Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Curran

explains why British higher

education is still the envy of

the world

Olympic fencer Robert Kruse on London 2012

Five to Watch - City alumni are going places

Professor Roy Greenslade on the future of the media

Mobile medicine - 21st century healthcare

The Future

THE MAGAZINE FOR FRIENDSOF CITY UNIVERSITY LONDON2011 ISSUE

100,000 ALUMNIACROSS 100 COUNTRIES

7 INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTRES

CITY UNIVERSITY LONDON IS RANKED 10TH IN THE UK FOR

GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT (TIMES GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2011)

CITY UNIVERSITY LONDON IS IN THE TOP

5% OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD(TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION

WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2010)

7835NEW ALUMNI IN 2009/10 ACADEMIC YEAR

75NEW FULLY FUNDED DOCTORAL STUDENTSHIPS

1842 STAFFFROM 70 COUNTRIES

City University London2010 in numbers

hat drives City University London? At a prosaic level you might say lecturing, learning and research, and our wide range of supporters. But actually, I think it’s basic physics

– City is about the transfer of energy from the institution to the individual. Energy that many graduates will use to power a successful career or to spearhead groundbreaking research that challenges the way we see the world. Energy also flows from the individual back to the institution and it is this extraordinary combination of energy that drives City and as an alumnus/a, your role in creating that energy continues.

The University is at an important stage of its development just as higher education in the UK comes under scrutiny about fee structures and faces government spending cuts. In this climate we need more than ever to unite in a shared vision. Following the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Curran, we have embarked on creating the Vision which will be the spark that ignites the development of a new strategy to take us up to 2016, City’s 50th anniversary. The University must be agile in adapting to the current changes to ensure that it continues to go from strength to strength.

In these pages you’ll read about Professor Curran’s view of how Higher Education is changing, about new inventions, novel uses for everyday technology and City’s own Richard Kruse and his Olympic aspirations.

But despite all the exciting new developments, some things remain the same. At City we are dedicated to supporting our students and continuing to create an institution where students thrive and of which alumni are proud. If you’re a new graduate we are here to help you develop your career and networks. If you have established your career and want to make a difference by sharing knowledge and experience we can offer mentoring opportunities with current students. If you would like to invest, our City Future Fund gives you options to make a difference across all of our educational disciplines and we would welcome a chance to help you discover how to make the most of your contribution.

We hope you’ll be in touch to tell us what you think of this magazine, what you’re up to, or just to say hello! The University is a unique and extraordinary place so most of all, we hope that you’ll continue to feel proud of your association with it.

JEREMY PAYNEDIRECTORDEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS

04 : The future’s brightProfessor Paul Curran on the rapidly changing

face of Britain’s higher education system

08 : DispatchesNews from across the City campus

14 : Interview: Richard KruseOlympic fencer – and City alumnus – on what

it will mean to compete in London 2012

16 : The Future of the MediaRoy Greenslade on why the 21st century media

must adapt to survive

18 : Health InformaticsHow the world of medicine is set to be transformed

by the smartphone in your pocket

22 : Five to watchFive of City’s finest graduates reveal

their own plans for the future

24 : Cass Alumni news26 : Alumni Services

We’re here to help you make the step from university to career

32 : Fundraising34 : The Lord Mayor of London

The Lord Mayor on City’s historic links with London

CONTENTS

W

W E L C O M E

niversities around the world are more economically and culturally relevant than they have ever been and are thriving as a result. Over the centuries

they have proved to be remarkably good at adapting to changing circumstances and, the world’s major religions aside, remain the most resilient of humanity’s great institutions. Given this context, the recent change to the funding of undergraduate education looks destined to be a footnote in the history of UK higher education. However, for the moment at least, it is a major political issue. We are not alone; nearly all countries face the same conundrum of how to increase the number of undergraduates and improve, or at least maintain, the quality of their education while minimising the cost to the Government. The balance between

IN THIS ISSUE: NIGHT VISION, WIKILEAKS, ONLINE NURSING AND ECONOMIC FORECASTING

2 0 1 1

British universities - an international success story

U these three imperatives is exceptionally tricky to obtain. As we know, the UK was relatively slow to move from elite

to mass higher education. When I read for my first degree, the post-Robbins Review rhetoric was still in the air with warnings of ‘more’ (an increase to nearly 7% of 18-year olds progressing to university) being in some way ‘less’. Today, nearly half of 18-year olds progress to university and much of that increase has occurred in less than 20 years.

However, this rise was accompanied by both a sharp increase in the cost to Government and a sharp decrease in funding per student, with all that meant for quality. This unsustainable position led to the introduction of relatively low undergraduate fees in 2006 and the promise that a review would start three years later.

Professor Paul Curran, Vice-Chancellor at City University London since the summer of 2010, has led thinking towards a new ‘Vision’ that would see City within the top 2% of universities in the world

by 2016. Here he explains how higher education is preparing itself for the forthcoming changes.

05

C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y L O N D O N

“City University London is well

placed to prosper in this rapidly

changing national and international

environment for higher education”

The resultant Browne Review in late 2010 was wonderfully simple in its conception: Government funding would move from universities to undergraduates who would pay the money back to Government when they could afford to do so. Standards would be assured by a ‘Regulator’ and those universities commanding higher fees would pay the higher cost of the student loans to the Government by means of a levy. As the cost to the Government would be independent of student numbers it would be possible to generate a quality-based market in undergraduates.

The political compromises made in those frenetic winter days before the reworked Browne recommendations were voted into law resulted in a fundamental weakening of this market proposition. The most important change being the introduction of two ‘caps’ on fees: one at £6,000 that could be breached and one at £9,000 that couldn’t. Consequently, the Government has tried to use widening access agreements, rather than a market, to maintain control over the level of fees charged by universities and looks set to de-emphasise the need for a Regulator.

Labyrinthine political debate, coupled with the genuine anger of those who may be on the receiving end of higher undergraduate fees, has led to great media interest in the innermost workings of the higher education sector. However, universities are organisationally complex and do not find ready analogues elsewhere in the economy. Their very name provokes strong emotions, such as envy and pride, while memories of an elite rather than a mass system colour the views of seemingly impartial commentators.

As a result, coverage has all too often resorted to a simplistic starting point in which universities are part of the public sector, educate young people from school, undertake some research and some outreach and seem to do a straightforward job with varying degrees of success.

would like to try and add a little clarity to what must be the top six misconceptions of

the moment. Unlike schools, the armed forces or

the NHS, UK universities are not in the public sector and hence accountable to a Minister. Nor are they, with one exception, in the private sector. They are autonomous institutions and most receive a minority of their income (under a quarter in the case of City University) by means of direct Government grant. Their economies are diversified and because UK/EU undergraduates are capped, their growth has occurred in other areas.

Second, campus-based, full-time 18 to 21-year-old UK undergraduates are a minor part of universities’ educational activities. Many undergraduates enter university later in life, some choose to study part-time and, of course, many come from the EU or further afield. Postgraduate education and research have increased dramatically in recent years. Also there are now more overseas students studying for a UK higher education qualification in their own country than

overseas students doing the same in the UK. An increasing amount of higher education is offered electronically and at a distance and non-accredited continuous professional development is seeing explosive growth.

Third, universities are the country’s research powerhouses, generating as well as transmitting new knowledge. Unlike many countries in the world where the bulk of research is undertaken in separate research institutes, the UK has embedded its national research capability within universities. This has proved phenomenally successful and the UK has by far the highest quality of research (per pound spent) of any country in the world. This in turn makes the UK an exceptionally attractive place to locate a company, develop an idea or, of course, study.

Fourth, universities are closely engaged with the economies in which they sit. In many cases they are the largest employer in their region, they spin out and float innovative companies, run consulting services and act as a magnet for new businesses. Some universities in each region make it their purpose to tailor the higher education and research they offer to the needs of their local economy while some tailor it to their region or the globe.

Fifth, universities are fundamentally about people and so do not function as many external observers expect. For example, increasing the grades required will often increase

the number of applicants to a course; getting academic quality right often leads to financial success but the reverse is rarely true; academics who focus on teaching rather than on developing their subject are rarely outstanding teachers; and, unlike in schools, contact time is no measure of quality.

Sixth, UK higher education is a national success story and our universities remain incontestably amongst the best in the world. This is not because of Government funding, as the UK spends a similar proportion of its GDP on higher education as Albania, Macedonia, Cyprus and Liechtenstein. It is because our universities are of such high quality that they continue to attract and develop the most promising students and outstanding staff from the UK and around the world.

City University London, with its commitment to academic excellence, focus on business and the professions and its enviable London location is, I am pleased to say, well placed to prosper in this rapidly changing national and international environment for higher education.

07

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Curran joined City University London in 2010 having served previously as Vice-Chancellor at Bournemouth University and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Southampton.

A former NASA research scientist and adviser to the European Space Agency, Paul’s award-winning work in ecological Earth observation, involving the use of satellite sensors to monitor the environment, is widely published.

Professor Curran is the youngest recipient of the Remote Sensing Society’s Gold Medal. Her Majesty The Queen approved the award of the Patron’s Medal of the Royal Geographical Society for his ‘international development of geographical science’.

The Vice-Chancellor is a member of the Natural Environment Research Council and its Audit Committee; the Quality Assurance Agency Board and its Audit Committee; the Universities and Colleges Employers Association Board and Universities UK.

Professor Paul Curran City’s new VC has a background in academic leadership and ground-breaking research

C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y L O N D O N

I

City sheds light on night visionMajor grant kickstarts study into optimising street lighting that can reduce accidents and CO2 emissions

CENTRE FOR COMPARATIVE SOCIAL SURVEYS

New analysis conducted by researchers from City University London’s Centre for Comparative Social Surveys shows that people in their 20s in Britain are more likely to feel discriminated against because of their age and are viewed more negatively than those over 70.

The research, which utilised data from both the European Social Survey and the British Social Attitudes series, suggests that conflict between younger and older generations, as seen in the recent student protests, could be the start of a new trend. 

Age discrimination hits the young

City’s Applied Vision Research Centre has received a £1.25 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to investigate how street lighting can be changed to reduce glare and energy consumption and improve the vision of pedestrians and drivers.

The study is being conducted in conjunction with the University of Sheffield and The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL).

Professor John Barbur, Director of Research at City’s Applied Vision Research Centre says the study

will include detailed analysis of vision at low light levels to determine optimum design for street lighting and vehicle lights:

“The research will include looking at how the eye works best in the twilight zone and will contribute to knowledge of vision science.

“This is an example of fundamental research that has a very important practical application. It has been shown that good road lighting can reduce vehicle accidents by 30%.

“There are 7.1 million lighting points installed throughout the United Kingdom. It has been estimated that the lighting of one kilometre of UK residential road for one hour generates 1.7kg of CO2.

“The development of optimised street lighting which can dynamically adjust in response to changes in natural daylight may have significant functional and environmental benefits.”

APPLIED VISION RESEARCH CENTRE

08

High-profile events hosted by the Department of Journalism have been attracting crowds and the media to City University London over the last year.

In October, a timely debate chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby took place between the founder of controversial website Wikileaks, Julian Assange and David Aaronovitch, a columnist at The Times.

The event, co-hosted with the Index on Censorship, was a rare public appearance for Assange, whose organisation has recently featured in the media spotlight. It was the second time Assange had spoken at the University

and demand for places at the event was overwhelming. Media interest in the event was also significant, with a swarm of television crews, photographers and journalists filling the auditorium.

The following week a panel debate featuring seven high-profile panellists, including former Formula One governing body president Max Mosley and former News of the World reporter Paul McMullan, explored the boundaries

between personal privacy and journalism and the ethics of ’phone hacking, again generating great industry interest.

Other recent high-profile presenters have included leading and controversial libel judge Mr Justice Eady and ex-editor of the Washington Post, Len Downie.

Head of Journalism, Professor George Brock says: “The range of high-profile participants in these debates clearly demonstrates the quality of industry experts and discussions that City students have access to. We don’t just teach our journalism students to cover the news, we host events that drive the industry’s news agenda.”

DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Wikileaks and ’phonehacking come to CityHigh-profile debates on journalistic ethics attracted crowds and the media throughout 2010

City’s Department of Economics is helping governments and European institutions to tackle key financial issues. Following the economic crises that have rocked the world, researchers from City are working with a consortium of other universities and the European Union to investigate how financial forecasting can be improved. With a €1.8 million grant, the project aims to look at forecasting and mitigating global financial risk. Meanwhile City’s Head of Economics, Professor Michael Ben-Gad has been awarded a grant by the Economic and Social Research Council, HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs to undertake analysis of the relationship between tax, public debt and immigration.

Financial risk and fortune telling

Nursing skills improved online

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange addresses the media at City

City University London academics have responded to health sector calls for student nurses to improve their clinical skills by developing a unique online tool. Clinical Skills Online, published by Elsevier, is the first comprehensive library of clinical skills in the UK to give nursing and midwifery students and healthcare assistants the opportunity to revisit 82 clinical procedures at their own leisure using video demonstrations, step-by-step instructions and quizzes.

09

C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y L O N D O N

10

INSTRUMENTATION & SENSORS

A new electrical charger developed at City could radically reduce the amount of energy that is wasted when chargers are left plugged-in but devices such as mobile phones and laptops are not connected – a problem said to be responsible for 1% of global carbon dioxide emissions. It has been patented by Sanowar Khan, Professor of Instrumentation and Sensors, who is now seeking partnerships with electronics manufacturers to develop the idea.

Phone charger cuts CO2 emissions

ENGINEERING

A start-up company is developing highly-efficient wind turbines for individual households, small businesses and communities, based on a City aerodynamics patent. Totempower Energy Systems will put its first turbines into production by 2012, giving consumers a much quicker return on investment than current models, through cost savings and by selling even more power back to the National Grid.

Wind power to the people

Escalators go round the bendJack Levy, City Emeritus Professor, shows what goes down can also go up with his Levytator...

A revolutionary escalator that is capable of following a multi-curved path has been invented by Jack Levy, Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at City.

Dubbed the Levytator, the new system opens up fresh possibilities in hotel, airport, museum, theme park and commercial building design, by enabling escalators to echo the organic shapes found in modern architecture.

Unlike traditional escalators, where redundant steps move underneath those in use, the Levytator utilises a continuous loop of curved modules, which can follow any path upwards,

flatten and straighten out and descend once more, all with passengers onboard.

Levy conceived the idea while travelling on the London Underground, asking himself: “Why are all escalators straight, why can’t we go around corners on them?”

As well as aesthetic considerations, the Levytator also offers several practical advantages, such as simpler installation and maintenance, all for a cost similar to a conventional unit.

The idea has been patented internationally and the University is now building partnerships with manufacturers and property developers to put it into production.

A video of the Levytator concept has even proved to be a YouTube hit, with nearly 300,000 viewers worldwide. You can watch it at www.bit.ly/levytator.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Levytator uses continuous belt of stair treads to rise and fall

11

Researchers at City’s Centre for Human Computer Interaction Design and Department of Language and Communication Science hope to use motion-sensing technologies, such as the Nintendo Wii Remote, to rehabilitate people with aphasia – a language impairment, commonly caused by a stroke, which affects around 250,000 people in the UK.

The project will develop affordable, computer-based technology to help stroke survivors with limited spoken or written output to learn how to ‘gesture’ independently at home.

Gestures that can be readily interpreted by others – such as looking at the wrist to signify asking for the time – are often advocated in aphasia treatment, but can be difficult for aphasic people to learn, because they have additional stroke-related disabilities, such as one-sided paralysis.

The research will create a prototype system that enables users to practise gesturing, receive instant feedback and master the movements through repetition. It is supported by The Stroke Association and a £300,000 grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Meanwhile, City’s Centre for Creativity in Professional Practice is exploring how dementia care can be improved by technology that fosters problem solving and collaboration amongst care workers. The research is part of the €6.45M European Union project, MIRROR.

INFORMATION LEADERSHIP

City’s Centre for Information Leadership has created a white paper, to get businesses thinking about whether they are prepared for Generation Y – those born after 1985, who have grown up with the Web – to enter the workplace. It offers practical advice on hiring, training and developing new recruits who are influenced by online social networks. Download it at: www.city.ac.uk/informationleadership

Coping with Generation Y

Can Wii help stroke survivors?Researchers use cutting-edge gaming technology to help stroke survivors communicate more easily

TECHNOLOGY

INFORMATION SCIENCE

City’s giCentre has won a global scientific impact award for a study that analyses centuries of global storm activity and helps climate scientists and insurers assess the risk of hurricanes and the effects of climate change. The Discovery Award is one of many that the giCentre received in 2010, recognising its innovative work in the emerging field of data visualisation.

Tracking the risk of hurricanes

85 RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED WITH A VALUEOF OVER £8M IN 2010

FACT

C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y L O N D O N

“

Chancellor warns of hard decisions in Cass lecture Annual Mais Lecture hears stark economic message from George Osborne

We will not hesitate to take difficult decisions to get Britain working,” was the stark message from the then Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne, as he delivered the annual Mais lecture to an audience of academics, students and senior City figures in February 2010 at Cass Business School.

Mr Osborne made it clear that in his view, “swingeing and savage cuts,” were essential to avoid the international business community losing confidence in Britain. He added that he would not shy away from tough decisions on spending but that he would only do so in a “careful and co-ordinated” way.

CASS BUSINESS SCHOOL

CASS BUSINESS SCHOOL IS IN THE TOP ONE PERCENT OF BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD

FACT

12

INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRMS

The City Law School has secured a range of new internships and cemented its links with several international law firms in a boost to students on its LLM programmes.

First, the School has agreed internship programmes to send one student per

year to the Paris office of US firm K&L Gates and another to Sidley Austin’s Brussels arm for three months every summer.

Second, City has also agreed an antitrust and recovery internship with

respected US firm Crowell & Moring, which has offices in London and across the States.

Third, it has renewed its innovative International Shipping Law internship

with City-based Thomas Cooper for a fifth year running.

All the firms will pay scholarships worth several thousand pounds as part of the internship programme.

Internships homeand away

LAW VOLUNTEERS

Students from the City Law School have teamed up with the Supreme Court to launch a volunteering project designed to encourage young Londoners to engage with the UK legal system.

The project, named ‘Big Voice 2011’, was launched at the Supreme Court in January and focuses on issues of legal identity and access to justice.

Volunteers from City will deliver a series of workshops to students drawn from a variety of schools in under-

resourced areas of the capital. The students will

work with their peers, conduct research and meet well-known public figures from the legal profession and beyond.

Legal London

An aspiring barrister from The City Law School made 2010 a year to remember after winning a coveted Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA) bursary to intern for the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Charlotte Bailye – who completed the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) at City – beat more than 100 other candidates to land the prestigious scholarship after writing a 4000-word report on forced marriage and honour killings in Pakistan.

The internship gave Bailye the opportunity to spend a month in Lahore working closely with both the Human Rights Commission and with highly-respected Justice Majida Razvi, the country’s first female High Court Judge.

In addition, Bailye – who will begin her pupillage at London’s Coram Chambers in October 2011 – also gained a Continuing Education Scholarship from Lincoln’s Inn in recognition of her efforts.

Bailye developed her passion for human rights law during her BPTC training at City, which include an opportunity to work alongside trailblazing UK charity, the National Centre for Domestic Violence.

She has also worked with the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation in London, a registered UK charity providing legal advice to victims of domestic and ‘honour’-based violence and forced marriage. During her time there, Bailye played an important role in the high-profile campaign for Bita Ghaedi, an Iranian civil rights activist who fled to the UK in 2005 to escape a forced marriage. Ghaedi feared for her life after being told she would be deported. After her plight captured the imagination of the media, she won a last-minute reprieve and was released from detention last year to worldwide approval.

Professor Susan Nash, Dean of The City Law School, said: “We are delighted by Charlotte’s achievements in securing such a prestigious role. This kind of success serves to further underline the calibre of our students and the quality of training they enjoy under our first-rate teaching staff.”

Charlotte’s passion for human rights

City Law graduate wins coveted human rights bursary

THE CITY LAW SCHOOL

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C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y L O N D O N

As a Londoner, Olympian and Civil Engineer, City alumnus Richard Kruse is in a unique position to

comment on the 2012 Games and the future of fencing

14

Was fencing a factor in choosing to study at City?

Yes, I needed to stay in London because I had a good working relationship with my coach and the capital is where the majority of the top fencing clubs are based. Looking back, the period when I was at City University London, from 2001-04, was the time when I developed the most. I went from being a decent club fencer to Olympic level.

How did you balance the demands of your sport and your studies?

The most awkward time for me was 2004, my final year and of course the Athens Olympics. Qualification for the Games took place in April and that was certainly a little disruptive to my studying. Thankfully it all went to plan and I qualified. I then had to sit my finals, which didn’t go as smoothly... Re-sits were scheduled for the summer but I managed to delay them by a few months so that I could prepare properly for Athens.

Did you compete in fencing at City?In my final year some of the fencers persuaded me to fence for the University. We travelled around to compete with other university teams. It was good fun but in hindsight was probably a little unsporting!

Why did London win the Games?The scale of the Olympics is colossal, with accommodation needed for 10,000 athletes, 5000 support staff, officials and the media. And finally you have a few million spectators to take care of. That’s why the Olympics frequently go to huge cities that can accommodate large numbers.

London also has so many landmarks that are recognised around the world and which will be part of the games; archery at Lords, tennis at Wimbledon, football at Wembley, the gymnastics in the Millennium Dome and the marathon crossing Tower Bridge. I believe it was these landmarks that helped us win the bid back in 2005.

As a competitor, what do you look for from Olympic facilities?

Initially fencing was going to be in the Olympic Park but it was moved to the Docklands Excel Centre to reduce costs. I’ve fenced at Excel and it’s an impressive venue, although it’s fair to say it is one of the smaller ones! Each venue will host an event before the Olympics to ensure there are no hiccups. Hopefully I’ll fence in this so I can get a feel for the layout and maximise my home advantage.

How would you sum up the excitement of the Games?

It is simply a fantastic fortnight of sport; full of colour, action, blood, sweat and tears. But if you’ve never experienced it first-hand it is hard to convey quite how powerful this world event is.

What legacy do you hope the Olympics will leave London with?

In terms of infrastructure the whole East End will have been regenerated. I’m glad that the stadium will retain its athletics facilities post-2012. As for fencing, there are rumours that we may acquire an Olympic venue as a national centre – which we’ve not had during my time in the sport. That might tempt me to stay in the sport, so let’s not rule out Rio 2016 just yet.

I N T E R V I E W

ost 12-year olds run around playing with plastic swords but by that age Richard Kruse was sparring with the real thing and on his way to becoming Britain’s best fencer for 40 years. Having held the British foil

title at cadet, junior and senior levels, Kruse followed that with European gold. Having reached the last eight in the Athens Olympics, Kruse then put his career on hold to concentrate on fighting his way to the top when his home city hosts

M

Fencing has been part of the summer Olympic programme since

the birth of the modern movement

in 1896. Initially only men contested the foil and sabre classes. The Épée was added four

years later and by 1924 women were showing their steel as well. But it was another 80 years before a female

sabre tournament took place.

Fencing at the

Olympics

“If you’ve never experienced it, it’s

hard to convey how powerful an event

the Olympics is”

T h e Fu t u r eo f t h e M e d i aRoy Greenslade, doyen of Fleet Street – and Professor

of Journalism at City – argues that while traditional newsprint might become obsolete, it remains the

most exciting of times to be a journalist

T h e Fu t u r eo f t h e M e d i a

It is the worst of times and it is the best of times to enter a media

career. The worst, because there is so much

gloom and despondency about the cutbacks in newspapers’ staffing and the cuts certain to follow the reduction in the licence fee for Britain’s biggest media organisation, the BBC.

But it is also the best because the digital revolution offers the most exciting opportunities for journalism I have witnessed during my career, which stretches back to the early 1960s. And, in my view, the best will eventually outweigh the worst.

Let’s try to put the current situation in perspective. It’s true fewer people are buying and reading printed newspapers. But editors are not downcast because, through their websites, they are reaching more people than at any time in history.

While I would not wish to minimise the commercial problems this presents for the press proprietors, it is important to grasp that journalism itself – as distinct from ownership – is not in crisis.

Just the reverse. Journalism is developing all the time, benefiting from the immediacy and participation engendered by the use of digital tools. There is an understanding that

E the newspapers handled the release of many thousands of secret documents by WikiLeaks. The freedom of the net allowed them to be accessed, but that was the beginning of the process. Journalists provided the explanatory focus that was also informed, it’s fair to say, by their opinions.

It reminds us that the net is merely a platform. People may or may not use it wisely. It is foolish to call it anarchic simply because people use it to express foolish, and sometimes disgraceful, views. It is the penalty for a truly democratic system of communications and not a reason to decry its existence, as some journalists and media owners have done.

The owners lament the fact that money is harder to make on the net. That’s one reason why one of the world’s most prominent media moguls, Rupert Murdoch, decided his papers should charge for access to their websites. The results of his experiment remain unclear, though those who oppose his paywalls are also uncertain whether their hopes of funding journalism through online advertising will work.

This makes for uncertainty. But it is no more than a reflection of the volatile media revolution and, arguably, of society’s own volatility.

“Journalism is developing all the

time, benefiting from the immediacy

and participation engendered by the use of digital tools”

news can, and should, be shared with people as soon as possible after the event, often during the course of an event.

News is no longer consumed at some set time of the day, when the paper arrives in the morning, say, or when you tune in to a scheduled TV bulletin. Now, it arrives throughout a 24-hour period, and people can access it through desk-top computers, laptops and mobile phones. Social media – such as Facebook and Twitter – have become the personalised news sources of choice for millions of people.

veryone now has the potential to relay news, by text and by pictures, both still and

moving. That does not make them professional journalists, of course, but they do provide the raw material. What the professionals add is analysis and context. Facts require explanation and interpretation. Therefore, the struggle among media outlets is for credibility. They must attract an audience that respects their journalistic added value.

This factor was clear from the way

O P I N I O N

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R E S E A R C H

t’s been more than 10 years since NHS Direct came into being. At the time many people threw up their hands in horror at the thought of receiving

medical advice remotely, either by telephone or through the internet. By now, it’s fairly safe to say we’ve got used to this concept and millions of us have used the service. Innovative research projects being carried out at City University London are set to take us beyond NHS Direct to a future where groundbreaking technology is used to provide support for the effective delivery of healthcare.

I

FROM USING TELECOMMUNICATIONS TO GIVE SERIOUSLY ILL PATIENTS

THEIR INDEPENDENCE TO TRACKING EPIDEMICS VIA TWITTER; MEET THE

CITY UNIVERSITY PEOPLE AIMING TO CHANGE THE WAY YOUR HEALTH WILL

BE MONITORED IN THE FUTURE...

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Report by Sarah Birdsall

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ity’s Health Services Research Group, which is led by the Dean of the School of Community and Health Sciences, Professor Stanton Newman, is currently researching how those living with long-term debilitating conditions can be treated more effectively with the use of technology. The Whole System Demonstrator project is designed to assess whether the provision of devices allows patients to maintain their independence. This entails monitoring their health remotely, with medical services being able to respond to any emergency and health care professionals alert for any deterioration. With an ageing UK population this research is not just timely but vital.

The Whole System Demonstrator, initiated by the Government, is being evaluated in three pilot areas around the UK: Cornwall, Kent and Newham. Patients in these areas have been provided with telecare packages that monitor them in their homes and send alerts when necessary, for example if they were to fall. Telehealth interventions allow people to communicate remotely with their healthcare professional, for example sending test results electronically. The evaluation will assess the extent to which these provide benefits to patients, carers and the health and social care system.

Says Professor Newman: “These large studies will provide the evidence on the extent to which telehealth solutions have the potential to alleviate the burden on hospitals by preventing avoidable admissions and telecare can maintain the independence, quality of life and dignity of the frail elderly.”

C

H E A L T H T E C H N O L O G Y

“Our studies will provide the

evidence to show if telehealth solutions

can alleviate the burden on hospitals”

Professor Stanton NewmanSchool of Community and Health Sciences

Over the last decade, City’s e-Health Research Centre has grown to a multidisciplinary department collaborating with international partners on grants funded by prestigious bodies such as the World Health Organisation.

CeRC’s expertise ranges from computer and information science, to infectious diseases and public health. Furthermore, they deliver real-world services for medical professionals enabling direct technology transfer of CeRC user-driven research.

Digitising health services How City is driving the transfer of health information

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eanwhile, City’s e-Health Research Centre (CeRC) is making vital contributions at national and international levels. It electronically hosts a

number of services for medical professionals through the National Resource for Infection Control, the National Electronic Library of Infection, the ECDC-funded Field Epidemiology Manual wiki and the portal for the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene.

One of the CeRC’s most recent research projects taps in to all our fears about modern day ‘plagues’. In partnership with the University’s Centre for Better Managed Health and Social Care and its Journalism department, the research investigated Twitter usage during the 2009 swine flu outbreak and how social media can be used to track and forecast pandemics.

Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Centre, Dr Patty Kostkova and her team analysed three million tweets between May and December 2009 and found that Twitter can detect these kinds of pandemic outbreaks up to a week before conventional UK-wide GP-reported surveillance data is available. They found that people will often tweet about their symptoms well before visiting their GP. It’s true – we all like to talk about our ailments but we’re using social media rather than ‘over the garden fence’ to do that these days.

Says Dr Kostkova: “The obvious conclusion is that social media, which for most of us is still a ‘toy’, can easily become an effective way for the Health Protection Agency in the UK and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organisation at a European and global level to monitor pandemics virtually in real time and plan their interventions and public health response accordingly.”

As the new century becomes not-so-new, and NHS Direct becomes old hat, City University London is turning research that combines health care and technology into products and strategy that can give us control over our own health in ways we would never have imagined.

M

“Social media like Twitter can be an effective way for agencies to monitor pandemics in real time”Dr Patty KostkovaCity e-Health Research Centre

TO WATCH

T O W A T C H

5Anastasia AtanesyanMSc Banking and International Finance (2005)

Anastasia Atanesyan completed her degree at the Cass Business School in 2005 and discovered that far from setting her on a prescribed path, it allowed her to pursue her true passion, filmmaking. Working alongside her writer and director husband, Atanesyan acted as producer, putting the finance in place for their first feature film, Zebra Crossing.

Entirely self-funded, the film has received plaudits around the world and been picked up for UK distribution. This success has allowed Atanesyan to leave her ‘day job’ working for a hedge fund and pursue a full-time career in film production.

Hirander MisraMSc Business Systems Analysis and Design (2000)

Having begun his business career with Reuters, Hirander Misra then studied at the School of Informatics between 1998 and 2000. In 2006 Misra became one of the founding directors and first employee of Chi-X Europe. As its COO Misra helped develop the company from concept to second largest equities trading venue in Europe.

Last year, Misra co-founded Algo Technologies, which aims to provide the next generation of high-speed trading solutions with an emphasis on algorithmic trading, execution and market data services. The company now provides some of the swiftest communication and connectivity services within this highly specialised and demanding market.

The aim of City in all its areas of education is to create thinkers, people who recognise that the qualifications they receive are merely the first step. As demonstrated by the five rising stars here, higher education opens paths to a range of diverse careers

22

Orpha PhelanMA Arts Criticism (1995)

The award of a masters degree by City University London in 1995 was merely the first of many plaudits since received by Orpha Phelan in the arts world. For the past decade, Phelan has enjoyed critical and audience acclaim for the operas she has directed in the UK for companies such as Opera North, the Royal Opera, Glyndebourne and the Welsh National Opera.

Further afield Phelan has masterminded operas at the Sydney Opera House and in the United States and across Europe. Phelan has also managed to find time to become one of the leading western exponents of traditional Japanese Noh theatre, studying it as a guest of that country’s government for several months.

Aiden Maxwell-Brindley Bar Vocational Course (2008)

Aiden Maxwell-Brindley graduated from The City Law School in 2008 and found himself confronted by the traditionally tough pupillage system. With only one in five graduates going on to practise at the Bar, Maxwell-Brindley recognised that there was a huge pool of talented fledgling lawyers available.

He decided to act on behalf of his fellow graduates, founding Baby Barrister Recruitment to help them seek employment in a huge range of sectors while still pursuing pupillages, finding work as junior barristers or guiding them through the complicated process needed to transition from barrister to solicitor.

Jenny BurrageMSc Economic Regulation and Competition (2006)

Jenny Burrage graduated with a masters degree from the School of Social Sciences in 2006, having joined leading consultancy RBB in 2003. As a specialist in competition economics, Burrage offers expert economic advice on both domestic and European cases. Working across a huge number of sectors including agriculture, aviation, chemicals, entertainment, healthcare, mining, retailing and utilities.

Now a Senior Associate with RBB Economics, Burrage has been involved in a number of competition law cases at European Commission level and before national authorities in the UK, Ireland, Norway, South Africa and Singapore. Burrage’s expertise now covers abuse of dominance investigations, litigation, preparing expert witness testimony and European Phase II merger cases.

23

24

£1M Haberman Campaign

The Haberman Campaign for Actuarial Science was launched in July 2010 to pay tribute to Steve Haberman, Professor of Actuarial Science and Deputy Dean of Cass Business School, as a teacher and a scholar over the last 35 years and to celebrate the enormous contribution he has made to Cass and actuarial science worldwide. The aim is to raise £1 million over two years to support scholarships, research and teaching in the area of Actuarial Science and Insurance at Cass, ensuring that Cass remains a Global Centre of Excellence in this highly skilled field.

Development successes

One of our greatest strengths comes from our superb links with some of the world’s most respected and successful organisations. Our dialogue with business shapes the structure and content of all our education, training, research and consultancy. Since 2005 the Development Office at Cass Business School has worked with alumni, individuals and organisations to create opportunities to sponsor Cass’s research, and provide vital scholarships and mutually beneficial partnerships.

ass Business School recently received its first legacy pledge from a generous alumnus, Bryn Rowlands, MBA 1980. Explaining his decision to pledge a legacy, Mr Rowlands said: ‘Providing a legacy to Cass Business School allows me to contribute, even in a small way, to a world-class British educational institution. I believe this

will help maintain a peaceful and positive aspect of our country, from which both home and foreign students will benefit.’

The Legacy Giving Programme has been launched for alumni and friends of the School who would like to leave gifts in their wills. Such contributions will support prospective students who may not have the financial resources to pay for their business school education, as well as the school’s long-term financial security.

Paola Barbarino, Director of Development and External Relations at Cass Business School, said: ‘Leaving a legacy to Cass is one of the most important gifts you can make to the School. When you donate to the Cass Legacy Programme you will directly contribute to our long-term financial security and the prospects of countless students for years to come.’

If you would like to speak to someone about leaving a legacy or making a donation to Cass, please contact the Development Office on 020 7040 8674 or email cass-development@city.ac.uk

Cass Business School Legacy Programme

C A S S

Alumni World Forum

The inaugural Cass Alumni World Forum took place on Friday 16 July 2010, celebrating the depth of talent of Cass alumni.

With over 400 people attending the event in London and over 250 attending events overseas, the day proved to be a huge success. The London event was designed around sharing ideas, networking and debating with world-leading business thinkers through panel discussions, masterclasses hosted by academics and Cass Careers, and an evening reception and dinner at the Museum of London.

Celebrating our extensive global alumni network, 14 satellite events were held across five continents, hosted by our academics, international alumni volunteers and senior business figures. These events took place in China, Colombia, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Spain, the UAE and the USA.

Alumni around the world were able to contribute during the day via social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. The London panel debates were streamed live via Cass’s website, attracting over 650 viewers from around the world and questions were submitted to the panel via Twitter.

To mark the occasion, we launched a new full-fee MBA scholarship which was awarded to a candidate chosen by our alumni.Former students pledge financial

support for the next generation

C

ur aim of moving City University into the top 2% of academic institutions globally is a bold one and your support is vital in

achieving it. The more funding we have to enhance the learning environment for current and future students, the better we can be.

The City Future Fund is a way to give back to your alma mater and to ensure that we continue to be a world-class university. For every £3 donated to the City Future Fund before July 2011 the Government will add an extra £1 under the Matched Funding Scheme.

That means whatever size donation we receive, we can increase it by 25 percent. And with your help we can have a material effect

on the University and its students. The results are readily apparent, from restoring the iconic College Building Clock Tower to providing bursaries that further our groundbreaking research programmes.

Whether it is a scholarship for a gifted student, a bursary for potentially life-saving PhD research or ensuring that our departments have the best equipment for teaching, you can rest assured that a gift to the City Future Fund is an investment in the development of our brightest minds.

If you’d like to read about some of the life changing research the City Future Fund has supported this year, go to www.city.ac.uk/alumni/supportingcity/City_Future_Fund

O

Can you help?

Donate as little as £3 to the City Future Fund and the Government will turn it into £4. Whatever your

gift, you can make a difference...

City Future Fund

My PhD means a lot to me, but it’s also important to me to ensure that people with cerebral palsy aren’t left

behind as technology advances. There is so much I’d like to do but financial resource is limited. City Future Fund donors have helped me go further

with my research – and I believe it will mean a lot to anyone who has CP and

has had issues trying to get online.Makayla Lewis

PhD Student, Centre for Human Computer Interaction Design

Thank you so much for your support.

The work we do is ground-breaking and far-reaching, and gifts

from friends of the University support us to

excel in our field” Professor Neil Maiden

The great thing about being actively involved in telephone fundraising for

the University is that it put me in touch with people who had been in my shoes and have gone on to

be successful in an amazing variety of ways. Talking with alumni helped

me to put my experiences into context, and I think it brought a few

memories back for them, too!”Ishika Patel, LLB 2010

A THANK YOUFROM CITY...

MAKE A DONATION ONLINE ATWWW.CITY.AC.UK/DEVELOPMENT/DONATE

A L U M N IS E R V I C E S

B E A PA R T O F YO U R U N I V E R S I T Y

F O R E V E RAs a City University London alumnus, you are entitled to a range

of benefits from library access to private members’ clubs

A

27

Q

Former students automatically receive lifelong membership to the City University London Alumni Network. Every year we diversify the benefits and services associated with that membership and, to take advantage, all you need to do is provide us with your current email address.

Not only does your email address unlock a number of benefits, it also means that we save on average £3.82 each year by communicating with you online. So, you are in fact donating to City and helping us to save the environment at the same time. What’s not to like?

What does your membership get you?Your Alumni Network Card (which you can get by contacting a member of the Alumni Relations Team) enables you to visit the campus where you can take advantage of sports activities and Library discounts.

New to 2010/11The Library now offers alumni free access along with a significant discount on borrowing privileges. The annual fee for City University alumni is currently £30, an 80% discount on the Library’s annual charge to external borrowers.

Free support is available from the Careers Centre for up to three years after your graduation. At the Careers Centre you can have your CVs and applications reviewed and practice your presentation and interview techniques. You can also attend employer events and make use of the Career Network, a database of City University alumni, to build up your contacts.

A 10% discount is available for hospitality and venue hire. City’s dedicated conference services team can offer inspirational venues with superb facilities and a first-class event management service. Choose from lecture theatres, meeting rooms and even Ten2, a multi-functional social space which is perfect for private parties and drinks receptions.

Our alumni are also entitled to discounted membership at the Commonwealth Club, a

CITY ALUMNI RELATIONS TEAMTel: +44 (0) 20 7040 5557Email: alumni@city.ac.uk

CASS ALUMNI RELATIONS TEAMTel: +44 (0) 20 7040 8373Email: cass-alumni@city.ac.uk

private members’ club situated on Northumberland Avenue, just minutes away from Trafalgar Square. Founded in 1868 as an international meeting place for the exchange of ideas, members can also use 100 reciprocal clubs worldwide to meet, enjoy a reasonably priced three-course meal and benefit from networking opportunities at member events.

Stay in touch with City University via email, social networking and now the City Alumni Network Blog. Subscribe to the latest news from your School, the wider University and your fellow alumni. The blog is also the perfect place to find out about the latest alumni benefits as well as a forum for sharing your comments and suggestions.

Subscribe to the blog today: www.city.ac.uk/blogs/city-alumni

Remember, you can also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

City worldwideIf you are able to offer or suggest a benefit that may be of interest to City alumni, particularly those based outside London or the UK, please contact a member of the Alumni Relations Team.

How does a former City University

London student join the Alumni

Network?

C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y L O N D O N

They don’t!They are already

a member.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING

A D V I C E

What is networking?The thought of ‘networking’ can be quite daunting for the uninitiated. Networking is simply about talking to people whether it is face to face or online. There are so many opportunities that a graduate can take to meet people and ultimately build their network. When networking, the main message would be to be proactive, patient and find a balance between communicating face to face and online.

Why is networking important?Networking has many crucial advantages as it enables graduates to actively build a network within their chosen industry.

Statistics have shown how valuable networking is and it is certainly a job search strategy that all people should embrace. Regardless of the recession, the labour market in London has always been competitive so it is important for people to be proactive in their job search and not just rely on passive job search strategies such as responding to advertised opportunities, which only account for 20-30% of jobs.

In today’s crowded job market, it’s not just what but who you know that counts

29

C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y L O N D O N

How and where do I start networking?There are many different ways graduates can pursue networking opportunities. Before exploring any of these opportunities however, it is so important to plan ahead and determine what you want to get out of the experience and to whom you want to talk.

If you’ve spent some time at university you’re bound to have potential job networking contacts (for example, lecturers and supervisors). If you’ve made a few connections already, let them know you are looking for a job. It’s also important to tap into other opportunities such as career-focused events. Throughout the year the Careers Service runs events where recent graduates have the opportunity to listen and talk to professionals from the industry you want to be in. Alumni who graduated less recently can also consider some of the suggestions below.

Enhance your employability by developing relevant skills through casual, temporary or part-time work. You can show commitment and self-motivation through volunteering opportunities. City Volunteering offers plenty of chances for recent graduates to get involved, meet people and build a strong network. Those who graduated more than three years ago may also want to consider joining Do-it or Volunteering England for similar opportunities.

Pursue industry specific insight days, internships and vacation schemes. More and more of these types of scheme are open to those going on to study postgraduate courses and those who have already graduated.

Endeavour to attend professional body and association events. This could be anything from a talk or

lecture to a conference – all of which offer a perfect opportunity to meet people in your industry.

Get online. We’ve all heard the saying ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’, well, opportunity to get yourself known to other people has never been easier with the boom in social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Online social networking is not just about being in the right place at the right time but more about knowing how to use these resources effectively to your advantage.

City University London has a number of groups on LinkedIn ranging from departmental to alumni groups that currently have over 2500 members. This is one of many opportunities to build a more familiar network, find out where graduates have moved on to and pursue opportunities to do the same.

Stay in touch with the Career & Skills Development ServiceIf you’re having trouble with the whole process of establishing a network and getting started, or if you need to talk with someone about what you’re looking for, make an appointment with a Careers Consultant.

Careers and Skills Development at City University London is available to both current students and recent graduates for the purpose of helping them to develop their career ideas and build the relevant skills to aid them in the world of work post-graduation. There are wide range of services available, the core of which include:

● Individual Careers guidance and drop-in sessions with a Careers Consultant● Careers information resources

● Vacancy Board – www.city.ac.uk/careers/students/vacancy-board/index.html ● Employer Events –www.city.ac.uk/careers/events/index.html ● Psychometric testing and other forms of assessment ● Volunteering and mentoring opportunities

For more information on the services available please visit our website: www.city.ac.uk/careers Or join the team on Facebook: tinyurl.com/cityunicareers

Alla Lapidus graduated from City in 1986 with a Bachelors degree in Business Computing Systems. Alla is currently the Director of Moonlight Media, an international investor relations and marketing agency,

specialising in banking and trading technology.

How important do you think mentoring opportunities are to the long-term careers of the students taking part?Very important. Students often don’t really know about their intended profession and being able to meet with and talk to professionals gives them a much better idea of whether the direction they’re thinking of is suitable. It might also prompt them to look at areas they hadn’t considered previously. Perhaps most important is a mentor’s ability to build confidence and help them to see how much they have achieved already.

What are the key benefits of taking part as a mentor?Corny though this sounds, it is the ability to contribute something positive, the satisfaction of seeing someone’s growing self-belief and supporting them in achieving something they previously thought was out of their reach.

What advice would you give to fellow alumni considering volunteering their time as a mentor, be it on or offline?It’s rewarding, fun and at times challenging. Helping someone also forces one to examine one’s own path, trying to define and distil what does and doesn’t work.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor or providing students and fellow alumni with industry-relevant careers support and advice, please email: alumni@city.ac.uk

Become a MentorAlla Lapidus, BA Business Computing

30

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

ity University London is one of the most popular institutions in the UK for international students and therefore has a diverse network of alumni based in

all four corners of the world. Each year the Alumni Office develops its programme

of international events further, providing students the opportunity to get together with former colleagues, network with industry leaders and find out the latest news.

This is set to be another busy year for our international activities with events scheduled in Athens, Hong Kong and New York. You may have attended one of the alumni

CWith contacts in over 60 countries, City alumni are meeting up all across the world

G L O B A L R E A C H

Alumni Events in 2010Proof, if it were needed, that City

has a truly international presence

Mauritius - January

Madrid, Spain - March

Frankfurt, Germany - MarchAthens, Greece - April

Milan, Italy - MayHong Kong - June

Beijing, China - JuneShanghai, China - June

Bogota, Colombia – OctoberHong Kong (Arts alumni) – November

New York, USA – November

New York

In January this year we were joined by alumnus Leonard Bond who studied Physics at City in the ‘70s.

Despite moving to the United States more than 20 years ago, Bond kept in touch with his former University colleagues but it is only in the last few

years that he has had the opportunity to network with staff and fellow alumni in person.

“I really enjoyed meeting the faces behind the emails and getting an update on City University. I hope it will

be possible to continue to build the network and connect with some more science and

engineering alumni.” Leonard Bond,

PhD in Physics, 1974-78.

31

receptions that have already taken place in Mauritius or the United Arab Emirates.

With the support of internationally-based alumni we can continue to develop and diversify our overseas programme of alumni activities. We have a strong and ever-increasing network of international contacts, each of whom volunteer their time to aid the personal and professional networking opportunities for their alma mater.

If you would like to support the Alumni Office with local events and other activities in your home country, please contact us at alumni@city.ac.uk or +44 (0) 20 7040 5557.

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta,

Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan.

Athens

In 2010 we held our third annual reception at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens.

Nearly 200 alumni attended to meet staff, reconnect with old friends and network with a range of their peers now based in Greece.

“It was wonderful to have so many alumni attending the event. It was a good

example of City’s diverse community where journalists, engineers, health practitioners

and business people can network harmoniously together.”

Paulo Gomes, Head of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving

China

June 2010 saw our first trip to China to host receptions in both Shanghai and

Beijing. Lots of our alumni joined us there and told us they appreciated the effort made by the University to meet them. The events not only provided opportunities to reunite and network but also enabled prospective

students to learn more about the University and its former students

Hong Kong

In early June, several alumni met with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research &

International), Professor Dinos Arcoumanis, over dinner to discuss future alumni

activities in the area. Later that month we travelled to the Azure bar at the summit of the LKF Tower in Hong Kong for an informal

drinks reception to which all locally based City alumni were invited.

C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y L O N D O N

Countries where we have international alumni contacts:

FOR INFORMATION ON FUNDING DEVELOPMENT AND TO MAKE A DONATION PLEASE CONTACT:ANITA JETHWA +44 (0) 20 7040 5561 OR EMAIL anita.jethwa.1@city.ac.uk

75 NEW DOCTORAL STUDENTSHIPS WILL START IN OCTOBER 2011 WITH APPROXIMATELY 30 BEING CO-SPONSORED BY COMPANIES, FOUNDATIONS AND OTHERS.

ver the past year many exciting initiatives across the University have become a reality because of the outstanding contributions made

by alumni and other supporters. This has had a major impact on our ability to provide educational opportunities to our students and maintain our academic standards.

Despite challenging times we continue to benefit from the generosity of donors

and, with their support, have awarded more than 150 scholarships. In October 2011, 75 new Doctoral Studentships will commence with around 30 being co-sponsored by companies, foundations and others.

Philanthropy has played an important role in support for research and one of the year’s success stories saw City’s Centre for Software Reliability receive a three-year funding grant of £240,000 from the Leverhulme Trust.

Looking ahead, the fundraising team has been preparing for a wave of new projects. A campaign for a new Sports Centre will commence in 2012, as will an appeal for new Law School facilities. The Sports Centre is set to provide state-of-the-art facilities to complement student life and will be a key development in City’s multi-site campus. A new law library is planned for 2013, creating a vibrant hub for The City Law School.

Supportyour City

Do something life-changing...

Alumni benefactors have been at the centre of major contributions to the City Fundraising effort.

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WE CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THE GENEROSITY OF DONORS AND, WITH THEIR SUPPORT, HAVE AWARDED MORE THAN SCHOLARSHIPS.150

THE FUNDRAISING TEAM HAS BEEN PREPARING FOR A WAVE OF NEW PROJECTS IN THE LEAD-UP TO

AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR UNIVERSITY TITLE

2016City supporters are at the heart of our past success and the drivers of our future

How donor money is helping your University...

O

Short coursesmean business

Owner-manager Bea Vo trained as a pastry chef in acclaimed restaurants

such as Nobu and Asia de Cuba before setting up her business in 2008 with just two full-time employees… including herself.

Since completing the Starting up a Business course at City, Bea has expanded her business to employ some 22 staff and has recently opened a second outlet within the prestigious One New Change shopping centre opposite St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

To learn how short courses at City University London can help further your career visit: www.city.ac.uk/evening

Several successful enterprises have emerged as a direct result of students attending City’s part-time evening and weekend courses.

Among them is Bea’s of Bloomsbury – an independent cafe and pastry shop that has quickly become one of the worst-kept secrets in foodie London.

34

A v e r y i m p o r t a n t B e a rCity University London’s Ben Mitchell met up with Alderman Michael Bear,

who is not only our Chancellor but also the Lord Mayor of London

he Lord Mayor of London is a very busy man. When he’s not preparing for one of the 700 speeches he is likely to give during his single year in office, he’s

thumbing through £2.6bn worth of trade deals with the Chinese Vice-Premier or hosting a party for 500 children at Mansion House.

But even with such a hectic schedule, Alderman Michael Bear’s enthusiasm for his role with City University London – part of his remit as Lord Mayor of London – is clear.

“Wherever we go, the demand for UK qualifications is enormous. It’s a great way of cementing relationships with other countries so I see my role as promoting our University, the City University. It’s a very important part of what the City is,” says Bear.

But his ambition doesn’t end there. Bear is also keen to use the reputation of the University to reboot the reputation of the Square Mile, which has taken a battering in recent years both at home and abroad.

He explains: “Education is hugely important to what we promote as a service here in the City and overseas. The world-class research that comes from City University London is absolutely fundamental in getting us ahead of the curve in a number of very difficult issues we are now facing.”

Bear, the civil engineering mastermind behind the rejuvenation of London’s Spitalfields Market, is an unusual choice for the role of Lord Mayor, normally the domain of lawyers and bankers. Born in Nairobi and educated in Cyprus, England and South Africa, he arrived in London 33 years ago. “We came with two

suitcases and our life savings and slept on the floor for a year while my wife gave piano lessons,” he recalls.

Armed with an MBA from Cranfield and a degree from Johannesburg’s Witwatersrand University, Bear swiftly worked his way up through a number of high-powered design, construction and property roles before dipping his toe into London’s traditional governance system.

ow he regularly works a seven-day week as Lord Mayor and balances a string of ceremonial functions with tireless charity work for nominated

beneficiaries, RedR UK and Coram. Via his ‘Bear Necessities’ charity campaign, Bear has already made significant progress towards the multi-million pound

fundraising target he has set for himself during his year in the post.

Above all, Bear is hugely proud of London and is captivated by the opportunities ahead for the capital, which include safeguarding the legacy of the 2012 Olympics.

He says: “The Games will ensure London is under the spotlight. Billions will be watching on the television so it’s our chance to showcase the City. Everything we do will be under the microscope so I think it will be a defining moment for London.”

He also remains convinced by the opportunities available to students both present and future in the City. His advice? “It’s still a level playing field. The opportunities you have here in the City are immense. The fact that I can become Lord Mayor as an engineer is testament to that.”

I N T E R V I E W

T

N

The City of London Corporation was granted its first Royal Charter by William the Conqueror and it was King John who decreed in

1215 that its head should be elected rather appointed by the sovereign.

The role has always been to represent and promote the businesses and people of the Square Mile.

Mayoral progress

City University LondonNorthampton SquareLondon EC1V 0HB

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 5060Email: enquiries@city.ac.ukWebsite: www.city.ac.uk

CITY UNIVERSITY LONDONALUMNI RELATIONS TEAMTelephone: +44 (0)20 7040 5557Email: alumni@city.ac.uk

CASS BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI RELATIONS TEAMTelephone: +44 (0)20 7040 8373Email: cass-alumni@city.ac.uk

Design/Production: FP CreativeOriginal Photography: Jamie Beeden

© City University London 2011.All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited. Views expressed are not necessarily those of City University London or FP Creative Ltd.