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2 Jun 2011 14:12:27
Celebrities and local personalities have offered their support to Universities Week - which kicks off on Monday, 13 June - to illustrate how everyone benefits from the work of universities like the University of Bedfordshire.
Sportswomen Dame Kelly Holmes and Maggie Alphonsi, Lord Heseltine, Chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, MPs Gavin Shuker and Kelvin Hopkins have all backed the showcase week called What’s the Big Idea?
Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes said:"I actually never went to university. It was never really mentioned at my school and my career path took me into the British Army. However, a majority of athletes that I mentor are at university and it is a massive and important part of their lives.
“The University of Bedfordshire does a fantastic job in inspiring young people to reach their full potential and I share that same ethos, “ added Dame Kelly, who Chairs her charity, the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, of which the University of Bedfordshire is the first University in the UK to be an Associate Sponsor.
England women’s rugby union international Maggie Alphonsi, a graduate of the University of Bedfordshire in Bedford, said: “The University of Bedfordshire has given me many opportunities. It is a University that has great lecturers and presents a good environment for students to learn.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the University as they gave me a large amount of support which allowed me to compete competitively within my chosen sport and still allow me the flexibility to concentrate on my education,” added Maggie, who received an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University last year.
Universities Week has five themes for the campaign which look at how universities interact with and benefit the local economy and community. On Thursday, June 16 TV's Doctor Hilary Jones will be visiting the Luton Campus Centre to give a free talk on Medicine and the Media, linking in with the daily theme Big Ideas for the Future.
He will be joined by the University’s health expert Professor Gurch Randhawa who will be talking about organ donation. To book a place on Dr Hilary’s lecture email events@beds.ac.uk with your name, email address and phone number or call 01582 743380.
As well as famous graduates, the University of Bedfordshire boasts many current and past students who are making a mark for themselves and giving something back to the local community.
These include:
Current student teacher Laura Tinkler who last month spent two weeks in Malawi as part of a University trip to help teach English, Maths, Science and PE to 150 teachers in a remote village. Laura, from Bedford, had to raise £1,000 towards the trip, which she described as “the most amazing and humbling experience of my life”.
Past student Ottilie Morgan, from Luton, who completed a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree and then went on to undergo a life-saving kidney transplant and is due to represent the UK in June at the World Transplant Games in Sweden.
Luton councillor Joan Bailey, who chairs the Safer Luton Partnership, is a graduate of the University of Bedfordshire. She completed a Diploma in Youth and Community Studies in 1996 followed by an MA in Community Education.
Bharti Tailor, who graduated from the University of Luton in 1997, is the first female to be elected Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain.
Latest news» 2011» June» Celebrities support Universities Week
