Winter fair brings Christmas cheer to UEL
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Published
14 December 2023
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The University of East London started the holiday season in style with its annual Winter Fair at the Docklands campus on 6 December. Students, staff, local businesses and Newham residents came together to celebrate the start of the festive period.
The fair included a host of activities including crafts workshops, fairground games, a festive market and food and drinks. It also embraced the spirit of sustainability and community, as it coincided with the launch of the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS) and the Alumni Winter Showcase.
It was the first Christmas away from home for Jasvinder Kaur, who’s studying for an MBA in Business Analytics, and she was fully getting into the spirit of the season. She said,
I’m excited to see the winter activities here and hopefully the snow. I am really enjoying the atmosphere and friendly environment.
The fair officially began with UEL’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Amanda Broderick switching on the lights decorating the campus Christmas tree. The festivities continued with photo booths, a funfair ride, and games, while attendees also got creative with workshops on making Christmas wreaths and Christmas crackers. Charities and student businesses also had stalls to promote their work and network across the local community.
Graphic design and illustration students Daniela and Alexandra emphasised the importance of these activities to nurture a sense of community. Daniela said, “I'm really enjoying the time with friends and different activities,” with Alexandra adding, “I’m feeling good. This is a good opportunity for students to come together and relax after the hard work studying”.
Meet Patel, a student on the MBA in Project Management course, who said he enjoyed the different games and activities. He said, “Even if I don’t celebrate Christmas, it is really nice to enjoy the decorations, games, markets and the celebrations.”
Earlier in the day there was also cause for celebration, with the launch of the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS). Visitors to the centre had the chance to explore hands-on exhibits about sustainable research projects, innovation demonstrations, and guided building tours. They also had the opportunity to meet stakeholders, businesses, and community leaders involved in the project.
In the evening, distinguished guests, including London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan and the Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, joined the RDCS launch in a panel discussion about sustainable innovation.
The RDCS is set up to be a regional hatchery for innovation and enterprise and will play a vital role in nurturing sustainable businesses and communities in the Royal Docks and East London.
Dr Bamdad Ayati, Senior Research Fellow at UEL’s Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), said he was very excited about the RDSC launch, which will see the SRI gain space for laboratory facilities and equipment. He said, “There are so many laboratories and interesting spaces around RDCS. The East London community is so diverse and growing and this space will be a new hub for fostering those relationships.”
The launch also included a pop-up shop selling sustainable fashion items and accessories, all hand-crafted by UEL students, ideal for those seeking Christmas gifts and stocking fillers.
Upekha Hettiarachchi and Cristina Feruglio, MA students studying international fashion business, were selling their creations at the shop, with Cristina noting, “Everything we create is sustainable, made with coffee, candles and recycled materials which aligns with the RDCS vision”.
The day concluded with the Alumni Showcase where UEL graduates exhibited artwork, photography, and art installations.