Evolve - Spring 2008 Coventry University Alumni Magazine

Polyester & Silk Ties

Mini Cut Vase

Round Crystal Paperweight

Graduation Teddy

Square Shot Glass

SlimFit Grey

Sweatshirt

Win a fun break

Cufflinks

Round Shot Glass

Pyramid Perfume Bottle V-Neck Black T-Shirt

Polo Shirt

Hooded Sweatshirt (unzipped)

Tankard

Rainbow Tealight

A day out at a popular attraction and a night in a luxury hotel

Being the boss

Knitted Beanie

Graduate entrepreneurs enjoy the fruits of their labour

Stone Blue T-Shirt

Time at the bar

USB Flash Drive

What life is like in 2008 for the average student

Whisky Tumblers Pilsner Glass

Virtual learning

Charcoal Grey Fleece

Sapphire Blue T-Shirt

University Scarf

The changing face of the classroom Crystal Book Paperweight Tipsy Clock Estoril Pen (brushed titanium)

Hooded Sweatshirt (zipped)

Champagne Flutes Conference Bag

Clothing Silk Tie Polyester Tie University Scarf Polo Shirt Sweatshirt Hooded Sweatshirt (zipped) Hooded Sweatshirt (unzipped) Ladies Fitted Polo Shirt Unisex Polo Shirt with White Trim Charcoal Grey Fleece Knitted Beanie T-Shirts: Sapphire Blue SlimFit Grey Stone Blue V-Neck Black

Conference ConferenceFolder Folder

Crystal & Glassware £25.50 £12.00 £23.00 £15.00 £19.00 £26.00 £23.50 £20.00 £20.00 £29.50 £6.50 £11.50

Round Crystal Faceted Paperweight Crystal Book Paperweight Shot Glasses; Round or Square in Presentation Box Whisky Tumbler in Presentation Box Half Pint Tankard in Presentation Box Pint Size Tankard in Presentation Box Wine Goblet in Presentation Box Pair of Champagne Flutes in Presentation Box Rainbow Tealight Column Crystal Pyramid Perfume Bottle Mini Cut Vase Charlotte Pilsner Glass in Presentation Box Pair of Whisky Tumblers in Presentation Box

Business Card Holder

Vanity Mirror Mirror Vanity

Gift Ideas £25.00 £21.00 £13.00 £21.00 £21.50 £27.00 £27.00 £38.50 £18.00 £28.00 £19.50 £26.00

Conference Folder Business Card Case Conference Bag Cufflinks Acrylic Keyring USB Flash Drive (512Mb) Golf Umbrella Graduation Teddy Bear Mini Teddy Tipsy Clock in Deluxe Box Bone China Hour Glass Mug with Silver Print Logo Black Earthenware Mug with Silver Print Logo

£16.50 £13.00 £13.50 £14.00 £1.50 £24.50 £18.50 £8.00 £2.00 £22.00 £8.50 £5.50

£40.00

£13.00 £15.00 £12.00

The University Gift Shop has an exciting new range of merchandise, all bearing the University name or logo, which can now be purchased online at www.coventry.ac.uk/online store. The prices listed above do not include charges for postage and packing.

Pens Ballpoint Pen Estoril Ballpoint Pen in Presentation Box (brushed titanium) Estoril Rollerball Pen in Presentation Box (brushed titanium) Estoril Clutch Pencil in Presentation Box (brushed titanium) Citizen Rollerball in pouch

£0.50 £8.50 £8.50 £8.50 £4.00

Or, if you wish to make purchases by mail order please contact Jackie Walsh, Alan Berry Reception, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB. Telephone 024 7688 8774 or e-mail [email protected] for further details. Please note: refunds are only available where goods are faulty, statutory legal rights are not affected. Goods will be delivered within 21 days of receipt of order. If you are not fully satisfied, goods may be returned within seven days for a full refund. Prices are valid until June 2008.

Back to school

Why more graduates return to Coventry to take their education even further

Spring 2008

The University Gift Shop

Ladies Fitted Polo Shirt

evolve The magazine for Friends of Coventry University

evolve contents

Welcome…

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28

An extra warm welcome to all our new Friends of Coventry University (FOCUS) members who may have graduated recently and be receiving this magazine for the first time. As the new Alumni Relations Officer, I am thrilled to be on board. I joined the team in February after spending the last eight years working in Higher Education. I look forward to being in touch with many of you and hopefully meeting you at gatherings and reunions in the future.

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In this issue we’ve taken a look at the graduates who just can’t get enough of Coventry and have come back to continue their education in an institution they know and love. You can read about their experiences and plan your own on pages 18-19.

The Internet has changed the way we access information and engage with each other – whether through business or leisure activities. Its impact on education is still being explored and Coventry is keen to remain at the forefront of these developments.

We also reveal two of Coventry’s pioneering schemes, from virtual learning in a 3D world to moving the classroom into businesses to teach students in the workplace. Read all about it from page 16. We also feedback on the results from last issue’s employment survey. Find out what the most popular occupations are on page 29. So why not take this opportunity to grab a coffee, sit back and remember the good times at Coventry by reading the latest news and the graduate memories in our spring 2008 issue.

Keep in touch, Carol

contents regulars

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community 8 Reunions

16 Checkmate to skills crisis

Get the latest updates on what alumni and your University have been up to

Find out who’s been back on campus reliving old times and reuniting with old friends

Coventry has all the right moves for ending the UK’s skills shortage

29 Your Shout

10 Get connected

18 Return on Investment

Where are they now? See the updates from old friends and find out what they’re doing now

Two graduates explain why they didn’t want to do a postgraduate qualification anywhere else but Coventry

12 I would walk 5,000 miles

20 Virtual learning



Your feedback on last issue’s employment survey

30 Events

What’s happening on and around your campus

31 Benefits and services

All the perks of the association



WIN a family day out and a

weekend in a luxury hotel on page 30

Contact us Get in touch and let Coventry know what you’re doing now. The alumni office is waiting to hear from you and would love to use your story in the next issue of the magazine. You can also call if you have a query about a reunion, benefit or service, or just want to chat to someone about Coventry.

Graduate Mokhdum Morshed reveals how he has used his UK education at home in Bangladesh

How Coventry is taking the classroom online and is pioneering a new Problem Based Learning project

14 Letters

22 Interview with…

Your views on Coventry and life after graduation, including our star letter winner

Telephone: +44 (0) 24 7688 8589 Email: [email protected] Post: FOCUS, The Development Office, Alan Berry Building, Room 35, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB Website: www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni - for all the latest news and a chance to update your details. Friends of Coventry University is also on FACEBOOK. E-News: A monthly e-newsletter to keep you in touch with Coventry. Subscribe by emailing ‘SUBSCRIBE’ to [email protected] – please include your name and address so we can locate you on our database.

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education

4 News

enterprise

26 Time at the bar

Many of us dream of it, but few take the leap. Three graduates are building their own businesses



Alumni Relations Officer Carol Marsh Alumni Relations Assistant Anna-Theresia Krein The magazine is written and edited by Cheryl Liddle designed by George Lah-Anyane and Linda Leung for Coventry University, photographs are by Graham Harwood and it is printed by Emmersons Press.

Special thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of evolve. The magazine is published twice a year for alumni of Coventry University. All letters, photos and news are welcomed but we reserve the right to edit any contributions. The opinions expressed in evolve are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Alumni Relations Office or Coventry University.

Second Life could change learning and curriculum practices in ways that engage students and fit more readily with their use of digital technologies outside the classroom. It is also a great place for alumni reunions!

The changing face of student life

28 Building for the future Coventry is planning a building project to transform the campus

Meet the team:

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This magazine is available in alternative formats on request. Please contact via +44 (0) 24 7688 8589, or [email protected]

Digital spaces are changing both the nature of higher education and the way in which learning is enacted within it. Digital spaces have brought new freedoms in terms of the ability to co-author texts across the Atlantic, engage in e-conferencing, (re) create identities through avatars, games and immersive simulations provide access to a diverse range of knowledge in virtual worlds. Our University’s own Serious Games Institute has been established in order to explore how developments in gaming technologies can be applied in other contexts (for example in education and medicine). It is why we’ve also taken such an interest in an Internet site called Second Life, which gives our students the ability to learn online in a 3D world where we’ve created our own Island.

development

23 Being my own boss

Principal Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Bill Dunn reveals happy memories from his years of teaching

Deputy Director of Development Ian Moore

Vice Chancellor Madeleine Atkins explains how Coventry is exploring the education superhighway

So while there remains a vital role for bricks and mortar university environments, we also recognise that we have to use digital technologies as well to enhance the learning experience and to offer alternative routes to a university education for those students who prefer to engage and interact from a ‘location independent’ basis. Higher Education is changing, but you can be assured that Coventry University will be exploring, testing and innovating to make sure we capture and integrate the best of the new ways of learning with the best of the old.

Professor Madeleine Atkins Vice-Chancellor 3

news evolve news

Blazing a trail at graduation

views • updates • people

Royal approval

Student Union membership offer Graduates missing nights out in the Students’ Union will welcome the launch of a new card that gives alumni access to all the bars and selected facilities.

The Department of Industrial Design has won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher & Further Education for its work in automotive design.

real team effort by all the staff and students, not only by rewarding our past achievements, but in highlighting the depth of our current training, research and innovative deployment of digital technology.”

The awards, established in 1993 by the Royal Anniversary Trust and given every two years, recognise the role universities and colleges play in the country’s economic advance, social wellbeing and industrial self-fulfillment.

The department continues to pioneer new developments in the field. It is regarded as a centre of excellence by the HE sector internationally and by the automotive industry itself for its contribution to the education of tomorrow’s world-class designers.

Her Majesty The Queen presented the University with its award at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace in February. 
Professor Michael Tovey, Director for Design at Coventry University said:
“Being awarded the Queen’s prize is a huge honour. The prize represents a

The achievements of Tabeisa, a pioneering project to help reduce poverty in Africa, and in which the University is one of the main partners, were also recognised in this year’s awards.

CUSU Communications Officer Rich Hayward (pictured above) said: “If you still live locally, then it is a great offer for alumni as it means you can have a good value night out in your Students’ Union, and still get to enjoy one of your favourite old haunts.”

Winning ticket Business graduate Nicola Golding had a good start to the new year when she found out she had won the competition featured in evolve’s autumn issue. The prize to have a fun day out at a popular attraction, followed by an overnight stay in a luxury hotel – with dinner and breakfast included – was won by Nicola for correctly unscrambling the word ‘Lanchester’. Nicola (pictured right) graduated in 2002 and

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www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

All 2007 graduates received a pack of Coventry playing cards, which included photos to remind them of their University days.

• Elnora Ferguson: degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of her lifelong commitment to peace and conflict resolution. • Eberhard Burger: degree of Doctor of Technology in recognition of his role as the construction engineer who directed the rebuilding of the Frauenkirche, Dresden’s cathedral. • Dr Atta-ur-Rahman: degree of Doctor of Education in recognition of his commitment to restructuring higher education provision within Pakistan. WIN: We have 50 packs of Coventry University playing cards to giveaway to the first 50 people to request a pack.

Award for enterprise chair

Driving support for charity

FOCUS on Enterprise chair Tom Williamson has won a Midlands Business Award for his contribution to enterprise in the region.

One Coventry graduate is helping to raise £250,000 for charity as part of a group that is planning a 60-day drive from Solihull to Singapore to mark Land Rover’s 60th birthday.

The trophy for the Best Business Referral was presented to Tom at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole in January at the annual awards event that recognises business talent in the region.

The card, which is available from the Students’ Union reception in Priory Street, is £10 to all Friends of Coventry University (FOCUS) members, and lasts for three years.

Chuck Berry recorded the classic My Ding-a-Ling in Coventry University’s Students’ Union.

Paul Thompson received a Doctor of Science degree in recognition of his success with the team and his undoubted commitment to raising the profile of the city in sport regionally, nationally and internationally.

• Sir Derek Wanless: degree of Doctor of Business Administration for his contribution to Government policy in the areas of public health and social care.

News in brief

It also means they have access to sports and societies that they may wish to continue playing a part in, as well as to the University hairdressers and support centre.

Fact

The ceremonies celebrated the success of all Coventry’s graduates as well as honouring five special individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their profession.

is now a Marketing Officer at Amersham and Wycombe College in Buckinghamshire said: “I’m really pleased and very excited. I’m going to use the tickets to go to the Dungeons in London and then spend a night at the Ramada Docklands Hotel. I picked a weekend in June that’s just after my birthday as I thought it would be a nice break away.”

Tom said: “I won ‘Best Referral’ for my role in connecting businesses to each other. It’s strange to be given an award for doing something which is more instinct than skill, but perhaps having received the awards those around me might feel encouraged to engage more actively in networking events and try a little harder to make connections where ever possible”. Tom who runs his own company called Simple Hosting Solutions also works at the University in the Business & Enterprise Support Team. Read more about Business Enterprise Works on page 25.

for lucky alumni

Also receiving honours at the awards ceremonies:

Email [email protected], write to evolve, Development Office, Alan Berry room 35, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB with your name, address and contact number, or call +44 (0) 24 7688 8589.

Cardholders become associate members of Coventry University’s Students’ Union (CUSU) and can get into the SU at student prices without having to make advance arrangements through the Alumni Office.

The card only gives access to the relevant Coventry University Students’ Union facilities and should not be confused with an NUS card.

Cassidy Coventry Blaze Coach Paul Thompson was one of five distinguished professionals to be honoured during the graduation ceremonies at Coventry Cathedral last November.

More prizes Subscribers to the FOCUS e-newsletter have been winning tickets to popular UK attractions. Business Administration graduate (1996) Liz Goodey won tickets to SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries in November’s e-newsletter. Liz was delighted with her win and said: “It was a nice surprise to find out I had won. My 18 month old daughter will enjoy it as she likes fish!” In October Les Wojnarowicz, who graduated in 1991 from Applied Chemistry (pictured right), won tickets to Warwick Castle. Les who now lives in Crewe, planned to visit the University again when he used his tickets to see the Castle. “It has been a while since I’ve been in the area since graduation,” said Les. “I’ll pop by the University to see how things have changed.” Back in January, Donna Munslow who had recently graduated from a Psychology degree also won tickets to SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries. Donna who won the tickets around the same time as hearing she had secured a new job with the NHS in the Community Drug Team in Coventry said: “I have a two year old daughter, so it will make a great day out.”

The prize tickets – all supplied courtesy of Merlin Entertainments Group, are just one way members can enjoy the attractions. The group of Jaguar and Land Rover employees Get discounts on and enthusiasts, called GO60, includes Automotive days out to Alton Technology 2006 graduate Peter Waitland. The team Towers Resort, are currently seeking sponsors for the drive and the Chessington World money raised will go to the Red Cross to help some of Adventures & of the most deprived children in the world. Zoo, LEGOLAND® The drive takes place between May and July and Windsor, Madame two Land Rover Defenders and three Land Rover Tussauds, the Dungeons, Discoveries will make the journey across Europe, Russia, SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries, the Himalayas and Asia – recreating the 1956 expedition. THORPE PARK and Warwick Castle just More info at www.go60sharing.co.uk, or contact GO60 by calling 0870 220 4000 and quoting on [email protected] or Peter on +44 01926 647057. Coventry University. Book the Dungeons at www.thedungeons.com/corporate CAW hosts international conference and enter code DDC34. Please note tickets must be booked 48 hours prior The University’s Centre for Academic Writing has been to your visit. All major credit cards are chosen to host the fifth international European Association for accepted. A full list of membership the Teaching of Academic Writing (EATAW) conference in June benefits are featured on page 31. 2009 – making Coventry the first UK university to host the event. EATAW has approximately 650 members, made up of HE writing teachers from Europe and around the world.

LEGO, the LEGO logo and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2008 The LEGO Group

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evolve news

Graduate scheme rewards student entrepreneurs

Two graduates who set up a mentoring scheme for student entrepreneurs recently hosted an awards ceremony to formerly congratulate the students with the best business ideas. Last year alumnus and Chair of Coventry University’s Development Committee Stephen Kingswell and fellow alumnus Phil Cornwall who is Chair of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Coventry and Warwickshire, launched the Coventry Means Business (CMB) scheme to nurture new business talent in its first year, with the help of the Coventry and Warwickshire branch of the IoD. The mentoring scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and paired up business leaders with aspiring young entrepreneurs. The awards recognised the achievements of three students for best business idea, best start-up and champion trouble-shooter. Winners received a trophy and a £1,000 business grant. Stephen Kingswell said: “Throughout the year, the mentors have delivered guest master class presentations, one-to-one mentoring and have been on hand via emails and phone calls to offer support and advice and for this we will be forever in their debt.”

Representatives from business, commerce, education and local government came to the awards ceremony, which it is hoped will become an annual event.

Coventry is strengthening its green credentials by producing an environmentally friendly prospectus to promote the University’s courses. The new prospectus is not only printed on recycled paper, but will also be mailed out in a bag made from a material called ‘bioplast’ which is a completely biodegradable film made from potato starch.

Vice Chancellor Professor Madeleine Atkins said: “This initiative is, I believe, unique and other universities and IoD branches throughout the UK are looking to adopt it. “The scheme is ideal for encouraging a new generation who seek to join the business community and it recognises the sense of purpose that exists in the region and the commitment to building business success across Coventry and Warwickshire.” The event would not have been possible without the support of the main sponsors Business Link West Midlands and Halfords, and also the two support sponsors CSWP and LSC Coventry & Warwickshire. THE WINNERS: The Best Business Idea – sponsored by AAH Pharmaceuticals Rosemary Evans and her company Inhaler Tailor. This Social and Environmental enterprise will offer asthma sufferers medical equipment they would feel proud to use with an array of stylish and fun designs to suit all.

David Wick for his company Memorabilia F1/ Moto. It is the only company in the UK with the licence to sell genuine F1/Moto memorabilia. The Champion Trouble-shooter - sponsored by Lloyds TSB Bank Rachel Taylor and her company Ephemeral Opulence. It specialises in bespoke corporate large scale art, crafted in glass and metals appropriate for architectural interior and exterior applications; alongside limited ranges of smaller home accessory items targeted to high end boutiques and smaller corporate gifts. The student “mentees” gave a best mentor award to Sherod Williams, Managing Partner at Walker Thompson Accountants.

E-music tutor, Mark Thorley has been elected on to the board of the Music Producers Guild (MPG).

More than 300 undergraduate students received scholarship awards in February.

Mark said he would do what he could to promote the University’s courses and the city.

www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

Coventry University offers a wide range of scholarships every year ranging from £500 to £4,000 and the successful scholars receive their awards at two special ceremonies. Scholarships awarded this year were given to first year students whose previous achievement in enterprise, sports, creative or performing arts has been exceptional. Tracy Cullis, Director of Student Services at Coventry University said: “We offer a number of scholarships to suit almost every student and those who come to the university with a high level of achievement in an academic or skill area could be eligible for a financial reward.” Coventry offers one of the best sports’ scholarship support programmes in the country. With up to £4,000 a year, which is

All 70,000 copies of the ‘green’ prospectus can also be recycled when they are finished with and Elise Smithson, the University’s environmental officer said it sets a good example for other Universities: “This is an excellent message being sent out by the University and one that I hope will be mirrored across other organisations that produce similar brochures. Not only is it cheaper to produce, but it is also good for the environment and the quality of the publication is not compromised.”

The Best Business Start Up – sponsored by Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber

Making a difference

Mark is a well-respected musician and is also the inspiration behind Coventry University’s ground breaking E-music course, which was the first of its kind in Europe. Before joining academia as a Principal Lecturer and Programme Manager, Music and Creative Technologies, Mark worked in the music and broadcast industries. His knowledge means he is often invited on to the airwaves to share his views on the music scene.

University’s green guide is helping the environment

CMB winners and IoD representatives: (l-r) Sherod Williams, Stephen Kingswell, Rachel Taylor, David Wick, Rosemary Evans and Phil Cornwall.

Music man

The MPG (UK) promotes and represents all individuals in the music production and recording professions.

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Greener prospects

a combination of money and services, the scholarship gives rising stars in the sports world access to a support network which allows them to manage effectively the mix of performance sport and academic study. Tracy Cullis added: “The scholarships make such a difference and we firmly believe that high achievers should be encouraged and rewarded for their hard work.” See page 26 for more on student scholarships.

Last year, the university did well when it was “awarded” a respectable 2:1 degree score from the People and Planet Green League 2007.

S ECTU urses PROrgrSP uate co 2009 de ad ime un Full-t

Students who are concerned about their own future as well as that of the planet can access details about their chosen university to see if the institution they will be attending does well in the green stakes.

The university has also been given the Energy Efficiency Scheme Accreditation and was one of thirteen universities in the country that were accredited last year. It is awarded for the results achieved by putting energy saving measures in place. Elise Smithson added: “Students coming to Coventry will be happy in the knowledge that they’ll be coming to an institution where saving the environment and being energy efficient is a high priority.” evolve is printed on paper that is sourced from sustainable forests.

Fact The University is the biggest property developer in Coventry, now occupying over 33 acres of prime city-centre land with a further 20 acres allocated to the Technology Park.

Nigerian alumni welcome

new president

Two new appointments make Coventry popular in Nigerian Nigerian alumni celebrated the appointment of their first President in February. Anthony Ajibosin (pictured below right), MBA graduate 2006 will head up the Nigerian Alumni Association for Coventry and said he was proud to take up the post of President citing the alumni efforts as one of the reasons he chose to study at Coventry. “The friendly and helpful response from the first point of contact with the International Office and the understanding of Nigerian qualifications and culture were just two of the reasons I chose Coventry,” said Anthony. “I also liked the fact the University kept in-touch with its alumni.” Despite more foreign investment in Nigeria it is not easy for a Nigerian graduating from Nigerian universities and polytechnics to find a job with a good salary and career prospects.

Increasing numbers of Nigerians are heading overseas to get a UK degree in the hope of enhancing their employability back in Nigeria. “Following my graduation, Coventry University opened an office in Nigeria,” said Anthony. “This demonstrates to me that they are serious in helping Nigerians achieve their dreams of obtaining a UK degree.” To further demonstrate Coventry’s commitment to its graduates, Law graduate Fatima Modupe has been appointed as the new Office Manager in Coventry University’s new Nigeria office in Abuja, which is there to encourage more Nigerians to study at the University. To contact Anthony email [email protected] and to contact the Nigerian International Office email nigeriaoffice. [email protected] and call +234 802524 7261.

10 reasons why Anthony chose to study at Coventry 1. The superb facilities and city centre campus 2. The cost of living, much cheaper than London 3. The opportunity to find a part-time job without breaching the terms of my visa 4. The University’s West African Society and sports facilities 5. The location of Coventry, one-hour from London by train and in the centre of England 6. Free careers advice and help with interview techniques and CV writing 7. Accommodation on campus and in-town very near to the University 8. Friendly tutors who would help you 9. Fantastic library in an award-winning building 10. Staff that regularly visit Nigeria and other parts of Africa that understand our culture and our issues.

Celebrating 50 years in Greece The British Graduates Society of Greece (BGS) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a host of events and a new website to boot. Alumni in Greece are invited to join in the celebrations that will include social and musical events, seminars and art exhibitions throughout the year. The events will all also reflect the society’s theme for 2008: The Environment. The new BGS website, www.bgs.gr, has all the details of the 50th anniversary celebrations

as well as a members’ forum and information about British university education. Established in 1958 and under the patronage of the British Ambassador, the BGS is an organisation in Greece which is open to all those who have graduated from a British university or college (irrespective of nationality). The Society is an independent non-profit making organisation (with no financial support from any institution or organisation) and is run by professionals working on a voluntary basis. With more than 2,500 members fellow graduates can exchange ideas and information to develop a network of contacts and take part in the Society’s many activities. BGS team: (l-r) BGS Patron the British Ambassador Simon Gass and his wife Marianne, Jaki Zotos and BGS President Basil Zotos.

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evolve community

reunions Graduates have been celebrating the good times at Coventry by reuniting back on campus or in their home countries. Why not let the alumni office help you with a campus tour, hotel bookings or finding old friends for your reunion?

Alumni bowled over to be back F

ounders of Coventry University’s cricket club reunited last December to play against current members and see how well the team had survived without them. The indoor cricket matches proved the club is still successful as the students beat the alumni in two of the three matches they played. Early club members and 2006 graduates Dave Cowley (Engineering Management) and Will Sterio (Business Management), along with current Information Technology student Luke Makins all helped to organise the reunion weekend and were thrilled to be playing among friends again.

TEAM 1: from l-r: (team in white) Zaf Ahmed, David Cowley (wk), Lee Trevor Watkins, Karim Govani, Shaid Ali, Will Sterio (Capt) TEAM 2: Gareth May, James Pockett, Chris Harries (wk), Paul Darrington, Anthony Jayawardena, Tom Brockton (Capt)

“I’ve played cricket all my life,” said Dave who is now a Graduate Maintenance Manager with Network Rail. “I joined the club that Tom Brockton started as soon as I came to Coventry as I wanted to be a part of something. I even

organised one of our first tours to Magaluf in 2003 with about 15 of us – and we still talk about that tour now!” The former team were proud that the club is still doing well. “It was good to see all the hard work that had been put in back in 2001 from people like Tom Brockton, Karim Govani and more recently Will Sterio, Luke Makins and myself to name but a few has paid off,” said Dave who enjoyed a night out in Coventry too. “It was nice to hear the current team saying they were proud to play for their University,” added Will who now works for Natwest. “And it was good to see a lot of the old boys making the effort to come to Coventry for the day. Let’s hope it can be a regular event with outdoor matches taking place too.”

Graham Selden and his friends decided to relive some old times on campus and visit their Students’ Union again. “I think we all found it slightly surreal to be back in Coventry,” said Graham. “It was definitely strange to be back in the Priory Street building, which was the Union [the bars and clubs] in our first two years. None of us knew the Planets building had been demolished, so it was a bit of a shock to walk around the corner and see no 8

www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

building there at all.” Graham, who is now a Supplier Manager for Boeing, was also surprised to see the development in the city and impressed with the improved nightlife. “From around 8.30pm onwards we were in the SkyDome area which was very entertaining!” Graham said he would recommend other graduates organise a reunion on campus as it’s a good way to see old haunts. “We went to the old pubs we used to frequent, and walked through the campus and retold stories,” said Graham. “The strangest thing was visiting the old houses

A cupboard clear out prompted one alumnus to organise a reunion forty years on from his graduation

W

hen Tony O’Toole’s mother asked him to clear out his old Lanchester things from under the stairs it started a nationwide search to find his University friends. Tony lives in Ontario, Canada so hunting them down wasn’t the easiest of tasks, but four years later he managed it and forty years to the day since their graduation they reunited on campus to see how life had changed. The gang kicked their reunion off with a visit to the (Deputy) Lord Mayor’s office. Tony said: “It was a very impressive building and we had a lovely coffee reception.”

evolve asked the group to reveal the highlights of their weekend. Q. What was it like to be back together? Tony: We’re all married, and everyone has two or three children, and most of the children are over 30 now. Five of the guys have been married for over 40 years to women who they knew when they were at the Lanch. Five of the guys still live close to the University in the midlands and everyone, apart from John Robinson, is now retired.

Next issue read about the annual alumni Sports Day that took place in April.

10 year reunion means business A group of Business School graduates got back together again to celebrate 10 years since their graduation last November.

Engineering a reunion

Happy times: (l-r) Matthew Woodgate, Graham Selden, Greg Williams and Helen Loney

where we lived and seeing what happened to them. One was particularly run down and it was amazing how sad it made us feel to see the place in that state when we have so many great memories from living there.”

Want to plan your own reunion back on campus? The alumni office can help, from finding old friends to event promotion and special deals on Coventry hotels. Just complete the online form at www.coventry. ac.uk/alumni or call + 44 (0) 24 7688 8589.

Q. What was it like to be back in Coventry after all these years? Tony: It was interesting to see Broadgate – it used to be a square. That was where we caught the bus home at the end of each day. I remember it was a number 16 bus that dropped us at Broadgate in the morning. Then we had to walk between the Cathedrals to go to classes in B, C or D blocks. The tent over Lady Godiva was a surprise as well. The inner ring road is still an eyesore and it is still difficult to navigate especially if you are used to driving on the other side of the road (like me). It is also too close to some of the lovely old buildings around the city centre. John Robinson: Bewildering – the whole city and the road infrastructure has changed out of all recognition. Q. What did you think of the University campus? Has it improved since you were here as a student?

Q. What about the Engineering Faculty? John Robinson: It had hardly changed at all and was like being transported back 45 years to the day we arrived, although the curriculum being taught in the building is vastly different. The staff who gave up their Saturday lunchtime to greet us and show us round were friendly and informative and we had some common ground as they remembered a number of the old staff who were there in our time. Many thanks to them for making the day enjoyable. John Green: In many respects it was like walking in 40 years ago. The rooms, the machines, the smells were practically the same. I half expected to chance upon bits of our various projects.

Together again: l-r Tony O’Toole, Jim Lunt, John Robinson, Howard Collerson, John Green, Bruce Mosley and Clive Sturgess and (below) the gang at graduation 1967

John Green: The development is fantastic in all respects, including ambition, scale and architecture. It has become a city within the city. The facilities for encouraging developing businesses are a good idea. One big difference that I wasn’t aware of is the incorporation of so many other learning establishments into the university, for example the health and life sciences and performing arts, which is very different from the basic engineering disciplines that were on offer when we were there. John Robinson: When we were there in ’62, the site was only two-three acres with five buildings, and mostly concentrated on mechanical, production, electrical and aeronautical engineering. The course and facilities development is fantastic and now seems to occupy most of the city to the west & south of the Cathedral. The architecture, both the new and the redevelopment of existing buildings is excellent and it felt like a great environment to study (and play) in. The library facilities are fantastic.

Can you help? The gang are still looking for John Boon, Bill Bradbury or Colin Guppy. 9

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Graduated 1970s Roger Healy Business Law 1972 After graduating from the ‘Lanch,’ I went to the Bar (Inner Temple), studied and worked at the same time. Called in 1977. Went into industry (C.E.G.B/Powergen). Became Regional Commercial Head of South East, then took over Midlands and South West regions. Moved from London to Vale of Evesham. Headhunted by Energis Telecoms, stayed five years as Commercial Head based in London, then Reading. Retired in 2000 to live in the sun of southern Portugal. Married with two children: Rory, 17 and studying at Leeds and Annabel who is 16 and studying for her A’levels at our local international school.

Martin Wigg Engineering 1977 Moved to USA in 1987. Worked for Gross Given, Toppers Pizza (start-up company) and WPP (advertising). Currently part-owner of Performance Metals, a marine parts supply company.

Peter Tiahnybida Modern Studies 1978 15 years with U.S. based Mark Andy supplying printing machinery to the packaging industry, 15 years prior to that in the Business Forms industry working initially for Burroughs and latterly with N.C.R.

Stephen Wilson Business Law 1978 After graduating I took my Law Society finals and returned to Lincoln to join a local firm of solicitors Sills & Betteridge in 1979. I qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and find myself still there 28 years later. The firm has grown considerably over the years and I am now one of the senior partners. I am married with three children and recently took my eldest son to a Coventry Uni open day in anticipation of him going to University this September. I managed to meet up with my old tutor Colin Perkin who is still there. It was just like being at the Lanch in the old days. I wouldn’t mind going back!

Graduated 1980s David Hall Computer Studies 1981 I have worked for the last ten years at CRESTCo helping to design and develop the UK share settlement system.

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Happy memories of Coventry are not lost. Find out what old friends have been up to and share your latest news.

please do contact me and try to catch up on old times. I have grown (a bit) and lost a few hairs (as you will see from my family photo), I hope you still remember me.

Azemah Hassan Business Administration 1995 Currently attached with a reputable financial institution and planning to pursue postgraduate study at Coventry in 2008.

Michael Adams Business Law 1984

Aidan Langley Engineering 1996

Although I have lived in Australia (married to an Australian wife with two Australian daughters) since 1988, it is nice to know what is happening at the Lanch! After graduation I studied at University College, London to complete a Master of Laws (LLM) in 1986. I came out to Australia in 1988 and actually started teaching law in 1989 at the University of Technology Sydney. In 2001 I became a Professor of Corporate Law and had won the Australian University Teacher of Year in Law and Legal Studies in 2000. Well after 18 years at UTS, it was time for a new challenge and I was appointed the Dean of the Law School at the University of Western Sydney in February 2007. This is a major change in role from a teaching-researching academic to a management role with 40 staff, but so far is bringing great enjoyment, but long days. I get to return to the UK most years and it is wonderful to see Coventry grow from strength to strength.

Married to Ruth with two daughters, Maebh (3) and Aoife (1). After graduating in 1996 I spent five more enjoyable years in Coventry (with Rolls-Royce), before moving on to do six years with Intel (in Dublin and the USA), now the Engineering Manager for the Dublin tram network (with ALSTOM).

David Jones Business Studies 1988 After leaving Coventry, I joined Xerox UK as a marketing graduate. After two years I moved into sales and in 2005 left Xerox as a Sales Manager to buy a farm in France with parents in law. I have now joined an aeronautics company in Figeac. I am married with a five year old daughter.

Nick Watts Business Studies 1989 After a few years working in Marketing for Friends of the Earth, I changed career and moved into Television Production. I am now a Producer/Director and have made various films for Channel 4 and the BBC including a four hour series on the Battle of Britain entitled Spitfire Ace and more recently a 90 minute art/science film called The Human Footprint. I’m just off to West Africa to make a film about mercenaries and am also in the process of setting up a production company.

Andrew Stenning Business Studies 1996 On graduating from Coventry Business School I went to work for my placement company, Pritex Ltd. Initially as a Production Assistant, but I have since had several roles until being made Production Director approximately three years ago. The business has 225 employees with a turnover approaching £20 million. I am very fortunate to enjoy the job I do and feel I have taken part in its recent growth and development. Didn’t do the year out thing but have been fortunate to do a lot of travelling recently. Have done a few specific courses for work but nothing too heavy, the thought of hitting the books again fills me with dread. I try to keep up to date with most things. Find a lot of the most important things about work are to do with people and have a respectful, fair approach. Keep in touch with a few from Uni but everyone is busy and that’s life! Hi to everyone who knew me at Uni and I hope you are all well.

Elizabeth Halliwell (nee Slade) Modern Languages French and Spanish 1996

Have worked in the food industry for over 10 years now. Currently managing food safety and new product development for Belvoir Cordials, a soft drink manufacturer near Grantham.

Since leaving Coventry, I’ve spent six years in the recruitment industry in London as a language specialist, married my husband Russell who I met at Coventry (he studied IPS and graduated in 1997) and we’ve now moved to Gloucestershire. Russell also worked in recruitment since graduating and together we’ve recently set up our own recruitment business in Stroud called Equals Recruitment. We’re specialising in finance and accountancy personnel. We’ve only been doing this for the past two months so it is early days yet but we are certainly enjoying the challenge and the freedom to be at home a bit more with our two children Poppy (four) and Thomas (one).

Mohd Yusof Business Administration 1993

Cesar Garcia-Caso Business Admin 1997

Graduated 1990s Dan Welch Applied Biology 1992

My present occupation involves law enforcement and prior to that I was a banker and a teacher for a secondary school. Though it was 14 years ago, I enjoyed my time in Coventry and made great friends there. Irfan, Tungku Kamaruddin, Norli as well as many others (too many to mention), if you are reading this,

Since graduation I have worked in different companies, first in my hometown in Vitoria (north of Spain) and for the last four years in Madrid. At the moment I work for a Dutch company called Nedap as a Product Manager. I married a Madrileña and we have recently become parents – this is something University did not prepare us for! I remember my days at Coventry always with a smile. I shared a huge house on Kenilworth Road with

seven others. It was quite international with Spanish, French, Greek and Iranian students. We had great moments there and big parties. I also remember the Phase dances at the Students’ Union. I keep in touch with many of my friends from back then and they have become an important part of my life.

Hayley Griffiths Communication Studies 1998 I emigrated to Greece almost four years ago with my boyfriend Kev. We live on the island of Zante, where I’ve been indulging in my exhibitionist side as a professional singer and radio presenter. I joined a girl trio approximately 18 months after graduating and have been singing ever since. I combined singing with various other work, including being a landlady of two pubs, working in the mental health sector in public/private hospitals and secure units. I worked in advertising and journalism for The New Chronicle in Doncaster, where I wrote my first front page exclusive (thanks to the journalism modules on my course). I now sing solo in hotels throughout the holiday season and also in a live band with Kev as the drummer, and I’ve been hosting my own radio show for 18 months on Island FM – the only English language radio station in Greece. All in all we are lucky to live a charmed life, and do very little in the closed season, apart from relax and spend a few months in England visiting friends and family. I will never forget the support my Communication Studies tutor Jason Toynbee gave to me during my final year. He really helped me to complete the course despite many outside difficulties. Listen to me online at www.gozakynthos.gr and click on ‘Listen to Island’ link or visit www.islandfm.gr or my website www.hayleybelle.co.uk.

Graduated 2000s Iain Groom Transport Design 2000 Formed Ominic Design Ltd in 2001 and have developed a strong business in healthcare and workplace interior design and project management.

Samantha Vickers Sociology 2002 I took a PGCE course during the last academic year and have now qualified as a primary school teacher. Teaching children aged between five and 11.

Lawrence Cook Industrial Product Design 2002 Since leaving Coventry I have realised what an excellent grounding and skills base I was provided with for use in future employment, and now further study. I am proud to have started out from Coventry University. I’ve worked at Wagner Design, Birmingham Airport (Aviance), Aviation Research at Avsoft in Rugby and currently studying for a PhD at Cranfield University. I’ve travelled to Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Greece and Japan and even after these trips I can put my hand on my heart and say that Coventry is a great place to be. Long live Coventry. Do they still experiment with dropping oranges from the top floor of Priory Halls?

Emily Rowe International Disaster Engineering and Management 2006

Abid Hussain Adams Mathematical Studies and Accounting 2002 After graduating I went into self employment, assisting the motor trade industry with vehicle sales, breakdown assistance and the sale of vehicle parts.

Yiannis Pipis Business Administration 2002 After graduating, I did my MBA at Cardiff University. After my graduation in 2003, I have passed through different jobs like Business Studies lecturer in two colleges in Cyprus, and two years as a Recruitment Officer in an organisation. Since August 2007 I am employed at MKC City College of Cyprus as a Head of International Admissions.

Aurore Locko Business Administration 2004 I enjoyed my studies at Coventry. The teaching system was very different from that of France. A few courses but a lot of time for investigation and exchanges with teachers. However, I haven’t spoken English since 2004 so my English is becoming poor. I’m trying to have contacts with English speaking people in France – not easy!

David Richardson Business Enterprise 2004 Since leaving I have undertaken a few jobs to try and further my career. I have travelled to London, Edinburgh and even Stuttgart - IQPC (London and Edinburgh) Aldi (Stuttgart) being the companies I was employed with. I am now helping develop a new brand within the UK Car Group called Carland.com. It is a new and exciting way to buy a car via the internet and small retail outlets in major shopping centres nationwide. We have been running the company since April 2007 and have five stores in the Yorkshire region. In a very exciting development, we are about to expand into the North East region and we have the green-light for 10 more new stores. The studying at Coventry didn’t prove an advantage immediately with my first jobs – work experience is extremely important with the majority of companies. However, in this new position I have been able to draw from my skills learned at Coventry, especially when it comes to developing and establishing my new team.

Rowena Bennett Business and Accounting 2005 I’ve now started my training to be a Company Secretary. I’m currently working in the Group Secretariat department of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc in Surrey. I have just completed my first ICSA exam in Financial Accounting in which I gained a Distinction.

Simon Duggan Automotive Engineering Design 2005 First year worked as a Design Engineer for Jack Knight Developments Ltd. Followed by further work as a Design Engineer at Titan Motorsport. I am now a contract engineer for Ricardo, based at Ford in Essex working on the new Fiesta transmission.

Following the completion of my Disaster Management degree, I immediately began an internship as a Programme Officer with CORD, a relief and development NGO based in Leamington Spa. It was really good to be able to use and develop the skills I had learnt through my degree. This post involved research into ‘Conflict Transformation’ for which we were able to collaborate with the Coventry University Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. During my studies at Coventry, I took a year out to work with rural communities in Pakistan for an NGO called Partner Aid International (PAI). Following this year out, I decided to undertake an organisational management review of PAI as the basis for one of my final year modules. Now, in 2007 I have a fantastic opportunity to put into action some of the recommendations from this review since PAI invited me to work with them from the UK as Operations Manager. Find out more about our projects and visit www.partner-aid-international.org or email [email protected]

Oloruntoba Babatunde Business Decision Management 2006 I moved from Coventry to London in December 2006, having completed my Masters to start a job as a Research Analyst in the City. I’ve since changed jobs and now work with Network Rail in the Strategic Access Planning Team as a Modelling Analyst based in the Paddington office. Being an international student, Coventry was and still is my first home in the UK. I miss student life in Coventry and I love to keep in touch. London is fun and I’m loving it here.

Mark Øvland E-Commerce 2007 I’m off backpacking to India for five months over the winter where I hope to learn more about Eastern philosophy, Buddhism, Yoga and meditation from the masters. Next year I’m heading to South America with the plan to work my way up from Chile to Mexico over two years, lending a hand in orphanages and schools along the way.

Update everyone and reveal what you’re up to now by emailing [email protected], or calling + 44 (0) 24 7688 8589 or use the online form on the website at www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni 11

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I would walk 5,000 miles… Growing numbers of Bangladeshis are choosing a UK education and Coventry graduates are promoting the benefits of studying in the multi-cultural city

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t can take more than a decade to graduate from a public University in Bangladesh. The strikes and poor facilities that slow the process down are encouraging more students to travel over 5,000 miles to get an education in the UK. The cost of living in the UK is high by comparison but the prestige that comes with a qualification from these shores far outweighs the negatives. Many students eager to get a degree from a UK university will cut costs by spending one year abroad and then complete their degree in Bangladesh. “This is a cheaper option,” said Sofeena Meghani who works in the University’s International Office and regularly visits Bangladesh to invite new students to come and study at Coventry. “It means they still get the experience of studying in the UK, and it is accredited by Coventry University.” Sofeena has developed links with alumni living in Bangladesh and works with North South University in Dhaka to promote the University to students. “It’s nice when you meet people who have studied at Coventry,” said Sofeena. “Especially when they have been successful.” Poverty is rife in Bangladesh and many students return to the country after graduating in the UK to support their families. evolve spoke to one graduate who has used an MBA from Coventry to help build a better life for him and his family in Bangladesh. Alumnus Mokhdum Morshed, completed his MBA in 1999 and is now a Senior Lecturer in the School of Business at North South University in the capital Dhaka. What was it like when you first arrived in Coventry?

Happy days: Alumnus Mokhdum Morshed

Life was quite difficult. It was a totally new experience, as I had no friends or relatives in the UK. The education system, environment, and climate – everything was new to me. The International Office helped a lot during that time. I got full support from them. How different was your life in England? In Bangladesh, I live with my parents and other family members. I am used to their support as I am the youngest son of the family. But when I went to England, it was a new world.

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I came into contact with students from different countries with different backgrounds. England is a multi-cultural country so I got the opportunity to learn things from different societies. I tried to socialise not only with local students but also with foreign students. I was an introvert but now I have become an extrovert! The lifestyle and education system in England helped me to work in a group environment and that has made me a more confident person. Why did you choose to come to Coventry? One of Coventry’s alumni told me about Coventry Business School as I was planning to go to the UK to do an MBA. I got a positive response from the British Council about the quality of education at Coventry too. How has your degree helped you in your career? It helped a lot in building my career in the teaching and research field. It provided opportunities, resources and expertise to help me achieve academic, personal and career goals within a stimulating and supportive atmosphere. The MBA strives not only to maintain high quality in both instruction and research but also in the dissemination of information, organisation of seminars, training programmes and other activities. The curriculum has encouraged me to sharpen both analytical and communication skills. I have developed interpersonal communication and leadership skills to work effectively with others and lead teams to accomplish objectives. What do you miss about Coventry? I enjoyed both campus and city life. Many regard Coventry as one of the most important cities in the UK. The deep sense of tradition, history and culture make it a unique city. The diversity of cultures also makes it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the UK. The attraction of studying in Coventry was its unrivalled role in the world of business. The educational legacy and this solid foundation have enabled the University to become one of the largest and most progressive educational institutions in the UK. That’s why I am not only missing campus life but also the city as a whole.

Different worlds: A banana plantation in Bangladesh – thousands of miles away from the busy streets of Coventry

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Letters

Modern memories Dear FOCUS,

Have your say and share your views with other Friends of Coventry University. The star letter wins a £25 book voucher kindly donated by Waterstone’s Coventry University. Please send letters to Letters, Development Office, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB or

star l

etter

email [email protected], or telephone +44 (0) 24 7688 8589

Thank you

Coventry

Dear FOCUS,

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just want to say a big thank you for sending me the two copies of the new magazine evolve, as I had not received FOCUS this year and telephoned you a few weeks ago. The new magazine is really good, very interesting and well planned out. Since returning home to Ireland (after 40 years abroad) I’ve gone back to my first love, jazz music, and present my own radio programme. I’ve also written a short social history story as well as many historical features for papers and magazines. I spent a decade as secretary of the Connemara Heritage Society and witnessed and covered the re-enactment of the 1919 Alcock & Brown first transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Clifden in the west of Ireland. The pilot was the adventurer Steve Fossett and navigator was American Airline captain Mark

Rebolz. The airplane was a replica of the first Vickers Vimy WW1 fighter plane.

Thanks for the byline

My husband and myself made a professional DVD of the event which took place in July 2005.



Dear FOCUS,

I keep up with what’s going on in Coventry via friends and your website. I want to say hello to anyone who remembers me from the class of Modern Studies in 1990 and would love to know what you are doing now. Especially Richard Kelly and Maryanne Smith and our lecturers in Modern Studies. I was a full time mature student and it was the best experience of my life. I have applied what I have learned on my course as I’ve gone through life since. Keep up the good work. Maureen McNall Modern Studies, 1990

Happy times: (l-r) Maureen with her grandson Josh and son Mark in the west of Ireland last summer

May and h Teresa unch wit ght) la ri st r a fa e uth iina is W2W So wood (N k c la B ola PPC Nic

David Camer on with Niina

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only graduated in 2006 but things have moved fast! It was my regular columns in The Source which had given me the idea that maybe I could make it in the cut-throat world of journalism. Keen not to get into further debt, I worked for six months in office administration to raise the cash for a £3,000 NCTJ course in London. Finishing that in the summer, I had the qualifications I needed to start applying for jobs in the industry. I tried my luck, and to my surprise, landed a job at the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald newspaper just down the road from Coventry. It was good to get back to the area where I spent three happy years, and now doing the job I dared to dream of doing but never actually thought I was capable! Being a local news reporter is demanding but exciting. You never know what might happen next. Only in my second week on the job, a tragedy unfolded in a Warwickshire warehouse and took the lives of four firefighters. Seeing the fire, going to the press conferences, the inquests, the funerals; all in the shadow of blanket news coverage from the likes of BBC News 24 and Sky has left me humbled. It seems a long time ago now since I was writing political satire for a student newspaper in Coventry. But thanks for the memories – I will always remember where I got my first byline!

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hen I was earn ing a pittance as a sales rep I started as a in Coventry 10 mature studen years ago, (bef t at Coventry) be in the care ore I would never er I am in now. have thought I would I would like to thank Covent ry, who helped those mature me change m students who y career, and might doubt th say to all it, and it’s neve eir decision to r too late. go back to un i: It is worth After graduatin g in 2001 I go t a job as a Co Oxfordshire Co nservative Po unty Council. litical Assistant I st udied part-tim a Town Council at e in Business M appointed Sc anagement an hool Governo d was r to help furth In 2005 I worke er my career. d day and nigh t on the Coun my councillors ty and District and MPs, doin elections supp g manifesto lau networking. I orting nches, writing was nick-nam sp eeches and ed ‘th e nanny and th nanny politicia e bully’ by my ns when their Leader as I w egos were brui working harder ould sed but I wou . ld also bully th em into The hard work paid off. We ha d a landslide vic not want to pr tory and by th ogress within is time I knew management I did as I was pass In 2006, I was ionate about po appointed as litics. the South East the Conservativ Co-ordinator e group that en of Women2W courages mor in (W2W), After a succes e women to be sful launch I pu co me MPs. t myself throug becoming an h the nerve w MP. I became racking proces an Approved European Parlia s of Conservative ment. I am no Candidate in 20 w als 07 for the o South East. officially a Cons ervative MEP candidate for the Now my spare time is spent travelling, mee introducing m ting people, pr yself to as man esenting spee y people as po ches and ssible. As a single pa rent with two young boys, it’s air but worth it hard work to ke as I love every ep all the balls minute of it an son is now 15 in the d my boys are and is also ve ve ry proud. My eld ry in vo lved as well as leafleting with est my seven year me. old son who go es Niina Kaarin iemi, Europe an Studies w Conservative ith Spanish 20 Political Assi 01 stant Oxfordshire County Counc il

I

James Cracknell Sport Management 2006

Down memory lane… Do you recognise any of the students in this photo or know when it was taken? evolve has had another dig through the archive and thought this photo may stir some memories for graduates. If you have an old photo from student days that you would like to share or can identify this one, then contact evolve by the address at the top of the page. You could win a £25 book voucher – courtesy of Waterstone’s.

Waterstone’s is the UK’s leading academic bookseller, with a comprehensive range of course books, textbooks and professional titles at highly competitive prices. The shop stocks an extensive range of academic books from the UK and abroad, with an expert team on hand to help.

Waterstone’s, Coventry University, Frederick Lanchester Building, Gosford St, Coventry, CV1 5DD, or visit other Coventry branches in Cathedral Lanes and the Lower Precinct. 15

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Ma Consu king the rig ht mo ltan ves: seeing t Andy Birc h enjo the stu ys dents develo p

Their pla ce of work ac tually become s the curriculu m

”

Learn as you earn Adam Woolls – Customer Manager for garage agents “I left college at an early age so I thought that would be it for my education. The programme is challenging but very rewarding when you get your marks back. There’s a lot of work to do – more than we expected! But you get a lot of support. This course has opened up a lot of doors for me with the skills I have learnt. I’d like to be out on the road more in the future and I see myself rising to that position in ten years time.”

Marc Russell – Customer Manager, duty performance “The AA has given us a lot of support and it helps having Andy on site too. “For one assignment you had to implement a change to an area of the AA that you worked with. I improved the call flows into the department by reducing the average handling time on calls. “I’d like to work more in the performance and resourcing side of the business and this course has given me the opportunities to get there.”

If you would like to know more about education in the workplace please contact Ambrina Wahid on + 44 (0) 24 7679 5089 or email [email protected]

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Checkmate to skills crisis Bringing the classroom to the office could be the answer to the UK’s skills shortage. A pioneering training initiative is helping the country to raise its game

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he UK’s skills base is weak by international standards, holding back productivity, growth and social justice. Based on current targets to improve skills the country will lag behind many of its comparator countries in 2020. A stark reality and one that the 2006 Leitch Review spelt out in its report examining the UK’s long-term skills needs. It called for the Government, employers and individuals to share in the responsibility to take action and invest in the future. So, how do you entice a lacklustre population to get their heads down and learn something for the sake of the economy? Coventry thinks it has the answer by working with businesses to deliver its courses in the workplace. Learning and Development Consultant Andy Birch is delivering a year-long training package to AA call centre employees, designed to teach transferable skills in decision making, taking responsibility and disseminating knowledge. Coventry’s idea was to join forces with companies like the AA to offer training that not only benefits employees but also the business. “The courses are very practical and the students look at their own company to assess the processes. Their place of work actually becomes the curriculum,” said Andy about the Capability Improvement Programme that carries 60 CAT credits at level 1, and will give each successful student an NVQ level 3 in Management. Not bad, especially when they don’t even have to leave their desk to achieve it. “Many of the people we teach are in roles that they have got to from their own abilities rather than from a formal qualification,” said Andy who has tailored the programme to meet the needs of the 27 students he tutors at the AA and is based in their offices, near Birmingham, four days a week. HEFCE could see the potential in the programme and is helping to fund it for the first two years. After that Andy is convinced the initiative will have proven its worth and will attract funding from businesses eager to emulate the scheme. If the AA’s reaction to the scheme is anything to go by, Andy may not be far wrong. Janet Craig Management and Development Manager

AA Road & Insurance is delighted with the impact the course is already having on her team. “The students are really gaining in confidence and all of the work they’re doing links back into the business,” said Janet. “There’s been real engagement from the management team here too, which has helped. The whole programme is giving employees an opportunity to shine, and the business a chance to reap the benefits of their engagement.” One of the reasons why the course has been so successful is the presence of a Coventry representative in their offices. Students are able to ask for help and are actively encouraged to talk about their projects in the workplace because their studies are work related. “It’s the golden egg,” said Janet who is able to use the student’s progress in their quarterly reviews. “The students are learning in the workplace and bringing the benefits back into the job. Having Andy here is a major success factor.” Although the students do not experience campus life, it is motivating to know they will have a qualification accredited by the University. Adam Woolls a Customer Manager for garage agents and a student on the course said: “It has opened up a lot of doors for me. It feels good that it’s accredited by Coventry University – it has given me an extra edge.” Colleague and fellow student Marc Russell, a Customer Manager, has gone back to studying because it is being delivered to his desk. “Once you’ve worked your way up in a company it’s quite a decision to quit and go back to University. Doing the studying while you’re at work is a much better opportunity,” said Mark. When you hear about the impact the initiative is having, it’s no wonder that other companies are turning their offices into classrooms too. The operations division at Carter & Carter at the Volkswagon National Learning Centre has 44 students on the programme, as well as a further 19 commercial trainers who deliver training to Audi, Skoda and Seat. As the demand for a more skilled workforce grows, tackling the issue at grassroots is the way forward. “Coventry University has broken through the skills barrier,” said Janet. “It’s brought the mountain to Mohammed.” 17

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Back on board: Ryan Vince enjoyed the challenge of his postgraduate studies

Graduates looking to give their skills and career prospects a boost are furthering their studies on familiar territory. Two alumni tell their stories about how being back in Coventry helped them secure a postgraduate qualification

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yan Vince graduated with an Economics and Marketing degree in 2005, but returned to Coventry in 2007 to do an MBA.

“Doing an MBA has helped me choose the career I want. As part of my dissertation I investigated whether students would be willing to pay a premium to study at a University that participated in carbon offsetting. The results were positive and my research into the environment sparked an interest in energy companies and how they have to adapt to the challenges ahead. Being a postgraduate was a completely different experience from being an undergraduate. I worked much harder. I read all the textbooks cover to cover and even became

a student rep for my course. I wanted to prove to myself that I could make a decent fist of it. I was looking for different things. As an undergrad I went out a lot and I would always see someone I knew if I went to the Students’ Union. This time around, I only made a handful of friends – who were all on my course. I was probably the youngest but I learnt a lot from the varied group. As an undergrad you’re generally all the same age and going through the same experiences together. As a post grad there’s a lot more to learn from each other. At the end of my degree, I’d had enough of University. I wanted to do an MBA back then but felt I needed some experience in the real world. I went home to Cardiff and worked for

“I enjoyed my Masters more than my degree”

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teven Simplay graduated from Aerospace Systems Engineering in 2003 and then a year later got a distinction and best performance in the year in his Masters in Engineering and Manufacturing Management. He has just become a father for the first time to a baby girl. “When I was looking for a university to do my degree course, I wanted to go somewhere I could do my Masters afterwards too. It’s a very competitive industry and I knew another qualification would mean I had a better chance of getting a well-paid job in the industry. I chose Coventry because of the calibre of the course and I knew the Masters was just as good. It was good to stay at the same University as I knew everyone. The Postgraduate Centre was just expanding at the time, so it was a good time to be staying on. It was a very intense course where one’s 18

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knowledge was tested to the extreme. I personally enjoyed it though and found it very easy. There was always support from everyone – the lecturers and others on the course. I found lecturers were available all the time and I always got good, detailed feedback too. I enjoyed the Masters more than my undergraduate degree. You had more time to concentrate on one subject – rather than a range of modules. I actually had more of a social life on my Masters and enjoyed learning with people from a range of cultures. I got a job as soon as I had finished my Masters at an Aerospace company working with Airbus, then I moved to a first tier Japanese Automotive Organisation for two years before joining Webasto Roof Systems. I have worked very closely with BMW Plant Oxford, and worked in Germany and Michigan. I am currently doing my PhD (Doctorate Degree) at Coventry University and I should have that completed in a few years.”

the Halifax in credit card insurance sales. It was good but not very challenging and I felt my life was back in Coventry with friends and a house I had invested in as a student. I worked for a while in recruitment sales but by then was eager to do an MBA. I looked into courses at Warwick and Coventry but decided to go with the institution I knew best. Coventry had always been good to me, I have dyslexia and the lecturers had always been very supportive and understanding. I went onto work in the Postgraduate Centre to earn money while I was doing my MBA, so I was aware of how good the services and support network was for post grads. All the reasons why I chose Coventry in the first place made me choose it again. It’s got a great gym, it’s a nice, informal city and there’s excellent online support. I’d tested it all out as an undergrad so I knew it would work for me as a postgraduate. Some people make the mistake of coming back to study and think they can live the lifestyle of an undergrad. You can probably scrape by doing that if you’re lucky, but I didn’t want 40 per cent, I wanted to learn. I feel more focused now and am applying for graduate jobs with energy companies.” Ryan Vince’s student profile Lived: Priory Hall, then bought a house which I live in and rent rooms to other students. Favourite pub: The Students’ Union – as an undergraduate. As a postgrad I spent more time in the facilities within the Business School. Favourite memory: While an undergraduate I met my girlfriend Genny, made lots of great friends and had a fantastic time. I am most proud of my graduation. It was a symbolic moment at the end of lots of hard work – made all the sweeter as classmates had flown back from the four corners of the globe to attend.

Studying a postgraduate course at Coventry Those committed to furthering their education can expect to reap the rewards with better career prospects and higher earnings. HESA figures show that 93% of people with postgraduate qualifications are most likely to be in graduate occupations and also have the highest median salary (£28,000). Courses can be challenging but Coventry is one of only two UK universities, to offer a dedicated Graduate Centre to help students get the most from the experience. Postgraduates can enjoy the following benefits at Coventry: - Teaching and conference rooms with modern presentation and projection facilities - Two computer rooms with 40 PCs each, plus printing facilities - A reading room – a quiet area for study when you need to get away from it all - Meeting rooms available for booking and a café bar - A student lounge with plenty of comfy seating, giant plasma TV screens and computers for working or browsing the Internet - A games area offering pool and table football - Trips, activities and social events. Part-time study options are also available, which can be better for those who need to keep working or have family commitments. Further support has been put in place to help part-time students maximise their potential too. Want to return to study? Visit www.coventry.ac.uk/postgraduate or call +44 (0) 24 7688 7644/8071 or email [email protected]. Discounts are available on some courses for those who continue studying immediately after completing a degree at Coventry.

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Virtual

learning

Business world A

lumnus Simon Stevens has opened a disability themed nightclub in Second Life called Wheelies. Simon, who has Cerebral Palsy, explained how the virtual world has changed his life.

There’s another world out there and it’s pushing education beyond the realms of reality. Coventry University is one of the leading players in a project that is challenging and inspiring the way we learn.

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t’s not every day you talk to a man with a goldfish swimming around his head. But this is Second Life and in this virtual world, imagination knows no bounds.

technically a lot of work to put together are not in Second Life. Students can build virtual sets and test out performances to see if they work before doing it for real.”

Joff Chafer, Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts and owner of the virtual goldfish, is one of the key people helping to develop Coventry University’s ‘island’ on the internet phenomenon that is Second Life. This three-dimensional virtual world has attracted over seven million people to join and create avatars of themselves to explore and interact with other users across a vast landscape. It has also opened opportunities for businesses and organisations, such as Coventry University, to have a presence on there too by owning and buying an island.

Second Life’s not just a dress rehearsal; the University is also using it for real-time teaching activities. Maggi Savin-Baden, Professor of Higher Education Research and one of the country’s leading proponents of online innovations in education said: “We were awarded £200,000 from JISC to develop online Problem Based Learning (PBL) – we’re the only people in the world developing this in Second Life.” A project website has been set up to explain the work in more detail at http://www.elu.sgul.ac.uk/preview/.

“I went to see a performance in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago at four in the morning,” said Joff – whose avatar is known as Joff Fassnacht. “In real life I couldn’t have done that, but in Second Life I was able to attend and chat to people from across the world.”

Online PBL enables students to work together in small groups to solve virtual problems set by tutors. For example, paramedic students could find a body on the floor of a room in Second Life and then be assessed on how they treated the patient. The advantages are that students can engage with a virtual patient and practice diagnosing something that feels lifelike. “The University ‘design’ the problems and then students go in-world to manage them,” explained Maggi, whose avatar is called Second Wind. “I would hope we use this method increasingly for our online courses. It’s the next step on from discussion boards as you feel as if you have a physical presence.”

It’s this level of interaction that is encouraging institutions to look into ways they can strengthen their online learning opportunities. In Performing Arts, for example, Second Life is allowing students to stage performances that would be too expensive to recreate in the real world. “Artistically, you’re free,” said Joff who is working with the University of South Australia in Adelaide to explore the merging of virtual and real life performance through a technique called Blue Screening. This is where students’ performances are filmed in front of a blue screen, which acts as a blank backdrop, so their image can be cut out and superimposed in any virtual setting. “Things that would, in reality, be

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While Maggi believes there will always be a place for a bricks and mortar University, the need for a virtual back-up is growing. “If it’s going to help students learn then we have to embrace it and use it in a way that’s useful to both them and us.”

Q. How did you get involved in Second Life?

Current students have been involved in building Coventry’s island, which has recognisable real-life spaces such as the Alan Berry and Ellen Terry buildings, Lanchester Library, as well as some extra features like a disco, a bouncy castle and sea views. Final year Creative Computing student Garry Malone has enhanced his technical skills and increased his online contacts by getting involved. “Before this I had never been involved with any virtual worlds,” said Garry. “It was strange meeting people in Second Life before meeting them in person and feeling like you knew them better because of this. That doesn’t happen with e-mail, for example.”

Reunite in Second Life Want to come back on campus but find it difficult to get here? Why not enjoy a ‘virtual reunion’ in Second Life instead? The alumni office are hosting an event on Coventry University’s Island and inviting all FOCUS members to join in. It’s one reunion in Coventry we can guarantee will have plenty of sunshine! Follow these 3 simple steps to be at Coventry’s online reunion on Wednesday 23 July 2008 from noon to 2pm GMT. 1. Join Second Life at www.secondlife.com and create your avatar. 2. Once inside, click on the map and type in Coventry University and you will be ‘teleported’ to the island. 3. Turn up between noon and 2pm GMT on Wednesday 23 July and meet up with old university friends and lecturers.

Final year Multimedia Computing student Gemma Mclean has also been heavily involved in the project but believes physical meetings still out weigh the virtual ones. “Second Life is great for interacting with people and learning in groups but it cannot replace real people in real places,” she said. “Virtual worlds like Second Life can definitely aid learning through online meeting spaces and virtual scenarios but I wouldn’t want to use it exclusively for my degree. It’s also very useful for businesses and a great way of advertising.” While Second Life, and future online platforms, is replacing the need to ever get dressed and leave your house again, Joff believes the human touch still reigns supreme. “Virtual meetings can never replace the real thing. Even though I’ve been linking up with Australia on these projects, the real work will happen when we physically meet,” said Joff. “You can get immersed in Second Life as the 3D effects give you the sense of being there but I still think you need a bit of humanity.”

A. I received an email from a colleague, David Wortley [director of the Serious Games Institute], which very briefly mentioned Second Life. So I googled it and found the website. I signed up and found this environment, which has completely changed my life mentally, socially and in terms of business opportunities. Q. Why did you choose to set up a nightclub? A. I set up my club at a time when everyone in Second Life seemed to be setting up their own clubs. I wanted to prove I was able to have a club – and what else does a disabled person call their club but Wheelies? I had no idea how big the club would be. Q. Could you describe what your virtual club is like? A. Wheelies is not a club for disabled people, but a disability themed club which welcomes and accepts people from all backgrounds. As well as providing good entertainment with live DJs, which people can dance to, it has become a safe haven for people to escape from grievances and prejudices. Q. Is it a business enterprise for you or more about social networking? A. Both in equal measures. The second ability island has always been a commercial venture but the social networking has been very important in development. Social networking is an important tool in this. Q. Would you recommend it as a business tool? A. Yes definitely, this is the future!

Reality bites: A classroom in Second Life, above top: Vice Chancellor Madeleine Atkins talks to students on the University’s island, and above right and top right: Wheelies nightclub

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“

My

evolve enterprise

”

University…

Hugh Pearson

BSc Economics, 1969, left his home town of Bristol to become a student in Coventry and now lives in Kenilworth with his wife, and has two grown up sons. “I was inspired by a guy on my Economics course. When I applied for my first job, with Esso Petroleum, I had to rate where I was on the course. I put myself somewhere in the middle – he told me to say I was in the top 5%. I got the job. “I have mainly worked in IT sales – working for 14 years with McDonnell Douglas Information Systems, where I became a Business Unit Director and saw a lot of the world on various business trips before moving on to smaller IT firms. “I was a bit apprehensive about coming to study in Coventry. It was the first time I had been away from home and my Mum had wanted me to go to Bath University, near to where we lived. “I made some good friends here. The first person I ever spoke to in Coventry – Colin Tyrrell - became my best pal and we lived together throughout our time here. He could cook and iron as he had five sisters. It was all new to me. “In my first year I ended up moving into a Scottish lady’s large house with Colin and a student called Terry. It was always lights out at 10pm, lodgings were £5 a week, which included an evening meal – and £5.50 (well, five pounds & ten shillings) if you wanted your laundry doing. She only ever cooked seven different types of meals and we were only allowed one bath a week! “I rented a house with Colin, Peter Midwood, Henry Painton and Steve Foster after that in Stoke Green and then on the Foleshill Road. “Coming away to university helps you grow up. I have a lot of affection for Coventry – especially the football club.” 22

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“It’s a good feeling when I can help a student” Bill Dunn is a Principal Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and Design and moved into teaching after a career in vibration testing and structural dynamics. He is an expert in Mechanical/ Automotive Engineering and started working with the University in 1991

Q How has the course changed  since you have been here?  A The teaching staff have changed considerably. One of my new colleagues this year, Christophe Bastien, was in the first cohort that I taught in 1991-2. There are more aspects of computer-aided engineering such as CAD, CAM, ADAMS, etc in the modern course, but there are fewer laboratories now, especially in the second year.

Q Do you have any interesting memories?   A Many! Memories of former students and colleagues, lectures, labs, visits to industrial placement students, several IMechE project presentation competitions we didn’t win and one we did, Formula Student competitions, invigilations, and even exam boards. I am often reminded about an exam board years ago when I was lyrically advocating mitigating circumstances for a certain student. I told the board about his eye infection that had necessitated an eye patch and how an accident had then left him hobbling with a crutch. At this point I was interrupted by a colleague, “And tell them about his parrot, Bill! Don’t forget about the parrot!”

The dream of self-employment is encouraging Coventry graduates to build their own business. Meet three entrepreneurs who felt the fear and did it anyway

Serious game boy Kevin Corti, PIXELearning After seven years with an engineering firm, Kevin Corti studied for a Disaster Management degree before going into the gaming industry. Now on his second business venture he is based in the University’s Serious Games Institute on the Technology Park.

Q Where did your career begin?  A When I left university, I joined the National Engineering Laboratory (NEL) at East Kilbride in 1974. This was where I gained my first real experience of vibration testing and structural dynamics which have been the basis of my career.

being my own boss

Engineering futures: Principal Lecturer Bill Dunn

Q What do you enjoy most about your job?  A Without doubt it is the student contact. I like to attend the graduation ceremony every year and always feel personal satisfaction in their progress from applicant to graduate. Every time an individual student comes to see me with a question and leaves with some understanding it gives me a good feeling.  Q What do you think the strengths are of the courses you teach at Coventry?  A I think their greatest strength is they lead to careers, usually in engineering but sometimes in commerce or education. The courses are accredited by appropriate professional institutions and provide the academic knowledge and skills. We encourage and support students to take an industrial placement year to add practical experience. By the time they graduate they are ready to start careers much better equipped, in my opinion, than I was thirty-four years ago.

Tell evolve the tutor you would like to see featured next issue: [email protected]

“When I was studying during 94-97 it was the early growth of the web and I got interested in it. I built a website to enable everyone on the course to share notes – it was an early peer-topeer community. Although my degree was in Disaster Management I realised I was probably allergic to earthquakes and bombs and saw the potential for enhancing learning through web technology instead. I did an M.Phil research degree in technologies and learning theory while setting up my first company in e-learning. The company was acquired In 2001 and after a couple of years with them I left and founded PIXELearning with Suraj Rana. It’s focused on game and simulation-based approaches to training, development and education. Being based in the Serious Games Institute is a great environment for our business. The technical infrastructure of the building is fantastic. We might be a small British company, but big companies hear about us because of the Coventry University association. It’s conducive to good business and very serendipitous – for example I went out for a break and after chatting to someone else on the Park came back in with £50k worth of business! We work globally – 70% of our revenue comes from the US. We’re opening an office there soon. We outsource a lot of work to associates across the world. Communication is paramount – and can be especially difficult when you’re dealing with different time zones. I was able to use the University’s Soft Landing Zone in India when needed to recruit people. Having a small company means you have a lot more pressures and more burden but you’re a lot closer to the decision-making. I would make a bad employee. My goal is to sell this company in four years time. I will still stay in the gaming industry but be more involved in the strategic direction for clients. There’s a book I want to write too, oh and I’d like to do a PhD.”

Playtime: (l-r) Kevin Corti and Suraj Rana

Kevin’s top five tips to being your own boss: 1. Y  ou must have perseverance and self-belief. 2. S  urround yourself with good people. You have to accept you can’t do everything (I learnt this from the first company I ran). 3. L  earn how to sell. You have to be a good sales person for your company.

4. N  etwork like hell. I was bad at this as it wasn’t in my make-up but I’ve forced myself to be better. 5. L  earn from your mistakes. If only 51% of your decisions are right ones you’re doing pretty well.

Enterprising child’s play

Business by design Jane Dawson, EnterpriseEd

Jane’s top five tips to be the boss: 1. Don’t expect it all to happen quickly. 2. Don’t expect any money to come in straight away. 3. If you’re afraid of hard work, then running your own business isn’t for you. 4. You’ve got to love what you do. 5. Keep getting up and doing it again – you must have determination and be able to set realistic goals.

Educating the future: (l-r) Zoe Kennerdell and Jane Dawson sit on the enterprise game they have launched

Business Enterprise graduate Jane Dawson (nee Stapleton) swapped her career as a dental technician to inspire future generations to be enterprising through her company EnterpriseEd “Being a dental technician didn’t really fit in with me having children, so I set up my own business making dentures in my converted outside toilet. It was isolated and lonely and I had another three years before my daughter was due to start school. I was 28 and I had no office skills – I hadn’t even switched on a computer before. I looked at my options and decided to do a Business Enterprise degree. It changed my life. After graduation I wanted to go into teaching but my PGCE was turned down because I didn’t have GCSE maths. So, I changed tack and started work in a bank, six months on and I had been promoted to bank manager – not bad

for someone who didn’t pass maths at school. I then moved into various roles involved with business development culminating in a position at an Enterprise Agency in Coventry as a Business Development Manager helping women get their ideas off the ground. It was here that I met my business partner Zoe Kennerdell and we hatched our plan to set up EnterpriseEd. Our business is focused on delivering enterprise-training programmes to educational institutions. The funding is there as the Government has stipulated schools must deliver at least five days of enterprise a year to key stage four students. We ensure our delivery is fun, as this is by far the best method of learning. Our training programmes are bright, tangible and encompass every mad idea we have ever had to heighten the students’ senses. The secret is keeping it relevant, inspiring and of course enterprising. Our training sessions are bespoke for each school’s culture, aspirations and most importantly the student’s learning objectives. We have developed our services further and are working with many schools across the UK to help up-skill teachers and increase their confidence with enterprise delivery. I also teach disabled students at Hereward College about setting up a business – so I’ve come full circle as I’m teaching after all.

Very recently we turned the training into a giant game so teachers can deliver enterprise in-house. The game mat is called Enterprise Effusion and comes with a tool kit and manual as well as a dedicated website. We have just written an inspirational teaching aid in the form of a small booklet to support the game and our training called ‘How to be the best.’ It helps children recognise enterprising skills they already have and those they need to develop in order to realise their full potential. It also helps teachers to give students individual targets and monitor their progress.

Nik Mann & Anish Mistry, Fuelled Media Graphic Design graduates Nik Mann (2003) and Anish Mistry (2002) set up Fuelled Media – a design agency based in Leicester – immediately after graduation “We didn’t know each other before studying at Coventry but Anish was on the same course as me and we were both from Leicester. He was in the year above me, so when he finished, and was freelancing, he got the idea for the agency off the ground. I was handing my dissertation in one week and by the next week I had started my own business. We started off working out of each other’s bedrooms but it wasn’t very professional. Then we managed to get some office space from a contact I met when I did my work placement while at Coventry. We were there for just under a year while our new offices were being built in Leicester’s city centre. The proudest moment was seeing our new offices – it felt like we were about to take off. We also won a Young Entrepreneurs of the Year award for coming up with a good idea to keep our business afloat. In the first three months, we didn’t have much money coming in and the bills were mounting. We bought a little fridge

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for ourselves and came up with an enterprising idea to make some money. We bought a bulk load of the fridges at a good price and sold them on e-bay. It helped pay off the bills and kept our heads above water. We have secured clients through hard work and persistence, with no track record or contacts in the industry we networked and gained a lot of work. The contacts we made at the beginning have enabled us to keep growing and meet even larger clients. We started off with no business loans, no support, no clients or credibility to our names – oh and student debt – we have come a long way. We now offer marketing, advertising and PR as well as design services. I have remained in touch with my tutor Donald Fitzpatrick and we have been back to the Uni to talk to students. It’s also a good opportunity to make contact with some young designers so we can call on them if we need them.

We are still working long hours and even after the phone stops ringing and everyone has gone home, we continue designing. Last Christmas was actually the first holiday we had taken in about four years. I got married last year and my wife has been very supportive as her father was self-employed. My advice for graduates wanting to start their own business would be to go for it. You do get a lot of knock backs on the way, but you have to take it with a pinch of salt and move on.” To find out more about Fuelled Media go to www.fuelledmedia.com

Nik and Anish’s top five tips to be the boss: 1. H  ave a five-year plan and then make a six-month to one-year plan, this will make achieving your goals more realistic. 2. B  e persistent but friendly, you will leave a lasting impression. 3. U  se every obstacle you come across as a learning curve, that way you can prevent making the same mistakes again.

My proudest moment was probably selling the first game. It took years to turn our idea into reality. We were unable to access funding so we financed it personally as we really believed in our product, it was a risk but we were extremely cautious and only needed to sell six to break even. I’m proud and relieved to say we are making a profit now and our growth since September 2007 has been phenomenal.

4. B  e prepared to work long hours. 5. U  se every situation as a networking opportunity; you just never know when you wil have to sell yourself or your company.

The money isn’t the only thing that drives me on. I want to succeed and make a difference. I love what I’m doing and I couldn’t do it if I didn’t. You’re coming up with ideas in the shower, and thinking about finances while you’re in bed but I believe in what I’m doing and that’s what drives me on. I love every minute of every day. “I want to change the world by inspiring our next generation.”

Want to be your own boss? Take advantage of the support available to graduates from Coventry University’s Technocentre. You can get six months free advice and support on starting up in business, there are opportunities for renting office space if you’re business is already off the ground and a number of networking events to attend through the Business Enterprise Works scheme. Contact the alumni office for more information:

For more information go to www.enterpriseed.co.uk Design for life: (l-r) Anish Mistry and Nik Mann

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[email protected] or call +44 (0) 24 7688 8589.

evolve development standards. The emphasis is on individual institutions to find the extra money to fund their own development. The need for UK universities to introduce top up fees, the reduction in student grants and just the general high costs of living can all add up to a graduation debt of £25,000.

time at the bar It takes brains, determination and a part-time job to see you through a university education in 2008. For some wannabe students it’s a cash mountain they’re unable to climb

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achael Wilson spends her weekends in the pub just like many other 19-year olds. The difference is, Rachael’s behind the bar serving drinks to help fund her studies for an Emergency and Disaster Management degree. “I earn £5 an hour and that’s my spending money for the rest of the week,” said Rachael whose shifts run until 2.30 in the morning. “It can be pretty tiring, especially when you need to get some work done the next day.” Rachael isn’t alone. The cost of being a student in the UK has risen dramatically in the past few years and so has the need to work to supplement the opportunity to study. Changes in government funding structures for higher education have meant universities now only have enough to cover the minimum

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“I know that’s a lot of money, but I worry more about my overdraft,” said Rachael who’s in her second year. “It’s only the start of term and I’m already £300 overdrawn. This will get worse as the year goes on and then I’ll work all over the summer to pay it off.” Coventry is one of the more affordable universities, and its city-centre campus is attractive to students, like Rachael, who need part-time work. Student loans can cover the major costs, but it’s the daily living expenses that can cause the real financial stress. Rachael pays £56 a week in rent and puts approximately £10 a week towards bills – although sensibly all of the girls she shares the house with put a lump sum into a kitty at the start of term. Once you take out the cost of digs from Rachael’s Maintenance Loan of £3,300, she’s only left with £1,284 for the rest of the year to buy food, clothes, and course materials. That’s less than £35 a week – or £5 a day. “I do call on my parents occasionally,” said Rachael who is from North Yorkshire. “When they come and visit I always get a food parcel or they take me shopping which is great.” For some people the purse strings just won’t stretch far enough and a scholarship or bursary is their only chance of experiencing university life. Increasingly universities are looking to businesses and their alumni for support in helping students experience a higher education. The Government are actively encouraging this source of income and are introducing a ‘match-funding’ scheme from August 2008, where they will match the funds raised from donations until July 2011. Coventry has therefore established its own fundraising arm called The Phoenix Foundation, which enables more students to have an education through scholarships and bursaries. It also raises money for vital equipment so the University can continue to be innovative. “I want to work in the fire service when I’ve finished university,” said Rachael. “I didn’t need to come to university and get into debt to do that, but I didn’t want to miss out on the life experience. I have made such good friends here and got my independence, as well as learnt more about a field I am really interested in.” It’s hard to put a price tag on that.

Rachael’s Student Diary 2008 If you remember lazy student days spent in the pub pontificating about the future, you’ll find today’s students are busy earning a living in between their studies. Beer breaks have been swapped for an adrenaline rush in the gym and debating is done online in social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace. Find out more in Rachael’s diary of an average week…

Monday

Thursday

My lectures are always in the afternoon so I have chance to catch up on a few things in the morning. It’s a good job because I’ve been busy working in the pub at the weekend so I don’t get much studying done. My lecture finishes at 4pm and then I’m off to the supermarket. I spend about £20 a week on food shopping so I try not to get tempted by treats. I can only pick up a few things today though as I can’t afford to run a car so it all needs to be carried back home, which is a 15-minute walk away. COSTS: Rent: £56 for the week Shopping: £10 Bills: £10 Mobile bill: Varies as I have a contract phone and always go over but usually about £22 for the week Internet bill: £0.50p a week

I’ve run out of food so I need to hit the shops again. It’s all a bit tight this week because of the book I had to buy. It’s my night out tonight too as I handed my assignment in today. I’ll be dipping into my overdraft for this as I can’t really afford it. We meet everyone at 10pm in the Students’ Union and stay out until about 2am. I’m going to be tired tomorrow. We walk home to save some money as there’s a group of us. COSTS: Shopping: £5 SU entrance fee: £3 Drinks: £8

Tuesday I need to buy a book today for my course. They don’t come cheap so pretty much everything I earned at the weekend is being spent on it. I went on Facebook last night – a social networking site – and arranged to meet a friend for a coffee today before my lecture. We plan a night out to celebrate the end of an assignment we’re working on. Lectures finish at 6pm so I’m tired on the walk home. COSTS: Book: £50 Coffee: £0.85p

Wednesday I go to the library today for more books – I can’t afford to buy them all. After my lectures it’s time for swimming. I joined the swimming club when I started at Coventry as I enjoy it and it’s a good way to keep fit. I’m part of the team and I represent the University. It was £45 to join for the year and the kit cost £40 – but it’s worth it for the friends I’ve made and the opportunity to be a part of the team. COSTS: Swimming costs (divided over the year): £1.81 per session

Friday I have a lie-in this morning to recover from last night – but not for too long as I need to get organised for my second swimming class. I’m also working this evening so it’s a bit of a packed day with a lecture too. I’m at the bar by 9.30pm and it’s already busy. It’s a popular student pub so I often see a lot of my friends in here. I’d like to be out partying with them but I need to earn the money. COSTS: Swimming costs: £1.81 per session Lunch out: £3 Earnings from the pub: £25

Saturday I didn’t get home until 3am as we have to clear the bar down after everyone has left. Slept in until about midday, then I had to nip to the shops for a few essentials. I resisted buying a new top I really wanted because I knew it would eat into next week’s budget. I do a couple of hours of study, and then I’m off to the pub again for the night shift. COSTS: Shopping: £5 Lunch out: £2.50 Earnings: £30

Sunday Really tired today as I didn’t get back until after 3am again. Had a long lie-in and need to start thinking about the work for the week ahead. At least I have some money now for next week. Just hope there’s not another book to buy!

Total weekly spend: £179.47

Can you help? The Phoenix Foundation supports students who would not be able to afford to come to the University. To donate call + 44 (0) 24 7688 8589 or go online to www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni. Thanks to everyone who donated during the recent telephone campaign – your money is making a difference.

evolve development

your shout:

employment

building for

the future

Most popular jobs Coventry’s campus is getting more than a lick of paint as the University designs a sustainable and flexible space for the future

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tate of the art technology, a cultural centre for students and an attractive landscape: the vision for Coventry’s campus by 2010. Improving the student experience is essential for Coventry to stay ahead of its academic counterparts. Mindful of the fact prospective students base their choice of University on more than just their course credentials; Coventry is aiming high to compete in the University marketplace. So high in fact that the new buildings are adding up to over £100 million. “Our plans are going to have a radical impact,” said Rob Thompson Director of Estates. “At the moment there’s no central space for students, where they can meet, have lunch and generally be together. We need something more attractive than the Priory Street Students’ Union.” The limitations of the current Students’ Union and the fact it is split across two buildings, have inspired plans for a Student Enterprise building. This centrally based student hub will house a long list of students’ services, including a health centre and multi-faith centre, all of the Students’ Union facilities and space for events and gigs. “It will be an informal learning area too,” said Rob. “There will be social space with cafés but there will also be resources and computers for people to use.”

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www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

Among the campus changes, students in their first year now, can expect to see a new building develop for the Engineering and Computing Faculty. Currently these subjects are spread over nine different buildings but these changes will mean the courses will be taught in only two buildings: the new development and the existing John Laing building. Once these buildings are underway, thoughts will turn to a high-tech construction dubbed the ‘New Ways’ building. The University is hoping this will be an innovative development focused on researching new ways of working, where business can experiment with new technology. It’s being described as an intelligent building – but one that does a lot more than just automatically turning the lights on when a person enters a room. “There will be digital screens around the building and virtual meetings,” said Rob. All of the buildings have been planned with sustainability and green issues high on their agenda. “Even the plans for a new multi-storey car park have been drawn up as green as possible, with spaces for bikes,” said Rob. The University is working closely with the City to make the changes and together they are hoping to narrow the wide roads on Gosford Street and make the area look more

aesthetically pleasing. The University’s plans will add to the successful developments in the city such as Priory Place – a modern eating and drinking quarter – and the Skydome. Developments like these have attracted stores such as Primark and the first UK city-centre Ikea. And with improved facilities on campus, the University can only continue to attract the best students.

Supporting the future As Coventry strives to maintain its credibility as a centre of innovation we need your help to build on this success. Alumni and friends are invited to invest their time, expertise or financial support to help us develop and explore new educational and research opportunities. Help shape the Coventry University of the future and contact Matt Feeley, Head of Fundraising on + 44 (0) 24 7688 8589.

With a wide-range of courses on offer at Coventry, it’s no wonder graduates have gone onto work in such a wide-range of careers. all pular professions of The top ten most po respondents are: Director IT professional Engineer Occupational Teacher Therapist Heads of dept Physiotherapist Manager MD Lecturer

Giving career talks A third of respondents generously said they would come back on campus and give a talk to current students. Many departments actively encourage graduates to come back and talk to students such as Media and Com munications. Graduate Pete Ogden who now has a successful career as a TV produc er for popular shows such as I’m a Cel ebrity…Get me out of here and Big Brother 8 has been back on campus to pass on his experie nce to help others in the industry. If you’d like to offer to help and haven’t already given your details email alumni@ coventry.ac.uk or call + 44 (0) 24 7688 8589.

From Directors to Occupational Therapists, the recent employment survey proved FOCUS members are doing well in their chosen careers Last issue evolve asked members to complete a career update and indicate if they would be willing to offer help to current students in clinching a job. The results are in and hundreds of you shared your news with FOCUS and here are the highlights.

Most popular employers

When it came to finding out which companies are the most popular places to work, the most popular responses were in the NHS and many were local employers. NHS Landrover Coventry County Council Leicester County Council Coventry University Rolls Royce BAE Warwickshire County Barclays Council

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a work ents offered to provide A quarter of respond course ir the t pu m to help the nts de stu to nt me ce pla impress and develop skills to theory into practice future employers. rk graduates offering wo Among the benefits, ate -d -to ideas and up placements can gain of a cost effective form be knowledge. It can recruitment. lp and haven’t already If you would like to he st, contact registered your intere entry.ac.uk. ov @c workplacement.ss

Salary review Results showed that 59% of respondents are earning between £20,000 and £50,000 a year, while 11% of respondents are pulling in over £50,000. 29

Enjoy events happening on and off campus – most are free to attend or are at a discounted price. Visit the events section of the website www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

May Annual Degree Show Coventry’s final year students’ showcases

6-16 May - Performing Arts 28-30 May - Media & Communication Place: Ellen Terry Building

30 May-5 June - Design & Visual Arts Place: Graham Sutherland Building 30 May-5 June - Industrial Design Place: Maurice Foss Building 8 May Hacks and Spies –Journalism and espionage Professor Richard Keeble, Lincoln University and author of The Newspaper Handbook talks in

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Coventry Conversations Time: 1pm Place: Ellen Terry Building

15 May The Secret Policeman and since... Mark Daly, BBC Scotland talks in Coventry Conversations Time: 1pm Place: Ellen Terry Building

22 May Did spin walk out of the door of number 10 with Tony Blair Nick Jones, former BBC Parliamentary Correspondent, Coventry Conversations. Time: 1pm Place: Ellen Terry Building

28 May Pheonix Festival: Malcolm and Barbara

Kate Harwood talks in Coventry Conversations Time: 1pm Place: Ellen Terry Building

June 4 June London reunion Catch up with old friends and make some new ones at this free London reunion. Please confirm your interest in attending by emailing alumni@coventry. ac.uk or calling + 44 (0) 24 7688 8589. Time: from 6pm Place: All Bar One, New Oxford Street

5 June Audience research or hocus pocus Hugh Johnson, former Head of Research, Channel Four talks in Coventry Conversations. Time: 1pm Place: Ellen Terry Building

14 June Law reunion

a family day out and stay in a luxury hotel

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ooking for a family treat with a bit of luxury thrown in for good measure? Then try your luck at winning evolve’s fantastic prize of a day out for the whole family and a night in the four star Ramada Hotel in Coventry. The winner can choose a family* day out at any of the following Merlin Entertainments Group attractions in the midlands:

• Alton Towers Resort Unleash a torrent of fun at the UK’s most famous theme park. There’s a park full of rides and adventures for kids of all sizes and a drenalin addicted adults, it’s an absolute must-do day out! • SEA LIFE Centres & Sanctuaries Fancy diving beneath the sea without getting wet. You’ll come eyeball to eyeball with everything from shrimps to sharks, and learn tons of great stuff from UK SEA LIFE experts. • Warwick 
Castle Britain’s greatest mediaeval experience. From a Dream of Battle experience to a Victorian ‘Royal Weekend Party’ there’s plenty to see and do in this magnificent castle.

To finish the day off in style, you and your family can enjoy an evening meal in the Ramada Hotel Coventry’s Mediterranean restaurant Fellinis, before retiring to your family room. The restaurant has an exciting and varied menu and an interesting selection of world wines and beers. The prize also includes breakfast for everyone in this new hotel, which has been decorated in an art-deco style and is based in the city-centre with easy access to the shops, restaurants and bars. To be in with a chance of winning just unscramble this building name that is where thousands of students have lived in Coventry:

ROPIYR LHAL Responses to [email protected] or post to Family Competition, Development Office, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB by the closing date 31 July 2008. All Friends of Coventry University (FOCUS) members are able to stay at the Ramada Coventry for a discounted rate and can enjoy discounts on days out with the Merlin Entertainments Group – see www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni for more details.

Terms and conditions 1.The family ticket is valid for one day out only at the attractions mentioned. 2. Booking is subject to availability and restrictions apply in terms of opening hours, height restrictions and availability of rides. 3. The hotel prize can only be taken at the Ramada Hotel Coventry and is subject to availability. 4. The hotel prize is for a family of four – two adults and two children. 5. No cash alternative will be offered. 6. Editor’s decision is final.

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29 May Pheonix Festival: Kate Harwood, Head of Series and Serials, BBC Drama

www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

Law graduates are invited to a dinner this summer being held to launch the FOCUS on Law group. More info: email [email protected] or call + 44 (0) 24 7688 8589. Time: 7pm Place: Chesford Grange, Kenilworth

July

Discounts on attractions such as Alton Towers Resort, Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo, LEGOLAND® Windsor, Madame Tussauds, the Dungeons, SEA LIFE Centres & Sanctuaries, THORPE PARK and Warwick Castle. Telephone 0870 220 4000 and quote Coventry University along with the date of your visit. Book the Dungeons online at www.thedungeons.com/corporate and enter code DDC34. LEGO, the LEGO logo and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2008 The LEGO Group.

Open Fairways – an exclusive offer to play 2 for 1 golf at over 1,000 premier courses. Call 028 9073 1055 and quote COV08 or visit www.openfairways.com 25% off AA Membership at enrolment and 10% at renewal from the UK’s No. 1 breakdown organisation.* To join and claim your discount, call 08705 444 222 and quote reference Coventry 627. *Terms and conditions apply. Up to 20% off car and van hire with National Car Rental in the UK and over 80 countries worldwide. To book or obtain a quote, call 0870 191 6950 and quote: A000839 for UK car hire, A000840 for UK van hire, 8577504 for International car hire and A000839G for Guy Salmon hire. Save 25% on RAC Breakdown Membership for you and your immediate family at enrolment or renewal.* Call 0800 581 077 and quote GE0300.

Up to 10% discount on advanced bookings for airport parking and airport hotels in the UK. Visit www.parking4less.co.uk/alumni or call 0871 360 2131 and quote WY705.

23 July Virtual reunion

If you would like more information about any of the events listed here or would like to advertise a reunion in the next issue, please call the alumni office on + 44 (0) 24 7688 8589 or email [email protected]

• Discounted Library membership – only £20 per year • Special conference centre rates at the TechnoCentre Email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 24 7623 6016 • Careers advice and enterprise For graduate vacancies see www.coventry.ac.uk/cu/careers Email [email protected], tel: +44 (0) 24 7615 2525 • University Sports Centre – discounts on full to basic membership • Join Coventry University Wine Club – call +44 (0) 24 7688 8161 • Associate membership of the Students’ Union – call +44 (0) 24 7679 5200

Save 10% on a holiday with Cottages4You. 13,000 properties throughout the UK, France, Ireland Spain, Portugal and Italy. Visit www.cottages-4-you. co.uk/coventry or call 0870 242 3803. Quote COV10 when booking.

Catch up with old friends and make some new ones at this free Birmingham reunion. Please confirm your interest in attending by emailing alumni@ coventry.ac.uk or calling + 44 (0) 24 7688 8589. Time: from 6pm Place: All Bar One, Brindley Place

Come explore Coventry University’s virtual campus. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the latest technology and its uses while meeting other alumni, staff and students - perfect if you live overseas and can’t make it back to campus! Time: 12 - 2pm Place: www.secondlife.com

Benefit from your connection to the University and get discounts on useful services listed below. For more information* go to www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni or call the alumni team on +44 (0) 24 7688 8589.

*Terms and conditions apply. Please ask for full details when calling.

9 July Birmingham reunion

Stay in the four-star luxury of the Ramada Hotel in Coventry. Discounted rates start at £67.50 per B&B. Call the alumni office for help with arrangements for large group bookings. Call 0870 890 3722 and quote Coventry University Rate.

At Your Service

events diary

Paul Watson, Documentary maker talks in Coventry Conversations Time: 1pm Place: Ellen Terry Building

Member Benefits

evolve events

As a Friend of Coventry University you also receive: Your magazine – evolve magazine will be sent to you twice a year, to keep you in touch with University developments as well as news from other members, forthcoming events, benefits and more. Your E-news – A popular e-newsletter sent to members on a monthly basis with news, updates and competitions. Your website – www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni for all the latest news and information. Your reunions – Get help organising your reunion we can

track down old friends, arrange tours or hotel accommodation. Your events – Members are invited to attend many guest lectures and exhibitions that take place at the University. Find a Friend – Our database of over 30,000 members may be the link between you and your old friends. Keep in touch, Coventry wants to hear from you Telephone: +44 (0) 24 7688 8589 Email: [email protected] Post: Alumni Relations, Development Office, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB 29