SCHOLARSHIPS NEWSLETTER 2015

SCHOLARSHIPS NEWSLETTER 2015

THANK YOU FOR SHARING OUR COMMITMENT TO CHANGING LIVES Welcome to the University of Westminster Scholarships Newsletter 2015. In the pages ahead we celebrate our leading scholarships programme and thank all those who have helped us to create these life changing opportunities. The external support that we receive from individuals, businesses and charities means that we can continue to build on our proud traditions of innovation and creativity, of providing education for all, and of shaping and improving lives around the world. In the past year we have been able to provide greater student support than ever before. In this Newsletter we meet some of the student scholars who have benefited from these awards. From law and journalism to engineering and international development, their ambition, skills and knowledge will allow them to thrive in professional life and to make their mark across the world. As their stories illustrate, the impact of these awards can be truly transformational, both for the individual and their wider community. We also hear from donor Kirit Patel, whose gift will enable students to work with charities and residents in Uganda to create sustainable access to clean, safe water. Support for programmes like this mean that Westminster can continue to change people s lives at an international level whilst inspiring the next generation of global citizens and leaders. I would like to extend a warm welcome to those alumni who took part in our recent telephone appeal. Nearly 300 of you decided to pledge support for key projects across the University, including much-needed student support, totalling nearly 80,000 over five years. The collective power of these gifts makes a real and tangible impact; last year we were able to create the New Generations Alumni Awards, three new scholarships awarded to students who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. The first awards were made to students starting in September 2014 and I look forward to updating you on their progress in due course. Thank you again for sharing our vision and helping us to expand the circle of support available. Together we can continue to create a vibrant and diverse learning environment where the brightest and most talented students are able to pursue higher education regardless of their means. PROFESSOR GEOFFREY PETTS BSc, PhD, FRGS, FRSA Vice-Chancellor

I loved science in school and always wanted to study engineering. Westminster has a great engineering department but the competiton for scholarships is high; you really have to prove why you deserve to study here! Our tutors are fantastic; I can drop in to see them any time and they always go the extra mile for us. I have gained so much from Westminster and I too want to give back in the future. I am so grateful to have received my award. Thank you for this amazing opportunity and to everyone who has supported, collectively these dontaions make a huge difference. SOFIA ZAFFER Electronic Engineering BEng 2 SOFIA ZAFFER

SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS ALUMNUS AND DONOR KIRIT PATEL SHARES HIS PASSION FOR CREATING OPPORTUNITIES THAT STIMULATE STUDENT INNOVATION AND CONTRIBUTE TO OUR WIDER COMMUNITY. I am proud to support the MBA Social Entrepreneurship programme, which enables students to travel to Uganda and to improve water and sanitation provision Having spent my working life in business I am a strong advocate of student scholarships and entrepreneurship programmes. They help people from challenging financial circumstances to access valuable opportunities, whilst investing in a resourceful and knowledgeable workforce who will shape our future for the better. I came to study business at a time when my own company was in financial crisis, the biggest thing I learnt was to manage bottom up by getting out there and meeting my staff. I m pleased to say this year we will celebrate our 40th birthday as the largest, independent pharmacy chain in the UK. The confidence and expertise that I drew from my education made all the difference to my success, which is why I believe it is so important to empower students to adopt a hands-on attitude and to trust their own abilities. I am proud to support the MBA Social Entrepreneurship programme, which enables students to travel to Uganda and to work with the Busoga Trust to improve water and sanitation provision. It requires students to use their skills and experience to solve real life problems. My family values are deeply rooted in philanthropy, so we felt it made perfect sense to devote our attention to supporting young people and the innovative ways that they can address global issues. Our gift is also a way for us to reconnect and to honour the time that we spent together in Africa. When I moved to England and bought my first shop I received help from my mentors; now it is time to pass on my knowledge and to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. KIRIT PATEL MBE (MBA, 1988) CEO Day Lewis Group Plc 3 KIRIT PATEL

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A CAREER IN TEACHING UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER PHD STUDENT KATE TURNER WAS SELECTED TO WIN THE PRESTIGIOUS SSH MORAG DRYDEN SCHOLARSHIP, AWARDED FOR STAND-OUT ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. HERE SHE TELLS US ABOUT THE IMPACT OF RECEIVING THE AWARD. My scholarship has not only enabled me to focus on my PhD but it has opened up exciting new opportunities and laid strong foundations for my future career I am really enjoying undertaking my PhD at the University of Westminster; the variety of events, workshops and guest speakers that the Departments host throughout the year has been a particular highlight. The scope of research taking place at the University creates a very engaging learning environment, and my supervisory team have provided incredible support, lending their expertise and perspectives to my research. I was delighted to receive the SSH Morag Dryden scholarship, it allowed me to focus on my studies without having to balance a part-time job. This meant I could thoroughly develop my research whilst taking part in some voluntary work supporting adult learners it was a fantastic way to contribute to the community and to progress my teaching skills. I am now on course to complete my thesis in good time and I have recently secured some paid work as a visiting lecturer. After completing my studies at Westminster I am planning to progress my career in research and teaching. Thank you so much to those who have generously provided the Morag Dryden scholarship. My scholarship has not only enabled me to focus on my PhD but it has opened up exciting new opportunities and laid strong foundations for my future career. KATE TURNER English and Linguistics PhD 4 KATE TURNER

CELEBRATING OUR INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS At our 13th annual International Scholarships Reception we welcomed nearly 120 outstanding international students to the University of Westminster community. Friends and supporters gathered to celebrate their success and the start of an exciting new chapter in their academic lives. Here we meet some of the students and share our highlights from the evening. We annually award scholarships to over 1,000 students from over 50 counties across the world. Learning in an internationalised context allows our students to become global citizens, adept at negotiating the challenges of cultural connection and difference. PROFESSOR ALEX HUGHES Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Engagement 5 INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS RECEPTION My scholarship has helped open doors that will allow me to compete for jobs with students from all over the world. YADU POUDEL Construction Management BSc

Our investment in these students is more valuable than gold, silver or any other commodity as they will return to their home countries to make a difference to the future development of their communities. KEVIN COYNE Dean of Students, International Student House My family are from Tacloban City, Philippines, which was hit by a typhoon in 2013. Recovery hasn t been easy and it s been expensive to rebuild. When I return home I want to work in disaster risk reduction and give back to my country that has lost so much. Scholarships not only help the student but they help the international community. JOHN MACATO International Development Management MA Our scholarships support overseas students as they gain knowledge and skills invaluable to the economies and cultures of the countries to which they return PROFESSOR ALEX HUGHES Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Engagement After working for many years as a journalist I wanted to take a deeper step into my career. I turned from being a journalist who covered wars and conflicts to an academic researcher who wants to contribute to knowledge. Without this scholarship, I wouldn t have achieved my goals and be able to help society and my profession. Please keep on supporting our dreams. ABEER SAADY Diversity and Media MA 6 INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS RECEPTION

OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS WE WARMLY THANK ALL OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS ORGANISATIONS Association of Commonwealth Universities British Council Chevening Scholarship Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Cosmur Construction (London) Ltd Day Lewis Plc Ethical Journalism Network Foreign and Commonwealth Office International Student House Make My Day Better PwC Quintin Hogg Trust Robin Partington & Partners The Frank Longford Charitable Trust The Open Society Foundation-London The Santander Group, European Universities Network The Stationers Foundation Windle Trust International INDIVIDUALS Sahima Ahmed Professor Dr Moorad Choudhry Ronald Freeman Professor Geoffrey Petts Thank you to all those who support student scholarships through the Alumni Fund 7 OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS

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SUPPORTING EDUCATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER ALUMNA AND SCHOLARSHIPS DONOR PATRICIA PHIPPS TELLS US ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE AS A MATURE STUDENT AND WHY SHE THINKS SUPPORTING HIGHER EDUCATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. It was a natural step to support the University of Westminster scholarships programme and to become a regular donor I joined Westminster as a full-time mature student with no financial support. Without the help of a scholarship or bursary it wasn t easy. I juggled two paid jobs alongside my studies, and will always be grateful to Westminster for the opportunities and encouragement that they offered. I feel strongly about the importance of providing scholarships and student support - these awards can create truly life-changing opportunities for students to develop their skills and transform their future. At Westminster I felt my skills, experience and life story were valued and I was able to develop my full potential and to advance in my chosen profession. I believe this is exactly what education should be about, so it was a natural step to support the University of Westminster scholarships programme and to become a regular donor. It is a way of coming together with others, sharing a vision and enriching the lives of future students. The worry of student debt and the cost of living and studying in London mean that many feel unable to access a Westminster education without the support of a scholarship. I believe it is crucially important to expand the support available and to ensure that the brightest and most able students can pursue higher education no matter their background. PATRICIA PHIPPS (Housing Management & Development, 1997) 9 PATRICIA PHIPPS

ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE MY DREAM CURRENT STUDENT UBAID KHAN ALWAYS WANTED TO STUDY IN LONDON; WITH THE SUPPORT OF A SCHOLARSHIP HE IS NOW IN HIS THIRD YEAR AT WESTMINSTER AND ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE HIS DREAM OF A CAREER IN LAW. I too want to give back to Westminster and support future students; it would be an incredible feeling to change a life like others have done for me I was brought up in West Yorkshire and have always wanted to study in London - it is a hub of opportunity and feels limitless. But the expense of studying in the capital was worrying and taking up my place was conditional on receiving a scholarship; it would have been very difficult otherwise. Studying at Westminster, in the heart of London, has connected me to the legal profession. I was put in touch with Age UK, a charity that offers pro bono legal advice to the elderly. I currently shadow a solicitor at one of their weekly clinics; it is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community whilst putting my studies into practice and learning from a skilled practitioner. I came to Westminster certain that I wanted to be a barrister, but I ve realised that my character and strengths are better suited to solicitor work; building relationships and providing one-to-one advice. After graduation I am determined to stay here and to launch my career in the capital, but it s an expensive city and it is almost impossible to save as a student. Receiving a scholarship has made me feel financially secure and allowed me to worry less about life beyond University. Once I have established myself I too want to give back to Westminster and support future students; it would be an incredible feeling to change a life like others have done for me. Thank you so much to everyone who supports the University of Westminster scholarships programme. I feel like I am on the runway and waiting to set off - investing in my education has given me the speed I need to launch my career! This scholarship has been truly pivotal and one day I hope to do that for someone else. UBAID KHAN Law LLB 10 UBAID KHAN

PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR SUPPORT We are proud to offer one of the leading scholarships programmes in UK higher education. Our awards are made to students who demonstrate academic excellence and fi nancial need. If you would like to help us further expand our highly competitive scholarships programme we would love to hear from you. Please contact the Development Office: T: +44 (0)20 7911 5741 E: development@westminster.ac.uk The University of Westminster is a charity and a company limited by guarantee. Registration number: 977818. Registered office: 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2UW 7198/04.15/AS/EP