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James Caan, Sir Gulam Noon MBE and West Ham United celebrate Business School graduates success

Monday 16 November 2009

Interview: James Caan
Duration: 4:57
Date: 12 November 09

Two of the country’s top entrepreneurs, the incredibly successful James Caan (pictured) of Dragons Den fame, and Sir Gulam Noon MBE, a man who has made millions from preparing ready meals made from authentic Indian, Chinese and Thai food, joined over six hundred graduates from the UEL’s Royal Docks Business School to celebrate their academic success, on Thursday 12 November.

Tony Gale, sports pundit and Club Ambassador, accepted the Award of Honorary Fellow on behalf West Ham United Football Club, recognising the vital role WHUFC plays in the community, nurturing outstanding local footballing talent and offering youngsters the opportunity to stay fit and healthy, rather than excessively playing video games or gathering on street corners.

Each of the graduates was personally congratulated by Lord Rix, Chancellor of UEL as they crossed the stage at the Barbican Hall in the City in front of their proud families and friends.

Accepting his award of Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration, Harvard educated, James Caan, who received a standing ovation, was clearly emotional. Praising his father, James said: “It is an honour and a privilege to accept this award. I began life in the UK , aged two, in Brick Lane, and my father worked as hard as he could to give us the best possible life. All the opportunities you need are available to you in this country to do well. Be fair, be true and put something back in your community.”

Sir Gulam Noon who began in business as a young boy running a sweet stall in Bombay (now Mumbai), and went on to run multi-million pound companies making cuisine from around the world, said: "It may have taken you three years to get your degree but it takes forty years of business success to get an honorary award from UEL.“ Laughing, Sir Gulam continued: “You must work hard, take risks, work until your bones ache and think until your head hurts - then you will achieve great success.”

In accepting the award for West Ham Football Club, Tony Gale delighted fans in the audience when he said: “Congratulations to all, and with hard work and self belief you’re bound to reach the top. As for West Ham just in 1966 when we provided three players in England’s victorious squad you’ll see in the World Cup next year just how many wonderful players have either come through our club or our Academy of football.

The Student Vote of Thanks was given by Zaiga Kalve, graduate of the BA (Hons) International Business programme who said: “Today is the culmination of a lot of work, a lot of sweat and a lot of money – but it is also a dream come true. Thank you UEL for giving us confidence in our status as business graduates.”

Professor Len Shackleton, Dean of the Royal Docks Business School and distinguished labour market economist said: “I am pleased for everyone graduating here. With the challenges facing the world of business today, you are well positioned to face the future with confidence.”

For more information about UEL and Royal Docks Business School, visit: www.uel.ac.ukCelebrating Success – prize winners and graduation stars

Natalie Chung (24) of Barking & Dagenham, won the Sir Edward Howard Memorial Prize from the Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. Natalie who aspires to work in public relations or as a recruitment headhunter, said: “It has been a great learning experience. I grew as a person as well as an academic. UEL’s warm friendly atmosphere has made the hardship of studying much more enjoyable.”

Jandeesh Johal (30) of Ilford in Redbridge won the Christine Payne Prize for Best Management Research Project. Jandeesh is an HR Administrator for the Commonwealth Secretariat. She said: “I feel immensely proud to have obtained my postgraduate diploma. It was definitely a challenge allowing me to develop a fresh perspective on my workplace and I enjoyed making new friends from such varied backgrounds.”

Nimesha Tehani Kaluarachchi (24) of Beckton, Newham won the Dean of School’s Prize for Accounting and Finance. Nimesha is a Project Officer with the Barking & Dagenham Council. She said: "I am extremely happy and proud of my achievements at UEL. I really enjoyed my time there."

David Pethen (42) of Brentwood, Essex won the Chartered Management Institute prize with an MBA in Public Services. David said: “I enjoyed the learning experience and using what I have learned at work broadened my outlook generally and I made many good friends.”

Juliana Nwosu (22) of Romford, Havering won the Sigma UK prize for best graduating student in MSc Project Management. Juliana is a Practice Manager for the NHS, she said: "I am delighted and proud to graduate with a distinction. It has been a wonderful experience especially carrying out my project dissertation."

Nicole Redman (39) of Hornchurch in Havering, graduated with an MBA in General Management from UEL’s Royal Docks Business School. Nicole who won the Molex prize for best MBA student, works as Head of the Student Money, Advice and Rights Team (SMART) at UEL, said: “My MBA more than met my expectations – it exceeded my wildest dreams. It was very practical – not just sitting in the classroom!”

Vaidotas Drukteinis (23) of the Isle of Dogs in Tower Hamlets won the Dean of School’s prize for Economics for his BA (Hons) Economics. Vaidotas who works as an Accounts Assistant said: “I am really happy and proud to graduate from UEL. It was a fantastic place to study, I met lots of very interesting people and got the knowledge that will influence my life forever.”

Manuel Klein (22) of Bow in Tower Hamlets won the Chartered Management Institute prize with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies. Manuel said: “I really enjoyed my degree and studying at UEL is a truly multi-cultural experience and I made many amazing friends.”

Links:

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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