Summer 2011 E-Newsletter
Welcome | UEL News | Alumni Network News & Notices |Engaging UEL| Professional Development & Entrepreneurship
Welcome to the summer edition of the Alumni Network e-newsletter. This edition is packed full of news stories, details of recent and forthcoming events, and information on the range of employability and enterprise support services available to former students. Highlights of this issue include:
Your feedback is always welcome - please send comments or suggestions to alumni@uel.ac.uk
Happy reading!
UEL scholarship student, John Preston, will have the proud honour of representing Great Britain in this weekend’s World Rowing Cup in Germany. John and his fellow team members will be pitted against world-class opposition in the Lightweight Men’s four event. The competition takes place in Munich between 27 and 29 May. Full story
A Conference ‘Creative and Media Arts in the University and Beyond’ to take place on Thursday June 2, 10am – 5pm at UEL’s Docklands Campus, will bring together academics, students, policy makers and practitioners to consider the future for media and creative arts education. Full story
UEL rolls out sports wheelchairs to five Olympic host boroughs The University of East London is providing five Olympic host boroughs with 40 sports wheelchairs to help local communities get fit and active in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Full story
University of East London demonstrates commitment to ensuring the legacy of Olympic Park The Olympic Park Legacy Company has signed an agreement with the University of East London today to work together to explore a range of community, education and enterprise activities. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Margaret Ford, Legacy Company Chair and Professor Patrick McGhee, University of East London Vice Chancellor, with the aim of offering new opportunities for local residents and businesses after the London 2012 Games.Full story
University of East London performing arts students dance for the Queen Students from the University of East London Institute for Performing Arts Development (IPAD) caused tourists to stop in their tracks this morning when they instigated a flash mob dance performance outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. Full story
UEL graduate Bunmi chosen to represent Africa at New York Fashion Week University of East London fashion graduate Bunmi Olaye has just returned from Arise Magazine Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria, where her collections were rapturously received. Following her show at the event she has now been chosen from over 50 designers to represent Africa at New York Fashion Week later this year. Full story
UEL launches UK’s first Diploma Course in Career Coaching Demand for high quality career coaching in the UK looks set to increase dramatically with the government’s announcement of an all-age guidance service to be implemented in April 2012 and predictions of 1.6m job losses over the next 3 years. The University of East London has responded to this by launching a new post-graduate Diploma in Career Coaching due to start in September 2011. Full story
Recession, what recession? UEL business start-up centre is booming
The University of East London can report that business is booming in its Knowledge Dock business centre. Start-ups and SMEs are queuing up to establish themselves at the centre; the only European Business Network (EBN) accredited Business Innovation Centre (BIC) in London.
Full story
UEL architecture students invited to redesign North Woolwich old station
University of East London Student Governor and founder of the People’s Republic Film Society, Leezac Robinson, has opened a competition for University of East London architecture students to submit plans for the development of North Woolwich Old Station into a cultural space.
Full story
It's a bug's life: UEL joint winners in sustainability award
The University of East London has been named as joint-winners of the Sustain magazine Biodiversity award. The University won the award in partnership with the Green Roof Consultancy, for their work on the roof at 55 Broadway, above St. James’s Park underground station.
Full story
More news stories may be found at www.uel.ac.uk/news
Now & Then Magazine
Keep an eye out for the summer 2011 Alumni Magazine landing on your doorstep in the next few of weeks, if for any reason you don’t receive your copy make sure you contact us on alumni@uel.ac.uk to check we have the right postal address on record.
New Member of the Alumni Development Office Team
We would like to take the opportunity to welcome Harry Wright as the newest member
of UELs Alumni Development Office. Harry took up the post of Alumni Assistant in March of this
year, he looks forward to meeting you all at one of our up and coming events!
Imtiyaz Ali
International Law and Criminal Justice LLM 2006, UEL, Senior Assistant, Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Department
UEL gradate Imtiyaz Ali was recently featured in India’s Leading newspaper, with an article discussing his experience of the Judicial Department in Kasmir. Imtiyaz had started working at the age of 21 as a civil clerk with the J&K judiciary department. He then completed a BSc and MSc in Biotechnology from IGNOU after which he studied International Law and Criminal Justice at UEL. The son of a forester, Ali did not always find life came easy to him, “I did many jobs and starved myself to the pay the fees and complete the course”. However, after graduating he was the first ever student from UEL to attain an internship at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, and now works as a Senior Assistant at J&K Judicial Department in Kashmir.
Ivan Lam
International Contemporary Art & Design Practice MA 2007, UEL, Artist and Lecturer at University College Sedaya International
Director of Corporate Marketing, Catherine Downes recently met with Ivan Lam a successful artist and graduate of the University of East London. In 2003, Ivan Lam won the prestigious Grand Prize in the Philip Morris Award, something he still thinks as one of the proudest moments in his artistic career. In 2006 he was listed as a finalist for the Sovereign Art Prize, and the current record for the highest price ever paid for one of his works at auction currently lies just short of £100,000. However, despite his success, Ivan still remains humble “I still think I’m a very lucky human, even till today. I think art has always been about a rollercoaster ride with your ego. It’s been very humbling, and for me it’s about the surrendering of the ego, more than anything else.”
Having studied for a BA in Fine Art at Maine College of Art in 1998, Ivan more recently attended UEL to obtain his MA in International Contemporary Art & Design Practice, graduating in 2007. Ivan now works for University College Sedaya International, next year he hopes to visit the UK and come and talk to our current students and Alumni.
Ivan’s latest work, entitled ‘Together Alone’ was recently on display at Wei-Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.
UEL Chinese Alumni Event - Thursday 14th April 2011, Beijing
UEL’s Director of Corporate Marketing, Catherine Downs and UEL’s Director of the International Office, Adrienne Clarke, stopped by in Beijing to meet with a small group of our Chinese Alumni; a great evening was had by all. UEL 2001 MBA Graduate Maggie Tan Jing, kindly wrote a poem dedicated to the event titled Friends Met;
Friends met
From thousands of miles
Teachers and graduates of UEL gathering in the heart of Beijing
Friends met
Sharing the beautiful spring evening with sweet wine and laughter
Sharing true growth in life and true happiness together through the years
Friends met
With a forever loving heart and a life-long learning spirit
Together we create a better self, a better society, a better tomorrow
Together the world became smaller just in a one true smile
How to make a Real Success as an Entrepreneur - Wednesday 13th April 2011, Docklands campus
Over 130 gradutes, students and staff of UEL attended the event titled How to make a Real Success as an Enrepreneur, hosted by the Alumni Development Office and Royal Docks Business School, the event aimed to inspire and inform its guests of the benefits of issues surrounding modern entrepreneurship.
Once the attendees were given a comprehensive introduction to the event by Selena Bolingbroke, each of the speakers then took their turn to introduce and discuss their own experience of entrepreneurship. The event was chaired by UEL Governor and Honorary Award Holder Sunny Crouch OBE, who was able to provide an experienced hand in guiding the discussions.
The speakers who attended the event were;
Selena Bolingbroke; UEL graduate and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Strategic Planning and External Development at UEL. Sunny Crouch OBE; UEL Governor, Honorary Award Holder and Chair of the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Entrepreneurship. Hannah Simcoe-Reed; Senior Lecturer at Royal Docks Business School. John Charles; UEL graduate, Honorary Award Holder and Director of established catering business Catering2Order and Donna Plakhtienko; UEL graduate and successful entrepreneur with her recently conceived business Don’t Ask Don’t Get.
A general emphasis in the topic of discussion seemed to be on the importance of both thorough market research, and reflection upon one’s own business methods through the successes and mistakes of others. All of the speakers also unanimously agreed on the importance of seeking sound advice when brainstorming ideas for a new start-up.
After some interesting questions were posed to the panel, our attendees stayed to take part in a free buffet and networking session.
For the photo album of the event – please visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/uelalumni
UEL Malaysian Alumni Event - Monday 11th April 2011, Kuala Lumpur
80 enthusiastic Alumni walked through the doors of the Shangri-La hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Monday 11th April 2011.
The event was attended by Professor Patrick McGhee, Vice- Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of East London, Professor John Shaw, Pro Vice- Chancellor, International as well as both Catherine Downs and Adrienne Clarke, directors of Corporate Marketing and the International Office.
Professor Patrick McGhee spoke about UEL's new vision and 2010-2020 strategy: 'Transformation for Excellence'. As well as this both Catherine Downs and Adrienne Clarke informed guests of how they can engage more closely with UEL in the journey ahead.
We were also lucky to have two guest Alumni Speakers; S.P Leong and Sasidharan Muniandy who were where engaging, inspirational and thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance, leaving many guests at the end jumping to get more involved with the work of UEL in Malaysia.
A big Thank you to the staff at the UEL Malaysia Centre for helping us put this event together.
Forthcoming Events
For more information, or to register for any of the events listed below, please contact the Development & Alumni Office on +44 (0)208 223 2222 or alumni@uel.ac.uk.
Date |
Time |
Venue |
Event |
Wednesday 8 June 2011 |
6-9pm |
Stratford Campus |
School of Psychology Alumni Event |
Thursday 9 June 2011 |
6-10pm |
Stratford Campus |
Alumni Dinner for Biosciences Dinner and reception for former students and professors of bioscience. |
Saturday 25 June 2011 |
6-10pm |
Lagos, Nigeria |
Alumni Reception, Nigeria A reception for alumni living in Nigeria, hosted by the Law School. Celebrating 35 years of the School of Law. Open to all alumni living in Nigeria. |
| Wednesday 7 September 2011 | 5-8pm |
Stratford Campus |
Reception and Celebration of 75 years of Physiotherapy. For all our graduates of Physiotherapy. |
Wednesday 21st September 2011 |
6- 10pm |
Docklands Campus |
Annual Fund Awards Ceremony A chance to celebrate the success of UEL. At this event our Annual Fund Awards are presented by the Vice-Chancellor |
October 2011 |
6-9pm |
TBC |
Alumni Event for the School of Law |
| November 2011 | 6-10pm | TBC | Second Annual Reunion for German Speaking Alumni |
November 2011 |
6-9pm |
Stratford Campus |
Third annual occupational, business and coaching psychology reunion |
December 2011 |
6pm - Late |
TBC |
Alumni Christmas Party For all our graduates |
| Febuary 2012 | TBC | TBC | Cass School of Education and Communities Alumni Reunion |
New book on Brilliant Graduate Career Handbook
Written by Dr Judith Done from the University of Chester, and Professor Rachel Mulvey - Associate Dean of School of Psychology from the University of East London, May 2011,Pearson Education
This publication provides an indispensable guide for undergraduates as they consider what to do with their degree once they have graduated. The emphasis is on the labour market: what employers want and what graduates have to offer. Readers will learn how to navigate the labour market and how to keep going when the going gets tough, and especially how to make best use of the opportunities that are around to develop their skills and experience for the future. The book draws on real life case studies which illustrate, inspire and console. It provides practical tactics and strategies for students to use to manage their career choices by self assessment against current economic climate, using essential, up to date labour market information.
Professor Mulvey is the Associate Dean of the School of Psychology and Chair in Career Guidance at UEL. Rachel is also fellow and past president of the Institute of Career Guidance, a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an external examiner for Employability modules at Leeds University. Rachel’s research centres on public policy for career guidance, and the management of guidance profession.
Obituaries
Dr Alun Morinan: 4 May 1953 – 1 January 2011
Alun was Principal lecturer, Subject area coordinator and programme leader in Pharmacology at UEL from 1987 until he retired on health grounds in 2005; he died suddenly of a heart attack on New Year’s Day. Despite serious health problems he managed to have a successful academic career, to be a well known peace activist, trade unionist, drugs awareness advisor and active member of the Baptist Church. He remained active in all these fields even after his retirement. The love and respect of all who knew him shone through at his funeral on 25 January. On behalf of all his former students and colleagues at the School of Health and Bioscience, we would like to express our sincere condolences to his family and friends in these very difficult times, and hope his soul rests in peace.
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Trace a Classmate
Are you looking to get back in touch with UEL classmates? If so then the Development & Alumni Office can help. ‘Trace a Classmate’ is a free service that allows alumni to get back in touch with old friends.
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Update Your Details
Have you recently moved house, changed job or developed a new hobby or interest? If so then please let us know!
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Annual Fund Awards
The application stage for the Alumni Development Offices Annual Fund Awards http://www.uel.ac.uk/engagement/AFG.htm have just closed. The Annual Fund Grants and Scholarships are the result of successful fundraising from our alumni and other Friends of UEL. All the money that we distribute are donated by UEL alumni and other supporters. The donors and beneficiaries will have a chance to meet at the Vice Chancellor's Annual Fund Awards Ceremony in September where and when the grants are awarded to successful candidates and donors are acknowledged. Have you made a donation to our Annual Fund? Look out for an invite to the Awards ceremony in September!
Engagement Programme for alumni
We have a wide range of ways you can offer your expertise, knowledge, time, resources or money. Examples include hosting or speaking at an event; donating cash or a venue for one our events; supporting a student prize, award or scholarship; and offering an internship. For more information about this and a FULL list of opportunities - please click here
Donations to our Annual Fund
We are still encouraging financial donations from our alumni to assist our students, research and other projects. For information on setting up a Direct Debit and give regularly or make a one-off donation, or how to take part in sponsored sporting events and raise money for UEL or event how to donate gifts in kind - please click on the link below
Make a donation to the Annual Fund
As part of our new engagement strategy, UEL is committed to giving our graduates opportunities to both develop their careers and entrepreneurship skills, and help others develop theirs. Make sure you utilise these opportunities to full potential. There are many ways you could get engaged with the work of our university including:
If you are able to provide internships, job placements mentoring and work training for our students and graduates or can take part in one of our job assessment centres or business competitions, please do let us know on development@uel.ac.uk or 020 8223 6016/6443 or fill in an engagement form online www.uel.ac.uk/engagement
Entrepreneurship news and initiatives
The Employability and Enterprise Team have run a range of successful events over the last year for budding entrepreneurs. Most of the events are open to UEL alumni, so if you have started, or are thinking of starting a business then do get in touch by emailing l.barkaway@uel.ac.uk to be kept up to date with our offers.
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs provides promising European entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start and/or successfully run a small or medium-sized enterprise in Europe. New entrepreneurs exchange knowledge and business ideas with experienced business men and women, guaranteeing a valuable experience.
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs provides practical and financial assistance to newly established or would-be entrepreneurs spending time abroad with a host entrepreneur. As a business beginner, you will be able to spend between 1 and 6 months with an experienced business mentor, selected from a wide European entrepreneur network. The matching of the new entrepreneurs with the experienced host entrepreneurs is carried out with the help of the intermediary organisations, responsible for the smooth functioning of the programme.
To learn more about Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Click Here.
Centre of Excellence for Women's Entrepreneurship (CEWE)
Building on our work to support the entrepreneurial ambitions of our students, graduates and the local community, UEL is working towards creating a Centre of Excellence for Women's Entrepreneurship (CEWE). The Centre will undertake new research to support the needs of women entrepreneurs. We will launch an online portal to collate resources which will include a repository for research, a database of contacts and a collaborative signpost system to others.
A number of events and activities are taking place over the coming months which alumni and friends of UEL are encouraged to engage with. This includes a mentoring programme to support UEL's women entrepreneurs and a seminar series at UEL's new base in Canary Wharf, 1 Heron Quay. UEL is looking to secure pledges of support for this activity through the Friends of Women’s Entrepreneurship initiative.
If you are interested in becoming a Friend of Women's Entrepreneurship or finding our more about CEWE, please see www.uel.ac.uk/CEWE or contact Linsey Cole, the women's entrepreneurship Project Manager on l.cole@uel.ac.uk
Barclays Internships 2011
The University of East London is in the second year of running the Barclays Internships which has led to two of our Alumni now working within Barclays Global Retail Banking on successful completion of their Internships.
The Barclays Internship scheme emulates the same recruitment processes currently used to place graduates and is an excellent opportunity for students to develop their skills in a practical environment. It also enables the university to showcase our students within a professional environment.
This year the students competed in several rounds of assessment including panel interviews, they gave a presentation to an audience of Barclays’ employees and they also took part in group exercises that are led and run by both the University and the Barclays Team. On completion, the Barclays’ assessors selected 5 students who will be offered 10 week Internships in the Global Sourcing Department during the summer. “The internship has boosted my confidence so much - 18 months ago I had completed my undergraduate degree and really had no direction and very little confidence”, said Barclays 2011 Intern.
If you would like to work with the Employability and Enterprise Team in regards to future internship opportunities please contact the team on 020 8223 2424.
Twilight Sessions
Are you ready? Do you have all the skills you need to secure that elusive graduate level Job? Need practice? We can guide you over the possible hurdles that await you there.
Sign up to a session from a range of professional workshops including;
Realise your full potential there is no better time to start than now.
Polish and perfect your skills whilst you can, secure a place today.
To view the list of Twilight Sessions available please click here
To sign up to a session please email twilight@uel.ac.uk and state the date you wish to sign up for in the subject header.
For directions to the Heron Quays Site where the Twilight Sessions will be held please click here
FUEL YOUR FUTURE 2011- Recruitment and Employability Fair
Date: Friday 10th June 2011
Time: 11am-3pm
Venue: East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E145NX
Register your interest to be kept up to date with all the recruiters attending, and workshops and presentations running on the day.
There is something for everyone at this event and best of all, there is no charge! You don't need to book in advance, you can just show up on the day. If you register above however we will keep you up to date with new events and agencies booked on.
Why attend?
This fantastic event is open to all UEL students and recent graduates. You will get the chance to meet a wide range of agencies who are recruiting now, and want to meet you.
For more information visit our website www.uel.ac.uk/eet/news/events.htm
Salon Art Prize 2011 - Call for entries
Exhibition dates:7th - 29th October, 2011
The Salon Art Prize 2011 is the fifth annual open submission exhibition produced by Matt Roberts Arts at our gallery on Vyner St in East London.
We will exhibit up to 100 artists and to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Salon Art Prize we will be offering a separate prize of £1000 for each exhibition category:
Painting, Sculpture and Installation (including sound) and 2-D Media.
This years' Selectors are:
Patricia Bickers (Editor, Art Monthly)
Pippa Hale (Director, Project Space Leeds)
Robert Leckie (Exhibitions Curator, Gasworks)
In order to apply you will need to send three images of works you would like to submit to sap2011@mattroberts.org.uk and make an associate membership fee of £10 via our website www.salonartprize.com
The deadline for applications and payments is:
17.00 (GMT), Saturday 13th August, 2011
About us:Matt Roberts Arts is a dynamic not-for-profit organisation founded in 2006 to create opportunities for artists in new locations and contexts. Matt Roberts Arts offers support to creative practitioners by providing a range of professional development programmes and national and international touring exhibitions.
To apply please see www.salonartprize.com
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