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UEL Business School graduate Martin Slark shares success through new MBA award scheme

Tuesday 25 September 2007

A University of East London (UEL) Business School graduate has returned to his alma mater in style, sponsoring a new bi-annual award aimed at inspiring current and future students to emulate his impressive achievements.

Martin Slark graduated with an MBA from UEL in 1993 and has since gone on to become CEO and Vice-Chairman of Molex Incorporated, a leading global manufacturer of electronic systems, switches and application tooling based in Illinois, USA.

After visiting UEL Docklands campus earlier this month, Martin announced Molex’s sponsorship of the new prize for best student on UEL’s MBA programmes. The prize will be awarded bi-annually to both part-time and full-time students.

Martin said: “My University of East London MBA was truly a unique and valuable learning experience that enabled me to broaden my knowledge of many aspects of business. I learned a great deal from my teachers and fellow students, and fourteen years later, many of them are still my friends.

“I'm extremely happy to be in a position to return and facilitate this sponsorship, which aims to ensure that current and future generations of UEL Business School students are inspired to achieve their ambitions."

Martin began his career with Molex in 1976 and has worked for the company in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. He was responsible for starting the Molex entities in Hong Kong, China, India, South Africa, Malaysia and Thailand.

As President of the Far East South Region from 1988 to 1994, Martin completed his MBA by flexible distance learning, visiting UEL during the year for intensive tutorials and assessment. He became President of the Americas Region from 1994 to 1999, a Director of the company in 2000, President in 2001, and CEO and Vice-Chairman in 2005.

Ian Bathgate, Programme Leader for UEL’s MBA programmes, said: “We are extremely proud to include Martin among our alumni and very grateful for Molex’s generous sponsorship of our new MBA award.

"At UEL, we aim to all of our inspire our students with the requisite skills and ambition to succeed. Martin provides a wonderful role model, and there is simply no better person to be associated with our award for best MBA student.”

UEL’s Business School has recently undergone dramatic developments, with its new home on the waterfront of the Royal Albert Dock officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen in February 2007.

The School is a key player in the economic regeneration of East London and provides high-quality business and management education to over 3,500 students at Docklands and all over the world. For further information, call Carole on 020 8223 3356 or visit www.uel.ac.uk/business.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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