Development and Alumni

Successful Alumni

The Alumni Development Office is always interested to hear from alumni who have a story to tell.  Have you set up your own business, published research finding, climbed Everest, found you dream job?  Whatever your good news, we want to share it by featuring you in a future issue of the newsletter, on the website, in our prospectus or in other marketing materials to inspire our next generation of students. 

Below there are only a few examples; if you would like to get involved contact us on alumni@uel.ac.uk

James Kavanagh

James Kavanagh MRICS C.Geog MinstCESCEnv,  1998 BSc Hons Surveying and Mapping Sciences.
Director Land Group (Environment, Geomatics, Minerals & Waste, Planning & Development, Rural) at RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors)

“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.”

James Kavanagh is a Chartered Land Surveyor, Chartered Geographer and Chartered Environmentalist. James studied for a HNC and HND at Bolton Street, Dublin, Ireland before coming to the UK in the the late 1980’s. He has worked on some of the largest engineering projects in Europe, including Canary Wharf and Broadgate - London and spent several years mapping refugee camps in the Middle East whilst working for the United Nations. After returning fro the Middle East, James started a BSc(Hons) in Surveying and mapping in 1996 and gained a higher 2:1 in 1998. He has broad experience of surveying in many countries around the world, including the Seychelles, Belgium, Palestine, Philippines, Syria, and Egypt . James is currently Director of Land, within the Faculties and Forums department of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The Land Group covers the specialist survey areas of Environment, Geomatics, Minerals and Waste Management, Rural and Planning & Development and contains over 26,000 members.

Renny Adejuwon

2005 BSc Hons Psychology, Founder and Director, Eden Mobile Crèche

“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”.

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.

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

John Bainbridge

2008 BA Hons. International Development and NGO Management.

“'It was as a direct result of my degree in 'International Development with NGO Management' that I was offered a place on the Phoenicia Expedition. Being involved in such a prestigious venture offers an unrivalled opportunity for personal development, in fact, I cannot think of a more productive or fulfilling manner in which to spend the year after my degree!”.

John Bainbridge has been selected as one of the crew for an ambitious sailing expedition that will recreate the first circumnavigation of Africa by the Phoenicians in 600 BC

John will join the multinational crew at the expedition start point in Syria this August. “Phoenicia” will set sail from the ancient Syrian port of Arwad, which is where the 70 ft replica vessel is being built.

John will be using the skills from his degree to help coordinate the water projects that the crew will be undertaking during the expeditions port visits. The water projects (supported by Global Water Fund) are part of the expedition’s humanitarian programme to help provide clean drinking water for African communities.

The Phoenician Ship Expedition is being led by Dorset based adventurer Philip Beale who successfully headed the Borobudur expedition in 2003-04 sailing a replica 8th century Indonesian trading vessel from Indonesia to West Africa, this latest venture is more ambitious and will see the ship cover 17,000 miles over 12 months before she arrives in London.

Imran Khan

1987 LLB, UEL Honorary graduate. Lead solicitor in landmark cases including the Stephen Lawrence murder.

“My parents wanted me to be a doctor but I studied law because I wanted to challenge injustice and help in the community”.

Imran Khan was born in Karachi, Pakistan and moved to the UK with his family in 1968.  He studied for a law degree at North East London Polytechnic (now UEL).  Throughout his career he has focussed on Human Rights, and anti-racism in particular.

Imran represented the family of Stephen Lawrence following Stephen’s murder in 1993, and his tireless campaign for justice has led to a fundamental review of policing policies and practices.

Imran has been active in numerous anti-racist groups and campaigns over the last fifteen years, and is a leading light in the National Civil Rights Movement set up in the aftermath of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.

In 1999 he received the Legal Personality of the Year award from The Lawyer newspaper and also the Ethnic Minority Multi-cultural Personality of the Year award. 

Imran is a close friend and supporter of UEL and the School of Law.  In 2008 he was named as one of the UK’s top 100 most powerful lawyers by The Times.

“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.”

Katie Whiting

2007 BA Hons Fashion Design,

“Studying at UEL gave me the tools to face the fashion world with confidence and vigour, and it's great to see my hard work pay off”.

Fashion Designer Katie Whiting was awarded a prestigious Queen Elizabeth (QEST) scholarship worth over £9,000, for an exciting internship at Vivienne Westwood’s shoe design department.

Winning the QEST Scholarship means Katie can now take up an unpaid internship at Vivienne Westwood while completing a diploma in footwear.

Katie said: “I’m so excited about this opportunity to further my knowledge and experience, especially at my favourite label – it’s a definite chance in a lifetime!.

“Since graduating, I've become increasingly interested in footwear; shoes can be magical and have the ability to dictate the mood of the wearer. I want to make footwear that embodies confidence, sophistication, luxury and concept.”

While studying at UEL, Katie enjoyed work experience with Julien MacDonald, Basso and Brooke and Johnny Rocket. She has worked on garments worn by Paris Hilton and Dame Shirley Bassey, and was among the finalists for ‘Young Designer of the Year’ at the Clothes Show Live in December 2007.

Katie’s debut collection, sponsored by Swarovski and premiered at her Graduate Fashion Week show, resulted in press coverage and numerous commissions. Katie has recently launched her own fashion label Katie Rose.

Ayesha Araba Bedwei

1999 BSc Business Economics Tax Consultant – PricewaterhouseCoopers

"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.

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.

“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."

Misbah Mann

2005 MA Education Practice,

”I made good friends at UEL, who came from a range of cultural backgrounds.  The lecturers were supportive, especially during my final year when I had my first child”. Misbah is Head Teacher at Lathom School, Newham, London

Misbah studied Biochemistry at our Stratford campus, and made good friends who came from a range of cultural backgrounds.  She then went on to do a PGCE in 1994 and then later on, her MA.  She chose UEL as it was local to her, easily accessible and had a variety of local community based resources.

Misbah’s many highlights whilst studying for her PGCE were being picked to be observed by the external assessor in her final placement, meeting people with similar goals and visions, which progressed to friendship.

Misbah started teaching at Lathom School in 1995.  She found the school warm and friendly, and celebratory of all cultures.  It is committed to life long learning and has increased the capacity for teacher training.  They have also increased the use of first languages through translations, displays assemblies and dialogue.  It is an ICT rich environment, with interactive whiteboards and 240 individual laptops for the pupils. A successful Summer Fete was held for the first time in 2006 and brought the local community closer together.

Misbah is also an elected member of the General Teaching Council (GTC) - an independent professional body that advises the Government on education and regulation matters.  She contributes in maintaining and improving standards of teaching and learning and is also a member of the council’s Professional Educational Development policy group.  Misbah is also interested in the ‘achieve’ network, which promotes racial equality and diversity in schools.

 

 

 

 

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© 2008