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Winter/Spring 2006

Message from the Vice-

This year we The University responded by cutting its None of these developments would have celebrate our 30th costs and by recruiting more avidly, and been possible without significant birthday as Britain’s over the last three years I’m glad to say donations and I thank the MB Foundation, only independent that the numbers of full-time resident the Garfield Weston Foundation, the university. The story students have been steady. In addition, Dixon’s Foundation, Sir Christopher of can be the University has entered into Ondaatje, Mr and Mrs R.M. Gregory, Mr told simply. During the partnerships with a number of foreign John Desborough, Professor Ronald 1970s a group of entities including the Sarajevo School of Coase, Sir Ray Tindle, Mr David Fisher, distinguished Science and Technology in Bosnia, the Slough Estates, Mr Ralph Yablon, The academics and their Irish National College of Computing American Friends of the University, and supporters got together to create a Analysis in Dublin, and the European others for their considerable generosity. university that was going to be different. School of Economics in Lucca, and the These donors have built on the past Because all other British universities were numbers of students that are registered donations of such giants as Lord Tanlaw run and funded by the state, they had to with the University of Buckingham now and Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, in whose take their instructions from the state - and again exceeds a thousand. munificent gifts we still rejoice. the founders of Buckingham anticipated, correctly, that the state would not look We have, moreover, expanded in recent As we celebrate our 30th birthday, after the universities or their students years, and we have created a new School therefore, you can see that we are a properly. So, for example, in 1976 of Education and we are in the process of university determined to grow in numbers, staff:student ratios in British universities creating a School of Medicine. These, and reputation and scholarship. Since the were on average 1:9, whereas now they the innovations of the established schools, quality of an independent university are 1:17. But in Buckingham they are still have been described in recent issues of depends largely on the size of its 1:9 and we continue to put the students The Independent, and we hope you’ll endowment (and since our alumni have first. sample some of them during our an interest in the quality of the university, upcoming ‘Homecoming Weekend’. We because the higher the quality, the more Between 1976 and 1996 the University have also created a significant number of prestigious the degree) and since we grew well, and it embraced a culture of scholarships, and our research has so need more scholarships (to help poor liberal education: every student, flourished that it now accounts for 10 per students) and facilities (we would love a regardless of his or her major course of cent of our income, a record. Indeed, our new sports hall) we’ve decided to launch a study, had to dissect a shrimp and learn a research is of such quality that the recent 30th anniversary fundraising campaign. second European language. Nevertheless study from Professor Smithers and Dr The appeal will feature the number 30 the University grew increasingly vocational Robinson on the study of physics in the prominently. So, for example, Mr Anthony in its orientation, and the Law School, UK even generated a cartoon in Private Green RA, the famous artist who is a followed by the Business School, soon Eye. It is reproduced here. member of Council, has kindly offered to emerged as the largest disciplines. But produce a limited edition (30 or 300 the University has remained true to its copies) of The Buckingham Print, which origins as a , and the will be a collage of the campus, Mill, humanities (as represented by English swans and depictions of the great people and Modern Foreign Languages, and by who have been associated with the History and Philosophy as taught within University. Meanwhile I’ll be writing to International Studies) and the sciences many alumni over the next year or two (as represented by Biochemistry, asking if they would like to contribute $30 Psychology and Information Systems) and or £30 or more. the Social Sciences (as represented by Economics and Politics) continue to thrive. Buckingham is unique and uniquely good and uniquely important. We want to make In 1996, however, the university took a it even better and we’re asking for your knock when the conversion of the help. polytechnics in Britain into universities reversed the longstanding shortage of Dr university places in the UK, and suddenly Vice- Chancellor there was a surplus (of free places, to boot, for home students!). In one year alone, 1996, Buckingham lost two hundred students, falling from a thousand to eight hundred. 68057_Univ Of Bucks 7/4/06 10:26 am Page 2

30th Anniversary - “Homecoming Weekend” 29/30 July 2006

The Graduation ceremonies are over, dancing and entertainment. Prizes for the best. If you can come, please could you winter term is almost at an end and we online competition (to choose a member let us know for sure no later than 1 July are now planning for our big summer of staff from both the academic and so that we can finalise catering celebration here at Buckingham. 30th support team who made the greatest arrangements. anniversary events will take place on impression on you during you time here - 29/30 July and we hope many of you will if you haven't voted yet, please do) will be We will also put a list of names of those be able to find time to come back and visit awarded during the evening. attending on the website and would ask us and take part in the celebrations. that you let us know if you do NOT wish to On Sunday morning there will be be named, otherwise your name will be on Beginning with everyone meeting up in breakfast in the refectory followed by a the list ..... an attraction for others to the Chandos Road Buildings (the new morning to do what you would like. At 12 come. examination suites) for coffee, we move to noon buses will take those who wish to go the main lecture theatre for welcome to Stowe where there will be a picnic, We do hope that many of you will be able addresses by the Vice-Chancellor and cricket match and games. Finishing at to attend. Please check the AlumNet dignatories. 4pm the buses will bring everyone back to website as it will be updated regularly Buckingham where we will say goodbye. (https://extranet.buckingham.ac.uk/alumnet/), We then break for lunch, following which Hopefully many friendships will have been enter the competition, let us know that people can spend the afternoon visiting renewed and many new ones made. Old you are coming (and if you are bringing their own schools, chatting with lecturers staff members will have been back to your family) and we look forward to and there will be on campus games etc meet with students they have known and welcoming you to Buckingham once for any spouses and children. Each school it will be a chance to network and relax in again. will be arranging their own programme of a familiar and nostalgic setting. Everyone events for the afternoon. is free to join as many events as they wish Anne Matsuoka to, but we would ask you to let us know if Tel: +44 (0)1280 820338 From 5pm there will be entertainment on you will be here for Saturday lunch, Email: Beloff Lawn, with a BBQ starting at 7pm Saturday dinner, Sunday picnic or for all. [email protected] and (weather permitting) people can spill Wet weather arrangements will be in out from the Refectory to enjoy the music, place (just in case!), but we hope for the

Graduation 2006

Dear Friends, Minister of the Turks and Caicos acts. Academic gowns were swapped for Islands. ball gowns and the partying (which began I am happy to tell you that you are holding with a dinner in the local Villiers Hotel) in your hands a unique edition of the went on until six in the morning. As Independent with news of Graduation always, the famous Survivors Photo was 2006 and a special ‘taster’ of the the final event of the day. ‘Homecoming Weekend’ to celebrate the 30th Anniversary. But let me be more specific. Firstly, I would like to begin with Graduation, which this year was held on 4th March. As always, everything from the Church ceremony to the Swan Ball was brilliantly organised. I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who helped make Dr Mary Welstead, Dr Terence Kealey, Sir this Graduation unforgettable for the Martin Jacomb (back row) The Honorable graduands, their families and guests. The Michael Misick (Law ’01)(front row) - excitement at seeing old friends and tutors receiving his Honorary Degree at was tangible and for some students very Graduation 2006 We would like to congratulate all our emotional. graduands and wish them success in their Graduation Day is the most important day This year the Palamountain Award for future endeavours! We enjoyed having of the year at Buckingham. University excellence was awarded to Michael you here! Looking forward to seeing you Chancellor, Sir Martin Jacomb, Ballard Smith (LLB’06)and the Dame and your families at the ‘Homecoming congratulated the 2006 graduates. He Barbara Shenfield Medal was awarded to Weekend’ on 29/30 July 2006 to revive also gave honorary degrees to Dame Georg Friedrich Baur (MSc Service the good, old memories of Buckingham Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, formerly the Management’06). and have some fun! highest ranking female judge in the Following the ceremonies a reception was Iva G. Netzova (LLM '05) country and the Honorable Michael held in a marquee on Beloff Lawn which Tel: +44 (0) 1280 820230 Eugene Misick (LLB’01),a former was later transformed into the venue for Email: [email protected] Buckingham student and Chief the Swan Ball with 3 cocktail bars, a www.buckingham.ac.uk/alumnet Get chocolate fountain, and various musical connected!

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Alumni News

accommodate my move; my best friend 1976 – The Inaugural just bought a house up there, and the company's office is located about 15 Year of The University minutes from one of the many polo clubs there. College at Buckingham

The company I am working for has offered I enrolled as a nineteen-year old Law to cover the relocation of not only me but student at The University College at Stella and Clarita (my 2 horses). There Buckingham (UCB) in 1976, the year that seems to be some good low goal polo up UCB opened its doors to its first students. there. They play indoor in the winter, and 1976 proved to be a very special year. Ahmad Fadzel and his then low-medium goal on the grass from Paul Seligman, the first President of the best friend May to September. I am not particularly Student Union, wrote in the Student concerned about the cold, I plan on Handbook in December, 1976 that: This is what Ahmad Fadzel (LLB’ 01) had meeting a girl quite soon after arriving, to say on his life and career after leaving and if that fails I can revert back to the “…We are engaged in an educational Buckingham ‘’… I would like to share British technique of a good stiff drink! experiment – an experiment in terms of some news on what has been happening independence from the State, in terms of ever since I left the University of breadth in education, in terms of the Buckingham. intensive nature of our academic course, in terms of our relationship to the I attended the Certificate of Legal Practice community…and to a large extent the course back in Malaysia in September success of UCB rests on our shoulders”. 2001 until June 2002. Then I worked as a research consultant and legal executive The outside world was also aware of the from July 2002 till February 2004. intellectual importance of UCB’s attempt to establish a university completely I immediately went to Australia to study independent from state finance. Mrs. for my LL.M at the University of Thatcher, the Conservative Leader, Queensland, which is one of the top Iain Holmes and his two horses commented during our opening ceremony universities in Australia. I graduated on in the Parish Church of Buckingham on the 20th July this year. If I am not Iain Holmes (BSc Business Studies’ 03) 6th February, 1976 that: mistaken I am the first person from Buckingham University to enrol in the University's LL.M programme. “The inauguration of the University Interestingly enough, the Head of the Law I can’t believe it’s been 7 years since I College at Buckingham…is….. a sign of School had heard of Buckingham. In fact, graduated in 1999. It feels like yesterday. I hope that teachers may now be one of my former Contract tutors at have been receiving regular updates of encouraged …..to embark upon Buckingham, Professor Francis Rose, is a the Independent and I would like to thank institutional adventures which do not friend of his. I am currently waiting to do a the team for this. I think it’s great. A lot involve the lobbying of public opinion or one-year legal research internship here in has happened to me since I graduated. I government departments”. Australia. started my own IT Company once I went back to Kenya after graduating. In 1999, Mrs. Thatcher’s view was not accepted by I would say my undergraduate training in in 2001, I had the privilege to visit Perth, everyone within the Conservative Party. Buckingham has helped me tremendously Australia and fell in love with the place. I However it was particularly opposed by to prepare in adapting to the rigours of applied for migration and am currently well the Labour Government which believed postgraduate law studies here in Australia settled in Perth where I work for Telstra (a that all universities should be under the and helped me successfully to complete it. telecommunications company) as a sales financial control of the State. The Labour I really appreciate all the helpful things I consultant. I got married in 2001 as well Party’s ideological hostility had practical learnt in Buckingham Law School“. and currently have two kids, Yash was consequences since only certain local born on 17th December 2003 and Jiya on education authorities would provide UCB Ahmad Fadzel 2nd August 2005. I have lost touch with students with discretionary grants and (LLB’ 01) most of my friends from Buckingham as UCB was not included in the list of my email crashed. Here is my new email institutions attracting mandatory grants. address for those who would like to get in The Law Society, the Council of Legal touch. It is [email protected] Education, the Institute of Chartered This is what Iain Holmes (BSc Business Secretaries and Administrators, the Studies’ 03) has to say about his life: ‘I Institute of Bankers and the Institute of am moving up to Denver Colorado - I Chartered Accountants in England and know many of you will ask why? I am sure Wales were initially the only bodies which some of you are thinking, Coors Light, or recognized the Licence as a degree for the Broncos, however I am sure many of the purposes of entrance to their you soon come to the realization that I professions although the Licence was think Justin Timberlake is cooler then recognized by many other associations football and light beer. I am moving to later on. Articles describing UCB as “a Denver first and foremost for a change. I playground for the rich” or “elitist” started thinking about the possibility of Sagar Hindocha appeared regularly in the Press and UCB moving, and then things went rather (BSc. Information Systems with was under great pressure. smoothly after that my company offered to Business Studies ’99)

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Alumni News

As a new and controversial institution, we including French and German, European were fortunate to possess outstanding History, English Literature, Mathematics Goodbye and Hello! lecturers who were happy to involve and / or Life Sciences. UCB allowed the On behalf of us all in the Alumni Office I themselves in a wide range of extra- students to influence the structure of the would like to say a big ‘’thank you’’ to curricular activities. We also had many Licence which was a valuable part of our Suzanna Tomassi (Service Management highly-motivated students willing to work learning process. For example, Law '02), who left us as Alumni Database Co- very hard to obtain good grades to Students were originally required to study ordinator at the beginning of March. But establish Buckingham’s academic Mathematics and Life Sciences, but this we have not lost her – she has moved into credentials and to start extra-curricular was reduced to either Mathematics or Life the QA (Quality Assurance) Office as a clubs and societies. Professor Beloff, the Sciences after representations by the Senior Quality Administrator where she Principal, was an inspiration to us all. He students. will be taking on a very demanding and was tremendously articulate and had important role. Thank you for all your hard vision and drive. Professor Beloff The multi-cultural intellectual atmosphere, work, Suzanna! publicized our cause effectively and raised extra-curricular activities, team spirit and large sums of money for UCB particularly camaraderie in 1976 provided students in the United States. Buckingham would with a quite exceptional experience. The not have survived and prospered without Buckingham Evening Lectures, which him. Dr. Clarke, the charmingly modest were open to the general public, were Dean of Admissions, was a talented established and proved to be a fantastic historian. He organized the Admissions success. I particularly remember Ted Office into an extremely efficient Dexter speaking about “A Sporting department and developed the new Chance in Life”, but the standard of all of School of History, Politics and English the guest speakers was extremely high. which opened in 1977. Professor James, We were really learning all the time. Even the Head of the Law School, had an after we had finished studying in the impish sense of humour. He was a good Library or in our rooms, conversations administrator and excellent academic about almost everything under the sun We would like to welcome, in Suzanna’s lawyer. His Law School colleague, took place from 10.30 pm onwards at Istra place, Pam Lindsay. Pam has been Professor Hall was tall, thin, gentlemanly, Cottage, which was then a Student working as a library auxiliary and we are amiable and very intelligent. I particularly Residence, over tea, coffee, toast and extremely happy to have her with us in the enjoyed his Introduction to English Law biscuits in one of the several kitchens. attic. You will, I am sure, be hearing a lot lectures and the courteous atmosphere The usual participants included Umi from her as she rapidly masters the prevailing during his tutorials. Palmer, Simon Barton, Anthony database. Good to have you here Pam! Fairtlough, Chris Codrai, Pat Francis, The students were a talented and Mary Smith and myself although other You can contact Pam on cosmopolitan group comprising at least students were often present. +44 (0) 1280 820133 twenty nationalities and the worldly or email experience of the mature students The outstanding academic and extra- [email protected] provided an important steadying influence. curricular education which I am describing Paul Seligman, the Student Union will be familiar to every Buckingham President, was excellent at deflecting University student regardless of when they aggressive questions from the Press with were students. Although I did not obtain well-chosen remarks and generally the Licence, my UCB education helped handled our Public Relations well. Anna me to obtain my four degrees at Bramwell was academically outstanding in Strathclyde, Wolverhampton and Stirling most subjects right from the start and Universities and a PGCE at Durham became UCB’s first First Class Honours University. UCB also provided me with a Licentiate, in Law, Economics and Politics. great example of how to start up any ADVERTISING Nigel Rawlence, an amiable Old Etonian, organization rapidly and efficiently. Indeed, was our first Captain of the Cricket Club. I the innovative atmosphere at UCB in 1976 With a circulation of 8,500, am sure that all the members of the 1976 continues to influence how I think and run the Independent opens Advertising Cricket Team will remember his innings my businesses today. Pages for all our alumni. against the Stowe School Second XL and the quiet encouragement he gave us at all You are more than welcome to take this times. Jomoria (Joe) Ogbiru, as the Vice- opportunity to publicise your business. Chairman of The Overseas Students Club (OSC), helped many students studying a Please contact us with wording, logo long way from home to settle in at UCB etc., and indicate the size you would and was involved in planning the OSC’s prefer. The costs will be: quarter £50, initial cultural activities. half £100, full £200, all in four colour The two-year Licence taken over eight and based on A4 size sheet. terms was a new concept in the Britain of the 1970’s, but the curriculum taken by If you have any queries, please contact: students in the three Schools of Law; Patricia C. Prada Jimenez Economics; and Law, Economics and Tel: +44 (0) 1280 820210 Politics; was particularly innovative. In addition to their Main Subject(s), all Cameron Donnelly Email: students read Supporting Subjects (LLB’ 78) [email protected]

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Alumni News

of it. This was the perfect opportunity to products meet our artistic vision and take advantage of Internet technology, to quality requirements is an on-going link my creative interests into a small, but process. global business. E-business is still undeveloped in First, I needed a catchy name. My Thailand. As a small business, I have daughter loves papaya, so I created been unable to get a local merchant papayakids.com. This name is easy to account to accept credit cards on-line. I pronounce in both English and Japanese, now plan to use a US company, because I the languages of my primary target believe that there is no way to do credible markets. e-business without accepting credit cards Isabella with her daughter Anjali on-line.

After graduating from Buckingham with a For the time being, I don’t expect to earn degree in Business Studies (’89) I worked a living from the e-business. But it has in the private and public sectors for more been an educational and enjoyable than ten years. After becoming a mom in experience. I hope to leverage that know- 2003, I wanted to continue working, but how into a new e-business in the future. from home. I set up a research company in Chiang Mai, doing business research If you see any problems, typos, glitches for American, Japanese and British etc. on the web-site, please feel free to clients. During my graduate work at point them out to me. You can reach me Georgetown, I took classes in on [email protected] I am also open to entrepreneurship and small business Isabella with business partner Wattana any suggestions or comments (positive or management, as my long-term goal was Jaturasita negative), so please keep those coming. to start my own business and I wanted to Papayakids.com is an ongoing project, so have the skills to do that. Second, in order to develop a set of I am very keen to get feedback from unique products I gathered product ideas everyone! After moving to Thailand, I fell in love with from friends, who had newly become Thai handicrafts. Many of my friends have moms. My business partner and I spent had babies and I have spent lots of time the next year visiting factories, villages Isabella K. Badenoch looking for interesting and unique and local artisans about developing (BSc Business Studies’ 89) handicraft gifts to send to them. One of products that would be cost effective and my friends suggested I make a business of export quality. Ensuring that the

Having graduated with my LLB (Hons) has truly changed my life forever.The day During my reign as Miss Zambia, I degree from Buckingham, I returned to after I was crowned, my Pageant attended to national duties, public Lusaka, Zambia to embark upon my Bar organiser, Paul de Sousa, told me words engagements, charity work and was exams in 1997 at the Zambia Institute of that to this day remain etched in my mind, exposed to numerous experiences and Advanced Legal Education. and I did not then realise the magnitude or people, who have influenced my life, not impact of his words...."If you work hard at only as a person, but in my chosen career it and are focused, this title will change of law. your life positively forever..." I worked with (and still do to date) an I was privileged to become an orphanage called Kabwata Orphanage, Ambassador and represent my country at established by Mrs Angela Miyanda (the the Miss World Pageant 1997 held in former Second Lady of Zambia) that Mahe, Seychelles, where I met a lot of mainly attends to abused children and wonderful women, many of whom I am children orphaned through HIV/AIDS. still in touch with. The interaction with all From Mrs Miyanda and the children, I the nations and cultures in the world have learned the art of being humble and brought to my mind memories of my time sensitive to others' needs and plights, as at Bucks, where I met a lot of people from well as appreciating and being grateful for different backgrounds, cultures and everything, no matter how small, that we countries. With that experience, it was are fortunate to have in life. Tukuza Tembo relatively easy to mix with all the other ladies proudly representing their countries. I can say that being Miss Zambia taught Towards the end of that course, my sisters me to be confident, social and pro-active dared me to enter the Miss Zambia 1997 In addition to attending the Miss World (which has greatly helped me in my competition, and I jokingly entered.....to Pageant, I was also fortunate to represent career!), as well as to be focused in life, my greatest surprise and shock,I won the Zambia at the Miss Malaika 2001 pageant setting goals, and striving to achieve competition and on September 27th 1997, (An African and African Diaspora Pageant) them. I also learned the art of being was crowned Miss Zambia 1997! held at Sun City, South Africa, where it patient not only with oneself, but also with was an honour for me to fly the Zambian the ways of the world, which with my That was the beginning of a journey which flag as a top ten finalist. career has come in quite handy!

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Alumni News

Having 'Hung up my high heels' and departed from the world of fashion, Quotes of the Season Allan Katatumba (LLB’ 99) glamour and modelling, except for the odd Thank you and your fellow staff very much public appearance which is mostly for indeed for working hard to make sure that charity, I am now focusing on my career in those of us Alumni may continue to be in law (I think much to the relief of my father, touch with Buckingham and our former who though proud and supportive of my peers. achievements, I think secretly despaired that after all the effort at Buckingham, Raymond J Noel (LLB’ 91) I had decided to give up a career in law Hey you guys out there, it’s real sweet of for fashion and beauty!).I am currently a you. In our part of the world birthdays are State Advocate working for the Ministry of usually observed by children! 54 year-olds Justice, as the Assistant Administrator- are more concerned with their kids' General & Official Receiver. Previously, I birthdays. Nonetheless I don't mean to be was the in- house lawyer for Grant unappreciative. It’s been 15 years since I Thornton Associates. The question of my graduated from Bucks. Never been back marital status...... no, I am still single and although I'd love to. no children!!! I am still in legal practice working as a I have my family to thank for 'nudging' me courtroom lawyer. That's barrister's work onto that path that has turned out to be a for you. Bucks gave me a good education, phenomenal highway in my life and I am fine friends and lovely memories. The eternally grateful for their constant support Buckingham Evangelical Church was a in all my endeavours, which have shaped solid support to us Christian students from me into the person that I am today. If Malaysia. God bless you all and keep there is one thing that I learned from my those snippets of news coming. experience as Miss Zambia 1997, it’s that They keep me in touch and give the life is full of surprises and with it, anything feeling that I never left Bucks. is possible if you put your mind to it.

Tukuza Tembo (LLB’ 96)

Law School Legal practice, followed by a negotiation or They are :- client interviewing exercise, which a Stephen Akinsanya (LLB ’92) Workshop solicitor might typically undertake. After a Nicholas Alexander (LLM ’95) break for afternoon tea, each group then Pepin Aslett (LLB ’95) takes part in a bail application or a plea in Yew See Bailey (LLB ’85) mitigation, acting as a barrister on behalf Robert Benzynie (LLB ’92) of a client. Rodney Corner (LLB ’98) Dean Dunham (LLB ’97) The day is rounded off with supper at the Fiona Hewitt (LLB ’99) Tanlaw Mill, giving the students an Tania Panagiotopoulou (LLM ’94) opportunity to chat informally to the Emma Paton (LLB ’00) visitors. Often students have been able to Simon Perkins (LLB ’98) arrange mini pupillages or vacation Pauline Powell (LLB ’98) placements as a result of impressing the Michelle Rich (LLB ’00) visiting lawyers. Robert Shuster (LLB ’88) Peter Silver (LLB ’86) Jennifer says "This is a fun event and I Damian Stuart (LLB ’95) have been extremely well supported by Stephen Taylor (LLB ’93) Jennifer Shearman (left) and Alumni our alumni over the years. Many have Helaine Whiteside (LLB ’88) Advisers returned as qualified lawyers and given up Gordon Woolridge (LLB’ 98) their day voluntarily on behalf of the next Jennifer Shearman, who is a Senior generation of Buckingham law students. Finally, if any qualified alumni out there Lecturer in the Law School, has been Some have returned year after year. As are interested in helping at future Legal running the extremely popular annual Robert Benzynie (LLB 92) once put it, he Workshops, then please contact Legal Workshop for the last 12 years. feels glad to be able to put something [email protected] This is an event organised to give the back into Buckingham.” students some insight into how both branches of the legal profession work and Jennifer has now handed the task of to help them decide what sort of lawyer running the Legal Workshop and acting as they would like to be – a Solicitor or a Law Careers Officer to Janice Barrister. Practising lawyers (many of Denoncourt, who joined the Law School them alumni) give up their day to provide last year. She would therefore like to take the law students with a taste of practical this opportunity to thank all those alumni life. They each take small groups for who have helped her all these years, and discussions about their particular areas of hopes she has not forgotten anyone.

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University News

Buckingham Law School available options during the past five decide whether this new duty takes years. International Sports Law is proving priority over the duty of confidentiality very popular and likely to be more so as between solicitor and client. I was delighted to the date for the London Olympics grows be asked to write nearer. Dr Ioannidis (who joined us in Finally, we have yet to see the full effect an article about the 2003) is currently representing the Greek of the major constitutional changes in Law school for the sprinters, Kostas Kenteris and Katerina England and Wales provided for in the first edition of the Thanou against charges that they missed Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (coming Independent in our anti- doping controls during the last into force later this year). The Act 30th anniversary Olympics. There is massive interest in this concerns, inter alia, changes in the role Year. It gave me area. It is hard not to speculate that and functions of the office of Lord the opportunity to perhaps the athlete who wins is the Chancellor and the way in which members reflect on what we athlete who has the best chemist and the of the judiciary are appointed, as well as have been doing at best lawyer. changes to the structure and function of the House of Lords with the establishment Charlotte Walsh Buckingham Law School since our Jurisprudence, Sex & Gender issues, of a new Supreme Court. 25th Anniversary five years ago. Law is International Labour Law, Advertising and From time to time the judiciary has had to still a popular option for Buckingham Marketing, and a totally revised Banking fight hard to maintain its traditional students with the Law School having over Law course are other welcome additions independence from the power of the 300 full time students, with another 40 or to our profile. For those of you who only executive. We all applaud its ability to do so part-time students. We remain had the option to study single honours so. Those of you in commonwealth committed to providing an exciting Law you will be interested to know that we jurisdictions may be aware of recent learning experience that will both can now offer a qualifying law degree with decisions by the Privy Council that have challenge and engage our students. Over a minor option taken from the School of given rise to discussion about its role as a the past five years our programmes have Business and Humanities. final court of appeal. We would welcome stood up well to the increased competition contributions from our alumni as to their from other UK universities and from the This is a very interesting time to be views on developments in this area. USA and Australia. This is because we studying law – although common lawyers offer something unique at Buckingham. amongst us may bemoan the sheer Last year saw the Law School achieve its There are few other Law Schools that can quantity of legislation emerging from the first trophy in a National Mooting provide the individual attention given in English Parliament. European law is Competition with success in the 2005 small group tutorials and none who give bound to have an ever-increasing impact English Speaking Union Mooting students the advantage of studying a full when in May 2004 ten new countries, Competition. We also reached the finals of three-year undergraduate degree in only including some from the former USSR, the Weekly Law Reports Mooting two years. Whether students are from joined the European Union. Now 25 Competition. Dr Ioannidis, our Master of Britain or overseas, the School continues nations and 457 million people share a Moots, has proved a worthy successor to to produce confident, skilled lawyers, able single market in which they can trade, Mr Goldberg who retired in 2003 and who to practise almost anywhere in the world. travel and work. did so much to encourage mooting at Those of us who travelled for the Buckingham. The Student Mooting University last year were lucky enough to The Human Rights Act 1998 (which came Society is thriving and their weekly moots witness the proof of this for ourselves into force October 2000) has begun to have reached ‘standing room only’ status when we met so many of you in different impact on all areas of English law. In my this term – no doubt encouraged by last corners of the world, and saw first-hand own field, the law of negligence, it looked year’s successes! how you have built such successful at one point as if interpretation of Article 6 careers after graduating from threatened to undermine our whole Buckingham. approach to compensation in negligence claims. However, the English courts have We are fortunate in retaining dedicated now adopted a more restrictive approach and talented staff at Buckingham, with a and made it clear that Article 6 cannot be strong emphasis in all major areas of used to create any substantive civil law scholarship. Inevitably, there have been rights but merely provides a procedural some changes in staffing over the past guarantee. Fewer appeals are going to five years - most recently and significantly the ECHR in Strasbourg now that our own with the retirement last summer of courts are interpreting those rights Professor Durand after nearly 30 years at enacted in the HRA. Some would argue Buckingham Law School. This sadly that this has been more than made up for, Dr Ioannidis and Students at a Moot coincided with Professor Alcock’s however, by the number of times the Act departure to start Salford Law School. We has been invoked to protect the civil 2005 also saw the Law School emerge shall miss them both, but I am delighted liberties of suspects under arrest. with flying colours after having been that we have been able to attract such subjected to its Quinquennial Review. All high calibre replacements in Jonathan The threat from international terrorism and three of our external assessors praised Black-Branch as Professor of International drug trafficking has led to the the structure, content and delivery of our Law and Nigel Foster as Professor of implementation of a duty on, inter alia, programmes which the Bar Council European Law, both of whom enjoy an solicitors and bankers, to report any believed boded well for the future of our international reputation in their respective suspicions to the authorities, and the Law School. They praised those elements fields. We remain well known for our introduction of a criminal offence of we have introduced in response to the expertise in International and ‘tipping off’. This raises issues about the needs of the profession. Commercially orientated subjects but we confidential nature of the relationship and have also been able to increase other the Court of Appeal has recently had to (continued on page 10)

7 68057_Univ Of Bucks 6/4/06 11:58 am Page 8

Engagements... Marriage

Congratulations to all the Marriages Marriages and Births

following alumni who Ekaterina Soukhoroukova (LLB) and have recently married, Michael Carter (Politics Economics and Law) are happy to announce that they got become engaged or married on 25th February 2005. There added to their families: were two wedding ceremonies – one in Westminster, London and the other in Russia. The wedding picture below was Engagements taken at the Westminster ceremony.

Cecilia McCann (LLB’ 95) and Edward Hughes are happy to announce their wedding, which took place 30th September 2005 at Trinity Church, Doynton and afterwards at “The Park, Wick”. Their best man was Stephen Donley (LLB’95) and his wife Clare Donley (nee Neville) who was formerly a librarian at Buckingham. Ekaterina and Michael are also very Alaistair Jerrom-Smith (BSc happy to announce the birth of their Information Systems’ 02) is happy to beautiful daughter Kallista born on 5th announce his engagement to Heather October 2005. Mother and baby are doing McClarty, which took place on the 14th well. August 2005 in Jersey.

This is what Nyree Lane (LLB ’94) had to say about her wedding: “The date of the wedding was 30th April 2004. We were married at St Mary's Church Stapleford Tawney near Epping Essex. Our reception was at Leez Priory at Hartford End in Essex. My husband’s name is John Births Watkins and I am now Nyree Lane- Watkins”.

Ben Marr (BSc Accounting and Financial Management’ 92) is happy to announce his engagement to Miss Renuka Kukanesen. This is what he had to say: “We shall be getting married in a few places... Bosnia, and UK and possibly Malaysia to allow relatives and friends to take part without difficult travel arrangements. The wedding in the UK will John Tomlinson (LLB’ 03) and his wife be in September 2006“. Johann Kottulinsky (BSc Business Sue Dimmock (LLB’ 03) would like to Studies’ 00) is happy to announce his announce the birth of their son Ellis marriage to Xenia. Their wedding took Morgan Tomlinson. He was born on 26th place in the Black Forest on the 6th January at General August 2005. Best man was Dominic Hospital and weighed in at 8lb 3oz. This is Bakic (BSc Business Studies’ 00), what his father had to say:’’ He is doing another Buckingham alumnus from the very well and is behaving too - sleeping all year 2000. Xenia is CFO at Siemens and night and not crying too much at other Hans is CFO with AVL List an Austrian times! Sue and I both gained LLB (Hons) engine development company and in 2003 via the Part-Time study route. Sue industry leader. As of early February this is currently at home with Ellis and his year they have started their own older brother Alexander, whilst I while consulting company and are supporting away my time as Head of UK Operations foreign companies who want to enter the for Harris Corporation, a large US Chinese Market. communications company.’’

8 68057_Univ Of Bucks 6/4/06 11:58 am Page 9

ages...... and Births

Monika Mikula (BA English Language Hadiza Muhammadu Buhari (BA Studies (EFL) for Translating ’05) and English Studies with Media Darik Miles are happy to announce the Communications ’04) and Bello birth of their baby. Monika gave birth at Abubakar (Politics with English Chew Chin Wong (Ginny) (LLB ’96) is Royal Berkshire Hospital to a baby girl. Language Studies (EFL) ’03) are happy happy to announce the birth of her Laura Jessica was born on Saturday, 3rd to announce the birth of their baby girl beautiful daughter Anouk Qiyu, born in December 2005. The baby weighed in at Aamina- Amal Bello born on 22nd of February 2005. This is what Ginny had to 7lbs 13oz. Mother and baby are doing November 2005. She weighed 3.5kg at say about her: “I've taken time away from well. birth. The happy parents call their baby work to spend with her (and am having a Amal for short, which means ‘Hope’. The wonderful time!). We will be taking her to picture was taken on 29th November visit eager grandparents in Singapore 2005, just 7 days after the birth. soon after the Chinese New Year. Meanwhile, she's just seen her first snow in New York “.

Abdulaziz Al Shaikh (BSc Information Systems ’02) is happy to announce the birth of his baby girl Hamda. She was born in Dubai on 28th March 2005. This is Robyn Wood (neeJones) (LLB ’97) and what her dad says about her: “This photo Stephen Wood (LLB ’97) are happy to has been taken during Hamda's announce the birth of their baby girl Ella lunchtime, I have particularly chosen this born on 30th December 2005. She was picture because it shows the real naughty born in the early hours 12:06am and Hamda’. weighed in at a very healthy 8lbs 13oz. Muriel Cutiri (nee Ukpaukure) (BA The picture was taken when Ella was 2.5 English Literature '01, MBA ’03) and weeks old. Paolo Cuturi (BSc Business Studies ’03) are happy to announce the birth of their son Vincenzo. This is what Muriel had to say: “We are very happy and it is an incredible experience for us being parents, unbelievable since it seems like just yesterday we met in Buckingham, and today we're married and the proud parents of the most wonderful boy. I guess we have Buckingham to thank for making all of this possible“.

Francois de la Croix-Vaubois (BSc Business Studies’ 89) and his wife Polly Holland are happy to announce the birth of their son Luke Henry Adam de la Croix-Vaubois. This is what father Franco has to say: "Luke burst onto the This is what Philippa Skandaliaris (nee scene on the 15th January 2006, here Pearce) (LLB ’04) has to say about the seen celebrating France's recent Rugby birth of her daughter: ‘Sofia Amelia success! He was born at St. Thomas’ Skandaliaris was born 5 weeks early on Hospital in London and weighed in at August 2nd 2005 weighing 5lbs 12oz to 8lb2oz. Polly & Luke are both well and Manoli and myself in Nassau’. sister Daisy (3 yrs old) is very proud of her little brother".

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University News

(continued from page 7) with the Business school. Mr de Mink The University of (who joined us as a full time member of Mooting workshops are now compulsory staff in August 2005) has personally taken Buckingham Press and all students have to take part in a over the coaching of our sports teams so "The University of Buckingham Press moot and a negotiation exercise as part of we have every expectation of regaining (UBPL), which has been dormant for a their LLB programme. We now have a the Chancellor’s cup this year! Currently, while, has been brought back to life by Mr proper Moot court in the Franciscan we are busy planning festivities to Christopher Woodhead (NOT Professor building where these exercises take place. welcome you all to our ‘Homecoming’ in the Department of weekend in July. Of course, the Law Education) and begins operating from We continue to forge links with the School has been based in the Franciscan Room F216 in Verney Park with profession in other ways. Many of you will Building for longer than five years, but I immediate effect. remember the annual Legal workshop. It hope that those of you who visit us in July UBPL will be publishing journals and continues to be heavily oversubscribed will appreciate some of the changes. books in the areas of Law, Business and and Jennifer Shearman reports on its Please notice the refurbished foyer, the Education as well as arranging activities. Our Centre for Multicultural new coffee bar area, the two new lecture conferences, seminars and webinars. The Studies in Law and the Family continues rooms, the Moot court and extensive Press will also take on the task of to thrive under the joint Directorship or refurbishment of the Denning Law Library! producing the Denning Law Journal Professor Edwards and Dr Welstead. We each year. now include an active Visiting Professors Finally, we are all conscious that the UBPL will use the Web to expand the programme and our students have energetic and cosmopolitan nature of our established and profitable academic benefited from the expertise offered by students remains the absolute core of our journal model. It will provide a new regular visits and lectures from these identity at Buckingham. We live in an age publishing environment for informed three eminent representatives of the where worldwide communication has views, for hard, evidence-based profession. In the last year both staff and become easier and yet this has not information and for debate through its students have been stimulated to consider necessarily led individual nations to a journal articles, books, reports and other such issues as the role of advocacy and greater understanding of each other’s material. In addition the press will hold the continued use of a jury in fraud trials; cultures. With our Law School welcoming physical and web-based conferences the complex moral questions about the students from literally all over the world, I which will enhance the strength of its role of the provocation defence in terms of feel fortunate to work in an environment communities of contributors and readers stereotypes about gender, culture and that not only provides an excellent legal and create further revenue streams and ethnic background; professional conduct education but also helps to foster that marketing opportunities. in the city, and corporate management greater understanding. The publishing programme will be heavily issues relating to the role of Directors. influenced in its editorial direction by the Charlotte Walsh values of the University of Buckingham. Seminars, debates, and parties continue Dean of Law Linked as it is to the only independent to be an important part of law school life university in the UK, the publishing and the student Law Society remains as programme reflects the tenets of the active as ever with a mixture of both university and the principles of its ‘worthy’ and social events planned for the founding fathers The University year. representative on the Board of Directors is The annual Law Ball in November was a Dr John Drew. Mr Woodhead can be great success and we have got off to a contacted on ext: 3338 or via email, good start in our sporting competitions [email protected]"

Quotes of the Season as one doesn't drown and does one's best Buckingham in the News to live fully on the nourishment. ‘‘Good luck and thank you Buckingham prepared me for this as well Idris secures position as Senator - Graduation 2006’’ as any other University, I believe probably An announcement that Buckingham better, and that grew as much from the alumnus, Datuk Idris Buang (LLB '82), On the eve of this graduation it is probably commitment, inspiration, accessibility and has been elected as a Senator by the timely (actually long overdue) to thank you caring on the part of the lecturers as it did Sarawak state assembly in Malaysia. all for being so instrumental in helping me from hard work and basic talent. From The Star Online 1 December to get this far, I am truly grateful and I will 3500 miles away the pride of having miss you all tomorrow. I would love to be studied at Buckingham is not diminished. I there to share in the day along with all the will think of you, raise a glass, shed a tear Take company cars on an economy other great UoB people who were also and find a willing dance partner. Good drive part of my rich treasure of life since July luck graduands of 2006. In an article that looks at the pros and 2003. Realistically though, the expense cons of businesses offering company cars and disruption to work here (Massey With fondest regards, to their employees, Buckingham alumnus, College, University of Toronto) would have Chris Smith (LLB '84) is featured as a been more than I could afford; there is Patrick Byrne (LLB ’05) case study. Chris explains that leasing little time to pause from drinking from this cars, as opposed to purchasing them, fire hose and perhaps the true saves a great deal of money, appreciation and success is in the administration and risk. realisation that the water never stops 17 January 2006 flowing and that there is nothing wrong with spilling a substantial amount, as long

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University News

News from the Andrew was a great Buckingham National Negotiation Competition Final. character and we shall miss him. We wish Tom Durbin and Denise Saunders were Law School him and Jane a long and happy one of five teams selected from a pool of retirement. He will probably spend most of sixteen. Competition judges commented his time at his houses in Scotland and on the high quality of both Buckingham Professor Andrew France but promises to return to teams. Together with other competition Durand leaves the Buckingham quite frequently. We look finalists, Tom and Denise will attend a forward to seeing him. one-day negotiation course sponsored by University the Centre for Effective Dispute John Clarke Resolution in London. Professor Andrew Durand retired at the Professor of History & end of the Autumn Term 2005, after a Secretary to Council The National Final will take place in distinguished career at Buckingham Stoke-on-Trent on 25 March 2006. The lasting twenty-seven years. When Andrew winner of the National Final will represent joined us, Max Beloff was still Principal, the UK in the International Final. We wish and he served under all of Max’s Buckingham Reaches Denise and Tom all the best in their quest successors – Alan Peacock, Michael to win the National Title. Barrett, Richard Luce, Robert Taylor and National Finals of the Terence Kealey. At one time, Andrew was Negotiation Competition Janice Denoncourt Head of the Language Centre and he was Faculty Advisor a notably successful Dean of Law. Andrew 2006! was strikingly hard working, a brilliant lecturer, something of a computer expert, The National Negotiation Competition a good chairman and an effective and begins in the first term of the year in order News from the forceful member of Senate and Council. to select a team of students to represent Above all, he embodied the highest the University in the Regional and Foundation Office standards of personal and academic National Competitions held in February integrity that this university was set up to and March respectively. 30th Anniversary Campaign preserve and uphold. As you will all already know, 2006 is the 30th anniversary of the University of Buckingham. To celebrate the event, the Foundation is launching a 30th Anniversary Campaign to raise £10 million over 6 years to help fund all the projects on the University’s wish list including a multi-purpose sports hall, which will give the students not merely sporting facilities but also a venue for social events, theatrical performances and concerts. I am being supported in this campaign by Janice Denoncourt (centre) and many people including our existing Negotiation team benefactors, the Friends of the University, the Students’ Union, which is hoping to This year, the internal competition began organize fundraising events, and, I hope, in Week Two of Winter Term and was by you the readers of the Independent. judged by Faculty Advisors, Janice Prof Andrew Durand Denoncourt and Jennifer Shearman. As in One venture which is very worthy of previous years, the Law School admitted support is the important research into When speaking at a party to mark his students in both the first and second years diabetes which Mike Cawthorne and his retirement, Andrew mentioned that there for the knock-out rounds. team are carrying out in the Clore had been four people whose example he laboratory. Diabetes has increased had found particularly inspiring. I did a The two internal team finalists were of significantly and Mike has written about quick guess as to who they would be: I exceptional talent. Consequently, the Law this important work elsewhere in this issue got all four right. They were Peter Watson, School sponsored both teams to of the Independent. If you know of anyone James Martin-Bates, Matthew Lavis and participate in the Regional Final held on who would like to help fund their Alistair Alcock. In their different ways, all 18 February at the of endeavours, do please tell me. four represented a combination of ability, Law in Surrey. Each team honed their hard work and probity – qualities that negotiating skills in preparation for two Further details are available at Andrew himself certainly exemplified. fact scenarios: a commercial dispute and www.buckingham.ac.uk/ubfoundation/ or Quite rightly, Andrew warned us not to an emotive ‘nuisance neighbours’ dispute. by contacting the Foundation office on look at the early days of the University Buckingham was ably represented by +44 (0) 1280 820142 through rose-coloured spectacles. He negotiating teams Clive Hughes and believed that Buckingham had been at its Aaron Racine; and Tom Durbin and best when there was plenty of debate and Denise Saunders. Janice Denoncourt was controversy. There had always been a a Competition Judge. creative tension between the ideals of the founders and practical considerations. We are delighted to announce that for the Andrew stressed that Senate was the right second year in a row, Buckingham law place for these matters to be thrashed out. students have secured a place in the

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University News

Donations received in Events information about the University, all presented in a cover which bears the 2005 In November, Rupert Carington invited a individual enquirer’s own name. This can distinguished group of guests to a formal be delivered in either an electronic (PDF) The sum total of donations in 2005 dinner at the University. It was held in the or traditional paper version as the enquirer amounted to £328,000 and I would like to transformed examination rooms in specifies. As you would expect from the thank all our donors for their generosity Chandos Road. The rooms were candle UK’s only independent university, this is a towards the University. lit, and Sally Kealey, the Vice-Chancellor’s pioneering innovation as the University of wife, had decorated them beautifully. The Buckingham is the first British university to Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor talked offer this service (although we expect about the progress of the University and others will follow suit!). We feel that the News of our donors the need for endowments. Dr Kealey individual nature of this service reflects Sir Nigel Mobbs acknowledged the generosity of major positively the University’s personal and donors to the new Buckingham Brunel individual ethos. Medical School (BBMS). Further such I am very sad to report that Sir Nigel dinners are planned to interest potential Another project to be launched around the Mobbs, one of the University’s and the donors in the work of the University. January 2006 enrolment was the Parents Foundation’s strongest supporters, died in Programme. The Vice Chancellor hosted September 2005; his obituary appears in On March 9th 2006 the 3rd biennial a reception to introduce this initiative this issue of the Independent. Garrick dinner for honorary graduates and which allows not just our students, but donors was hosted by the Chancellor, Sir also their families and “significant others” Martin Jacomb. It is always a very happy the opportunity to be more closely event and I will give you more news of it involved with and informed about all the Sir Christopher Ondaatje in the next edition of the Independent. latest developments at the University. In October 2005, I attended a reception at the Royal Geographical Society for the launch of Sir Christopher Ondaatje's latest book entitled Woolf in Ceylon - an Imperial Sarah Rush Journey in the Shadow of Leonard Woolf On the domestic front, I am currently 1904 – 1911 (published by Harper without the invaluable help of my Collins). It is a highly praised account of secretary, Sarah Rush. Sarah is currently Leonard Woolf's time in Ceylon (now Sri recuperating from orthopaedic surgery. Lanka). We all wish her well and a rapid recovery. Apart from anything else, the Foundation Sir Christopher Ondaatje, one of cannot manage without her. Buckingham's honorary graduates and the Tim Gutsell generous donor of the Ondaatje Mary Welstead Scholarship, was born and brought up in The early months of 2006 will see a Director of the Foundation Sri Lanka. In the book, he describes his strong emphasis on promotional and Email: [email protected] own journey following in the footsteps of information activities in the UK as we Woolf and compares the way of life during move towards the new UK university fee colonial times in Ceylon with that of the regime from September 2006. The post-colonial period in Sri Lanka. He tells government is allowing all public the story of Leonard Woolf's life in the News from the universities significantly to increase their Ceylon civil service, from 1904 - 1911, Marketing Office fees to up to £3000 per year for UK and and his ultimate disillusionment with the EU students from this September. At Buckingham, we are also re-aligning our British colonial period. Hello from the Marketing and Admissions fees to allow us to be more competitive on team! fees with the public universities (although we were always better value, of course!). For us, January 2006 saw the launch of a Johnny Hon new and exciting initiative – the But we will, as always, be very active personalised prospectus. In 2005, Johnny Hon, a donor and Fellow internationally as well, with visits planned of the University, married one of to Kenya, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Taiwan, Buckingham’s alumnae, Selina Choo. The Ghana, Nigeria, Japan among other wedding in London was attended by many countries during the first half of 2006. We past and present members of the very much hope we will have the University. opportunity to meet you in your own country – where we may have the On one of his frequent visits to Hong opportunity to celebrate the University’s Kong, Johnny met up with another of our 30th anniversary even in advance of the alumni and an Honorary Graduate, July Homecoming Weekend. Roderick Wu. They had dinner together and shared ideas about how they might Best wishes, Tim Gutsell help Buckingham. Roderick already funds Enquirers now have the opportunity to Director of Marketing and Admissions two prizes for law school students. “tailor make” their own prospectus, combining the particular subject pages which are of interest to them with general

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University News

Obituaries friends from his many and varied Islet of Langerhans cells in the pancreas endeavours. Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, do not produce any insulin or because the Sir Nigel’s successor to the Lieutenancy, patient’s muscle, liver and fat cells SIR NIGEL MOBBS delivered the eulogy in Aylesbury, saying become resistant towards insulin and hence the patient’s own insulin is not very 1936-2005 ‘Whether you are a civic leader, a effective. The two conditions are volunteer or an employee, your lives have generally referred to as type 1 and type 2 On October 21st 2005, Sir Nigel Mobbs, all been lifted by this extraordinary human diabetes. The latter form occurs in more Chairman of the University of Buckingham being, who ‘”walked with Kings but kept than 90% of all diabetics and can be Council from 1987-1998, died aged 68. the common touch”” ’. prevented but, once present, it is treatable He was a true ally of the University and but cannot be cured. Thus, once diabetes guided its development in an amicable Lord Luce, Vice-Chancellor of occurs it is a chronic disease for life. In manner. Buckingham from 1992-1997, and now Europe and the US about 50% of those Lord Chamberlain, represented the Queen affected do not know they have the Although it is rather clichéd to comment at the London memorial service in the disease and in developing countries this is on Sir Nigel’s physical stature, it is difficult Royal Chelsea Hospital chapel. much higher. Diabetes increases the risk to talk about him without averting to it. He of heart disease and other complications was a giant of a man; 6 feet 5 inches in Sir Nigel’s early death is a huge loss to such as kidney damage, blindness and height, he towered over all at any all. limb amputations. gathering he attended. However, he was not only large in stature, but also large in Mary Welstead The annual direct healthcare cost of many other ways; he was generous with Director of the Foundation diabetes worldwide is estimated to be his energy, and his time, in whatever he Email: between US$153 billion and $286 billion. was asked to do He had a huge, [email protected] By 2025 it could be up to $400 billion – infectious sense of humour, which he around 12% of the total healthcare often turned on himself, and was a budget. But in many of the developing wonderful raconteur and a charming countries diabetes is going untreated in dinner party host and guest. News from the Clore many patients partly because most have After attending Marlborough, Sir Nigel to pay for their medication and they went up to Christ Church, Oxford. He Laboratory cannot afford the best treatment. Hence failed to obtain his degree in engineering, complications will worsen and over-burden partly because he found the subject health service resources. somewhat tedious and partly because of Obesity and diabetes – an accident incurred whilst hunting; the health Tsunami As with the tsunami, there are warning hunting was one of his great passions. signs of the diabetic catastrophe. These After Oxford, Sir Nigel worked for Slough The staggering pace of the obesity warning signs are in the soaring rates of Estates, the company established by his epidemic makes the world news on a daily childhood obesity. North America, Europe grandfather, and ultimately became basis - this epidemic in turn is triggering and part of the Western Pacific have the chairman and chief executive. the development of type 2 diabetes. highest prevalence of overweight children Diabetes is predicted to be one of the at 20-30% but rates are rising rapidly in Whilst Chairman of Council at major health crises of the 21st century. the developing countries fuelled by eating Buckingham, Sir Nigel did his utmost to The World Health Organisation (WHO) high caloric density food, drinking soft persuade his many friends and estimates the number of people with drinks and lack of exercise. acquaintances to be as supportive of the diabetes worldwide will grow from 194 University as he was. He happily million in 2003 to 333 million in 2025 – Research in the University of bombarded them with requests to make more than 19,000 new patients everyday. Buckingham Clore Laboratory generous donations; they found him difficult to resist because he himself was Developing countries will bear the brunt The Clore Laboratory was established in such a liberal benefactor. He set up the with India and China vying to be the 1986 by Professor Anne Beloff-Chain, wife Slough Estates’ scholarship for students diabetes capital of the world. Asia, with of Nobel laureate Sir Ernst Chain to study from who would six of the world’s ten largest diabetic obesity and type 2 diabetes. The present otherwise have been unable to benefit populations, will experience over a 90% Director, Mike Cawthorne, came to the from a University of Buckingham increase in people with diabetes. Clore Laboratory from the pharmaceutical education. industry in 1994. Prior to 1994 he directed the drug discovery programme After he became Lord Lieutenant of that developed the first new type of Buckinghamshire in 1997, Sir Nigel’s medicine for type 2 diabetes for more than chairmanship of Council ended but he 30 years. This drug improves the continued to be a friend to the University. sensitivity of the patient to their own He visited regularly, co-hosted with the insulin and thereby delays the Vice-Chancellor the reception to launch development of diabetic complications. the new medical school, BBMS, and The drug is available throughout the always attended Graduation. His wife world. Jane, who was his right hand, joined him on many of these visits. Prior to the discovery and development of Clore Laboratory insulin sensitisers, Mike and Professor Two memorial services took place to Jon Arch, now Deputy Director of the honour Sir Nigel, one in Aylesbury and Diabetes is an illness that occurs when Clore Laboratory, developed compounds one in London; both were packed with the body lacks insulin either because the that acted as chemical mimics of exercise

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University News

and had a potential utility in treating both population and maybe even provide a obesity and type 2 diabetics. Although the source for the development of better particular compounds proved to be drugs by the pharmaceutical industry. insufficiently efficacious in man, the pioneering work laid the foundation for Researchers at the Clore Laboratory have much of the current drug discovery efforts worked on a number of plant extracts for obesity treatment in pharmaceutical including a cactus from South Africa companies. (traditionally used by Kalahari bushmen to ward off hunger in times of lack of food), a Today the Clore Laboratory is playing a potential diabetic treatment from Libya key role in the search for new treatments and guggulipid from India. The latter is for both obesity and type 2 diabetes as the recent subject of a DPhil thesis by well as training the future diabetes and Claire Cornick and identified potential obesity researchers. Researchers at the mechanisms for the lipid and cholesterol Clore Laboratory are working with lowering and anti-diabetic properties of biotechnology and pharmaceutical guggulipid. companies worldwide on evaluating potential new therapeutic targets and pioneering treatments. In addition, they have a particular interest in understanding Funding why babies that are born small for gestational age have an increased Research in the Clore Laboratory is tendency to develop central ‘beer-belly’ supported by private donation and obesity and type 2 diabetes in adult life, industrial sponsorship as well as particularly if they consume a Western- competitive grants. Funds are currently style diet. It appears that babies who are being sought to provide two named undernourished in utero (because of poor professorial chairs as well as fellowships diet, young mother still growing or and studentships to allow gifted scholars, maternal smoking reducing blood supply particularly from developing countries, to to foetus) are programmed to survive undertake research in the Clore under famine conditions. The corollary is Laboratory. that in times of plenty, they are too efficient and store food as fat. Work For further details of the research at the conducted by Dr Claire Stocker at the Clore Laboratory please contact Clore Laboratory has suggested that the [email protected]. If administration of a hormone to either you would like to discuss a donation mother or the offspring in early life might please contact either Mike Cawthorne or provide life-long protection from obesity the University of Buckingham Foundation and type 2 diabetes. This work is in its ([email protected]). early stages but was nevertheless judged so important that Claire was awarded the New Investigator Prize by the International Association for the Study of Obesity. Some facts Claire is collaborating with other research groups around the world to take this work The top ten countries in number of forward. people with diabetes are India, China, USA, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Italy and Bangladesh.

Green Medicines The country with the highest percent of the population with diabetes is the Pacific Many patients in developing countries will island Nauru followed by a number of unfortunately be unable to afford Pacific islands and Middle Eastern conventional medicines to treat type 2 countries. diabetes and obesity. In a whole range of medical conditions today’s medicines are Diabetes is the biggest cause of adult based on original discoveries on plant or onset blindness and non-traumatic fungal extracts, for example penicillins, amputation. aspirin and digitalis. Plant extracts are used in many countries for the treatment 35-50% of male diabetics are impotent. of type 2 diabetes but currently these treatments are poorly characterised and Professor Mike Cawthorne the secrets can be held by local doctors. Director of Metabolic Research and The future treatment of obesity and type 2 Professorial Research Fellow diabetes in developing countries would be enhanced enormously if plant sources of obesity and type 2 diabetes medication could be identified and then grown and processed locally to supply the endemic

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University News

A 30th Anniversary positions. It made me feel confident that Moreno (we knew him as Valentino in Buckingham must be offering an excellent Buckingham) attended Buckingham’s Law Message to Bahamian route to qualifying as a lawyer in the Forum and Alumni Reception which was Bahamas. Yet I know that we cannot be held in Nassau at the British Colonial Students complacent and the University is fully Hilton on 20 January this year. Moreno On 17th January, I had the privilege of conscious of the fact that studying in the achieved a First Class Honours in his LLB travelling to the Bahamas with Mr Irving UK is an expensive option for Bahamians in 2002 and was our first ever law Stevens and Ms Janice Denoncourt in when compared to staying at home - yet it graduate to win the coveted Edgar order to celebrate the 30 years’ is still the preferred option. Palamountain Medal for Excellence. This connection between Bahamian students is awarded annually to the undergraduate and the University of Buckingham. It was Therefore, in recognition of our 30th who, having come first within his or her the first of several 30th anniversary visits Anniversary and long association with the discipline has, in the opinion of the Vice- to different parts of the world this year. We Bahamas, the Law School will be offering Chancellor, shown the greatest degree of made visits to several of your colleges a full scholarship exclusively to a excellence. He then went on to complete and schools, including the College of the Bahamian student in 2006. I am hoping the LLM at Buckingham and was called to Bahamas, the Bahamas Baptist that some of you, too, as leading figures the English Bar in July 2004. As the legal Community College, Success Training in the legal community in the Bahamas, and judicial system in The Bahamas is College, St John’s School and St would wish to contribute to a second English-based, Moreno has since been Andrew’s School. We also had a very scholarship –either personally or through admitted to the Bahamian Bar. He then useful meeting with Mr Wayne Munroe, your Chambers. The two scholarships proceeded to secure an enviable position the President of the Bar Association, in would be a wonderful way in which to as Counsel & Attorney with a leading which we discussed the recent proposal of celebrate our long association and give Bahamian commercial law firm, McKinney, the English Bar to ‘defer call’. He brought the opportunity for other Bahamian Bancroft & Hughes. McKinney’s is one of it to our attention that of the approximately students to benefit from a Buckingham the largest and oldest law firms in The 750 registered lawyers in the Bahamas, education. Bahamas and conducts an extensive almost 300 of you graduated from international and domestic practice. Buckingham! It seemed fitting therefore In our 30th year, I am eager to continue that our first overseas visit of 2006 should our connections with the Bahamas and have been to the Bahamas. make Buckingham Law School the first choice for any prospective lawyer wanting a fast track to success. You, our alumni, have benefited from this experience and I am confident that you would want that experience to be extended to your children.

Finally, this was my first ever visit to the Bahamas - and I was not disappointed! Valentino Moreno Hamilton We met with wonderful friendship and warmth from so many of you. Space does I visited Moreno at his office which is l-r Kenneth Lightbourne (LLM '05), not permit me to name you all but I would located in central Nassau on New Janice Denoncourt, Randol Dorsett in particular like to thank Stephanie Providence Island. He kindly gave the (LLM '05) and Irving Stevens Mackenzie and her team for co-ordinating Dean, the Law School Admissions Tutor our visit, together with Rouschard Martin, and myself a tour of his firm and As is always the case with overseas visits, the Alexiou family, Rionda Godet and Jan introduced us to his colleagues and the highlight for me was to meet so many Ward, who especially looked after us and partners. He told us that he is currently of you all. In response to your requests showed us such hospitality during our involved in several commercial matters we held a Law Forum at the Nassau short stay. I so look forward to welcoming and civil litigation. Although The Hilton on January 20th. Ms Denoncourt’s you all back for our ‘Homecoming Bahamas is a fantastic tourist destination, lecture on ‘Securitisation of Intangible weekend’ in July and I hope our recent since the 1930’s it has been a major Assets’ was very well received and was visit represents the beginning of a offshore international financial centre followed by a lively debate. There seemed continuing relationship between which attracts substantial overseas to be a great deal of interest in this type of Buckingham and the Bahamas that will commerce. It is home to more than 400 event and topics such as Insurance Law last for at least another 30 years. licensed banks and trust companies with a and Maritime Law were requested for ‘the total asset base of more than $250 billion. next time’. Unfortunately, we learned too Charlotte Walsh Accordingly, there is a high level of late that a major Bahamian Bar event was Dean of Law international business activity which also taking place on the same evening Email: results in major commercial litigation. with the result that some of you were [email protected] unable to attend both functions. We are thrilled that Buckingham’s LLB Nevertheless, the Reception in the and LLM programme was of assistance to Victoria Room following the lecture was Moreno and has helped to establish him good fun and it was such a pleasure to Law Alumni Profile with a premier law firm in one of the meet all those of you who came to help us world’s principle financial centres. celebrate. Earlier in the month I had the pleasure of Moreno’s firm website is visiting The Bahamas on University www.mckinney.com. In travelling round, I was repeatedly struck business. I was fortunate to catch up with by the large number of you who are doing one of our recent graduates, Valentino Janice Denoncourt so well in practice or in other influential Moreno Hamilton. Deputy Director LLM

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University News

NEW University of Buckingham’s MA in Global Affairs The only professional training programme of its kind in the United Kingdom

The Department of Economics and International Studies is launching a unique professional skills training programme that is one of Buckingham’s innovations.

Main areas of study will include international law and organisations, global governance, international economics and finance, the development of global society, security studies, international environmental politics and international negotiating.

The university is proud to welcome one of Buckingham’s alumni, Dr. Charles Henn (L. Arts Hons ’79), who will be teaching on this postgraduate programme together with Professors Martin Ricketts, John Clarke, Geoffrey Wood, Richard Langhorne and Dr. Deborah Davenport.

For information on this unique MA programme please contact Linda Waterman, International Studies Secretary, [email protected] Or visit our website www.buckingham.ac.uk/international/postgrad/

THE UNIVERSITY OF BUCKINGHAM ALUMNI OF MALAYSIA

Fellowship gathering at Card Room, Royal Selangor Club, Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at 6.30 pm on the following dates in 2006: 17th January; 21st March; 23rd May; 18th July; 19th September and 17th October.

The University of Buckingham Alumni of Malaysia and Hong Kong friendship and goodwill dinner at Kawloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong on Friday, 9th June 2006 jointly organized by the Alumni from Malaysia and Hong Kong (family and friends included)

(18th – 26th August 2006) The University of Buckingham Alumni of Malaysia and friendship and goodwill dinner at Berjaya Le Morne Beach Resort, Mauritius on Saturday, 19th August 2006 jointly organized by the Alumni from Malaysia and Mauritius followed by stop over at Kenya (family and friends included).

THE UNIVERSITY OF BUCKINGHAM ALUMNI OF MALAYSIA Suite 307, 3rd Floor Loke Yew Building, No. 4 Jalan Mahkamah Persekutuan, 50050 Kuala Lumpur Tel No. +60 3-26931727 Fax No. +60 3-26931741 Email : [email protected]/ [email protected]

To All Alumni This publication is for you and if you would like input into the next issue, please send comments and ideas to Anne Matsuoka.

The next publication we produce will con- tain more information, updating you on where alumni are these days and what they are up to.

Please Note: Copy for the next issue required by 31st May 2006 www.buckingham.ac.uk

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