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Ian Nancollas
Alumni Relations Manager
Alumni Relations Office
University of Bedfordshire
Luton campus
Luton, LU1 3JU
alumni@beds.ac.uk
Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00
+44 (0)1582 489 270
10 December 2010
The first few weeks of the New Year usually get us all thinking about ways to improve our health, fitness or lifestyle. But as alumna Sarah Leeming points out:” You don’t need to join a gym. Walking or cycling as part of your daily routine can aid both physical and mental well being.”
Sarah is the project coordinator for Active Travel run by Sustrans in Luton. Sustrans is a national charity dedicated to environmental solutions to transport issues. A keen cyclist herself – holidays are regularly taken on two wheels – she promotes health and environmental benefits of finding alternatives to hopping into your car.
Sarah says:” By just walking for 20 minutes a day you can burn 100 calories. And walking or cycling to work, for example, makes you feel less stressed, more alert and can lead to increased productivity. Sustrans can provide a loan bike, Luton is well supplied with cycle routes and training to deal with traffic is offered by Luton Borough Council.”
Luton is on the National Cycle Network route 6; which runs right outside the Luton Campus and will eventually link London to the Lake District and Route 51 in Bedford is less than 2 km from Polhill. Sarah says ‘that a band of dedicated Volunteer Rangers work to maintain the routes and we also have a team of Volunteer Walk Leaders helping us get more people out walking in their local environment .
Having studied here Sarah started working at the University. She developed her environmental credentials while working for the Innovation Centre encouraging companies to ‘green’ their business. This was followed by an MSc in Waste Management. Now Sarah is taking a diploma in sustainable transport with City of Bath College.
So if the Christmas hols have galvanised you into action, Sarah says:”put down the car keys, save yourself a fortune on gym membership and petrol and get out there.” To find out more go to sustrans.org.uk
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26 November 2010
In this edition of the Noteworthy ezine we hear ftom Chris Longhurst. Since graduating nine years ago, Chris has been moving up the journalistic ranks. Now Multimedia Editor News (MMEN) at the Trinity Mirror group of newspapers, Chris looks back on his time studying Media Production with Creative Writing at the then University of Luton with fondness and gratitude.
“University taught me how to be independent and gave me the starting tools for my dream career, which I still value to this day,” he says. Having realised the huge potential a degree had to improve his future prospects, Chris chose the University of Luton because it was in the top bracket for media courses and the lecturers had real-world industry experience.
To see the full interview read this month's ezine.
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24 November 2010
It has been a week to remember for international rugby star and University of Bedfordshire graduate Maggie Alphonsi.
Maggie, fresh from receiving an honorary degree from her old university, was named as the 2010 Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year on Monday night (22 November).
She said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to have won and I was just happy to have been shortlisted. It’s just so bizarre after picking up my honorary degree just a few days before as well.
“It was a really good evening and the other women have all achieved so much in their respective sports. It’s recognition for me and my team and I would like to thank everybody who voted for me. Things haven’t changed too much though as I still have to get up each morning to train!”
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20 November 2010
Dozens of people have been in touch with the University of Bedfordshire after local press coverage alerted them to its Where are you now? campaign.
The campaign was launched in a bid to find and recognise thousands of former students to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of the former colleges in making the University the leading institution it is today.
Thanks to Bedfordshire’s local newspapers, Cathy Day, winner of the Women into Science and Engineering Prize in 1999, is just one of the success stories to sign up to the University’s campaign.
A leading engineer in her field, Cathy completed her ONC, HNC and HND with Luton College when an apprentice at Vauxhall Motors in Luton and Millbrook Proving Ground near Bedford. She has now moved to the Peak District, but was shown the article in the Dunstable Gazette by her mother who lives in Houghton Regis.
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16 November 2010
Media Performance graduate Gemma Hunt can be heard by thousands of people each week as part of the children’s tour around Manchester United’s home, Old Trafford.
This is just one of the ways the 28-year-old children’s television presenter from the West Country will be known to people up and down the country.
On a return to the Luton campus, Gemma said: “I can’t believe I started university a decade ago! And I can’t believe the university has got a different name now and the whole media department is now based here in one building.
“The facilities are even better than I sometimes work with in the professional industry. All the equipment is modern and it’s definitely better than some studios I’ve worked in.”
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20 October 2010
Aged 15 Sade discovered what she calls “the power of words”. Now, two years after graduating in Journalism she is pursuing her passion - by writing for the Guardian.
She says: “While at school I wrote a piece about student teachers which was published in the Times Educational Supplement. My English teacher loved it, but the head called me into his office to say how it put the school in a ‘bad light’. I learnt then the effect words can have and this inspired me to go into journalism.”
Sade is very complimentary about her time in Luton, particularly lecturers Deena Ingham and Alex Charles and she has a clear message for current students.
Sade says: “Journalism is a very competitive world. Although I am passionate about what I do, it is the work experience that I gained along the way that helped me to get where I am now. Work experience makes you stand out and prepares you for the fast pace of the real world. I now work with a great group of people for, in my opinion, one of the best media organisations in the world.”
She explains that she currently writes for two Guardian mircosites, which focus on technology within the public sector. Sade’s goal is to write about politics and she recognises the opportunities for networking within the organisation. “The main news desk is just upstairs”, she says.
After graduating Sade went on to complete her Masters before starting on a temporary contract writing profiles at the paper. She acknowledges her luck in eventually securing a full time post in May this year. “A year ago I considered my options and saw how lucky I was to be working here. I have an open mind and took the opportunities available to me. It’s very interesting and I’m learning more and more,” she concludes.
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24 Sept 2010
The third edition of our Noteworthy ezine has gone live. This month's profile is of Nadia Whetton.
For some graduates, success is straightforward. For others, it’s a case of overcoming adversity and harnessing all your perseverance. In this, Nadia, now working as a project co-ordinator here in Luton, is a glowing inspiration.
Nadia graduated from the University of Luton in the mid-nineties. “I knew I wanted to work with people, but didn’t know in what capacity. I felt a degree in Psychology and Social Studies would suit me best – and I absolutely loved the course.”
To see the full interview read this month's ezine.
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1 August 2010
Not many people can say they have interviewed Kylie – Media Performance with Radio graduate Melvin Odoom can. As part of his Melvin Meets series on MTV this year, Melvin got up close and personal to Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue.
Melvin met her in a central London hotel to discuss her new album Aphrodite. In a 30- minute “chilled-out chat”, Kylie also talked about her recent illness and her career to date. Melvin described her as “beautiful and stylish, really down-to-earth, really humble and not in the least bit like a diva”.
Currently Melvin and his co-presenter, fellow alumnus, Rickie Haywood-Williams are working on Sky’s new talent show Must Be The Music. He presents a backstage show where they meet the acts and get the post-show reaction.
In his ‘other life’ Melvin is a DJ at KISS FM. He and Rickie have a hugely popular breakfast show, and received a Sony Silver award and were nominated for a MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) award in the best DJ category in 2009.
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15 July 2010
Adam Divney is a great advocate for studying at the University of Bedfordshire. Not only did he graduate with a Sport and Fitness Studies degree in 2002, but he also went on to study an MA in Sport and Leisure Management at Bedfordshire
After garduating Adam spent two years on a trainee scheme in leisure centres around London, learning about various roles and responsibilities, from lifeguards through to senior managers.
His achievements included being promoted to Regional Sales Manager and his specialism became setting up and managing new centres.
It was then time for a new challenge and London Luton Airport provided just that. He became Community Relations Executive and was responsible for the community engagement strategy.
Before too long he was poached by Luton Borough Council, where he is currently Projects Manager for the Community Development department. His remit is to engage with, and improve, communities. This involves running events and festivals, working with external partners, and communicating with locals about what they think, want and need.
To see the full interview read this month's ezine.
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20 June 2010
Fair trade is a very good way to sum up alumnus Ryad Khodabocus. Not only is he a project leader for the campaign to bring a prestigious award to Luton but it is also his own personal philosophy.
He hopes that by next year Luton will have gained Fairtrade status. Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world by requiring companies to pay sustainable prices.
To achieve this he is helping local communities to source Fairtrade products. So far Ryad has helped such diverse organisations as a Synagogue, a Hindu Temple, a Mosque and our University to support this goal.
Ryad came to Bedfordshire to study in 2007 and graduated with a MSc in 2008. A recent return to visit to the University and a tour of the new campus building allowed him to reflect.
Looking back at his time here he says: “post graduate study allows you to shape your life. With access to research materials you can develop the skills needed for critical thinking.”
In particular he remembers Prof Gail Kinman, his supervisor for research on Emotional Intelligence and Self Efficacy in regards to Health Behaviour. Ryad has since trained in Neuro Linguistic Programming with the co-founder Richard Brandler.
Now in his role with the Luton Council of Faiths the social worker from Mauritius, who is committed to his faith, can work with other faith groups and bring together communities to make a better society in the town by promoting diversity and cultural awareness.
RK says:” I am a strong believer in humanity. In Luton I am acting locally but thinking globally. For this reason one of biggest strengths of the University is its multicultural student base.”
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12 May 2010
Welcome to the first issue of our noteworthy e-zine. We are embracing the future of electronic communications by introducing our e-zine which you will now receive on a quarterly basis.
In this first edition we discuss teaching and charity work with Polhill alumna Michelle Rowe, we get the Royal seal of approval and invite you to the nursing reunion in June.
To ensure you we email the ezine to your inbox please contact us with your email address.
To find out more read this month's ezine.
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21 April 2010
April will be an opportunity for University alumna Sarah to reflect on a hugely successful first professional season at the Bedford Campus Theatre. And as an MBA student finishing her studies Sarah can also see how the course has helped and how her work has shaped her studies.
A graduate of 2001 (BSc Internet and E-Business) Sarah has worked within the University for many years. Currently the Business Development Manager for the Facilities department she is responsible for the commercial development of the theatre.
Sarah reflects:” I’m very lucky to work with Helen (Bailey). She has a lot of experience of putting together a programme of events. I also work with a fantastic team who give of their time freely and are very enthusiastic. It’s been an absolute thrill to work on.
“I’ve got two highlights. First, word & graphic artist Inua Ellam who took a break from his programme at the National Theatre in London and second, Hardeep Singh Kohli. He thought it was a lovely theatre and the audience was wonderful. It was completed sold out. So that was very satisfying indeed.”
And the season proved timely for Sarah’s studies. The MBA encompasses entrepreneurship and the theatre provided a great opportunity.
“The MBA is absolutely wonderful thing to do. It refreshes your brain. It teaches you a whole new language.
“It teaches entrepreneurship and running a theatre is a rather enterprising activity within a large organisation. You have to think on your feet and so the MBA has been absolutely fantastic for that.
“The other thing is the MBA makes you independent and focused. Coming into a new team you have to be confident of what you are doing. It’s been a wonderful experience combining the theatre work and my studies.”
For more news on activities visit the theatre website.
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12 March 2010
After graduating in 1998 with a BA in Sport Studies Adrian cut his teeth in the world of IT recruitment before setting up his own company, Verticality. For the raw graduate from Milton Keynes with a keen interest in technology and a burgeoning entrepreneurial streak it was a steep learning curve, but one that paid off when he started his second business Easy Web in 2006.
So now Adrian is clear on what makes a successful business enterprise. It’s the core skills of finance, legal and marketing. He recommends tapping onto the local business support and development agencies such as Business Link. It’s your business but you don’t have to do it alone.
Adrian said: "It was a lot harder than I thought." Read more of Adrian's profile
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27 January 2010
University of Bedfordshire computing graduates are set to benefit from awards worth thousands of pounds - thanks to the generosity of Luton entrepreneur Jan Telensky.
Mr Telensky, chairman and chief executive of Train2Game, has joined forces with the University by donating £30,000 to launch two awards.
The Graduate Of The Year Award (GOYA), worth £15,000, will be presented to an alumnus of the Department of Computer Science and Technology (CST) who is deemed to have made the most impact on business in five years. There will be a runners-up prize of £7,500.
The Student Advancement Reward (STAR), worth £5,000, will be presented to a current CST student who has made the most progress during the year. A runners-up award of £2,500 will also be presented
University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon, CBE, said: “The University is thrilled to launch these awards and is delighted that through Mr Telensky’s generosity our students and alumni will benefit.”
Mr Telensky came to the UK from the former Czechoslovakia in 1969. He now owns SkillsTrain, the largest IT training organisation in Europe, as well as other businesses including AquaCity in Slovakia.
He said: “Since setting up my business headquarters in Luton I have become involved with the University. It is a place which prepares people for the world of work and encourages business enterprise which is so important for the future prosperity of this country.
“That is why I am promoting the GOYA and STAR prizes, to recognise determination and business talent in those who have graduated and those students who are currently attending the University. But the prizes are also about giving back to the University and the prize winners will receive half of the prize money with the other half being donated to an area of support of their choosing within the University."
For more information about the awards visit the Train2Games Awards.
