Life Summer 2013

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Summer 2013

Students and stars celebrate at graduations Pages 2 – 5

Nursing duo contribute to nationwide review Page 7

Commons speaker welcomes ‘political change’ Page 8

PAGE 12

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Graduations Summer 2013

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Summer sun and graduations

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ORE than 2,500 University students received their certificates across two weeks of summer sunshine ceremonies.

For the first time ever, Putteridge Bury was selected as a host for two of the 14 ceremonies across Luton and Bedford which celebrated the fantastic achievements of graduates from numerous subjects including Law, English, Business, Marketing, Teacher Training, Sciences, Media, Theatre, Nursing, Sport and Psychology.

In addition to collecting undergraduate and postgraduate awards, especially high-achieving students received additional recognition.

The special award winners included: l 25-year-old Samantha Shaw who achieved a First Class Honours LLB in Law and was presented the Machins Prize for ‘her final grade being one of the highest ever achieved within the University’s School of Law’. l Bedford mum-of-four, Nicola Little, 29, who juggled a hectic home life to achieve a First Class Honours degree in Criminology was presented with the Dean’s Prize for The best performance

across the HSS faculty in Applied Social Sciences. l German Marcel Feller, 29, was presented with the Department of Computer Science and Technology Award, for ‘outstanding student achievement’, as he achieved a First Class Honours degree in Computer Science.

Alongside the students on their happy days were those being presented honorary degrees by the University.

These included nationally recognised and local figureheads (see pages 5 and 6), who have made “incredible” achievements.

These included: Maggie Galliers MBE, Baroness Helena Kennedy, Darren Gough, Kevin Whately, Jim O’Connor, Mike Roland, Albert Ludford, Richard Dodd and Paul Ramsbottom.

Reflecting on this summer’s graduations at Bedfordshire, Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said: “Once again I want to congratulate all our graduates. All the ceremonies have been fantastic in their own individual ways.” l For the full graduation coverage and more

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell, right, congratulates a graduate

pictures visit www.beds.ac.uk

Communications and events Team contacts

Nick Sheppard Interim Head of Communications & Events Nick.Sheppard@beds.ac.uk

Now based at The Atrium, Park Street West, Luton.

Kevin Cunningham Communications Officer kevin.cunningham@beds.ac.uk

02 Returners Life – Summer 2013

Simon Wesson Communications Assistant simon.wesson@beds.ac.uk

Nadia March Events Manager nadia.march@beds.ac.uk

Nick Hamilton-Brain Communications Administrator Nickolas.Hamilton-Brain@beds.ac.uk

Lucy Cook Events Administrator lucy.cook@beds.ac.uk

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Graduations Summer 2013

Hats-off: Graduates at Bedford

The first ever procession to graduations Putteridge Bury

MBA graduates from Oman attended ceremonies at Putteridge Bury

Top law students praised THE University’s School of Law hosted its own special awards ceremony during graduation week.

Ten awards were presented at the Luton campus by Tom Mortimer, Head of School of Law, and Dr Shane Sullivan, LLB Course Leader, to law students who have demonstrated outstanding achievements over the year.

See a selection of photos from the ceremony at www.flickr.com/photos/ uobphotos

l First Year student Prizes Waseem Ahmed, Cambridge University Press Public Law Prize.

Robbie Burns, Cambridge University Press Contract Law Prize.

Dilmot Singh, Cambridge University Press Criminal Law Prize.

Robbie Burns, Pearson Best First Year Student Prize. l Second Year student Prizes Roisin Canavan, Sweet and Maxwell Land Law Prize.

Abbie Dolan, Oxford University Press Tort Prize.

Z. Saghir, Palgrave EU Prize.

Roisin Canavan, Routledge Best Second Year Student Prize. l Third Year student Prize Samantha Shaw, Machins Prize Best Graduating Student.

Joy for Foreign Trade University at Luton

STUDENTS who graduated from partner institutions across the globe travelled thousands of miles to pick up their degrees in Luton.

A group of business students from Majan University College, Muscat, Oman, were each awarded the Bedfordshire Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA).

And 38 business students from the Foreign Trade University (FTU) in Hanoi, Vietnam, were also awarded their degrees, pictured below. l More on this story can be found at: www.beds.ac.uk/news

Some of this summer’s Law graduates at Luton

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Graduations Summer 2013

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“Life is not how you start, but how you finish.

The past is for reference, not residence”

Olympians ‘light up’ Corn Exchange O

LYMPIC superstars Greg Rutherford and Kriss Akabusi made it a golden day for Bedford graduates who received their degrees this summer.

The duo, who were each presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Science at two separate ceremonies at the Bedford Corn Exchange, were met with huge ovations from the buoyant graduates and their families.

Nigerian-born, former 400 metre and 400 metre hurdling star, Mr Akabusi (pictured above), who won Silver in the 4x400 metre relay at the 1984 Olympic Games, now works as a motivational speaker.

He lit-up the ceremony and inspired the audience to “go wild for 15 seconds” to mark the graduates’ achievements.

Recalling his story of how he went from being brought up in a childrens’ home (due to civil war) to then eventually breaking the British 400 metre hurdles record – a title he holds to this day – Akabusi told graduates “life is not how you start, but how you finish”.

“The past is for reference, not for residence,” added the 54-year-old.

He then advised the graduates to “dig deep”,

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“endeavour to reach your dream”, “step in, step up”, “make a difference”, and “take this moment and look forward to a better, preferred future”.

Later on in the same day, London 2012 long jump gold medalist Greg Rutherford (pictured right, top) was awarded his honorary degree by BBC Breakfast Sports presenter Mike Bushell (pictured right, bottom).

The stage was decorated in appropriate fashion – with two little stickers at either end of the podium marking the exact length Greg had jumped; something which wowed the audience when Professor John Brewer highlighted the fact!

Thanking the University, the Milton Keynes long jumper said it was a “great honour” to be recognised and he was “privileged” to celebrate alongside students – who he congratulated.

“It’s things like this you never expect when you are out there training and giving up everything around it to pursue sporting excellence.”

Mr Bushell, who was the Guest of Honour for the day, added handing the award over was “one of the highlights” of his career.

BBC Sports presenter Mike Bushell

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Graduations Summer 2013

Bowled over by honorary F

Ex-England cricketer Darren Gough at Putteridge Bury Graduations

ORMER England International cricketer Darren Gough and television’s Kevin Whately, aka Lewis, were presented honorary degrees in the second week of summer ceremonies.

The first ever graduation ceremony to be held at the Putteridge Bury campus saw the ex-Yorkshire and Essex fast bowler receive an Honorary Doctor of Science in recognition of outstanding achievements in cricket.

Mr Gough, who since retiring from the game six years ago has become the host of a daily radio programme on talkSPORT, said: “It was a bit of a shock to receive the invitation, but a very pleasant one.

“I’m very humbled that people still remember me after my retirement from professional cricket and thank the University for presenting me with this Honour.”

Later in the week, for the last ceremony of the twoweek spell, the University welcomed Mr Whately to the Luton campus.

The actor has been a familiar face on our screens for many years and is probably best known for his role as Robbie Lewis in Inspector Morse, which led to Lewis.

On being presented an Honorary Doctor of Arts award at St Mary’s Church for his outstanding achievements in acting, the 62-year-old Northumberland-born actor said he was “chuffed to bits”.

He added: “I’ve lived in the local area for 28 years, so it’s a great honour.”

The TV star was also impressed with the ceremony, describing it as having an “exciting and fantastic atmosphere”.

Mr Whately is currently enjoying a year-long break from the screen, before returning to film the new series of Lewis in April next year.

Actor Kevin Whately addresses the Graduation audience at Luton

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WHEN London 2012 Olympic Gold medal long jumper Greg Rutherford received his Honorary Degree, in July, his host for the day was Trevor Sinclair from the University’s Access Partnership team.

Was Trevor picked randomly from the thousand-plus staff at the University to welcome Mr Rutherford (or Dr Rutherford, as his title is now officially!)?* Simon Wesson went to find out.

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High-Flyers The University’s Trevor Sinclair hosted Greg Rutherford at the Summer’s Graduations

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MONG staff at the University is a man who has jumped distances just a few centimetres shy of Olympic Gold medallist Greg Rutherford, and has represented the nation while doing so.

He has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Steve Cram, Fatima Whitbread, Linford Christie and UoB Honorary Doctor of Science Kriss Akabusi.

It is more than likely you would not know that Trevor Sinclair was this man – mainly because that’s the way he prefers it!

Trevor these days plays a vital role at the University helping widen access into higher education for an immense range of people.

He does not shout about his past achievements, but the 52-year-old can reveal a story only a few could retell.

As a young boy Trevor grew up in the rather unusual setting of the University of Reading campus halls, where his father was head chef.

The vast site gave Trevor all the access he needed to run about and burn energy... this would often include jumping out of trees!

He pursued an early interest in sport thanks to the state-of-the-art equipment left behind by international students.

When the family moved to Bedfordshire, Trevor, a single child, joined Bedford and County Athletic Club where he spent three hours, three days-a-week participating in his favourite track-and-field events.

Before long it was recognised, that although he was short (for a long jumper), Trevor had a particularly high, and indeed long, jump.

Matched with rapid speed, an eight-pack, and a near-impossible abdominal crunch (pictured below, Trevor mid jump) meant that he could reach distances that some could only dream of.

And aged 15 he burst onto the scene as he won the England Schools’ Championships. Within the same year he broke the record British jump for someone his age. He soon became a regular UK junior representative.

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Trevor hit the local headlines, as the papers lapped-up his rather unusual training style of jumping over car bonnets (as pictured, bottom left) when he was forced to train inside multistory car parks during the winter months.

By the age of just 17 the national selectors were knocking on the door, as he was picked to compete in a 1979 event against East Germany at RAF Cosford, Shropshire. He set a PB and competed against the European Long Jumper of the time.

He was soon a regular in the squad and travelled across Europe in various events.

The main aim was the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow – synonymous with the boycott of the USA, and GB sending a depleted team.

Unfortunately Trevor missed out on qualifying by around 20 centimetres.

In the next year Trevor secured a prestigious role at international company, Texas Instruments and from then on focussed on his Computing career.

“If times had been different and I was competing now I would have a lot more financial backing from Team GB and I would have been able to pursue my dream of being a contender,” said the father-of-one, whose bestever jump was some 7.61 metres – made during his working years.

“I didn’t stop competing internationally until 1984. My last event was in Vittel, France, where I posted five no-jumps. They were all very long – 8 metres – but illegal. That for me was it. After not being able to compete on a consistent level, and by trying to balance a work/life balance, I decided enough was enough.

“In a way, looking back, I do regret not taking it further but that’s just how it goes. My time as a sportsman has inspired me and if it wasn’t for having that one focus I could see myself being much worse off. That’s what inspired me to work in Access, as I can use my experience of having the focus of sport to encourage others to have the focus of education.”

After hanging up his spikes, Trevor went onto work for Bedford College where, among a few roles, he was a lecturer in the sport science department for seven years.

While continuing to work, and eventually joining the University, Trevor continued to compete in Masters events. In 2005 it was at a World Masters Championships where he met his partner Kim (a former 400 metre international runner).

Today he no longer participates, and said meeting Greg Rutherford “wrapped-up” his track and field career “neatly”.

“It was an honour for me to do it. Greg was really down-to-earth. I really respected the way he is just focused and isn’t worried about selfpublicity. It was a great day, and great to talk to Greg’s dad too, as I discovered that I competed against him at a Masters event once!”

The next step for Trevor is to complete his Masters in Education, no small feat for a dedicated worker who has a three-year-old boy, Cayo, with his own Olympic ambitions following in family footsteps! * Trevor was nominated by Gabriella Gabriel, who was the original selection. Gabi could not attend because she was out of the country.

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Nursing students Libby McKerrow and Sarah Weight

Students form Keogh Review

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WO Buckinghamshire campus student nurses formed part of the Keogh Mortality Review, which assessed 14 hospital trusts highlighted by the NHS to have high death rates.

Libby McKerrow (above left) and Sarah Weight (above right) were two of just a handful of undergraduates who joined clinicians, patients, managers and regulators to form the Rapid Response Review teams.

Their task was to walk around the wards, interviewing patients, trainees, staff and the senior executives, to then discuss their findings in a panel.

Third-year student, Sarah who reviewed three trusts – Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, North Cumbria University Hospitals and Tameside Hospital – said the experience has done wonders for her development, confidence and potential career.

“It was breath-taking to be part of such an experienced board, and I didn’t realise how much input I would have. I felt myself growing, not only in confidence, but as a nurse too.”

The Dunstable resident added: “My main thoughts throughout the process were, ‘what can I bring to this review as a student nurse?’, so while walking around I was always thinking about my practice as a student. I focused on looking at the care and compassion shown by the nurses and all of the staff at high levels – as well as

the end goal, making sure the patients’ needs were met.”

Since the Review, the 24-year-old has received “fantastic” feedback and has also been selected as one of only 10 “remarkable” UK student nurses to be put forward for the National Junior Leadership academy.

Second-year student, mum-of-three, Libby reviewed Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The former medic in the Territorial Army added the experience was “inspirational and empowering”.

“I was really interested to hear of the student nurses’ experiences and then compare it to the standards we have here,” said the 46-year-old from Tring, Herts.

“Being at this University, it is made clear to us that nursing is not just a job, you have to have the right mindset and you have to be the right type of caring person to make sure the patients have exactly what they need.”

Gina Elworthy, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing, nominated the students and said they are a “credit” to the University.

“The Keogh Reviews have offered them a wonderful opportunity to expand their experience and contribute to an essential area of healthcare. It is really gratifying to see how much they were able to contribute and how such contribution was valued,” she added.

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Radio Conference comes to Bedfordshire N OT every academic conference would include croquet on a grass lawn.

But when the University joined the likes of Melbourne, Auckland and Toronto to become a host of the prestigious Radio Conference, this is exactly what happened in a “fascinating” week of events.

Now in its eighth outing, 2013 marked the first time that Bedfordshire has held this biannual four-day event.

The forum, which attracted some 100 radio scholars, teachers and broadcasters from all over the globe, offered the opportunity to participate in a number of concurrent sessions.

During the panel sessions topics included radio histories, the role of social media, women in broadcasting, culture and classical music on public radio, among many others.

Guest speakers travelled from around the

world to present their work in front of the large audiences which packed out the G101 Lecture Theatre at Luton.

As well as the keynote talks, guests were invited to a networking night hosted by the University’s Research Institute of Media, Art and Design and a barbecue at the Putteridge Bury campus – which was where the unsual opportunity to play croquet came about.

The game was just one of many highlights according to conference organiser Principal Lecturer Dr Janey Gordon, who manages student-run community station Radio LaB 97.1fm (which covered the week – extracts can be heard on radiolab.beds.ac.uk).

“It was an extremely good conference and it felt really good to be around fellow radio people”, she said. l For more on the conference visit www.beds.ac.uk/radio2013.

John Bercow MP

Commons has seen ‘welcome revival’ in recent years

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Ryan Larrington and Rachel Kyte from Luton Sixth Form College

Sixth formers take to the airways l THE University’s student radio station, which reaches out to 25,000 listeners across a 5km canvas, was taken over by sixth form students this summer.

An exclusive two-week work placement opportunity saw Luton Sixth Form College students invited to host one hour shows on RadioLab 97.1FM. As well as playing a wide range of music,

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the students hosted “lively” programmes featuring their own take on life, latest news and events, and gossip.

Sixth form media course manager, Andy Waterfield said the takeover had been a “huge success”.

He added: “The students showed real professionalism and enthusiasm, and natural radio presenters were discovered.”

HE second in a series of Vice Chancellor’s Public Policy Lectures saw the Speaker of the House of Commons tell an audience he felt the expenses scandal was an “adapt or die” moment for Members of Parliament.

MP John Bercow was welcomed to the Luton campus in May to host a talk on parliamentary reform.

Mr Bercow was elected as Speaker in 2009, and he told the audience his four years had seen a “welcome revival” of the House, which was “triggered” by The Daily Telegraph revelations.

“The changes were not merely right and proper, but painfully overdue,” the Conservative MP said.

Mr Bercow, who represents Buckingham, also highlighted how a “notable band” of reformers urged the House to take more control of its affairs and push back against the perception it had become “an almost ceremonial legislature”.

He added the injection of 227 new MPs in 2010 and novelty of a coalition government had forced change too.

MP Bercow went on to outline three reforms he felt proved significant during his years: l Ministers spending more time in the House being scrutinised and challenged by MPs with the reintroduction of Urgent Questions. l The democratisation of the Select Committee system, which now sees MPs put in a secret ballot to be chosen for Committees. l The introduction of a House Backbench Business Committee, which decides what topics are discussed by MPs during the week.

The Speaker concluded a “strong” House improves the “quality of our democratic discourse” and leads to a “better government because more forensic scrutiny will oblige ministers and officials to up their game”.

He added Parliament needs to be “modern”, “effective” and “cannot afford to be a museum coated in green and red leather” if it wishes to be seen as a “credible institution by the public”.

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Double award joy for Business School Lecturer A

BUSINESS School Lecturer has become the first academic to win the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) best paper award twice in its 58 year history.

Dr Muhammad Azam Roomi, a Principal Lecturer of Marketing, Tourism and Hospitality, was presented the award for his paper on Women’s Entrepreneurship.

The work, titled ‘Her Family, Household and Entrepreneurial Venture: Using a Life Course Perspective to Make Sense of the Work–Life Choices of Pakistani Women Entrepreneurs’, was co-written with Sumaira Rehman, Assistant Professor at Superior University’s Management School in Lahore, Pakistan.

The paper, one of the first studies of its type in South Asia, reflected on the “interwoven nature” of work and family in a “patriarchal” society like Pakistan.

Dr Roomi, who previously won this award in 2009 in Seoul, South Korea said he was “delighted” the research had been recognised.

Complementing his ICSB success, Dr Roomi has also been selected as an Outstanding Reviewer at the Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence 2013.

He was selected “for the very impressive and significant contribution” he made as a reviewer to International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship throughout 2012.

Each year Emerald names and rewards the Outstanding Reviewers who contribute to the success of their journals.

The award recognises the University’s commitment for research and enterprise development, reinforcing the University’s determination to invest in quality research into understanding business and enterprise.

Dr Muhammad Azam Roomi

Diabetes research gets major funding boost

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HE successful management of medicines between the NHS and nursing homes is the focus of a major new research project being co-ordinated by the University.

The study, worth some £207,000, is being funded by the Research for Patient Benefit Programme at the NHS National Institute for Health Research.

It is the first project of its kind and will combine commonly used investigation methods from the NHS and from Root Cause Analysis, in a new context – the nursing home setting.

Professor Alan Sinclair, a world expert in diabetes and the University’s Director of the Institute of Diabetes for Older People (IDOP) is the project’s lead.

He said: “This is a really exciting and innovative piece of research for the University to be leading on. My team will be using Root Cause Analysis adapted from accident investigation methods used in industries such as

The research will focus on residents with diabetes and seek to analyse and understand the root causes of medication errors that have occurred in NHS systems. Hypoglycaemia will be an important area that will be targeted.

The University is working in conjunction with The Luton and Dunstable Hospital on the study.

Research project members include Frank Milligan, Lead Researcher, an experienced nurse and senior lecturer in patient safety from the University’s Faculty of Health and Social Sciences.

Karthyn Newton, an experienced registered nurse, is the research officer for the study.

The team will publish their findings in summer 2015.

Frank Milligan, Professor Alan Sinclair and Karthyn Newton

aviation, to explain in some detail how and why errors have occurred.

“From this learning, improvements can be made to medicines management systems that will both help to keep nursing home residents

safer in the future and lead to significant cost savings for the NHS and the homes themselves.”

Nursing homes across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire will be involved in the study.

l For more information about IDOP visit www.beds.ac.uk/research/idop l The research was a featured article in renowned medical journal The Lancet in August.

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You Said…

We did:

Get cash at the uni

David Willetts MP (left) and Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell at the PG Centre’s official opening

CASH machines are to be installed at both the Luton and Bedford campuses.

The free-of-charge ATMs are to be in the Campus Centre reception at Luton and The Neo Market at Bedford.

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said: “Having cash machines on our campuses is something our students were pushing hard for.

“Being able to solve this issue fits the approach of a partnership between students and the University. It’s imperative we react to their needs.”

Daniel Login, Beds SU President, added: “I am glad that, in partnership with Aramark, a resolution has been found.”

Other suggestions that have been implemented encompass later opening times for the restaurants in Luton and Bedford (now closing at 7pm, instead of 5pm), coffee vending machines in the libraries at Luton and Bedford and water machines in the Postgraduate Centre.

Minister opens Postgraduate Centre Re-development projects M

P David Willetts officially opened the University’s Postgraduate (PG) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Centre in front of a large audience of staff, stakeholders, and the press.

The £20 million building is the first to explicitly bring together PG and CPD study and students in a University setting, and one of fewer than 10 such PG centres in the UK. Addressing the attendees, the Rt Hon Mr Willetts said the link with PG and CPD “made a lot of sense”, adding it was “great to see the University thriving and growing”.

“It’s great that this University has the confidence and vision to invest in its postgraduate provision.

“Given the true spirit of universities it brings education and local businesses together,” said the Minister for Universities and Science, who represents Havant in Hampshire.

Construction work began on the centre in April 2012, with the first lectures and seminars taking place in February 2013.

After the official opening, Mr Willetts was introduced to Professor Ashraf Jawaid, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and Alan Cook, Chairman of the Board of Governors, who took the Conservative MP for a tour of the five-storey facilities.

En-route he met staff, students, community leaders and representatives from leading local businesses, many of whom have contributed to the plans for design of the Centre.

PLANNING permissions have been granted to construct two state-of-the-art buildings at the University.

At the Luton campus, plans have been approved to construct a landmark seven-storey library, which will be located at the corner of Park Street and Vicarage Street. This project is worth some £46 million.

At the Bedford campus, £24 million is being invested to construct an iconic teaching and learning building.

The new three-storey construction, which will replace the current A-block building, will offer teaching, informal learning spaces and a new student services centre.

Both projects get underway this autumn. £1 million is being invested on preparations to launch the University’s newest campus, University Campus Milton Keynes (UCMK), which welcomes its first students this September. UCMK will offer teaching in a range of courses, from Electronic Engineering to Journalism.

At Bedford, the University is currently refurbishing and extending the sports hall, bringing it up to national championship standards. A multi-use games area is also being developed next to the Polhill Avenue site in a joint-project with Goldington Academy. Both projects will be completed by the start of the new academic year.

Refurbishment works currently underway at

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Artists’ impression – new teaching building at Bedford

Artists’ impression – the new library at Luton

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Lights, camera, action F

RESHERS at the University of Bedfordshire are to be the stars of a reality TV show made by the producers of Traffic Cops, Question Time (inset image) and An Idiot Abroad.

The University has been selected as the exclusive location for the series, which will run for three episodes and broadcast nationwide on ITV2 in the Autumn.

And the programme makers, Mentorn Media, one of the country’s leading independent production companies, are contacting first year students to star in the show, which will focus on people’s first experience at university.

The show, which will be filmed at Luton and Bedford, will feature young people saying goodbye to their families, moving in to student halls of residents, meeting new friends and, of course, learning to adapt to life studying for a degree.

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said: “I am delighted that Mentorn Media has chosen our University as the location for their documentary. It will give the nation a unique and heart-warming insight into what it is like to begin life at university.”

Luton include a £1.2 million upgrade to the Learning Resource Centre (LRC). Following consultation with students earlier this year, the University is investing in new furniture, fittings and IT at the LRC’s Information Technology suite.

Media Production students at Luton can look forward to revamped TV studio facilities this autumn. Some £135,000 has been invested in state-of-the-art lighting, coupled with the Students’ Union bar at Bedford, which now boasts some of the best LED lighting equipment available.

Adam Higgin, Head of Sustainability at the University, said: “We’ve fitted the TV studio with new LED coloured studio lighting and students can learn to operate the lighting with the latest DMX studio lighting mixing desks.

“This is the most efficient lighting currently on the market and in line with what the BBC uses. It can only improve the student experience.”

The two major building projects at Bedford and Luton mark the start of ‘The Luton and Bedford Campuses Academic and Student Experience Enhancement Projects’, with some £160 million being invested in campus buildings and facilities across the University over the next seven years.

This new investment is in addition to some £180 million invested in new buildings and facilities at the University between 2006-12.

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ORMER Home Secretary Jack Straw is to be the latest influential name to feature as a speaker in the Vice Chancellor’s Public Policy Lectures series.

Mr Straw has enjoyed an illustrious career in the world of politics, having first been elected as MP for Blackburn in 1979 – a post he still holds.

In 1997 he was appointed Home Secretary when Labour were re-elected into Government, and later went on to hold posts such as Leader of the House of Commons and Secretary of State for Justice.

His talk will take place this November at the Luton campus – date to be confirmed as Life went to press. l For more information about Upcoming Events at the University visit www.beds.ac.uk l For more information about the Vice Chancellor’s Public Policy Lecture Series visit: www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/ vcprofile/our-office/lectures Picture courtesy of the British Embassy Home - UK in Italy

get green light

MP Jack Straw to speak at Uni

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Art & Design Degree Show

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Art and Design exhibits admired by visitors

“Fabulous talent” on ‘show’ T HE cream of artistic student talent was celebrated at the annual Art & Design Show.

More than 200 students, staff, and visitors attended the My:Work 2013 Art & Design Degree Show, sponsored by Vauxhall.

The Campus Centre at Luton was awash with an eclectic mix ranging from illustrations, fine art, animation, and advertising design,

My:Fashion Show 2013

to graphic design, interior design and fashion – produced by the 130 final-year art students at Bedfordshire.

A compilation piece, rounding up some of the best work, was produced as wallpaper in the Mezz Bar (pictured, front page and right).

Speaking of his “pride” of the Division of Art and Design, Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said “some fabulous talent is emerging” with the students, who have a “great energy and vibrancy”.

Prizes were handed out to the 10 Most Improved Students, and to the ‘Best in Show’, which was awarded to Photography and Video Art student Giuseppe de Angelis.

An Animation show reel of students’ media arts productions was on show throughout the evening.

Guests were also wowed at the student fashion show, My:Clothes 2013 Graduate Fashion (pictured), at the UK Centre for Carnival Arts.

Students’ artwork on t-shirts

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