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Newham and Tower Hamlets graduates join David Adjaye and Sheila Adam celebrating academic success

Thursday 29 November 2007

Newham and Tower Hamlets residents were among hundreds of University of East London (UEL) graduates celebrating academic success with family and friends at a ceremony held at London’s Barbican Hall on Tuesday 27 November.

Lord Rix, Chancellor of the University of East London, personally awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates to more than four hundred graduates of UEL’s Schools of Architecture and the Visual Arts and Health and Bioscience during the third of six graduation events to be held over the next few weeks.

Lord Rix also presented honorary awards to celebrated architect David Adjaye and leading public health expert Sheila Adam.

David Adjaye is recognised as one of the leading architects of his generation. He lives and works in London, and regularly wins major commissions across Europe and the United States. David’s celebrated work includes the Idea Store education centres in Whitechapel and Poplar, the Stephen Lawrence Centre in Deptford and the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo.

Accepting his award of Honorary Doctor of Arts, David told the assembled graduates: “It’s a real pleasure and honour to be here among all of you on one of the most important days of your life.

“The University of East London is especially close to my heart because of its clear commitment to both the built environment and the visual arts. UEL’s School of Architecture and the Visual Arts is highly renowned within the industry, so I’m sure that all of the architects here will be very quickly snapped up.”

UEL’s School of Architecture and the Visual Arts is among the UK’s leading centres for architecture, and highly rated for research in art and design. The School offers extensive and specially-equipped gallery and installation space and has established a national and international reputation for excellence and creativity.

Sheila Adam was Director of Public Health for NHS London, the Strategic Health Authority for London, from its inception until her retirement in April 2007. She has lived in East London for the past twenty-five years and has contributed greatly to the establishment and growth of UEL’s Institute for Health and Human Development.

Accepting her award of Honorary Doctor of Science, Sheila told the assembled graduates: “I’m extremely honoured to be here today. Having lived in East London for so many years, it’s wonderful to be receiving this award from my local university.

“UEL has built its reputation by playing a major role in helping local people continue their education and reach their potential. Recently, it has broadened its scope and become one of the leading providers of education for healthcare professionals in London and across the UK.” UEL’s School of Health and Bioscience offers a wide range of professional health, bioscience and sports science programmes and has excellent links with NHS hospitals and primary care trusts. The School’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading centres for both physiotherapy and sports science has recently been enhanced by the opening of UEL’s state-of-the-art Centre for Clinical Education in Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Sports Science. In his address to the assembled graduates, UEL Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Everett said: “Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work and personal sacrifice, not only on the part of those of you who will be crossing the stage, but also on the part of parents, partners, children and friends.

“To all of you receiving degrees, diplomas and certificates today, remember that this is but one stage of your education. You have a lifetime of learning ahead of you. Build on your success, seize new opportunities, and broaden your horizons.”

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Kelly Shaw (24), who graduated from her BA (Hons) degree in Fashion Design. Earlier this year, Kelly won a £2000 prize in the prestigious River Island Gold Awards at Graduate Fashion Week, and hit the headlines when Victoria Beckham – one of the Awards’ judging panel – bought three pieces from her ‘Brit Kitsch’ collection.

Kelly told her fellow graduates: "I'd like to wish all of this year’s graduates good luck as they venture into the future, some beyond East London. Naturally, our Health and Bioscience graduates have a crucial role to play in ensuring innovation and high standards in healthcare and scientific enquiry.

“But I also believe that recognising the arts is an essential part of a healthy and harmonious society, whether it be fashion, fine art, theatre, music, textiles, or architecture. It is now our job and our responsibility to adhere to what we believe in and continue to produce work of consequence that matters.”

In total, around 3000 UEL students are graduating this year.

Local residents celebrating academic success include:

Liz Smith (40), of Westferry, graduated with a 2:1 from her BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art and was awarded the joint Head of School’s Prize. Liz said: “I’m very excited to be graduating, and especially proud to have won this award. The whole degree was fantastic; the tutors and technical staff were all brilliant, and it was a classic case of the more you put in, the more you got out.

“I’m now teaching print-making part-time at UEL, as well as developing my own work in a studio. Surviving as an artist is a challenging experience, but I’m very happy and hopeful for the future.”

Caston Matewu, of Forest Gate, successfully completed his BSc (Hons) degree in Health and Environmental Studies. Caston is now President of the UEL Students’ Union and is studying for an MSc in Risk Management.

Caston said: “The University of East London has completely changed my life; I’ve gained and achieved so much in my time here, not just academically, but socially and personally, too. I became involved in the Students’ Union as International Officer in 2004, and was elected President in 2006.

“This year I’ve received two major awards: President of the Year for London universities, and a Black Student Achievers Award. Graduating really caps things off, and I look forward to coming back to the Barbican next year to graduate from my MSc.”

Asif Patel (27), Jon Garner (26), and Matthew Hughes (42) all graduated with first-class honours from their BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy and were jointly awarded the London Region and Ian Ramsden prizes for best Physiotherapy presentation and research project. All three have now found employment as Junior Physios at Newham Primary Care Trust in Stratford.

Asif, who combined his degree with success as an international Jiu-Jitsu competitor, said: “It’s great to be graduating; I’m really proud to be here and to receive these awards. At times, it was definitely a challenge to balance my studies and sport, but the degree was really good fun and I’m very pleased to have done so well in both areas.”

Matthew added: “After years in the army and a short time as an electronics engineer in the City, I really wanted to switch to a job where I could help and work with other people. I’m very grateful to UEL for offering me the chance to succeed.

“It was particularly great to work with Asif and Jon on our final year project, and it’s brilliant that we’re all now working together at Newham PCT. We still meet up every Thurssday to swap notes and continue our learning.”

Phillipa Piggott (22), of Stepney Green, successfully completed her BA (Hons) degree in Fashion Design. Phillipa said: “The degree was tough but fun; it feels nice to be finished, but I do miss everyone, so its great to see so many people today and find out what they’re all doing. To be honest, I still can’t believe that I’m actually wearing this gown; it feels like the years have just flown by!

“I’m now working for a jewellery designer, doing press, illustration and design work, as well as part-time as a stylist for Sadie Frost’s company FrostFrench and doing other freelance styling in my spare time.”

Charlene Griffiths, of Beckton, graduated with a 2:1 from her BSc (Hons) degree in Fitness and Health. Charlene said: “My degree was really interesting; we learnt a lot of different aspects of fitness and health and I particularly enjoyed the practical side of the course. I’ve now moved on to a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and I look forward to building a career in the field of health psychology.”

Liming Yuan (24), originally from China but now living in East Ham, graduated with a 2:1 from her BA (Hons) degree in Digital Arts with Moving Image and Animation. She has been working as a presenter for Spectrum Chinese Radio in London and is planning to develop her career in production.

Liming said: “I had a fantastic time at UEL. The campus is beautiful and my tutors really helped me to develop my ideas. I’ve also had a lot of great opportunities to exhibit my work. I’ve learnt a lot, it’s been great living in East London, and I’m now confident that my degree will help me to realise my ambition of becoming a TV producer.”

Ends/.

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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