Celebrating students' success
Published 11 February 2010
Graduands at this year's University of Brighton's winter award ceremonies will share the stage with gold-winning paralympian, Darren Kenny, and former science advisor to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, John Clements, who will both be awarded honorary doctorates.
Darren was Great Britain’s most decorated athlete at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, across all sports and both the Olympics and Paralympic games, winning four golds and one silver. Last year, he took his number of world championship wins to 13, and Darren was awarded an OBE in the 2009 New Year Honours.
In his 40-year career in pharmacy John has played a key role in the development and promotion of pharmaceutical scientists in the UK. He was awarded the Academy of Pharmaceutical Science Medal for services to the Academy in 2005.
Nearly 1,000 students will be receiving their awards this year from the university – graduating in a range of subjects as diverse as physiotherapy, computing, automotive engineering at three ceremonies are held over two days from 11 to 12 February at the Dome in Brighton.
The new graduates will collect their awards from the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton and the chairman of the Board of Governors, Lord Mogg.
Professor Crampton said: "Award ceremonies are very special days for the university. I am struck by the wealth of talent and the sense of community which exists at the university."
"Universities are about people and it is the students and staff of the university that make these ceremonies possible. For staff, this is a high point of the academic year – for graduates, it is a significant milestone. I would like to offer all the students my warmest congratulations."
Among those graduating this year are:
First past the postgraduate: Adrian Dessent
Adrian Dessent is one of the first students to graduate with one of the University of Brighton's new postgraduate degrees in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
Adrian, 33, described his experience: "I had a long-standing interest in CBT but found it difficult to find training which fitted around my previous work as a mental health nurse in acute care."
"Work and study were complementary and fed one another. The course evoked almost every emotion but, overall, it was interesting, stimulating and enjoyable. The tutors were outstanding … and my fellow students were supportive and engaging."
"I previously worked as a mental health nurse in acute care for a community-based crisis resolution service, providing an alternative to hospital admission for people experiencing a mental health crisis."
"I hope now to continue to work as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist and I am keen to consolidate the skills I have attained and to build my competence and confidence in the work I am currently doing."
"Beyond that, it would be great to give something back and to contribute to future programmes of study at the university."
"This course has allowed me to transfer some of the skills from my previous work whilst equipping me with powerful new tools which benefit those I work with and have helped me think about my own career and future development in new ways."
From Mumbai to Moulsecoomb: Sneha Awate
Sneha Awate this year helped the University of Brighton approach the 60,000 barrier – that's how many former students it now keeps in touch with.
Sneha has been awarded a postgraduate degree (Master in Research) in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences from the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences in Moulsecoomb, Brighton.
Between studies she has been a student ambassador, secretary to the university's International Student Society and an assistant with the Brighton Graduate Association, recruiting and keeping in touch with graduates.
Sneha comes from India's economic capital where her father works as an executive engineer and her mother is a government statistical officer. She arrived in Brighton in 2008 and chose the university because "I was fascinated by the course structure".
She said: “Staff and students were very supportive, kind and always there to help, and the study environment was good.
"When I came to UK for my masters, it was my first time being such a long time away from home, family and friends. But it was a lifetime experience and I have a grown a lot as a person."
Sneha is now looking for a job in the pharmaceutical industry but added: "If I get an opportunity to do a PhD then I’ll definitely go for that."
Stepping up: Cynthia Formosa
She's the first foot specialist with a PhD in her native Malta after graduating at the University of Brighton.
But Cynthia Formosa, 42, can't explain why she entered the profession: "I can't tell you what really attracted me to podiatry 25 years ago. It was still relatively new so we knew very little about it, but I don't regret going into the profession."
"I enjoyed every minute I spent in Brighton and regret that it is over in a way, and I will miss my trips to the UK."
"I am very lucky to have found excellent supervisors and help from all academic and non-academic staff at Brighton."
Cynthia, who was also the first podiatrist in Malta with a Masters, also gained from Brighton, is now working back on her Mediterranean island as head of the Podiatry School at the University of Malta.
She plans to start her own Master's programme there next year and a PhD programme in about five years time.
Responsible Business: Stephen Ampadu
Business is about making money but for Stephen Ampadu social responsibility is just as important.
After gaining a Master of Business Administration at the University of Brighton, Stephen declared: "I learned that not only am I expected to help my organisation maximise profits for shareholders but I should help implement policies that curb environmental degradation, global warming, and the exploitation of children, women and vulnerable people."
"These issues are as important as profit making…the MBA has offered me deep insight into strategic and management issues."
Stephen, now planning to take a PhD, explained why he chose to study at Brighton: "I was introduced to the university by a friend who had also done his masters here. He described to me the beautiful features of the city, its beautiful beaches and landscape."
"He also had only good things to say about the university, the facilities and the high calibre of tutors. I enjoyed everything about the programme and I want to thank all the module handlers for letting me tap into their pool of knowledge and experience."
"Each one has played a crucial part in my personal development in this academic field."
On the right track: Fred Salle
International long jumper Fred Salle has marked a successful switch from athletics to teaching by collecting a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Information and Communication Technology) from the University of Brighton.
Fred retired from international athletics in 1997 after 15 years competing at the highest level for England and Great Britain.
He made 30 international appearances and competed at European, Commonwealth and World championships, in addition to representing Cameroon at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.
Fred's greatest achievements were winning the World Cup title for Great Britain in 1994, winning a silver medal for England at the Commonwealth Games in 1986, and captaining an England team in 1995.
Fred said: "I chose to study at Brighton because extensive research that I did showed it has a first class reputation as one of the premier Postgraduate Certificate in Education course providers."
"There were many great moments during the course. I will always have fond memories of my time in Brighton, particularly those experiences shared with my fellow students and the way we supported each other."
"One great moment was an email I received from a pupil after my first placement at St Paul's Catholic College in Burgess Hill, saying that they had leant a lot from me and hoped I came back."
"I am now working as acting head of the information and communication technology department at St Paul's. I am also teaching all the of the key stages and I am a sixth form tutor."
"It has been tough but enjoyable. One of the year 11 students created a 'Fred Salle Facebook appreciation group' and over 220 pupils have signed up with very positive comments."
You can watch Fred compete on YouTube here.
Making a difference: Chychy Udechukwu
Knocking over a pot of pens while studying in a library gave a student an idea that is now helping youngsters in developing countries around the world.
The spill got Chychy Udechukwu thinking: There were a lot of pens and pencils there that could be recycled and given to people in need.
Chychy set up Make a Difference (MAD) with Pens, a charity to collect and send pens and pencils to developing countries in Africa and on other continents to help children with their education.
Chychy continued running the charity throughout her time at the University of Brighton where she is collecting her MA in International Event Management.
She chose to study at Brighton soon after getting married: "I was working with Guinness Nigeria as customer marketing manager and realised I had a passion for organising and managing events."
"After I got married in 2006, and knowing that I would relocate to the UK to join my husband, I decided to look for a reputable university here in the UK that offered me the chance to increase my knowledge in event management."
"The University of Brighton was the right choice."
Now taking an MBA, Chychy said she intended continuing with her charity work which has been backed by the University of Brighton and Students' Union, Argos, St Andrew's School in Eastbourne, Eastbourne Council and churches.
She said: "It is very dear to my heart and it is something I want to promote in all universities in the UK and beyond."
Anyone wanting to donate pens or pencils can join the charity via www.madwithpens.co.uk.
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Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
