Welcome to the April edition of the alumni enewsletter. I hope you will enjoy reading it and that you will find something of interest. We have brought you information about what's been happening at UEL and the latest news and forthcoming events which you may be interested in attending, both in the UK and overseas.
We've changed the format slightly so the final section of the newsletter is related to your career development and entrepreneurship opportunities.
There are ways which you can get involved in the Alumni Network and our activities, for example, we are looking for alumni to attend the International Graduation Ceremony in July, who can inform our new graduates about the Alumni Network and welcome them to the UEL global community.
As always, please get in touch with me if you would like to update me on your contact details, your job, or any exciting projects or ventures you may be working on.
Happy reading!
Emma Cale
Alumni Development Officer
e.cale@uel.ac.uk
+44 (0) 20 8223 2222
We are delighted to have been awarded a grant of £1 million from the trustees of Sir John Cass’s Foundation toward a state-of-the-art centre for Education teaching and research at our Stratford campus.
The Sir John Cass School of Education and Communities is now under construction and will be complete by the end of 2008.
The £8 million building, designed by award-winning Richard Murphy Architects, is organised around a central atrium with café, information, exhibition area for work by students and local children, and from the ground floor it is possible to see all the activities of the School on the floors above, which house spacious teaching spaces, offices, student consultation rooms and a music performance space. A second new building will accommodate 400 computers, a 400 seat lecture theatre, seminar rooms and a new University entrance foyer, bringing the total project cost for the two buildings to £16.5 million.
Ann Slater, Dean of our School of Education, said: “This will provide a tremendous resource for schools and communities throughout the region. It will enable us to work together with our partners in schools, colleges and local authorities to innovate and improve the education of young people in London.
Our Vice Chancellor, Professor Martin Everett, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding from Sir John Cass’s Foundation, which provides vital support to education in East London.
“The Sir John Cass School of Education and Communities will be a unique hub for teacher training and development, as well as a community resource for children in schools across our region. It is an honour to recognise the huge contribution that the Foundation is making to teaching and children’s services in London. “
Professor Manuel Alvarado, a governor of the trustees of Sir John Cass’s Foundation, said: “We are delighted to support the University of East London, which has a proven record of achievement in education, and is a major force for social, cultural and economic development. We are confident that the Sir John Cass School of Education and Communities will be a new milestone in our Foundation’s work and another lasting legacy of Sir John Cass’s vision.
“We believe this new School in the heart of East London, an area with enormous potential, will prove to be a catalyst for change not only in the immediate locality but throughout the boroughs supported by our Foundation".
Our university provides a unique platform for educational and research achievements, knowledge transfer, widening participation, enhancing East London, friendship and networking, forging solid links with the community and business, and creating other tailor-made benefits and interests to all our alumni and supporters.
We are preparing to put in place the infrastructure of a sustainable development (fundraising) and alumni program that not only generates additional income for enhancing our educational and research excellence, facilities and services to our students, staff and graduates but also engages our alumni and our supporters in the future development plans of this university and East London.
As you may know we are planning some very exciting development projects for our campuses in Docklands and Stratford. Amongst these are
We will keep you posted about our future plans. In the meantime, if you would like to ask any questions about our future development and alumni plans or would like to come and visit us on our campuses or support UEL, please contact our Head of Development and Alumni: Dr. Fariba Salehi-Kellaway on 020 8223 6016 or email her at fariba@uel.ac.uk
Professor Len Shackleton joined us in February 2008 as Dean of the Business School. Professor Shackleton previously held the position of Dean of the Business School at the University of Westminster.
Len studied at Kings College Cambridge and then the School of African and Oriental Studies. He is a Professor of Economics, specialising in labour markets and employment issues. In addition to his lecturing career, he has worked as an economist in the Government Economic Service and written for a wide range of Think Tanks such as the Institute of Economic Affairs, the Adam Smith Institute, the Employment Policy Institute and the Institute of Public Policy Research. He has written numerous books and articles and done extensive work for TV and radio.
"The University of East London is an institution with a great future, I am thrilled to be here and look forward to growing our Business School in the years ahead"
Professor Shackleton is keen to work closely with the Alumni Office to build on why our alumni should be proud Business School graduates.
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks came to our Docklands campus, in March, to launch a pioneering renewable energy initiative at UEL.
We have teamed up with leading solar energy company Solarcentury to install solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbine technology at the campus, as part of the government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme.
130 high-efficiency solar photovoltaic (pv) Sharp panels have been installed on the roof of our new Business School and Library.
The installation has the potential to generate 17,430 kWh of electricity, enough to power the 800 computers and workstations in the building, or equivalent to the amount of electricity that the average student would use to watch TV or surf the Internet continuously for nearly 10 years!
The system also monitors the level of electricity being produced, and links to a screen display in our Knowledge Dock café which shows the current and total levels of energy generated and carbon saved.
Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Energy, said: "Our Government has targeted a demanding reduction of at least 60% in CO2 levels by 2050. Such a high target requires a wide-ranging strategy, which will certainly incorporate renewable energy.
“Many of the solutions to global warming involve big ideas, big projects, and big institutions, but I think it’s very important that we engage and inspire our citizens. Smaller-scale micro-generation projects like the one here at the University of East London will play a highly significant role in the fight against climate change".
Our Sustainability Research Institute and Solarcentury are also installing a number of 2.5kW Proven wind turbines on campus. The first has now been set at Knowledge Dock and will help generate electricity for the business incubator units and specialist laboratories housed there.
The new technology will save over 10 tonnes of CO2 every year, and will contribute to our targets under phase 3 of the national Higher Education Carbon Management scheme. Supported by The Carbon Trust, the university is set to cut its total carbon footprint by up to 20% by 2012.
The project was partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund in 2007, and is part of phase one of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) Low Carbon Buildings Programme, which provides grants for the installation of micro-generation technologies across a range of buildings including the education, public and not for profit sectors.
London Students Towards Sustainability
Student internships and networking towards sustainability in London
Would you like to gain unique insights and invaluable work experience in careers in sustainable communities? Then London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) would like to hear from you!
Why should I join the network?
To gain unique insights into careers in sustainable communities and invaluable work experience
Internships with a number of prestigious organisations from the public and private sectors, including AccountAbility, Ethical Property Foundation, Groundwork, Thames Water, Trucost and London Boroughs.
Opportunities for networking with key actors, stakeholders and other students interested in sustainable development.
How to apply?
For more details please go to:
www.lsx.org.uk
Contact Kirsty Balmer on 020 72349413 or k.balmer@lsx.org.uk
Lawyers can help right wrongs, campaign for justice, make a difference in the community and even make a decent living, according to our law graduates Imran Khan and Elpha LeCointe.
Earlier this month , over 100 students and staff in our School of Law attended an event entitled ‘Can lawyers make a difference?’, with a panel of speakers including our alumni who have gone on to distinguished careers in law
Imran Khan, lead solicitor in landmark cases including the Stephen Lawrence murder, and Elpha LeCointe, an experienced family law barrister, recounted their experiences as students and young lawyers, and made a powerful plea that lawyers really can and do make a difference in changing society for the better.
Imran Khan, who grew up in Upton Park and studied his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at UEL (then North East London Polytechnic) in the 1980s, said: “When I was growing up, there was only one Asian shop on Green Street and a lot of racism. My parents wanted me to be a doctor but I studied law because I wanted to challenge injustice and help the community.
“During my studies and after graduating, I did a lot of voluntary legal work, for example with the Newham Ethnic Monitoring Project, and helping defend the ‘Newham 7’. I have always done what I do because I love the work – getting paid is a bonus!
“I never set out to take on high-profile cases, but I have been lucky to have been involved in cases such as Stephen Lawrence and more recently Zahid Mubarak, that have resulted in significant legal reforms and changed society for the better. Lawyers have never had a great press, but there are some really good lawyers who do make a difference.”
Elpha LeCointe, a barrister at Coram Chambers, is also one of our graduates, who now specialises in family law. She frequently represents vulnerable and disadvantaged clients and also sits as a Deputy District Judge at the Principal Registry of the Family Division.
Elpha LeCointe said: “I studied law not because of the money, or to change the world, but just because I was fascinated by the subject. It was only when I started practicing, representing women who were the victims of domestic violence, that I realised how much needed to change. Until recently it was very hard to prosecute the perpetrators, and the police weren’t interested. Bow County Court on a Friday was full of battered women applying for injunctions against abusive partners.
Fiona Fairweather, Dean of the School of Law, said: “It has been a fascinating evening. Our students are hoping to become the next generation of lawyers, and it is really inspiring to hear how their distinguished predecessors have been able to make a positive difference to people and communities. We are proud of our alumni, and delighted they are coming back to share the benefits of their experience.”
For further information about the School of Law, please visit www.uel.ac.uk/law
With the advent of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and London 2012 on the horizon, leading historians, medics and sociologists explored the lessons of ancient Olympians, physicians and warriors at a major conference in March
Sports, medicine and immortality: From Ancient China to the World Wide Web was organised by UEL in partnership with the British Museum and the Wellcome Centre for History of Medicine at UCL.
Keynote speakers included Dr Jan Stuart of the British Museum, Professor Susan Brownell of the University of Missouri, Dr Karen Lock of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Mike Brace, one of our governors and Chair of the British Paralympic Association.
The conference took place at the British Museum and Queen Mary, University of London, and focuses on longevity and immortality in the ancient worlds and after-worlds. Day two explored the modernization of ancient sporting and body cultivation traditions, as well as offering opportunities to build links between the cultural, health, wellbeing, and regeneration legacies of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Professor Adrian Renton, Director of UEL's Institute of Health and Human Development, said: “Ancient regimen and techniques may seem remote, yet they often attempt to resolve issues that are common to us all. This forthcoming conference aims to address three key issues: the health equation of Olympic games past and future; the perfection and healing of body and soul; and the positive delivery of future legacies in cultural regeneration, societal cohesion, health and wellbeing.”
Our Institute of Health and Human Development brings together expertise across the university to carry out research on health and wellbeing and their social, economic and cultural determinants. For further information, visit www.uel.ac.uk/ihhd.
Innovative approaches to inspiring disengaged and disadvantaged youngsters were the focus of an international seminar held at our Docklands campus earlier this month.
Continuum, UEL’s Centre for Widening Participation Policy Studies, organised the event to enable researchers and practitioners to share and debate their experiences of working with young learners in Australia, the UK and Sweden.
Professor John Storan, Director of Continuum, said: “Widening participation has become a top priority for universities all over the world and especially in the UK. As we aim to create partnerships providing pathways into higher education, it's critical to ensure that we start from where learners currently are, rather than where we think they should be.
“A wide range of strategies and approaches are now being tested and developed to ensure fairer access to higher education and the success of students from under-represented groups. This seminar has been a great chance to bring together practitioners and researchers to discuss what works and share understanding of ongoing projects."
Faezeh Khalaji, Project Leader at Stockholm’s University for Everyone, said: “Today’s been a great opportunity to learn from the inspiring work of Continuum and other leading practioners and researchers. It’s been especially interesting to discover how similar the challenges are that we all seem to face.”
Continuum, based at our Docklands campus, is the first research centre of its kind in the UK. The centre aims to provide a focus for critical understanding of widening participation policy and practice. For further information, visit www.uel.ac.uk/continuum.
Throughout the year, staff from our International Office and our Schools visit a range of countries and exhibit at fairs to recruit potential new students to UEL. If you would like to help our staff, talk to students, offer your expert views and experience of your time at UEL, we would love welcome you at the fairs.
Ghana – June 08
India – May 08
Kenya – May 08
Nigeria – June 08
Pakistan - July 08
If you live in one of the above countries and would be interested in meeting staff from UEL and helping out with recruitment of future students, please email the alumni office at alumni@uel.ac.uk
This event is open to anyone interested in studying Psychology part-time . There will be programme displays and the opportunity to meet programme staff.
Description of Activities:
Talks
A 1 hour programme of talks will be held in GN101 at approx 5.30 pm to be repeated at approx 7pm. Talks will include: a Welcome and Introduction to the School; What is it like to study part-time?
Tour
Guided tours of our Research Facilities, learning spaces and library will be run at regular intervals during the event.
Mayfest brings together the work of highly respected creative arts professionals, many of whom are our staff and students. School and community groups also participate in a celebration of culture and creativity.
Last year, on a warm, bright spring day, over a thousand people came together to celebrate the joys of Mayfest. Now in its third year Mayfest incorporates an exciting programme of events, which include: art fairs, exhibitions, public lectures, music, dance, poetry and theatrical performances.
The Mayfest 2008 programme can be viewed on the link below. To see what events will be taking place please visit www.uel.ac.uk/mayfest
If you would like to participate in, or know more about, Mayfest 2008 contact Mark O'Thomas, Director for our Institute of Performing Arts (IPAD) on Email: m.othomas@uel.ac.uk
All welcome, admission FREE.
For further details, or to register your place, please contact Emma Cale on 020 8223 2222 or e.cale@uel.ac.uk
One Day Conference, Friday 9 May 2008
Duncan House, School of Law, University of East London.
Leading international experts on terrorism, counter-terrorism and major event security will assess the current international terrorist threat and what the implications are for the London Olympics of 2012. Topics covered will include the tactics and strategies of Al Qaeda and implications for 2012, options for deterring and preventing terrorism, countering suicide terrorism and trends and lessons learned from previous major sporting events.
We are hosting a number of leading experts in the field of terrorism studies, from the security sector and in major (sporting) event security (including Professor Paul Wilkinson, University of St Andrews, Professor Frank Gregory, University of Southampton, Professor Andrew Silke, University of East London, DAC Richard Bryan, Olympic Security Directorate and Keith Weston, former head of the Police International Counter-Terrorism Unit). The conference will conclude with a discussion panel to discuss some of the major issues (and perhaps raise new ones).
For further information, or to register your attendance, please contact
School of Law,
University of East London,
Duncan House,
Stratford,
London E15 2JB.
Tel: 0208 223 4171/2113
Fax: 0208 223 2927
E-mail: A.Richards@uel.ac.uk
Thursday 29th May, Private View 6pm - 9pm
Docklands campus
The Visual Arts Degree Show celebrates the achievements of our students within Fine Art, Photography, Textiles, Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Digital Arts, Moving Image, Graphic Arts and Fashion.
All alumni are invited to attend this showcase event and private view. There will be a stunning display of works from our final year students. Come along and view the exhibition, network and socialise with students, staff and other alumni.
To register and receive your complimentary drink on arrival, from the Alumni Office, please email us at alumni@uel.ac.uk. Further information will be sent to you once you have made your registration.
We hope to see you at this event.
Wednesday 18th June, Private View 6pm - 9pm
Docklands campus
The Architecture Year End Show takes place during London’s Architecture Week. This annual event showcases the combined works of each unit within the BSc, Diploma and Masters Programmes. This show also provides an opportunity to see work by our foundation Year 0 students.
All alumni are also invited to attend this showcase event and private view. Come along to view the works on display, network and socialise with students, staff and other alumni.
To register and receive your complimentary drink on arrival, from the Alumni Office, please register at alumni@uel.ac.uk. Further information will be sent to you once you have made your registration.
Friday 4th July 2008
2.30pm
Business School Lecture Theatre, Docklands Campus
3.30pm
Traditional Afternoon Tea at Aqua East (new SU bar) on the Docklands waterfront.
Our alumni are invited to help on the Alumni Stand at this event. We would greatly appreciate if you are able to come along on the day to volunteer on the stand. As a graduate you can welcome our new alumni to the UEL community and share your experiences about life after UEL. It will be a good opportunity for networking and socialising with our staff, graduates and each other.
To volunteer your time to help at this event, please email Emma at alumni@uel.ac.uk
Over a hundred alumni attended a special Innovation and Success event recently.
The event featured informal presentations, information and networking aimed at increasing awareness of career opportunities in east London and beyond. James Kavanagh, one of our graduates who studied a BSc in Surveying and Mapping Sciences, leaving in 1998, who now works as Director of the Land Group at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, delivered the evening’s keynote speech.
James has worked on some of the largest engineering projects in Europe, including Canary Wharf and Broadgate, and spent several years mapping refugee camps in the Middle East whilst working for the United Nations.
He said: “Wherever I’ve worked across the globe, I’ve always bumped into former University of East London students who are now succeeding in a wide variety of fields.
“I found UEL a very warm and welcoming environment, where the staff always encouraged me to develop a positive attitude and make the most of my talents. It's no surprise to see so many graduates doing well in the world of work.”
Other speakers included Ian Bathgate and Professor Sonny Nwankwo of our Business School and Elisabeth Rodgers, of Elisabeth Rodgers Resourcing Ltd, who offered advice on interview skills.
Elisabeth said: “Interviews are a great opportunity to talk about yourself, your achievements and your aspirations. Enjoy them, don’t endure them. With the right attitude and the right approach, you can be whatever you want to be.”
Fariba Salehi-Kellaway, our Head of Development and Alumni, said: “This event was an inspiring occasion full of useful insights into how to succeed in life after university. As always, it was a great opportunity for our graduates to find out more about the benefits they can still receive from their old university, as well as to network with fellow alumni, make new friends and socialise with old class colleagues.”
Eden Mobile Crèche was founded by Renny Adejuwon. A child care practitioner with several years of experience in the child care profession. With a Diploma in Child Care and Education (NNEB) and a first degree in Psychology, Renny places great importance on play in a mobile crèche and children’s environment, and when activities are children lead.
After leaving UEL Renny went on to work with various childcare establishment and companies. Some of these companies had good childcare policies, while some of them, she thought, needed to make a change to their policies.
From the variety of work experience Renny had obtained, she was able to decide that if, one day, she was to start a childcare company she would want it to demonstrate a high standard of professional service. Renny says “the best way of doing that is making the staff within the company happy and always willing to come to work”.
One of the reasons Renny decided to set up her own business was because she felt she had reached a point in her career where she was not being challenged anymore. Another factor was that she felt the pay package was not enough, especially as someone who has children.
”I have worked with companies like Virgin active, Leap frog, Camp Beaumont, Government and private schools/ organisations and with the NHS. All these companies have helped me in developing in various area of Childcare. Presently, I am focusing on Eden Mobile Crèche and taking it to the next level. The future is for us to have a permanent childcare facility and premises.
Renny enjoyed her time at UEL and felt it helped in her with her current project. “The most positive aspect of my experience at UEL was that the lecturers saw you as an individual. My lecturers in the School of Psychology gave me an insight into understanding the Western society better. The only disadvantage, was that the School did not provide enough practical experience for psychology students.
My advice to future students is to get the work experience in whatever professional field they want to be in - this can be done by volunteering, registering with an agency or getting work experience within companies."
For more information about Eden Mobile Crèche, please visit www.edenmobilecreche.com
Ayesha studied at UEL graduating in 1999 with a BSc in Business Economics. After leaving UEL she went on to study for the ACCA qualification and worked for a variety organisations in the UK before finally returning home to Ghana in 2003.
"My time at UEL was exciting and I felt very much at home due to the large number of international students especially students from Ghana. After moving out of halls of residence, I lived in the general area for 5 years before moving outside of London for the rest of my time in the UK.
"East London with its riverside properties, fish and chips, street markets and the docklands light railway (which I used everyday for 4 years) evokes fond memories of times gone by. I came of age, passed my driving test, made long lasting friendships and had my first part-time job (Barking Kwik Save) all in the East London area."
Her current role is that of Tax Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Ghana. "I personally feel that my time at UEL taught me independence and tolerance of other races/people.
I have a soft spot in my heart forever not just for the University but for East London as whole."
Come to UEL's Careers and Jobs Fair, meet employers and find your dream job...
Do you want to network with top employers?
We will be holding a networking event with the employers who will be attending our Jobs fair between 12 and 1pm. In order to attend you will have to complete a series of tests and only the lucky top 200 students will get the chance to attend.
Produce a winning CV
Shine at interviews
Self -Presentation
Online applications
Labour market information
Get the best out of the event with these Top Tips
Before the event
Decide which employers you really want to talk to
Research these employers – know what you want to ask
Prepare your CV
On the day
Smart dress – look presentable
Be prepared to sell yourself – knowledge, skills and experience
After the event
Follow up leads, send CVs, request application forms
For more information please go to www.uel.ac.uk/employabilityworks/index.htm or email employability@uel.ac.uk
Students gathered at the Knowledge Dock Business Centre in March to hear the announcements of the top fifteen finalists for its E-Factor Business Plan competition.
The competition, which is sponsored by the London Development Agency, Barclays Bank, Tate & Lyle and London City Airport, offers our enterprising students the opportunity to win a £10,000 business start-up grant to transform their business concept into a fully functional business.
The event marked the end of a four month promotional campaign that was launched as part of National Enterprise Week in November 2007 to encourage students to participate in the competition. During this time over three hundred students attended a series of enterprise workshops ranging from ‘how to develop a business idea’ to ‘how to think entrepreneurially’. Students also participated in a number of enterprise events such as the ‘pitch party’ where potential entrants to E-Factor were invited to pitch their idea to a panel of judges.
At the announcement, finalists were also introduced to their business mentors who will be supporting them to develop their business plans. Laura Chicurel, Managing Director of Chicurela and one of the fifteen mentors who will be supporting the finalists said: “I am delighted to be supporting the E-Factor competition. Speaking as someone who has started up their own business from scratch, the process of starting up is often very difficult and challenging. I know when I was starting up my own business, the support and advice I received from other people was invaluable to my efforts and I hope and can support my mentee in the same way”.
Over the coming months the finalists will participate in a series of business masterclasses, ranging from finance to business planning to help them develop their business idea before having to submit an Executive Summary and presenting their business idea to a panel of judges. Five of the fifteen finalists will then be selected to proceed to the Grand Finale stage of the competition, where they will receive further mentoring from Barclays Bank and attend an ‘Investment Ready’ workshop. For the final stage of the competition students are required to submit a ten-page business plan, as well as having to pitch their idea to a panel of industry professionals at the Dragon’s Den themed grand finale event to be held in May.
Moncia Clemo a second year Photography BA undergraduate, said: “Me and my business partner Zoe Holloway are excited by the prospect of being able to present and develop our business ideas further. It was a great feeling to be one of the few selected to proceed to the next stage of E-Factor. The support and workshops we will receive will give us the opportunity to build upon our aspirations and hopefully turn our business dreams into a reality"
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