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Olympic hopeful visits UEL’s Autumn Open Day

Monday 19 October 2009

Olympic hopeful visits UEL’s Autumn Open Day

Eighteen year old Olympic hopeful, Joel Abbott, a member of the GB Water Polo team who is set to compete in the London 2012 Games, joined hundreds of visitors at the University of East London’s (UEL) Autumn Open Day, on Saturday 17 October.

Joel said: “I’m thinking of studying Sports Science with Education at UEL - and the sports bursaries that UEL offers are really attractive.” Company director, David Abbott, Joel’s father, said: “Although water polo was invented in the UK, sadly it’s become a neglected sport over here. We’re determined to raise its profile.” Visitors came to UEL’s Docklands and Stratford campuses to find out about the wide variety of degree programmes, recent campus developments and latest range of scholarships and bursaries on offer. With places now opening for a wide range of UEL programmes starting this February 2010, prospective students took the opportunity to talk to tutors, attend talks, take tours and make applications. Some lucky applicants were offered places on the spot.

Catherine Downes, Director of Corporate Marketing at the University of East London, said: “UEL is very much in the international spotlight with the advent of London 2012. We are seen as a first-choice university, not only for sports related degrees – but across all our programmes since East London has fast become an incredibly exciting place to live, work and study, offering wonderful opportunities to students and graduates alike.” For details of upcoming UEL open events, visit www.uel.ac.uk/openday

Autumn Open Day visitors included potential students for February and September 2010, progressing from school or college or returning to study.

Amelia Polowyi travelled with her family from Wolverhampton to the Autumn Open Day to find out more about UEL’s degree in Events Management. Amelia said: “I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve seen and the student accommodation is brilliant.”

Joseph Brittan travelled with his family from Cirencester to find out more about our degree in Third World Development. Joseph said: “This is one of the few universities in the country that offers this degree and so far it’s looking really good. I’ve attended a number of the talks today which were really interesting.” Benedicte Siewe, who is from France and currently lives in Redbridge, travelled with her boyfriend to the Autumn Open Day to find out more about Cultural Studies. Benedicte said: “I’m very impressed with how well the Open Day is organised and I’d particularly like to study here because of the strong reputation UEL has for cultural studies.”

Shanga Reza travelled to the Open Day from Essex with her brother and is pictured with Marika Hooke from UEL’s School of Psychology. Shanga, who is interested in studying Psychology with Criminology, said: “I’d like to come here because I can do the combination of subjects I’m interested in for my degree, plus my friend studies here and recommends it highly.”

Beata Bell travelled from Manor Park with her husband Gary and is pictured with Associate Dean of Health and Bioscience Joanne Tocher. Beata, who would like to study Forensic Science, said: “I find the people here very approachable and helpful and this course follows on nicely from what I am currently studying at college.”

Nicola Weeks from Ilford who wants to study Early Years: “I already work in childcare and I want to improve my career prospects”, Samoya Major from Tottenham who wants to do Psychology and Psychosocial studies: “UEL does the combination I want” and Natalie Symister who also wants to take Early Childhood said: “I’ve just completed NVQ Level 3 and now I would progress degree level study.”

William Leung is pictured with his wife and Raymond Lam and Gloria Adigwe senior lecturers in physiotherapy. William who wants to study Physiotherapy at UEL said: “I currently work in physiotherapy at King George’s Hospital and colleagues recommended I come here to study. This is one of the few universities in London that offers Physiotherapy and it has an excellent reputation.”

John Kirwan who would like to study a Master’s in Law (LLM) said: “I’ve been working in ten years in the property industry and my first degree is in Surveying. I feel this is the right time for me to have a career change and train to become a solicitor. I’m very impressed with UEL, especially the Stratford Campus which has great transport links and is in an emerging location.”

Jamie Gray, from Milton Keynes who is interested in studying Sports Science said: “I’m really interested in coming here because of London 2012 and volunteering and work opportunities around the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Rhys Giles from Bishop Stortford who would like to study Psychology at UEL pictured with his Mum and Dad inspecting a fridge in student accommodation, said: “I’d like to come to London, plus I like the course and facilities UEL has to offer.”

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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