at the ceremony, Mobeen thanked his parents for helping him through his studies and encouraging him to follow his dreams as well as his love of the artist Prince – who is one of Mobeen’s biggest influences in life. He went on to thank his husband for ‘putting up with his story chasing and lack of boundaries when it comes to work.’

Commenting on his time at Leeds Trinity, his career and the Honorary Fellowship, Mobeen said: “The time I spent at Leeds Trinity was by far the most fun in education I’ve ever had, and it certainly prepared me for a career in journalism. I want to thank Richard Horsman who led the course when I graduated. He is responsible for training so many journalists across the industry. I am extremely grateful to all the staff, who do a brilliant job and I know this because I have seen it myself and hear the same from other students. The work Leeds Trinity does is seen and appreciated. The work is transformative, it changed my life and gave me a life I could only imagine.”

Leeds Trinity University Alumni Relations Officer, Brett Arnall, said: “Mobeen's achievements have been phenomenal throughout his personal life and career. We feel immensely proud he trained with us at Leeds Trinity. We are grateful and fortunate that he retains strong links with us and shares his journey and top tips with our students. He is an incredible role model who not only shows passion and commitment to his trade, but incredible bravery in everything he does.”

Fans can see and hear Mobeen’s latest work via his BBC World Service show ‘Outlook’, BBC Radio 4, BBC 5 Live, and watch his latest documentary series ‘Scam Land: Money, Mayhem and Maseratis’ on BBC iPlayer.

Read more about Honorary Fellowships at Leeds Trinity University.

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