Welcome to the the September edition of the alumni enewsletter. I hope you will enjoy reading it and that you will find something of interest. I would like to welcome our new alumni network members - those who are about to graduate this year - we hope the network will be helpful to you. Everyone should have received their copy of the launch issue of our Alumni Network magazine. If you haven't - please let me know and I will send one out to you.
Next semester we are launching our Public Lecture Series. Both UEL and visiting lecturers will choose an interesting and topical subject to speak about. We will be launching the series with Gavin Poynter's Olympic lecture on 10th October. See below for all the details.
Best wishes,
Emma Cale, Development and Alumni Officer
On July 6th our Chancellor, Lord Rix planted a small sapling at our Docklands Campus to celebrate the launch of ‘The Big Tree’, a major new online service for the learning disability community.
The Big Tree portal aims to provide an online home for people with learning disabilities, their families, their friends and professionals who work with them. The site will help everyone to find useful information online, to make links and enjoy the worldwide web.
For many people with learning disabilities the Internet is a confusing place to visit and computers in general prove difficult to use. The Big Tree uses multimedia to make web content that is easy for all to understand and provides advice and guidance to help everyone get the best from ICT and multimedia.
The Big Tree communicates with sound, pictures and video clips so that users do not have to be able to read to use it. They can make sense of The Big Trees’ articles, play its games or follow the links it provides to other sites that are informative, or simply fun to visit for people with learning disabilities.
By providing an online hub for the learning disability community The Big Tree aims to help individuals and families that are often isolated and excluded, to link-up, share information, get support and have more of a say on issues that affect their lives.
The Big Tree has been developed by the Rix Centre for Innovation and Learning Disability, a Research centre at UEL that specialises in exploring and developing new ways in which the lives of people with learning disabilities can be improved with the use of multimedia technology and the Internet.
The Rix Centre designs and builds content and multimedia tools, conducts research, provides advice and runs courses in partnership with people with learning disabilities, their families and supporters.
For further information please visit www.uel.ac.uk/ssmcs/research/rix.htm
The Chinese winners of a spoken English contest sponsored by UEL put their linguistic skills to the ultimate test on a ten-day visit to London.
Hans Sun (14) and Cai Jing (20), from the city of Guangzhou, close to Hong Kong in south-eastern China, won the holiday after seeing off thousands of competitors in the fifth Guangdong University and High School Spoken English Competition, organised by Radio Guangdong.
Their prize, courtesy of UEL, included flights, visits to the Tower of London, the National Gallery and the London Eye, a night at the theatre and accommodation at the Ramada Hotel in Docklands. The visitors also enjoyed trips to Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh and toured our Docklands campus, getting a taste of life at a leading modern UK university.
Professor Michael Thorne, our Vice-Chancellor was among a panel of judges who selected Hans and Cai out of the sixteen talented Guangdong province university and high school students competing in the contest’s grand finale, broadcast live on Chinese TV.
Professor Thorne said: “Hans and Cai are extremely talented students; their standard of English is marvelous and they overcame tremendous competition to deservedly win their prize. We are very proud to be taking care of them in London and to be sponsoring the Guangdong University and High School Spoken English Competition, which does a wonderful job in helping to raise standards of spoken English in China.”
At a special award ceremony held at our Docklands campus on Friday 28 July, Hans and Cai were presented with certificates of achievement by our Director of Finance, Richard Allanach.
Hans, who was accompanied on the trip by his parents, Haiwei Sun and Songshan Chen, said: “It’s been an awesome trip and we’ve done so many fantastic things. The UK is very different to China but I’ve had a great time and I’d love to come back someday, perhaps even to study at UEL.”
Cai added: “I’ve had a fantastic week - experiencing London life, going to the theatre, seeing the attractions and getting a much better understanding of the differences between China and the UK. It’s the first time I’ve been out of my country, so everything’s been really exciting. People in China have a slightly different mindset to people in the UK, but I definitely think we can all learn a lot from each other.”
The work of BA (Hons) Textiles Design graduates was exhibited recently at the prestigious New Designers exhibition at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London
Several students from Waltham Forest and Redbridge were chosen to exhibit, and met agents and representatives of design companies from around the world.
Fahima Patel, 22, of Boundary Road, Walthamstow, has created fabric designs inspired by nature. She said: “I have always loved flowers, seeds, fruit and berries, and I took many photos before starting work on these prints. The degree has been hard work but I’ve really enjoyed it, and I hope to develop my career in the industry.”
Natalie Fairfax, 22, of Castle Avenue, Highams Park, was inspired by a famous neighbour – William Morris – to create her ‘Flower Fresh’ collection, with a contemporary twist to floral prints. Natalie, who completed a work experience placement with Gilbey and Cheyne, said: “I have had a wonderful three years and I am looking forward to working as a designer.”
Saeeda Sheikh, 22, of Eastern Avenue, Redbridge, has created a wallpaper collection ‘My Fair Lady’, with hand-printed graphics. Saeeda said: “I have learned a lot and it has really opened my eyes to the industry.”
Josie Jones, 20, is showing a wonderful work featuring chrysanthemums and wave patterns in gold on brown silk.
Lianne Piroddi’s work also shows Japanese influence, with screen-printed silver roses and berries on midnight blue fabric. She is now planning to go into trend forecasting.
Cassandra Adebolu, 21, was also inspired by William Morris and is now setting up her own design business.
Rupal Patel, 21, has created heavy drapes with Japanese chrysanthemums in pink, red and black. She said: “Our tutors really pushed us and I have developed many new skills.”
Emma Carey, senior lecturer in Textiles Design at UEL, said: "This has been a wonderful group to teach and they are very talented. All the students have worked really hard and they deserve their success"
The 2006 Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon, that starts and ends at the Royal Docks, near our Docklands campus, is now the largest triathlon in the world.
Rui Gonçalves, Head of Student Health at UEL, set a great example for staff and students by running, swimming and cycling to raise money for Leukemia Research. And as an experienced triathlete, he hoped to clock up a fast time.
Originally from Portugal, Rui studied his MSc degree in Public Health at UEL, and graduating in 2004 joined UEL’s Student Health team. Earlier this year, he received an award from the Portuguese Ministry of Health for his MSc dissertation.
Rui said: “I used to be a runner and a swimmer and liked both sports too much to let one go, so I decided to start doing triathlons.
“When I came to the UK, I realised that the sport was very developed over here and it was easier to train. My training consists of regular running, swimming and cycling sessions during the week, with 1 or 2 days rest. Every month I do a trial triathlon in the gym to check my times"
Rui managed it under his predicted time! "It took me one hour and 34 minutes. It was an amazing experience... I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it as I was fighting a viral infection since last week. A terrible cramp got me right after swimming, but I didn't quit! I took it easy on the cycling in order to catch up on the running, and finished with a good time.
It turned out to be warmer than expected, which also didn't help... But the atmosphere was all very positive and uplifting, and it all went very quickly! The Leukemia Research team were very lively and supporting throughout the event, and we all worked like a team, and cheered each other on the way. I would encourage anyone who enjoys a challenge to do it next year! I will try the Olympic Distance next year. Thank you for everyone who supported me by attending and by sponsoring.
Rui has set up a donation page online on www.justgiving.co.uk/ruionthedocks
Next month UEL is launching our Public Lecture Series. Our alumni, friends, supporters and local community are warmly invited to attend these lectures. They are free of charge and will take place at either our Docklands or Stratford campuses. Each month will focus on an interesting and topical subject and there will be an opportunity for questions and networking after each lecture.
From Beijing to the Bow Road: 'A Political Economy of the Olympic Games'
5.30pm, The Lecture Theatre, Room LD0010, Docklands Campus, University Way, London E16 2RD
Light refreshments will be served after the lecture
Everyone welcome. Places are free, but limited, so to register your attendance, please email e.cale@uel.ac.uk
Public Lecture and book signing
2-3pm, The Lecture Theatre TL300, Stratford Campus, Romford Road, E15 4LZ
Malorie Blackman is one of our best-loved writers of children's fiction.
Malorie worked as a database manager and systems programmer before becoming a full-time writer. Her reputation has steadily grown and she has been awarded a number of prizes as well as being shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Pig Heart Boy. She was voted Voice/Excel Children’s Writer of the Year in 1997 and was runner up for the Decibel Writer of the Year at the 2005 British Book Awards.
Malorie’s novel Noughts & Crosses won the Children's Book Award and the Lancashire Children's Book Award 2002. It was also included in the BBC Big Read survey of the nation’s favourite 100 books. The Times recently described Malorie as ‘a bit of a national treasure.’ Her sales with Random House Children’s Books exceed 1 million copies
Places are free, but limited, so to register your attendance, please email e.cale@uel.ac.uk
Critical Lessons and Key Issues for the 21st Century
Duncan House, School of Law, High Street, Stratford, E15 2JB
Leading international experts on terrorism and counter terrorism will address the current state of knowledge in this area. Speakers will focus on the key issues in fighting and countering terrorism. Governments can respond to terrorism with a range of different approaches, but identifying ‘what works’ has always been extremely difficult. This conference will focus on examining critical lessons from the past and key issues facing the current ‘war on terror’.
Visit the Fighting Terrorism website for more information - www.uel.ac.uk/fightingterrorism/
As you may be aware, this autumn the alumni office is hosting its '5,10,15,20' reunion for those graduates who left UEL in 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001. If you are interested in attending please do let us know by clicking here and giving your name, year of graduation and contact details. Invitations will be going out before the event. We also ask you to pass on this news to your friends and old colleagues who may also be interested.
Last month, Chelliah Kanesalingam (Kanesh) (1991 Electrical and Electronic Engineering) organised a reunion, with help from the alumni office, for his old friends and colleagues and their families. He said:
"We had a wonderful time on Sunday. Everything went perfect – the security was extremely helpful; your gifts were really appreciated. I thank you and others for the valuable contribution".
If you would like help in organising a reunion - however big or small, please let the alumni office know and we will do what we can to help.
Wendy Romain (1993, Psychology) is the Representative for our Caribbean alumni group. She is very keen to get Caribbean alumni together and organise a programme of events for them. Do you live in the Caribbean? Are you in touch with other alumni in your area? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please contact alumni@uel.ac.uk
SAVE UP TO 70% on MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS. Lowest possible prices on subscriptions to The Economist, National Geographic, Time, Vogue and many,many more exclusively for alumnus. Click here to find out more… www.alumni-subscriptions.co.uk.
MA in Imaginative Writing
Calling all budding authors…we have launched a new MA degree in Writing: Imaginative Practice, starting this September.
Taught by a team of renowned writers with international experience, the new MA offers an exciting, mixed-genre approach to writing, allowing students to hone their approach through critical creative practice. With core modules in genre, realism, adaptation and research methods, the programme will enable students to develop their writing through workshops, seminars and tutorials, leading to supervised preparation for a practice-based dissertation.
Tessa McWatt, who directs the MA programme and is herself a noted author, said: "UEL is a cosmopolitan community, and this new MA will reflect our diversity by encouraging students to expand their horizons and create exciting new hybrid forms.
"Our interdisciplinary workshops will involve film, drama, music, new media, fiction and poetry, as we aim to combine the strengths of many existing UEL programmes to provide our students with fertile ground for experimentation."
The new MA Writing: Imaginative Practice is offered as a full-time or part-time programme, with most seminars and workshops taking place in the evenings. For further information, contact Tessa McWatt on 020 8223 7237 or t.a.mcwatt@uel.ac.uk
Professional Doctorate in Architecture
This September sees UEL build on its reputation as one of the UK's leading Architecture schools with the launch of our innovative Professional Doctorate.
The new doctorate - one of the first of its kind in the UK - will allow architecture professionals from public and private practice to specialise in one of our extensive range of masters degree programmes before going on to pursue in-depth research in an internationally relevant issue of their choice. Students will work on real-life projects in collaboration with local, national and international industry, practice and agencies.
Signy Svalastoga, Subject Director for Architecture at UEL, said: "This new programme offers great opportunities for design professionals to develop a whole range of prototypes, from small-scale building and material components through to much larger scale urban design frameworks. Their innovative, original and rigorous project-based research will enliven debate in the field and contribute significantly to architectural knowledge and practice."
The Professional Doctorate is designed as a four year programme and is available part time and full time. Students will spend their first year studying on one of UEL's expanding range of Masters in Architecture programmes, which now include MA Architecture: Alternative Urbanisms, MSc Architecture: Material Matters, MA Landscape Architecture, MSc Architecture: Computing & Design, MA Architecture: Sustainability & Design, and MA Architecture: Interpretation & Theories.
Our School of Arts and Digital Industries is among the UK's leading centres for Architecture and attracts students from all over the world, many of whom go on to create award-winning buildings.
For further information about the new Professional Doctorate, or any other of UEL's wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate Architecture programmes, contact Signy Svalastoga on 020 8223 3237 or s.svalastoga@uel.ac.uk.
MSc Terrorism Studies
This September saw the launch of an innovative Masters degree in Terrorism Studies.
MSc Terrorism Studies, again, the first programme of its kind in the UK, will offer students the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the theory and nature of both terrorism and counterterrorism. Taught by leading experts in the fields of terrorism, criminology, international law and human rights, the new programme will examine its increasingly critical subject matter from a wide variety of perspectives.
Professor Andrew Silke, Director of the new MSc, has conducted extensive research into the psychology of terrorism, and is a member of both the United Nations Roster of Terrorism Experts and the International Association for Counter-terrorism and Security Professionals, as well as a prominent media commentator in the wake of last year’s London bombings.
Professor Silke, Field Leader in Criminology at UEL, said: “Terrorism and the fight against terrorism have become critical issues for modern society. This distinctive Masters programme draws upon key strengths of UEL’s School of Law to engage students in informed debate and critical appraisal of the major issues and latest developments.
"Graduates will obtain a valuable qualification that will allow them to develop careers in a wide variety of fields, including those related to security, policing, policy, and international work.”
To mark the launch of the new MSc, a one-day conference, entitled ‘Fighting Terrorism – Critical Lessons and Key Issues for the 21st Century’, will take place at our Stratford campus on Friday 15 September (see above).
Leading international experts on terrorism and counterterrorism will address the current state of knowledge in their fields and examine critical lessons to be learnt from the past and key issues involved in the current ‘war on terror’.
MSc Terrorism Studies is available on a full- and part-time basis, with all classes taking place in the evenings. For further information, contact School of Law registrar, Clare Olley, on 020 8223 2371 or c.m.olley@uel.ac.uk.
BSc (Hons) Acupuncture
We are pointing the way forward for the development of complementary medicine in the UK with the launch of a new degree programme in Acupuncture this September.
BSc (Hons) Acupuncture – the first degree programme of its kind – will provide students with the knowledge and professional training necessary for the practice of acupuncture. Graduates of the new programme will be eligible for membership of the British Acupuncture Council.
Acupuncture is a powerful therapy which uses fine needles inserted at specific points on the body surface to restore or maintain health. It originated in China over 2000 years ago and remains widely practiced in hospitals throughout that country, as well as increasingly accepted and popular in the West.
The new programme will focus on both traditional Chinese medicine and western systems of anatomy, physiology and pathology. Third-year students will also have the opportunity to consider how acupuncture can be used to relieve specific east London health problems, putting their theory into practice on local community placements.
Programme Director Charmian Wylde, an experienced acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese traditional medicine, said: “Interest in complementary medicine has surged over recent years and increasing public demand has led to a shift in attitudes within the medical profession.
“There is a growing recognition of the effectiveness of acupuncture and other complementary therapies, and our aim is to provide high quality training that gives our students the confidence and expertise to become successful practitioners.
“This exciting new programme will also allow students to develop a good understanding of key issues affecting our health and the important role that acupuncture can potentially play in the future of healthcare.”
BSc Acupuncture is part of an expanding range of complementary medicine programmes - including BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine and BSc (Hons) Complementary Therapy (Pilates and Therapeutic Massage) run by our Stratford-based School of Health and Bioscience.
For further information, contact 020 82233333 or email Charmian Wylde on c.wylde@uel.ac.uk.
Forget memories of dreary geography and mind-numbing maths lessons - teaching has officially emerged as the most stimulating graduate profession, according to a new ‘Workforce Boredom Index’ produced by the Teaching Agency (TA).
And educationalists at UEL have backed up this claim, as the vast majority of graduates who complete our popular teacher training programmes find stimulating work in local schools and colleges.
According to the recent survey, teachers are the least bored professionals, followed closely by healthcare, hospitality and travel and perhaps surprisingly, accountants. Administrative and secretarial staff fared the worst, scoring a maximum 10 out of 10 on the job boredom scale.
When asked why they found their job interesting, 86% of teachers questioned said they enjoy the regular interaction with other people, while 81% said that no two days are the same and that their roles are enjoyably challenging.
Ann Slater, Head of our School of Education - one of the most successful providers of teacher education programmes in London - said: “Our teacher training programmes attract a growing number of people from other professions, and this new index helps to explain why.
“The findings demonstrate that one of the chief benefits of teaching is the sheer variety of the job – it’s true that no two days are ever the same. I’d definitely encourage people of all ages who are bored in their jobs to take another look at the day-to-day and financial rewards of a career in teaching.”
With financial support from the government as well as excellent career prospects, teaching is becoming an increasingly attractive career option. Over 10% of graduates questioned in the survey had considered changing their career to teaching due to being bored in their current jobs.
To find out more about teacher training programmes, visit our School of Education on www.uel.ac.uk/education
Edison Chenfil James (born October 18, 1943 in Marigot) was the prime minister of Dominica from June 14, 1995 to February 3, 2000 as well as the Member of Parliament for the Marigot constituency from 1990. He attended the Dominica Grammar School and then went came to England to study at UEL where he achieved a Bsc in Botany. He then went on to graduate with a Msc in Biochemistry from the University of Reading and a post graduate diploma in crop protection technology from Imperial College.
He worked in a number of local and regional institutions including the Caribbean Development Bank, but it was as manager of the Dominica Banana Marketing Company that he rose to prominence on the island. He was instrumental in resuscitating the island's critical banana industry after Hurricane David. In 1988 he headed a committee which founded the United Workers' Party and became its first political leader. In 1990 the party captured 6 seats in the 21 seat House of Assembly and James became the leader of the opposition.
In the June 12, 1995 elections he led the party to victory with 11 out of 21 seats and became Prime Minister. By then the banana industry was no longer vibrant and so the James-led government embarked on an ambitious program of economic diversification.
James' government did produce some significant achievements. There was a proliferation in the number of scholarships available for secondary and college education. There was some success in diversifying the island's monocrop agricultural sector away from bananas and towards other crops. They also increased public spending on capital project including roads, schools and sea walls. These project had a visible impact on the economy and the economy grew every year under James' leadership.
In the elections of January 2000, the party suffered a surprise defeat. Though they won the popular vote, the party lost 3 seats and its majority in parliament. No party won enough seats to form a government on its own. Dominica's other two major parties, the Dominica Freedom Party and the Dominica Labour Party, had agreed to a co-operation agreement to win the election and it was no surprise when they made a coalition against the Workers' Party. James was replaced as prime minister by Roosevelt Douglas.
Since February 2000 he has resided at the office of leader of the opposition, and has been leading vigorous campaigns for the party.
Papaya Health and Body is a keep-fit company that comes to you.
Dionne came up with the novel idea after a life-long passion for holistic living. Papaya Health & Body offers the client a fitness guide that includes sport-specific training, nutrition advice, weight loss programmes, gym exercise and yoga.
Griffiths always knew she wanted a career in healthy living. Her road to managing her very own health and body company began when she attended the North East London Polytechnic, one of UEL's predecessor institutions, and gained a HND in Applied Biology. After obtaining a BA Honours Degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Westminster, she landed a job working in biochemistry.
Soon after she began working full time at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and remained there for 13 years before going part time, which allowed her to continue her studies.
“I was always interested in psychotherapy, but then the focus in holistic living came about,” says Griffiths. “I found that all kinds of courses were on offer in this field and it was much easier to study for these courses because they were arranged at the weekends."
After completing her studies at Chelsea and Westminster College five years ago, she pursued a long-held ambition to run her own business.
For people that express an interest in her keep-fit classes, a first appointment is arranged and the customer’s specific requirements are discussed. As part of the consultation, physiological measurements and tests are carried out. These include the assessment of blood pressure to determine the customer’s general state of health.Also, the flexibility of the client’s lower back hamstrings are tested using sit and reach exercises.
“For the first initial meeting, I would come to your house,” she says “We may just use the client’s home as a meeting place, but I would leave my apparatus at home during this first induction meeting. Some people know how they want to keep fit, but they want someone there as a companion because by themselves, there’s not enough motivation.”
For further information, please visit her website http://www.papayahealthandbody.com/
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