WLV Life

Issue 02 Winter 2011/12

Life

WLV Alumn

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A UNIVERSITY IN THE MAKING Take a stroll down memory lane

SOCIAL NETWORKER TO SOCIAL NETWORK Graduate feature: Marcus Wareham

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Graduates from the last forty years

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Life. At Wolverhampton.

After Wolverhampton. For Life.

Welcome to the Winter 2011/12 edition of WLV Life – the alumni magazine for graduates and former students of the University of Wolverhampton.

It feels like only five minutes ago that I was writing the introduction for the first edition of Life back in the summer. It was an exciting (and nervous!) time for all of us in Alumni and Development, waiting to see how the new magazine would be received by you – our alumni community.

Thankfully, we’re delighted to say that it went down a treat and we got some really positive feedback.

Next year will mark 20 years since Wolverhampton was granted University status and so in this edition we’ve gone all nostalgic as we celebrate the life of the University and some of our graduates from years gone by. We take a gentle stroll down memory lane to 1851 where it all began (page 10), and catch up with some of our graduates from the last forty years to see where life has taken them (page 12).

Over the years we have been proud to see our graduates go on to success, both in their careers and their personal lives.

We interview graduate Marcus Wareham who is Global Account Manager for social networking phenomenon, Facebook (page 4) and the winner of our ‘Share your Story’ competition, Natalie Barrow, tells us how she used her degrees to help impoverished communities in Peru (page 8).

With the latest alumni and University news for you to enjoy too, you’ll be sure to find something of interest, even if it’s just our new puzzle page (page 20).

I hope you find WLV Life an entertaining and informative read – please do let us know your thoughts at: alumni@wlv.ac.uk If you fancy sending us a letter or sharing your ‘life’ story then we’d love to read – and maybe even publish – what you’ve been up to since we said goodbye.

Amy Robert on Best wishes

Amy Roberton Editor

04 Contents o 08 10 18

02 03 04 06 08 10 12 16 18 20

Alumni events

Dates for your diary

Careers and Employment Services Supporting you at university and beyond

Graduate Feature: Marcus Wareham From social networker to social network

University news

Top headlines from the past six months

Share your Story competition winner Natalie Barrow, 2003/2004

A university in the making

We take a stroll down memory lane

Where are they now?

Graduates from the last forty years

A global University

A round-up of our international news

My Life

Emily Appleby, PGCE, 2009

Puzzle Page

Quick crossword and Sudoku

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Alumni Events Past events Alumni Reunion 2012 Thank you to everyone who came to our first ever university-wide alumni reunion. We had a great time and we hope that you did too!

The event was a huge success with over 200 former students and their guests joining us at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton for an evening of reuniting and reminiscing.

Read what we got up to at: www.wlv.ac.uk/reunion2012 and look out for the Alumni Reunion bumper edition of WLV Life in the summer.

If you would like to attend future events, keep visiting the website for details: www.wlv.ac.uk/alumni

Forthcoming events Postgraduate Open Evening Wednesday 22 February, 5.30pm-8pm City Campus If you are thinking about further study then our Postgraduate Open Evening gives you the chance to get all the guidance you need.

Chat to members of our academic staff and discover a wealth of full and part-time programmes available for postgraduate taught study or individual research. www.wlv.ac.uk/pgopenevening

Leading Lights lecture series New for this year, our Leading Lights lecture series will exclusively feature Honorary Graduates of the University of Wolverhampton. Showcasing the experience and expertise of the wider University family across a range of themes, this free lecture series will run from March to September 2012.

Current students, alumni, the general public, and partner organisations are all invited to attend.

Details of dates and times for each lecture will soon be available on the website at: www.wlv.ac.uk/alumni

Obituary Kevin Bulmer, 1962-2011 A highly-respected honorary graduate of the University of Wolverhampton, Kevin Bulmer was a pioneer of 3D image technology and computer games development.

“It was a sad day when we received the news of his untimely death and invariably a great loss to us as a School and to individuals who considered Kevin a friend.”

He was founder and Director of Synthetic Dimensions, the awardwinning Wolverhampton based computer graphics company, and developed a world-leading 2D to 3D image conversion system, used by companies such as Nike, Reebok, Peugeot, Disney, EMI and Newline Cinema.

Kevin set up Synthetic Dimensions in Solihull in 1985 as a graphic design studio, relocating to Wolverhampton in 1991 to build Synthetic into one of the UK’s top computer games and animation companies, employing 37 people at its height. Kevin and his team went on to design and develop 14 top ten and nine number one best-selling computer games for a worldwide market, including Gauntlet and Gauntlet II, Corporation, Legends of Valour and Chronicles of the Sword.

Kevin made numerous appearances on TV and radio and wrote regularly for magazines on the subject of CGI and digital technology.

Kevin was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in September 2010 and died in November 2011, aged 49.

Self-trained as an illustrator and character creator, Kevin illustrated the best-selling Freeway Fighter series of fantasy novels books written by ex Eidos (Tomb Raider) CEO Ian Livingstone in 1985, which was translated into nine languages.

He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Technology from the University of Wolverhampton in 2009 for his work in the development of leading edge digital technologies. He also worked closely with the University’s School of Technology.

Dean of the School Professor Rob Moreton said: “Kevin worked closely with the Institute of Gaming and Animation and was a steady guide in the commercial aspects of games development, providing wisdom on external projects we were engaged with. These included extending the role of computer games into local schools and academies, and the use of serious games technology for social awareness.

“His work with our undergraduate students included giving guest lectures which were always dynamic and well received by the students, who often commented on Kevin’s approachable, but very knowledgeable style about games development and 3D art.

Together with his business and life partner Kate Copestake, Kevin successfully took Synthetic public on both OFEX (now Plus) and AIM markets in 2000. Kevin was on the committee of the Creative Industries Forum Wolverhampton and the steering committee of the Animation Forum West Midlands. He was a Wolverhampton Business Champion.

Born in Solihull, Kevin lived for the last 20 years in Tettenhall.

His life partner of 26 years, writer Kate Copestake, a director of Copestake Ltd Business Communications and a governor of the University of Wolverhampton, said: “Kevin was a 21st Century Renaissance Man who lived his life through his art and dedicated his life to pushing the boundaries of digital 3D graphics.

He was a real life super hero with an immense talent for creating virtual worlds and the characters that populated them. One can only imagine what he would have gone on to accomplish if blessed with the lifespan he so richly deserved.”

Anyone who would like to find out more about prostate cancer, or make a charitable donation, should go to: www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

Careers and Employment Services: supporting you at university, and beyond Did you know that the Careers and Employment Service can continue to help you after you’ve graduated?

Our specialist teams not only offer advice and guidance in which career to follow, but also advertise full and part-time jobs, voluntary placement opportunities and work placements.

Whether you’re looking to get your foot on that first rung of the career ladder, trying to enhance your prospects in your current career, or thinking about a whole new challenge, the Careers and Employment Team can help you with every aspect of your career progression so that you make the most of the qualifications you have gained.

Careers team

The Workplace

Our team of experts can help you investigate your career options, sort out your career plans and develop important skills.

Our employer liaison officers work closely with local, regional and national companies to keep you in touch with the latest graduate vacancies. These are listed on our Jobs and Events database which you can access for up to three years after you have graduated.

Benefit from: • free careers talks and workshops on a wide range of topics • practical advice and support for all stages of your job applications • jobs and events listings on our dedicated database • reference books, publications and PCs in our careers library.

Email: theworkplace@wlv.ac.uk Tel: 01902 323400

Email: careers@wlv.ac.uk Tel: 01902 321414

Visit Careers City Campus, Student Services Gateway (MB building), Wolverhampton, WV1 1AD Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm Walsall Campus, WA Building, Walsall, WS1 3BD Opening times: times vary at Walsall, so please check before visiting.

www.wlv.ac.uk/careers

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University of Wolverhampton Alumni is interviewing the Global Business Account Manager for Facebook – Business Studies graduate, Marcus Wareham.

You and 5 others like this

WLV: So Marcus, your job title sounds very impressive!

What does being a Global Business Account Manager involve?

MW: Facebook currently generates most of its revenue from the sale of marketing solutions to larger advertisers around the word. My job is to support the leaders of the advertising sales and business development functions across Europe in business strategy, sales planning and resource planning.

WLV: What does a typical day look like for you?

MW: Everybody says there is no such thing as a typical day, but at Facebook the rate and speed of activity is so fast that I can honestly say that no two days ever look the same. Some of the key activities I get involved in though are: sales channel segmentation planning (we operate three sales channels), resource planning, sales account planning, operating reviews or shaping the ever-changing sales narrative. Out in the field I can be speaking at client events or supporting other key commercial partners.

WLV: With 500 million active users, Facebook is leading the way in social networking. What is it like working for such an innovative and groundbreaking organisation?

MW: I’ve been fortunate enough to work for some great companies in the digital sector but I can honestly say that Facebook is quite unique in the scope of its influence and speed of innovation. I think it’s fair to say that we are only at the beginning of a huge change whereby companies are starting to organise their business functions around people.

WLV: You graduated in 1992 with a BA (Hons) Business Studies. What are your memories of studying at Wolverhampton?

MW: I chose Wolverhampton because I wanted to live away from home and meet new people from different parts of the country. I also knew that I wanted to do a business related degree – Wolverhampton ticked both of those boxes. I remember being impressed by the Business School

Email

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campus and I really had the most fantastic experience, enjoying my course, meeting great people, and the Students’ Union was the best. Most of my very best friends now are friends that I made during my time at Wolverhampton.

WLV: How do you think your degree prepared you for your career?

MW: I’d say that compared with say A-levels, my degree prepared me more for real life situations that you encounter in the workplace. Ultimately employers are looking for individuals who solve problems and drive the business forward. My degree gave me the foundation and confidence to understand both the theoretical and practical problems that businesses face throughout their operations, from Human Resources to Operations Management and Corporate Strategy.

WLV: You have a very senior role at Facebook; has reaching the top always been your dream?

MW: I’m not quite sure I’ve reached the top – I’m still learning lots which is why I love my current role. It’s always good to be ambitious and motivated. This usually comes naturally if you work towards being in a business sector and an environment with the right kind of people where you can flourish and succeed.

WLV: Over 50% of Facebook users log on in any given day. Do you think social networking sites are changing the way people communicate with each other?

MW: Facebook is all about communication and engagement but I’d say that it’s people rather than social sites that are driving the change. If you want to look at how communication is evolving, just look at younger people. Although it will have its uses, email is going the way of the fax. It’s being superseded by less formal, more instant, methods of communication (text, instant messaging etc). Platforms like Facebook will take all forms of digital communication and aggregate them into a seamless communication service driven by the needs of its users.

WLV: You’ve obviously achieved a great deal since graduating. What do you think is your greatest professional achievement?

MW: I think my greatest achievement lies ahead, but up to now it was probably establishing the sales team for (at the time) the UK’s first and biggest ISP/Portal (Freeserve) in the very earliest days of the Web as we know it.

WLV: What advice would you give today’s graduates?

MW: Interpersonal skills are just as important as academic success and work experience. It’s really important to be as flexible, positive and helpful as possible as these are characteristics that create a culture of collaboration and an environment for success. I know it’s a cliché, but staying in contact with people that you work with (even notionally through social networks) will pay dividends when it’s time to look for that next position.

WLV: Who do you admire?

MW: I admire Tim Berners-Lee who invented the Web, which has really changed everything, and of course the Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg whose vision and technology is really changing so many aspects of people’s lives.

WLV: We have to ask – are you on Facebook?

MW: Of course – what a question!

Join us on facebook: www.wlv.ac.uk/alumnifacebook

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University News Here are some of our top headlines over the past six months...

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Wolverhampton named as one of the top gay-friendly universities We were named one of the top four gayfriendly universities in Stonewall’s Gay By Degree – the only guide profiling the UK’s 150 universities to show how gay-friendly they are. We were recognised for our student lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Society, tailored LGB careers advice, and our stringent counter homophobic bullying policies.

University research received EU funding boost Local charity, The Haven Wolverhampton, was awarded funding to conduct a twoyear research project with the University to explore the provision of counselling services available to victims of domestic violence. The funding was awarded through Daphne – an EU programme which awards grants to NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) that are active in preventing violence against children, young people and women.

New Vice-Chancellor joined University

New performing arts centre became All-Steinway School

Professor Geoff Layer was appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Formerly Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Bradford, he graduated from Newcastle Polytechnic before entering a teaching and research career. He was awarded an OBE for his services to Higher Education in 2003.

The University’s brand new Performance Hub at Walsall Campus become the third in the UK to receive All-Steinway School status from the world-renowned piano manufacturers. Over 90% of the University’s piano stock are Steinway brands, which are widely regarded as the finest in the world, and are favoured by top performers such as Elton John.

University rated highly for Learning Resources We were named among the best in the country for the quality of our learning resources in the latest National Student Survey (NSS). Figures showed 85% satisfaction with IT and library facilities, compared to the national average of 80%.

Learning resources at the University were also given a further boost with the redevelopment of the Learning Centres at City and Walsall Campuses.

Graduation celebration We were delighted to watch almost 4,000 students graduate this year. 18 ceremonies were held across two weeks at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, celebrating our students’ hard work and dedication.

We also conferred honorary degrees to 11 prominent figures within their fields including former frontman of Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Kevin Rowland, West Bromwich marathon runner Dave Heeley (aka Blind Dave), and international hockey player Craig Parnham.

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New agreement signed between University and Wolves We were delighted to sign a new agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club to develop a series of joint activities, such as student volunteering opportunities, guest lectures and research and staff development opportunities. The partnership will allow students to get involved in the Wolves Community Trust Programme and graduates will benefit through the development of graduate enterprise opportunities.

New University course to help teachers inspire next generation of engineers Officially launched at the House of Lords, our new Masters course aimed at teachers of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) will enable them to give their students a better understanding of STEM career options and help the University to build stronger connections with business.

National award for mentor Professor Laura Serrant-Green, Director of Research and Enterprise at the Centre for Health and Social Care Improvement, was named Mentor of the Year. The inspirational academic won the prestigious accolade at the 2011 Precious Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate Black and Asian women in business and leadership who demonstrate exceptional determination, innovation, and entrepreneurial skills.

New legal advice centre A new legal advice clinic run by law students was opened in Wolverhampton city centre.

The University of Wolverhampton Law Centre gives current law students the opportunity to provide free advice on a range of subjects under the supervision of academics. The Centre was launched at an official opening attended by the Vice-Chancellor, governors, students, and representatives of Black Country law firms.

TV choirmaster Gareth Malone opened new performing arts building Over 150 guests attended a formal opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of the landmark Performance Hub at Walsall Campus. The event included a University Chamber Choir performance, directed

by Gareth Malone, who also unveiled the opening plaque. He said: “It is a great honour to open this fabulous building. The University has remarkable students and this is an absolutely outstanding facility.”

University hosts Saudi visitors High profile figures from the Saudi Arabian Embassy visited the University to meet staff and students. Professor Ghazy Almakky, Cultural Attaché to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London, and his colleague Dr Aiman Momenah, Deputy Cultural Attaché, spoke to Saudi students about their experience so far in Wolverhampton.

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Natalie Barrow

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, 2003 MSc Environmental Technology, 2004

Share your Story comp Last year we ran a ‘Share your Story’ competition asking the Wolverhampton alumni community to tell us about what they have been up to since graduating.

Here is your winner…

A passion from the beginning Natalie’s passion for Environmental Science began while she was studying for her A-levels, and so a degree in the subject was the natural choice for her.

During the course, Natalie participated in a University exchange programme with Tyumen State University in Russia.

“I spent a month carrying out environmental projects in the Krasnodar/Black Sea region alongside Russian, German and Spanish students from other universities,” she says.

“It gave me the taste for travel and a hunger for more!”

Taking the next step with postgraduate study After graduating from her BSc in 2003, Natalie was keen to continue her studies with a Masters in Environmental Technology.

“The MSc allowed me to explore the environmental impacts of pollution on water, air and land, and it focused on the application of technological solutions to such environmental problems.”

The course also gave Natalie the opportunity for another field trip, this time taking her to three of the four corners of America – Colorado, Arizona and Utah.

Building a career In 2008, Natalie qualified as an Environmental Health Practitioner. Now Above: Machu Picchu, Peru

petition winner... primed for a career in Environmental Health, Natalie’s attention was caught by a unique opportunity that would allow her to pursue her love of travel while at the same time putting her new found expertise into practice – this time for a very special group of people.

She says: “I embarked on a trip to South America to work with impoverished communities in Peru.

The trip was organised by NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), Grupo GEA, which was established in 1992 and takes small groups of professionals to work with some of the poorest communities in squatter villages to improve the health of the people.”

Making a difference Natalie’s role was to pest-proof one of the main kitchens that catered for the squatter village, eliminating problems with vermin and contaminated food supplies.

“There were many ways I knew I could help, such as talking about drinking water safety, basic hygiene and the importance of hand washing,” she says.

“With this responsibility in particular, I knew that I would have a direct impact on all of the villagers.”

Joining Natalie on her mission were two water process engineers, six other Environmental Health Officers (EHO) and four jewellery makers.

“While my new EHO buddies and I worked on improving the communal kitchen, the water engineers explored ways of improving the village’s water system to make it more efficient,” she

says. “The jewellers worked mainly with the women on developing their skills and ideas for new jewellery pieces so that they could raise income by selling more.”

After completing the project Natalie returned home with a great sense of achievement.

She says: “As well as having a lot of fun, I felt that I had done something worthwhile. It was an experience of a lifetime and one that will stay with me forever.”

On home turf Since returning from Peru, Natalie now works in food safety, health and safety, environmental protection and private sector housing.

“It’s not just about enforcing the law; it’s about advising, educating and communicating good safety practices to business and members of the public,” she explains.

Looking to the future, Natalie has further international public health work on her agenda and is currently working with EHOs in the private sector in an attempt to increase and promote student training opportunities outside of local government.

Natalie says: “The degrees I studied at Wolverhampton introduced me to many new concepts, thought-provoking ideas and theories concerning the world in which we live. I sincerely thank Wolverhampton for setting me on a journey to a rewarding and fullfilling career.”

Top: Natalie with project group members at squatter village Above: Natalie with project group members in Chincheros town, Peru

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A university in t The University’s roots lie in over 160 years of history.

Beginning in 1851 and specialising in mechanics and art, our first 50 years were dedicated to providing education for working men.

To cope with growing student numbers, the Deanery House in Wulfruna Street was demolished in the early 1920s and replaced with the iconic Marble building.

In 1992 we officially became the University of Wolverhampton.

With student numbers now exceeding 20,000 we announced a ÂŁ60 million master plan and extensive building programme.

This year marks Wolverhampton re status. Here in pictu down memory lan some of the Uni historical m

the making...

In 1957 we were awarded one of the earliest digital computers in the UK. Renamed WITCH – Wolverhampton Instrument for Teaching Computing from Harwell – it was used for undergraduate teaching until 1973.

In 1932, HRH Prince George laid the foundation stone of what was then the Wolverhampton and Staffordshire Technical College. Over fifty years later in 1983, HRH The Duke of Kent (above) opened Wolverhampton Polytechnic.

s 20 years since eceived University ures, we take a stroll ne and celebrate iversity’s major moments.

Throughout our history, students have been central to what we do. Whether past, current, or yet to come, our aim has, and always will be, to produce graduates who leave us with the key skills and knowledge they need to achieve their aspirations.

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Where are Since the Summer Edition of WLV Life we’ve had lots of you get back in touch to tell us where life has taken you since graduating. Here are where some of our graduates from the last forty years are now.

1970s Terry Harding General Science, 1973 Terry is currently living and working in Philadelphia in the United States as Sales and Marketing Director for Solar Light Company, Inc. a manufacturing company of solar simulators, radiometers and meteorological devices used extensively by NASA and Boeing worldwide.

Terry has spent most of his career in export sales which has enabled him to travel the world and work in many different cultural environments including Singapore, Hong Kong, Argentina, Peru and Brazil. He finally dropped anchor in the USA where he has been for the past 12 years.

Terry says: “I have very fond memories of Wolverhampton. The Polytechnic, as it was back then, was very progressive and holding its own very well in the changing academic environment. I also remember it having a strong Students’ Union which made for very good entertainment!”

Lindsay de Feliz Modern Languages, 1977 Lindsay moved to the Dominican Republic in 2001, working as a scuba diving instructor and using her language skills to teach lessons in French, German, Spanish and English.

Lindsay’s varied career has spanned the financial services sector, marketing and teaching, with roles including Marketing Manager for Bradford and Bingley Building Society and Principal Lecturer in Marketing at what was then Kingston Polytechnic.

In 2005, Lindsay interrupted a burglary in her house and was shot through the throat and lungs. Battling through it, Lindsay is now writing her first book and has her own blog where she shares her experiences of living in the Dominican Republic: www.yoursaucepans.blogspot.com Lindsay says: “I really enjoyed my time at Wolverhampton and today I am looking forward to my book eventually being published. I love the Dominican Republic and it is rewarding being among the people here, many of whom live in extreme poverty.”

they ey yn now? ow o 1980s John Tarplee Biological Sciences, 1986 John is Senior Vice-President for Europe, at the global pharmaceutical company, ALK Abello, a research-driven pharmaceutical company focusing on allergy treatment, prevention and diagnosis. Before joining ALK Abello, John began his career as a medical sales representative, visiting healthcare professionals and promoting prescription medicines.

John is responsible for ALK’s commercial operations for several countries within Europe, with time spent visiting these businesses, or at the company’s headquarters in Copenhagen.

John says: “My time at Wolverhampton was the most formative period of my life, where I learned to become independent and self-reliant. For me the balance was just right between the structure and control provided by my lecturers and the freedom of the undergraduate living away from home and fending for myself.”

Winnie Lim Visual Communications, 1989

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Last year some of us from Wolverhampton reconnected after 19 years. My days at Wolverhampton were some of the best of my life.

When Winnie graduated from Wolverhampton she returned to Singapore where she had a short stint working in one of the national TV stations before moving on to start her own branding company. From there she ventured out to Hong Kong and Bejing where she spent 10 years launching many successful Chinese brands and companies.

Winnie now lives in the USA and continues to do global trade and business consultancy within the USA, China, Jamaica and some south east Asian countries.

Winnie says: “Last year some of us from Wolverhampton reconnected after 19 years, coming from Hong Kong, France, Korea and the USA! My days at Wolverhampton were some of the best of my life.”

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1990s Jehangir Malik OBE Law, 1992 Jehangir is the UK Director at Islamic Relief, one of the largest international relief agencies in the country. In 2010 he was awarded an OBE by HRH Princess Anne for Services to Humanity.

Jehangir joined Islamic Relief as a volunteer fundraiser while still at Wolverhampton.

Since then he has travelled to countries including Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and Iraq. He is now responsible for emergency response, managing a dedicated team of people providing aid across the globe.

Jehangir says: “Going to university was a major milestone within my community and one that made my family and friends alike very proud of me. It helped me to grow as an individual and see the diversity in our society and value it as a strength to be utilised.”

Karen Stewart Environmental Science, 1993

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My most endearing memories of Wolverhampton are of the friends I made, one of which remains my closest friend to this day.

Having enjoyed a varied career, today Karen is a Meteorological Officer based in Dublin.

After graduating, Karen returned to live in Ireland where she went into teaching science at junior and senior level, taking up a position in her old school in West Clare. In 1995 she enrolled at University College Dublin to gain her Teaching Diploma and in 1999 left Ireland to teach in Africa for a year.

On returning to Ireland, Karen had a brief stint in banking before moving back into the field of science in 2001 when she joined the Meteorological Service. Karen has now been a Meteorological Officer for 10 years and lives in County Kildare, with her husband and twoyear-old son.

Karen says: “I loved my days as a student; they were some of the best days of my life. My lecturers were inspiring and as part of my course I got to go on many field trips – the 10day trip to the Isle of Man being the most notable!”

Karen Stewart then and now...

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2000s James Goad Accounting and Finance, 2000 James is the Chief Financial Officer of AXA in Poland. James joined AXA soon after graduating in 2001. Working in a variety of roles, his career within the company has taken him around the world with positions based in London, Paris and New York.

Today, based in Warsaw, James leads the finance function for the company specialising in insurance, asset management and pension funds.

James says: “I never imagined having such an interesting and beneficial international career, but reflecting on it now, the practical experience gained during my degree, during a year in industry, and the accreditation the degree gave me for my professional qualifications has been instrumental in achieving this. It also helped me to meet Ginny, my American wife, who I met working in Paris!”

Marie Pearson Deaf Studies and Linguistics 2000 Postgraduate Certificate in Education 2005 Marie is a teacher of deaf children in Leeds, where she lives with her husband who is also a Wolverhampton graduate. After graduating in 2000, Marie stayed with the University as a Students’ Union officer and was successfully elected for two years running.

Having always wanted to teach deaf children, Marie went on to work as a children’s worker at a local college and for a local church, before returning to the University to study a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). After working for five years in two primary schools in Wolverhampton, Marie got her dream job as a trainee teacher of deaf children in Leeds. She is currently continuing her studies with an Masters in Deaf Education.

Marie says: “I enjoyed my course immensely. The lecturers knew their subject and their passion showed in lectures. My career is very challenging but it’s rewarding when I see a child achieve and I know that the skills I learnt during my four years at the University stand me in good stead.”

Where are you now?

Want to tell us where you are now and feature in the next edition of WLV Life?

Email your story to: alumni@wlv.ac.uk

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A A round-up of our international news

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New course for international students

Taste of University life for Italian students

A new International Foundation Year has been launched to prepare overseas students for a degree at Wolverhampton. The course is designed to help international students that have the potential to study a UK degree gain the necessary level of English language and the academic qualifications needed to meet course entry requirements. The course is delivered in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton College.

A group of 18 Italian students were able to sample University life in autumn last year as part of an exchange programme that is now in its 12th year. Staying with host families in Wolverhampton and in University Halls of Residence, the students spent four weeks at the University, attending lectures and experiencing life in Wolverhampton.

Hong Kong graduation

New Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana

In December we celebrated our Hong Kong graduation, with over 100 students from the City University in Hong Kong’s School of Continuing and Professional Education (SCOPE).

The ceremony was held at City University of Hong Kong’s Wei Hing Theatre and was jointly led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, and Dr Charles Wong, Director of SCOPE. Students graduated from a range of programmes such as Business and Management, Construction Management and International Corporate and Financial Law.

International computer games conference

Mauritius Alumni Association Following the success of our Hong Kong and Indian Alumni Associations, later this year we will be launching a third international association in Mauritius. Graduates of Wolverhampton who have lived, or are currently living, in Mauritius will be eligible to join the free association and will benefit from a range of events, networks and industry experts in the area. The launch will coincide with the opening of a new University of Wolverhampton campus in Mauritius.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the University’s School of Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. This MOU will allow cooperation in teaching, research, consultancy and continuing professional development, and will last, initially, for six years.

The University’s School of Technology hosted the 16th International Conference on Computer Games, AI, Animation, Mobile, Interactive Multimedia, Educational and Serious Games in Louisville, Kentucky, USA over the summer. The conference brought together researchers, games developers, sound, graphics, video, and animation developers, and students from around the world to exchange ideas on design methods, research and development, and programming techniques that are beneficial to the computer games industry and academia.

Greece alumni reunion In November, we hosted our first alumni reunion for graduates living in Greece. The event was organised by graduate Nassia Raggou, who is also one of our Alumni Ambassadors.

17

My Life

Emily Appleby

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE) in Primary Education, 2009 When Emily Appleby graduated in July 2009 with a PGCE in Primary Education, she had her career all planned out - get a job teaching in a nearby village school, buy a nice little place and settle down to a cosy life. What she never imagined was that by January 2010 she would be half way around the world, living a life that couldn’t be more different.

Above: Emily and friends enjoying a weekend away in Rawa Island in Malaysia Left: Emily snorkelling off Turtle Island in Borneo

“The months following my graduation were very hard. Jobs were scarce and teachers were competing against 100s of others for a single teaching post. I spent endless days completing application forms, writing letters of application and attending interviews. By my sixth or seventh interview, I was becoming tired of hearing that I had been close to being offered the position, if only I had a little more experience.

“Having gone straight from college to University, then straight from University to my PGCE, I hadn’t had the extra teaching and life experience that many other candidates had. This prompted me to start searching for teaching opportunities outside of the leafy suburbs!

A new direction, a new destination

“As I looked further afield, I realised that compared to jobs in England, international jobs were available in abundance. I came across a job teaching English in Singapore, which really interested me and so I applied.

Above: Emily on her way to Batu National Park in Borneo

“The ‘right experience’ was once again a key factor, but as they say, “you have to be in it to win it” and so I spent many hours reviewing my CV and letter of application and sent them off. To my great surprise, I had a phone call the next day inviting me for an interview in London. Two months later I had been interviewed, offered a post, and had booked my one way ticket! From the moment I accepted the position, I knew that I had said “yes” to a great opportunity.

So what did you think?

Seeing the world

“I have been working in Singapore for a year now and I have grown so much as a teacher.

I have had the opportunity to work with the most privileged children and also with the most under-privileged, each being challenging and rewarding in different ways.

We hope you enjoyed reading the second edition of WLV Life.

We’d really love to hear your views – and what you would like to see in future editions.

“Living in Singapore is an amazing experience and I’ve also had the chance to do my own travelling. So far I have visited Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam and I still have at least one more year in which I hope to visit Japan and China. Seeing the native tribes of Borneo and the crystal clear waters surrounding the remote islands in the South China Sea, make you realise that there is so much you don’t know about the world and I really can’t wait to find out more!

Why not write us a letter or send us an email and we look forward to publishing your feedback.

Alumni and Development Office University of Wolverhampton MX Building, City Campus North Camp Street Wolverhampton WV1 1AD Email: alumni@wlv.ac.uk

Plans for the future

“It is my plan to return to England after my second year in Singapore. I have now got so much more to say and give and I am going to use the experiences I have gained abroad to get me that teaching job I kept missing out on in the beginning. It just goes to show that the opportunities are always out there – I took mine and I now look forward to a long and fulfilling career in education.”

Want to share your ‘My Life’ story?

Email: alumni@wlv.ac.uk

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Puzzle Page

We know that you all have busy lives, but why not take a 5 minute break from it with these quick puzzles.

Answers and solutions will be published in the next edition of WLV Life.

Quick crossword 1

2

3

4

5

Across

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1 Ripped (4) 4 Mocked (5) 8 Aristocrat (Slang) (4) 9 Operate (8) 10 On the other hand (12) 12 Carbonated soft drink (4) 13 Volcanic rock (4) 17 Be humiliated (3,6,3) 19 Obsession (8) 21 Briefly close one eye (4) 22 Find the answer to (5) 23 Listen (4)

7 8

9

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15 17

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Down

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2 French composer (9) 3 Determined attempt (6) 4 Bridgelike framework (6) 5 So far (3) 6 Small quantities of liquid (5) 7 South American cape (6) 11 Determination (9) 14 Austrian capital (6) 15 Supreme power (6) 16 Turn pale (6) 18 Zodiac sign (5) 20 Suffer (3)

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Sudoku

2 9

5

6 2

1 3

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3 9

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1 7

6 3 5

4 1

I invested in my future “Studying for the MBA was more than a qualification for me; it was an achievement and a constant driver in my life.”

Marie Buckley Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Time to invest in you.

In today’s economic climate, there are many things that you can’t control, but your future isn’t one of them.

Act now. Invest in your professional and personal development and plan for a positive future. The University of Wolverhampton has a great range of postgraduate full and part-time courses in all kinds of subjects, beginning right away.

www.wlv.ac.uk/invest 0800 953 3222

Your future starts here.

21

Life by email Help us to cut down on the amount of paper we use by receiving WLV Life by email.

There are three ways you can read Life online: • • •

as a flip page magazine – just like the paper version as a downloadable PDF – all the pictures and the jazz but just one page at a time as a collection of web pages – just the text and a picture

Let us know your email address If you have an email address and would like to receive future editions of Life by email let us know at: www.wlv.ac.uk/life

University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton West Midlands WV1 1LY United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1902 323056 Email: alumni@wlv.ac.uk Fax: +44 (0)1902 322099 Website: www.wlv.ac.uk/alumni

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