Aston Autumn 19/10 29/10/01 3:38 pm Page 1

AUTUMN 2001 ISSUE 8 Gifts

An exciting new range of Aston University branded gifts is now available from the Alumni Relations Office.

apexAston University Alumni Magazine

Item description Quantity Unit price (£) Total (£)

Cufflinks 15.00 Tie 10.00 Scarf 15.00 Desk-clock 15.00 To order your Aston University gifts, please Key-ring 4.00 complete the order form below and return Mug 3.00 it to: Alumni Relations Office, Aston Paperweight 20.00 University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, Parker Rollerball 3.00 B4 7ET, UK. All prices include postage and Umbrella 15.00 packing. Lapel Badge 1.00 Waterman fountain & ballpoint pen set 30.00 Payment can be made by credit card or Aston Through the Lens 6.00 cheque made payable to Aston University Baseball cap 7.00 in sterling and drawn on a bank in Bookmark 1.00 Getting to the point England. All orders must be accompanied by full payment. Refunds will only be given if the goods are faulty. Please allow Order total: Behind the scenes of one of 28 days from receipt of order. Birmingham's newest landmarks Title Name Address Postcode Country Telephone Email In at the deep end Tick as appropriate ❏ I enclose a cheque in pounds sterling drawn on a bank in England for £ Underwater expeditions around the world ❏ I wish to pay by MasterCard/Visa/Switch/Access/Delta/Solo. Please charge to my account. Card number Expiry date Name on card Cardholder’s signature Issue number Recognising achievement Honorary degrees and national prizes 32 Aston Autumn 19/10 29/10/01 3:38 pm Page 3

Contents

Sarah Pymm Alumni Relations Officer

Aston honours 4

special welcome to our thousands of regular Recognising achievement 6 readers and all new members of Aston's A Life in the fast lane 7 worldwide alumni network. I hope you enjoy this eighth edition of Apex, the magazine for Aston As time goes by 7 alumni all over the world. In at the deep end 8 Caroline Hidson Getting to the point 10 Alumni Relations Assistant You'll see there's been a few changes here in the office. Our new Alumni Relations Assistant, Caroline, is in post and waiting to hear from you. Drop her a line to say Roundup 13 How to contact the Alumni hi and let her know what you're doing now. Don't forget, any changes to your Relations Office contact details can be recorded on your Graduate Update Form in the centre of Bookshelf 14 Apex or through our web site www.aston.ac.uk/alumni. Many of you will www.aston.ac.uk/alumni Aston leads Midlands universities in graduate recruitment 14 remember Anouche Newman; she has now returned to her studies after email [email protected] completing her placement year with us. Talking of placement years, turn to page Tel +44 (0)121 359 3611 Introducing Caroline 14 Fax +44 (0)121 359 4664 19 and read how the Placement Office here is going from strength to strength. Graduate update form 15 Alumni Relations Office We're jumping in at the deep end and living life in the fast lane in this issue of Aston University Apex. We tell the stories of two intrepid graduates who embarked on separate Aston launches new doctorate 19 Aston Triangle underwater diving expeditions. With little to no experience of diving, both had Birmingham to face the challenge of coming to terms with an alien environment, but neither Out on placement 19 B4 7ET has any regrets. Back on dry land, we encounter the thrill of the rally as we follow UK two graduates who regularly compete in international Motorsport Rallies. Fasten Bringing you up to speed 20 your seatbelts! Special thanks go to all alumni who contributed to this issue of Apex. Apex is Still with cars in mind, the School of Engineering & Applied Science brings us up Can you catch a bad back? 21 published twice a year for alumni of Aston to speed with the latest on Formula Student, a racing car design and build University. Letters, photographs and news Improving the health of society 21 are very welcome but we reserve the right project, whilst the School of Life & Health Sciences explores a possible cause of to edit any contributions. Please address all that bad back. We have the latest news from the Business School and the School Writing the City 22 correspondence to the Alumni Relations of Languages & European Studies as well. Officer. The opinions expressed in Apex are those of the contributors and do not If that's not enough, we've the latest on Millennium Point - an initiative which Aston opens one-stop shop for business 23 necessarily reflect those of the Alumni aims to combine science, technology, learning and fun. Our feature story profiles Relations Office or Aston University. one of our graduates who is at the development heart of this project. With him Freshers' week - past and present 24 In at the deep end: extracts taken from The we explore how Millennium Point was conceived and what it holds for the future Wreck of the Kennemerland published by A new theory for Einstein's 24 the University of Aston in Birmingham of Birmingham. Sub-Aqua Club, © 1974. We also Finally in our line up of stories not to miss, turn to Recognising Achievement acknowledge the support and help given Where are they now? 25 by Shetland Museums Service in the where we profile three of our graduates who have received national recognition research of this article. for their achievements and professional expertise. Eight Honorary Degrees were In-touch 29 Editor Sarah Pymm awarded to experts and leading personalities at this year's Degree Congregations, Reunions and events 30 Reporter Caroline Hidson find out who they were on page four. Designed and produced by NB Group Phew! A packed issue of news, views and faces you knew. Do keep writing in with Aston University gifts 32 Cover photography and Getting to the point your stories. We're looking forward to a heavy postbag! Huw Meredith Happy reading!

Sarah 2 3 Aston Autumn 19/10 29/10/01 3:38 pm Page 5

the West Midlands were recognised Professor Alfred in 1992. He was appointed Deputy with an MBE and Honorary Doctorates Grosser, a French Managing Director in February 1995 Aston honours political scientist and is also a member of the DEMOS from the University of Central England and the University of Birmingham. and journalist, was Advisory Council. At this year's Degree Congregations, Aston welcomed Broadcasting awards include the Gold born in Frankfurt am Main in 1925 eight new Honorary Graduates as Members of Sony Award for the Best Weekend Peter Doyle is Professor and is one of the Programme of 1998, the BT Regional of Marketing and Convocation, acknowledging their achievement and most important Broadcaster of the Year and the Frank Strategic intellectual contribution to their respective fields. Gillard Award for the Best BBC Local at the University of standard-bearers of friendship and Radio Weekend Sequence Programme Warwick where his understanding between Germany and Clifford Burrows Midlands Electricity Board as an Aston University, and worked for ten of 2000. Community involvement special interests are and the European idea. He was appointed to the apprentice electrician. He worked there years in production management in the marketing strategy, includes serving on the Birmingham emigrated with his family to France in University of Bath in until 1958 when he was drafted into the engineering industry. He was the branding and shareholder value. Children's Hospital NHS Trust and with 1933. After qualifying as a university 1987 as Professor of Royal Air Force. Upon demobilisation, Industrial Relations and Safety Officer to Previously he taught at the London the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. lecturer, he began his academic career Systems Engineering he applied successfully in 1961 for a Metro-Cammell and gained an MA in Business School, INSEAD, Bradford and at the Sorbonne in 1951. Since 1955, he and Director of the position as Technician in the Electrical Industrial Relations from Warwick Stanford Universities. He has published has been Professor at the Institute for Fluid Power Centre. Engineering Department at Aston University. He lectured at Lanchester Ruth Montague some 200 works on marketing strategy Political Science at the University of He was Head of the University, known in those days as Polytechnic from 1972 to 1974. is universally and brands. He has consulted for many . He has worked tirelessly for School of Mechanical Engineering from Birmingham College of Advanced respected for her top international companies such as He was elected to the House of Franco-German co-operation in all areas 1990 to 1995 and since 1996 has been Technology. After obtaining further knowledge of Coca Cola, Mars, Tesco, IBM, Nestlé, Commons for Birmingham Perry Barr in through his publications, radio the Hebron and Medlock Dean of qualifications he was promoted in 1965 British Airways, British Telecom, 1974. Between 1979 and 1993 he was employment law. broadcasts and guest lectures, in which Engineering and Design. Professor to Chief Technician Power and Novartis, , Unilever, Shell, Philips, opposition spokesman on various issues She joined Aston his challenging but constantly Burrows has served on a number of Machines, a position he held until his AstraZeneca and Hewlett-Packard. He and Deputy Shadow Leader of the shortly before it became a university, constructive criticisms have proved international panels and scientific retirement in September 2000. House of Commons from 1994 to 1997. participating in the drafting of the writes a regular column on business committees and has been involved in extremely effective. Most of his During his service with the University he He was Chair of the Labour Campaign matters for the Guardian and has the activities of professional institutions. University Charter, particularly relating successful books have appeared in both published in most of the major became involved with the Technicians' for Electoral Reform from 1975 to 1981 to employment. She worked as a Senior French and German. He has received He graduated from the University of international journals. His research has Union AScW and over the next 37 years, and a Minister of State at MAFF and DSS Lecturer in Law and was also a Senior German and French prizes: the Peace Wales in 1962 with First Class Honours twice been awarded the Gold Medal served as Chairman, Secretary and from 1997 to 2001. He was a member Visiting Research Fellow engaged in Prize from the German book trade in Mechanical Engineering, was from the Operational Research Society Minutes Secretary throughout the of Council for the Institution of teaching and research mainly in the 1975, the Grosse Bundesverdienstkreuz awarded a PhD in Control Engineering Union's evolution from AScW to ASTMS Production Engineers, has served as a and the Best Paper Award from the Business School and Languages & mit Stern 1985 and Chevalier de la from the University of London in 1969 American Marketing Association. and subsequently MSF. He also served further education college governor for Légion d'Honneur 1986. European Studies. Dr Montague was a and a DSc(Eng) in 1989 for his original on the UCOT Committee, the Joint over 20 years and received a life peerage contributions to the modelling and member of the first Senate and its only Unions Committee and the School in 2001. control of physical systems. woman member for a number of years. Board for the School of Engineering & Terry Leahy was Degree Congregations are very She was Vice-Chair of Academic Professor Burrows has published over Applied Science. appointed Chief special times in your life. Would Edwin Myer Assembly, sat on many committees and 200 papers, a number of which have Executive of Tesco you like a reminder of your own Doolan, an received awards. He has presented continues to serve on the Council (as a plc in March Jeff Rooker, an Australian JP, graduation day? Videos are still international keynote addresses and representative of Convocation) and 1997. He was Aston graduate of changed career available for all 1999, 2000 and delivered the IMechE 83rd Thomas some of the Council committees. educated at St 1964, has been after teaching in 2001 degree ceremonies. Hawksley Memorial Lecture in 1995. He Edward's College, the MP for Perry Sydney, She gained a PhD in the Faculty of Law Priced at £22.00, your recording received the IMechE Joseph Bramah Liverpool and Barr since 1974 Edinburgh and Medal in 1993, was elected Fellow of of Edinburgh University and was features close-up shots of every and Minister of London in the then went to the the Royal Academy of Engineering in awarded a Doctorate of Jurisprudence graduand, after-ceremony State, Ministry of 1960s. He joined University of 1998 and awarded an Honorary Doctor by the University of Cologne for work parties, views of campus life and Agriculture, Food the English Service of West German Manchester Institute of Science and of Engineering Degree by the Technical carried out under the supervision of the the City of Birmingham, plus and Fisheries since 1997. He stood Radio, Deutsche Welle, in August 1970. Technology where he gained his University of Aachen in 2000. late Prof. C Nipperday, first President of your name and subject listed on down at this year's General Election. In 1974 he joined BRMB from Day 1 BSc(Hons) in Management Sciences. the cover. until 1982 when he was invited to join the Federal German Labour Court. She He began as an apprentice toolmaker at Mr Leahy joined Tesco as a Marketing BBC WM. He remains the region's engaged in post-doctoral research into For orders and enquiries contact Brian Harrison was Kings Heath Engraving Co. Ltd. whilst Executive in 1979 and was promoted to favourite from 9am to 12noon, Sunday Labour Law and Human Rights Law at Sorelle White, Aston Media, born in Birmingham in working on a part-time day/evening Marketing Manager in 1981. From 1984 to Friday and writes a weekly column for Law School, USA. 1937 of 'Birmingham release course at Handsworth Technical to 1986 he held the position of 0121 359 3611 ext. 5345 or the Birmingham Evening Mail. In 1989 Various research projects led to a born and bred' College. This was followed by a four- Marketing Director for Tesco Stores Ltd. e-mail [email protected]. the people of Birmingham voted him as number of publications. She also parents. At the age of year sandwich course in production He was appointed Commercial Director one of their "100 Top Brummies". worked as an advocate in the Ministry 15, Brian Harrison engineering at Birmingham College of of Fresh Foods in 1986 and joined the of Justice in the State of Israel. began work with the Advanced Technology, a forerunner of In 1999 his services to broadcasting and Board of Tesco plc as Marketing Director

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Recognising achievement Life in the fast lane

Aston graduates continue to excel in many areas. Apex talks to three alumni Looking for that special birthday gift? When Sue Orchard who have been recognised nationally for their professional expertise, success bought her husband a day out driving at Brands Hatch as a birthday present one year, little did she realise it was going to and contribution to the community. open the door to the brave new world of Motorsport. We asked Graham and Sue Sue (1978 BSc German and Russian) and Graham Morris (1978 Andrew Blundell (1995 BSc piggyback in the UK and combined the benefits of both road and Transport Management) rail to provide a door to door inter-modal journey. BSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering) to give us a glimpse into their life in the fast lane and shed some light on why Sue Winner: Best Industry Newcomer in But Andrew is quick to point out that this is only one example of the 2000 Motor Transport Awards. the many initiatives Parcelforce has embraced over recent years. In has developed a following as the mad English lady in the Brimming with ambition to succeed the highly competitive transport industry, Parcelforce strives to strange right-hand drive car! and a true loyalty to the success of achieve commercial advantage through effective utilisation of his employer's business, Andrew transport assets. Its willingness to embrace new technology and e've always been interested in Although rallying is our hobby, we take the strange right-hand drive car! Our Blundell thoroughly deserved to change puts Parcelforce firmly at the leading edge of the transport W watching motorsport," began Sue. "I events seriously and prepare as best we can. favourite event is the Rally of Wallonie, based carry home the coveted award of industry. Parcelforce achieved a 'hat-trick' of three MT awards at the joined Graham at Brands Hatch and we were Graham compiles pace notes, so we get an in Namur. The event has always been kind to both immediately hooked. After watching idea of the terrain. But, you have to keep us: we've taken part four times and finished Best Industry Newcomer. The Motor 2000 ceremony. A fantastic achievement of which Andrew is proud Britain's round of the World Rally your wits about you as road conditions can four times, unlike some others where we've to be a part. "I was heavily involved in producing the submissions - Transport Awards are regarded as the 'Oscars' of the Transport Championship, we knew this was the sport change dramatically between preparation competed several times and never finished. Industry and recognise sound achievement in areas such as encapsulating and packaging all the hard work which goes on in for us. We joined our local car club and spent and the event. We compete at a very high environmental, customer care, and efficiency in operation. the business." a year marshalling and helping out. We level on international rallies in Belgium, The highest profile event I have taken part in bought our first rally car, a Suzuki Swift, in which form part of the European Rally was before Graham started co-driving. Andrew is now Network Strategy Manager at Consignia As Distribution Manager for Parcelforce Worldwide, Andrew was 1990 and have since rallied in various cars Championship. This is just one level below Together with co-driver Liz Jordan, we heavily involved in the introduction of the piggyback operation www.consignia.com. His future plans are turning towards the including an Escort RS2000 and a Metro GTi. the very highest level in the sport, the World competed in the tough four day November between London and Scotland. It was the first commercial use of potential held in the global market. Our current car, an Astra GSi 2.0, competes Rally Championship. 1991 RAC Rally. We endured a lot of in Group N, the showroom category. This mechanical problems throughout the event, means that the cars are basically the same as We've competed at all levels in Britain, but the worst incident happened on the the ones you can buy from your local Ireland, and Belgium. Over the last four third day. We overcooked a long sweeping James Robertson (1991 BSc Transport Management and 1993 Life outside of work is also firmly garage, but with additional safety features years, we've concentrated on events in right hand hairpin bend in the Lake District MSc Information Technology) rooted in Birmingham. James' desire such as a roll cage, fire extinguishers, Belgium's international championship. and ended up falling off the mountain, to positively contribute to his harnesses, etc and enhancements to the The competition is really fierce. We've had rolling a couple of times in fresh air and Winner: Birmingham Young Professional of the Year IT Sector community was realised through his performance of the engine. great battles with crews from Germany, ending up on our wheels in a stream! The What would you change if you had a magic wand? James would voluntary work with the , Holland and France and it car was damaged, but we were OK. The spectators dragged us up the hill and back change false perceptions of Birmingham replacing them with real Birmingham Carnival web pages www.birminghamcarnival.com into the rally. We lost a lot of time, but examples of the talent and cultural richness of the City. But these "I'm the mad English lady in the strange eventually rolled back to Harrogate to finish are not pipe dreams. James is totally committed to the region and A true advocate for the talent and right-hand drive car!" the event. firmly believes that Birmingham can boast a pool of talent at least cultural richness of the City, James strives to teach individuals how they At the end of rallies, there's great euphoria on a par with London. "Why go to the capital when everything you when we've completed the event. We've had can find a powerful voice through the want is here?" he smiles. gives me the opportunity to practise my our fair share of non-finishes though and web, if only they learn how to use it effectively. He is involved with language skills learnt at Aston. Having experienced the utter devastation this Having worked in London, James has returned to his Birmingham the Education Committee of Birmingham Forward and harbours a suffered various mechanical failures, I am brings. We're both team players and enjoy roots. Now Internet Consultant with Myratech.net, he brings a desire to teach inner city kids about technology. "We want good now something of an expert at describing competing together, although some say wealth of knowledge rooted in freelance and corporate experience. people from Birmingham to stay here in Birmingham," he maintains. car ailments in different languages! husbands and wives shouldn't compete in His aim is always to identify the true needs of his customers, even Further information from the same car. Graham is an excellent co- www.birminghamyoungprofessional.co.uk There are hardly any women drivers in driver and I have the skills as a driver. We if that means advising them not to spend money. Belgium, so I have developed quite a respect each other's different abilities and following there as the mad English lady in work as a partnership. The sport for us Alice Bennett (1996 BSc Transport time. We offer advice on purchases (70% of our customers are male) Management) and, if we don't stock a particular item, we can source it elsewhere." Winner: Shell Livewire Business Awards The secret to her success? "For our customers to feel they are getting As time goes by Best Customer Care, Best Business Plan personal attention, as if they are the only customer there." In reality Alice's customer base is worldwide with regular orders from as far ace-goers may have one eye on the clock, but Eric Cowcill we set up a small company to provide computerised results. This Alice's career in logistics and afield as Japan and the USA. But her business plan doesn't stop here. (1967 BSc Pharmacy) diligently counts every second as race grew into providing all timing services. We were in demand to warehousing began with top R Alice is already exploring the possibility of branching out into timekeeper. He called into the Alumni Office on his way home provide timing at events not just in the UK but around the world as companies in the north-west where she menswear, swimwear and sportswear, followed by a wider range of from Indianapolis to talk to us. far afield as Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand and Macau. From gained essential hands-on marketing, complementary gifts. 1993 to 1995, I was Chief Timekeeper and Results Officer in the technological, financial and sales "I first became involved in motorsport at Aston through a friend Hong Kong to Beijing Rally. This meant working out of a hotel room experience. But she had always wanted The Shell Livewire Awards recognise Alice's efficient and customer- who introduced me to marshalling. I took up navigating and then in Beijing with all communications coming via a satellite receiver to run her own business. It was just a centred service. "Our prices are excellent and delivery is usually next co-driving and have a number of trophies for overall and class placed on the roof. Since 1994, timekeeping has accounted for the question of when to start and what to do. Lingering Touch, an morning. All our customers are different. Sensing a customer's success to my name. By the mid 1970s, I became involved in majority of my own time and I am involved in events all around the online luxury lingerie boutique, was launched in October 2000 and needs, responding and developing strong relationships with organising events and was responsible for special stages on what world at the highest level." within its first year of trading attained two top awards. partners and suppliers keeps them coming back. was then the Lombard RAC Rally, now the Network Q Rally of Great Britain. I went on to assist the Chief Timekeeper and went round Eric grew up in a pharmacy and made his early career in the "Lingering Touch provides a forum to shop in privacy," explains the whole route distributing clocks ahead of the cars. Over the profession. "I still do locum work when time permits," he explains. Alice. "Our customers can browse our product range in their own Further information from www.lingeringtouch.co.uk years my race timekeeping has continued apace. With colleagues, "An arrangement which allows me to indulge in my two passions."

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In at the deep end Gary Flashman (1971 BSc Administrative Science) and Hannah Seward (2000 BSc Managerial and The Green Force Marine Bio-Diversity Project The region Administrative Studies) were not experienced divers when they took on the challenge of the sea. Both GF is a small charity based in London which runs conservation projects in Borneo, were attracted by the adventure of an underwater expedition. Apex invited them to tell their own stories Fiji, Peru, Africa and The Bahamas. GF sends volunteers of all nationalities to these of how the sea unfolded its mysteries and the impact the expedition made on their lives. areas for three months at a time with the objective to train and conduct bio-diversity surveys. The host country invites the volunteer groups to undertake The wreck of the Kennemerland Indiamen. But they were heavy and The islanders' story: December 1664 research which is normally done in collaboration with a university or government unwieldy craft needing plenty of and the Kennemerland was en route to Amongst the innumerable vessels which department. Protection programmes are then established. searoom and far more at home on the Batavia loaded with wine, cloth, oil and have wrecked or stranded round the broad North Sea than negotiating the coin. A gale was blowing from the south coasts of Shetland, there have been a confines of the English Channel. and the Kennemerland was running surprising number of Dutch ships bound A typical day before the wind. The shipmaster was to or from the Far East. These vessels Secondly, England and The Netherlands uncertain of his position. He posted four were travelling the old "achter om" (or were two of the principal powers of the 5.30am: Swim in the bay Borneo, Southeast , is the third men to keep a lookout for land. The 6.00am: Porridge north-about) passage from the North seventeenth century. Rivalry in Northern largest island in the world. night was dark. Nothing could be seen. 6.30am: Group jobs (cleaning etc) Sea to the Atlantic. meant that the Channel was no Roughly two-thirds of the Breakers appeared under the bows of the 7.30am: First wave of divers out to study fish, coral, safe place for Dutch commerce. It was southernmost area of the island fall There are two reasons why ships chose ship. Before the lookout could warn the invertebrates, etc. Record data on dive slates for the University of Malaysia to assess the this route. Firstly, no vessel sailing the logical that ships bound for the valuable crew, the ship struck a cliff on the south under the jurisdiction of Indonesia, Eastern trade routes used the longer need for a marine park. Return to write up whereas the northern region ocean during the sixteenth, seventeenth end of Stoura Stack, a small rock which data. Next wave of divers out. route up the North Sea and out into belongs to Malaysia. This region is or eighteenth centuries was stouter or guards the entrance to Out Skerries 12.30pm: Lunch more seaworthy than the Dutch the Atlantic. Harbour. The Kennemerland broke in 2.30pm: Third wave of divers out further divided into the two half. The forepart foundered in deep 4.00pm: Last wave of divers out provinces of Sarawak and Sabah. water and the stern was swept into the 7.00pm: Dinner - we all took turns to cook. Brunei is wedged between the The expedition 8.00pm: Relax harbour. The wreckage was cast up on Malaysian provinces. 9.00pm: Bed! 1971: Marine archaeological expedition from Aston University worked in Bruray. The area was the estate of Approximately 16million people Out Skerries on behalf of Shetland Islands Museum. Located and William Douglas, 10th Earl of Morton. It live on the island of Borneo, two surveyed the main wreck area of the Kennemerland. It was decided is suspected King Charles wished to Inspired by stories of her friend's island was an old palm tree plantation million in each of Sarawak and that the site was of greater archaeological activity and a further recover the islands and saw the wreck as expedition and spurred on by her and was surrounded by mangroves. Sabah, 300,000 in Borneo and the expedition was organised. The club already had a well-established an opportunity to do so. Chamberlain commitment to ecology and The stilt house was great. It was about remainder in the southern area. interest in nautical archaeology. Robert Hunter salvaged the wreck and a conservation, Hannah wanted more 60' long with a living deck where we Compared to the surrounding long legal battle began between the than a summer of backpacking. "I think cooked and ate, a big room where we 1973: A combined team of divers from Aston University and area, the island's population is Crown, Skerries and Amsterdam. A that humans take far too much from all slept, an office and rooms for staff. Manchester University began the excavation. quite low. Many large rivers flow number of salvage attempts have been the planet and are choking natural There were 22 of us in total as well as from the central mountains of 1974: A small group continued the work of the 1973 team. made over the passage of time. Interest habitats and wiping out species of visitors from time to time. We drank Borneo into the sea, but few rivers waned and the site lay undisturbed into plants and animals that are vitally rainwater that came off the roof and 1976: Fourth season of work on the wreck. are navigable more than about important to the balance of this world. had a well and a bucket to wash at. the twentieth century. 100 miles upriver. Visitors to the Shetlands can see the bell, compass, jars and other finds in I wanted to try to make a small It took time to learn to dive safely and Lerwick Museum. Extracts from the Aston University Sub-Aqua Club difference if possible as well as learning Report, 1974. to swim with my head down and fins first hand about fish, coral, the local had to do. I had completely fallen in up so I didn't damage the coral. We culture and diving. love with the island and the lifestyle. I The 1971 team numbered 18: Gary other sites into this current season. vertically down to catch the fish. We taught several Malaysians to dive. Most still miss Balak Balak and I'm amazed at Flashman, Ken Higgs, Richard Cutsforth, hitched lifts on fishing boats to take us Asked what he remembers of the I had absolutely no idea what to locals had no idea about safety and how deeply I've been affected by my Colin Tallowin, Richard Price, Ann Morris, from Lerwick out to the site of the wreck. expedition Gary recalls: "We were diving expect! I had never been diving before suffered the 'bends' all the time. I had time there. The island does something Karen Ray, Don Mackay, Richard Cade, every day, often several times a day to a Dolphins played in front of us and Orka and have a healthy fear of sharks to learn how to cope with currents and strange to you. One good thing is that Steve Barrett, Digby Bevan, Mick Guest, depth of perhaps 120'. The water was Whales and other sea mammals leapt in having seen too many movies. Friends blasts from the bombs used by local I appreciate everything that we have Bill Forster, Don Fry, Ann Rees, Mike crystal clear and visibility was often 60' or the distance. The water was freezing cold were horrified that there were sharks, fishermen. They all have families to here at home and realise we don't need Boxall, Dermot McKeone, Christine more. Wildlife was rampant. Imagine and storms could flash up without saltwater crocodiles, stingray, jellyfish, feed and were just doing what they much to be content." McKeone (née Salmon). being confronted by a mountain of spider warning. But the most impressive spiders, snakes, tropical ulcers and thought was right, but they were Ken Higgs and Gary Flashman shared crabs obscuring the sea bed and then recollection is the length of daylight. I malaria to worry about. But I was irreparably damaging the reefs. We overall responsibility for organising the surfacing to see visibility reduced to remember phoning home in clear excited and this just made it even more worked with the local people to show expedition. Richard Price played a major inches because of fish - shoals of fish. daylight to realise my family was in the exciting. how fishing with fertiliser bombs and cyanide was killing fish and coral and part in the expedition and has continued Gannets fed en masse. Several hundred pitch darkness of midnight. Our finds are After an 18-hour journey on four experimented with alternative projects his research on the Kennemerland and birds wheeled above the sea plunging still in the Lerwick Museum." different planes we arrived in Balak such as seaweed farming which would Balak off the northern tip of Borneo. We provide a sustainable income. lived in a traditional Malay stilt house over the water in a beautiful bay. The Leaving was the hardest thing I've ever

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Aston graduate Martin Chambers, Millennium Point is the new face of Birmingham's Eastside (1981 BSc Building and Development. Recently opened, it boasts the first IMAX Theatre in the Measurement) Regional Director of Bovis Midlands and is the home of the Technology Centre, the Lend Lease and Director of Millennium University of the First Age and the modern science and discovery Point, takes Apex readers behind the museum, Thinktank. Apex spoke to Millennium Point Director, scenes of one of Birmingham's newest Martin Chambers (1981 BSc Building Economics and Measurement), landmarks. to find out why Millennium Point is billed as a catalyst which will draw even more visitors and businesses to the east side of the City. Getting to the point

Redevelopment seems to be high tenants are already established here How long have you been involved on the City's agenda. We've seen and there's room for others. The Hub, with Millennium Point? the transformation of the west our social centrepiece, is free to I've had an interest in Millennium Point side of the City, how does everyone whether meeting for business since 1996. I was with a leading Millennium Point differ? or relaxing with friends. But Millennium project management business and this Point is a visitor attraction as well: the In some ways, we're similar to the west was a prospect we were tracking. My Midlands' first IMAX 2D and 3D side and the area around the active involvement goes back to Theatre is here. These complementary International Convention Centre (ICC). August 1997. I moved to the Board in elements make us a place to stop off The success of Brindley Place is partly 1999. Our research and interest paid rather than a destination to go to. due to the ease of access provided by off and the project was secured. Millennium Point is a catalyst helping the ICC which acts as a street through to make a difference. which people can walk to the area beyond. Millennium Point will be a similar 'street' which will bring Eastside to fruition: a crossroads and a catalyst "Millennium Point is a catalyst uniting visitors with a range of business and learning opportunities. However, helping to make a difference." in other ways, we're completely unique. Millennium Point brings technology and learning together in a modern environment - it's an element What's in it for Birmingham? of the learning quarter. Millennium Eastside is what's in it for Birmingham. point spans the ages. The University of With the breaking of its 'concrete the First Age connects with thousands collar', Birmingham is realising its of youngsters through the internet and desire to expand. Millennium Point will summer schools. The Technology draw people to the east side of the Innovation Centre aims to elevate City. Interestingly, this area was the engineering as a career in the minds of birthplace of some of Birmingham's young people through practical industrial history. Curzon Street was research. Thinktank houses the City's once the Birmingham end of the historic science museum and explores London to Birmingham railway line. how we could be living tomorrow. Bringing industry back to where it started is bringing industry home. Of course, there are the employment So, Millennium Point isn't just opportunities as well. Up to now, another visitor attraction. around 4,000 jobs have been created. No, it's live and dynamic serving Eventually around 500 people will resident businesses - some commercial work full-time at Millennium point.

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from the City of Birmingham and the What do you remember of Aston? private sector. Roundup Around the world in…one page When I was there, Aston was a very social place. I remember the fun of my We continue with our worldwide search for Aston alumni. Letters now come to us from the student days, but I also remember the Who benefits from Millennium far-flung reaches of the globe: from Australia to Zambia, Alfaro to Zante. Apex is hot on the work side of life as well. Our studies Point? were always relevant to real life. heels of four Aston graduates who have settled some distance from their alma mater. Everyone. And not necessarily everyone in Birmingham. It’s right on Name: Ioannis Markovits Name: Stephen Gerard our doorstep, but the facilities give "Our studies were Degree: 1986 BSc Business Administration and Society Degree: 1993 MBA Millennium Point the potential for always relevant to and Government, 1987 MSc Personnel Management national and international recognition. Memories of Aston: A peaceful, real life." Career: Six years as Marketing and Organisation attractive campus where people from Manager for the National Theatre of Northern Greece. different cultures easily mix and share. I "Millennium Point I was responsible for marketing and promotion and the spent many evenings preparing dinner Where did you go when you personnel organisation of the theatre. I now work at with friends. Today, if I know how to the Ministry of Finance, Customs Section as a specialist cook a curry, I owe it to one of my Indian friends doesn’t segment graduated? Martin in Thinktank on Human Resources Management and Employee from Aston. I am also grateful to my Chinese the City. It draws George Wimpey sponsored me Evaluation. friends and also my English friends who helped me through my degree and when I change my mind about British cooking! How long has the project taken you through Student days: President of the Hellenic Society, player in University graduated I worked with the company. from concept to reality? and beyond." swimming and water-polo teams, good memories of life at Handsworth Passions: Food and wine. I share my In fact, I stayed with them for 19 years. Wood, meetings at the Students' Guild, the thought-provoking lecturers and grandfather's know-how of French cuisine and Around five years. You can track three I then moved to Mace where I spent the political and social debates with students from all over the world. wine. He was a chef in the south of France. I generations of evolution. Initially Is this your biggest project? three years before moving to lead the A fine time! worked for a company called Vivendi for eight Millennium Point was conceived as a Midland's operation of Bovis Lend years before I decided to create my own silver dome. This plan subsequently No. There have been three larger Lease. company Artdelices, a catering company based evolved into a rectangular construction projects to date with top companies. Name: Linda Hales in Brussels, we travel several times a on quality products and services: you order a running north to south, but this These projects have ranged from year to the countries for which French dinner at your home and we come with a proved problematic. There were issues research and development to major Degree: 1990 BSc Business we are responsible. This is a vital chef and a waiter for your guests. We also with the lay of a public road and a urban regeneration. One of the major Administration and French part of the work and often the most organise trips for companies to places such as natural step in the land made building multi-million projects I've worked on Millennium Where are you? Brussels, Belgium - interesting. There is usually a Paris, Bordeaux and Marseilles. Companies can expensive. A breakthrough came with was during my studies at Aston. I took Point... renowned for its beer, chocolates Commission office located in the invite customers or develop their own study a simple change in direction. Running a thin sandwich course and had the and lace! I've worked here for recipient country where the aid programmes in glorious, quiet surroundings programmes are coordinated and Millennium Point east to west, rather opportunity to work on an oil refinery ...is the size of six nearly 20 years now and took where they can enjoy chateaux and dinners in managed. fine restaurants, discover French wines, than north to south, alleviated the in South Wales gaining experience in special leave from my job to study international football vineyards, cheese or foie gras. We recently construction and finance difficulties quantity surveying and financial at Aston. What's life like in Belgium? pitches... created our own web site where you can order a and created a facility with a free flow management. The experience was I suppose it's true to say that one What is your job? Official of the range of quality products from more than 200 always feels like an expatriate here, right through the middle, thereby tremendously useful and I still think ...uses enough block . I work in countries www.artdelices.com. opening it up as an access corridor to this is the best form of education as it paving to build a path the Commission's External but Brussels is a nice, small city and easy to live in. As you can imagine other venues which could be built lets you transfer knowledge between Relations Department which deals from Birmingham to there are thousands of expatriates around the site. Millennium Point academia and industry. with Development Aid Name: Ilias Savvaidis Portsmouth... here working for European doesn't segment the centre of the City programmes. I have been working Degree: 1995 MSc After graduating, I qualified as in the West Africa department, Institutions, NATO and numerous from the suburbs; rather it draws you ...cost £114million to Software Engineering a Professional Associate in Quantity specifically handling all aspects of multi-national corporations. through and beyond the existing build... and Applications Surveying and moved on to EC aid programmes in Sierra Leone Communication is easy, public perimeters. project management. and Ghana. The work is very transport is good and cheap and What does your work involve? interesting and varied. We are there are lots of things to do as you As System Administrator at The Midlands’ first IMAX theatre responsible for the programming of would expect in a capital city: Theagenio Hospital, just So, there were hold-ups and aid, essentially drawing up restaurants, sports, cinemas, bars... about everything from alterations to the original design. planning and co-ordinating system strategies for each country and Future plans? expansion to rearranging a workstation on a user's deciding where and for what I have changed More of an evolution, the growth of a desk! Every new project is more interesting than purpose the funding is to be used. jobs a few times concept. Despite these developments, the previous. At Theagenio Hospital we are We have many contacts with other we delivered on time and in budget and am now creating an information system which monitors a partners in the development aid without compromising the concept. contemplating a patient from the moment he arrives. Science in business ranging from the Bretton move to Africa. general and Informatics in particular is evolving Woods Institutions (International rapidly. Nowadays it’s not the amount or quality Monetary Fund and World Bank), of knowledge you have, but the steps taken to Who is behind Millennium Point? European Union Member States, acquire that knowledge. Aston taught me the Non-Governmental Organisations, The Millennium Commission and ERDF importance of method and working as a team and last, but not least, the recipient funded a large part of this project, but member to find and implement the best solution. states themselves. Although based there have been major contributions 12 13 Aston Autumn 19/10 29/10/01 3:39 pm Page 15

A STON BUSINESS SCHOOL Aston leads Midland universities in graduate Aston Business School employment launches new doctorate

Bookshelf Students at Aston University are the most likely to gain Along with only a handful of business schools across employment within just six months of graduating according to official government figures recently released by the Higher the country, Aston Business School will be offering 3 Education Statistics Agency (HESA). the prestigious Doctorate in Business Administration

5 Data of First Destinations of Students Leaving Higher (DBA) programme from October onwards. Education Institutions in 1999/2000 shows that 79.16% of 4 Aston's students gain employment. Only Bournemouth, 2 ston is the only West Midlands and managerial issues. Study is Cranfield and Robert Gordon (Aberdeen) had higher A business school to increase its available on a full-time three year basis percentages of universities across the whole country. provision in addition to its prolific or part-time for four to six years. 6 Dr Peter Burcher Aston's history of industry-focused education means its MBA. This professional research DBA Director Dr Peter Burcher graduates study relevant degrees and gain employment in doctorate is aimed at senior and commented: "Many managers with individual supervision from a member 1 middle managers wishing to further leading organisations throughout the Midlands and the UK. MBAs are likely to be interested in of the Business School academic staff. Stewart Comfort, Head their careers beyond an MBA. of Schools Liaison and applying the latest business and On a personal basis, it enables the Stewart Comfort, Head of Schools Liaison and Careers, Careers The DBA is more practical and applied management theories to their own candidates to develop key transferable commented: "Aston is nationally known for its outstanding working situations. than a PhD and is still of equivalent analytical skills whilst attaining a graduate employment record. We've dominated the charts on this for over a status. Research work is carried out to The DBA gives them this opportunity qualification which will differentiate decade." a high level of rigour on real business with training in Research Methods and them from their peers." The University has been described by the Virgin Alternative Guide to Universities 2001 as: "Extremely well-resourced and geared to top-class employment by means A number of University publications are of industry contact, study abroad programmes, language combinations and produced over the year, all of which are sandwich courses, Aston is one of the key providers to industry." Out on placement available free of charge to Aston alumni. How the other local universities fared: If you would like a copy of any of these vacancies with us last year. We have also designed an online, publications, please contact Caroline Hidson Birmingham University: 63%, Coventry University: 65%, he Business School Undergraduate Programme is in the Alumni Relations Office or visit our Keele University: 64%, Staffordshire University: 65%, T expanding rapidly. Many students are drawn by the interactive newsletter to help students keep in touch with the web site at www.aston.ac.uk/alumni. Back UCE: 69%, Warwick University: 65% and Wolverhampton University: 63%. opportunity to work in a company for a year as an integrated University and each other whilst they are on placement. issues of Apex can also be found here. part of their degree. If you went on placement yourself, you will know how valuable this year can be. Many of our alumni are We are now developing a website for employers which will be now hiring Aston placement students themselves as they realise launched in the New Year. We are always looking for new 1 Undergraduate Prospectus Introducing Caroline the benefits from an employer’s point of view. placement opportunities, so if your company would like a "low 2002 entry cost, intelligent resource" for 12 months, please contact the Next year nearly 500 Aston management students will be 2 Postgraduate Prospectus Regular readers will remember Anouche Newman who seeking placements in companies. To cope with this demand Business School Placement Manager, Karen Jones on 2002 entry was our Alumni Relations Assistant last year. Anouche's the Placement Office has gone online. We have developed an [email protected], 0121 359 3611 extension 5070 or tick placement year in the office has now come to an end and integrated database and website to advertise placement the relevant box on the Graduate Update Form in the centre of 3 Annual Review she has returned to her final year studies in Marketing opportunities to students. Over 400 companies advertised 700 this magazine. 4 Heritage Trail Leaflet here at Aston. She will be joining the alumni network as a fully-fledged member in summer 2002 when she 5 Aston Business School Louise Wyke (2000 BSc Managerial and strange seeing new placement students graduates. All the best, Anouche! Review Administrative Studies) works as an Area join the company, it only seems five 6 School of Engineering & This means we have a new face here in the office (South Human Resources Officer for Corus. Her minutes since I was on my own Applied Science Research Wing 214 if you're ever passing - you're welcome to drop team currently employs Aston Business placement year. It helps being an Aston Brochure in). Caroline Hidson has joined the team as Alumni Caroline Hidson School placement student Emma graduate, as I am able to understand Relations Assistant. Amongst a whole load of other Bayliss. Louise comments: "At Corus, what expectations the students may things, Caroline will be organising your reunions, keeping in touch with the placement students have an important have of the placement year and what international e-groups, reuniting you with lost friends and badgering you all for role to play. They are given real the university expects of us as an profiles for the Where are they now? section. If you've got any messages for responsibilities, they have jobs to do and organisation. These factors are deadlines to meet. In addition, extremely important as it ensures that Caroline, news for the magazine or questions on anything to do with Aston, she Louise Wyke (left) and Emma Bayliss Back issues of Apex can also be found on can be contacted on 0121 359 3611 or by email on [email protected]. placement students bring a fresh insight both the company and student gain the our web site. We're waiting to hear from you. and new ideas. This is a real benefit. It's most from the placement."

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School of Engineering & Applied Science School of Life & Health Sciences Bringing you up to speed Can you catch a Cast your minds back to issue 6 of Apex when we embarked on our intrepid journey with Aston's Mechanical Engineering students as they began a two-year bad back? project to design, build and test a single-seater racing car for the European Formula Student Competition. Here’s the outcome. Two fifths of British adults have experienced back pain in the past year and it is one of the largest causes of work absence in the UK. Now, a ormula Student is a small racing culmination of the evaluation was an collaborative project between researchers at Aston University, The Queen F car design and build project endurance demonstration where Elizabeth Hospital and The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham competition for engineering students students drove the cars for 20 laps of a as part of their academic studies. The demanding circuit against the clock. have carried out a successful study to find out if some back pain may be aim of the competition is for Overall this means that in the final year caused by a bacterial infection. engineering students to design and of studies young graduates are build a small racing car, the best exposed to marketing, time amples of vertebral discs from Further research is planned to find out are involved with sciatica, a product possible, to meet a management, budgeting, presentation S patients already undergoing exactly how the micro-organisms common and extremely painful specification (not necessarily the skills, and other management issues. surgery for unremitting back pain and contribute to back pain, how they condition. "Professor Tom Elliott from fastest racing car) and estimate the No other type of competition does this sciatica were tested for micro- gain access to the spinal disc (possibly University Hospital, Birmingham cost of their creation assuming a after a minor injury, thereby initiating and no other engineering project organisms using a range of molecular added: "To make a discovery like this is production run of 100 vehicles. generates so many enthusiastic and and immunological techniques. or stimulating a chronic inflammatory very pleasing and exciting. It has been With the first group of students well-trained individuals. The benefit to response that leads to pain) and how The results show that a significant a lot of hard work for the team and completing the design work and the students is immense and is good medical treatment might be affected proportion of patients with sciatica has really shown the importance of initial manufacture, the second cohort experience for newly qualified Early stages in the workshop in the future. (19 out of 36 tested) appeared to be collaboration between the NHS and engineers preparing to enter the picked up the project and began to Aston University's Dr Peter Lambert Students from 32 universities took infected with the same micro- universities in research." analyse the design of the car, modify it automotive industry. The Formula part from around the world with organism that causes acne said: "This is probably the most where necessary and complete the Student competition is a joint venture Georgia Institute of Technology, USA (Propionibacterium acnes), relatively exciting project that I have ever The study was funded by Back Care manufacture for the July 2001 between the Institution of Mechanical taking the overall 'Formula Student' benign bacteria that can be found on worked on, it is wonderful to and the National Back Pain Association competition at the NEC in Birmingham Engineers and the Society of title and the £500 prize to the United most people's skin. have discovered that micro-organisms www.backpain.org where they demonstrated the car's Automotive Engineers Incorporated of States. Leeds University was the best performance and emission targets. The America. UK team and won the 'Formula Student Trophy' for the fastest lap with the least penalty faults. Improving the health of society

For a reminder of how this project ave you ever wondered what causing bacteria. Rats and pigeons, prevent build up of pigeon started, issue 6 of Apex can be found H nasty bacteria are looming in however, are apparently another excrement, which we now know has on the alumni web site at your loose change or the effect story. the potential to cause disease in office www.aston.ac.uk/alumni. From vermin such as rats or pigeons can environments." Research findings indicate that urban concept to reality, the finished car have on your environment? Lecturer rats cannot be eliminated as a source The lecture was jointly supported by made it to the University's Degree and researcher in Food Microbiology, of Salmonella and can play a role in Dr Anthony Hilton and his students the Society for Applied Microbiology Congregations in July where it was the transmission of human infection. have explored topics such as the role (SfAM). Dr Hilton explained: "Applied one of the main attractions. of money in the spread of disease and Their feathered friends are no cleaner. microbiology has always been central Salmonella carriage in pigeons and It was found that pigeon faeces also to our research. Micro-organisms have rats. Their research areas were chosen carry Salmonella. complex associations with humans, in collaboration with Birmingham Richard Lodge, Head of Pest Control both to our advantage and to our City Council and findings were at Birmingham City Council, cost. In studying these interactions, presented at a Microbiology Lecture explained: "Dr Hilton's team revealed we hope to reduce the potential cost, for Environmental Health Officers. some very useful research. This thus improving the health of our The research undertaken suggested research confirmed our drive in society. I hope that we will be able to Formula Student project members (left to right) that money is clean. In either note or getting the public to handle waste offer a lecture of this kind next year Carl Brazier, John Fennell, Richard Coltart, Neil coin form, money did not appear to responsibly and to get employers and with even more useful and Hardy and Stephen Reynolds (in car). act as a significant source of disease- building owners to clean buildings to enlightening research."

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School of Languages & European Studies Business Partnership Unit Aston opens one-stop shop for business

Aston University’s strong research and teaching base provide the platform for the development of a whole range of services relevant to both large and small Writing the city organisations. By setting up the Business Partnership Unit, the University has established a ‘One Stop Shop’ to provide easy access to the academic world for those organisations wishing to take advantage of the highly relevant services available at Professor Rüdiger Görner and Dr Hélène Aston. The Business Partnership Unit can help businesses through a number of ways.

Stafford from the School of Languages & Research Partnerships: the Business Knowledge Transfer: the TCS (formerly the Teaching Partnership Unit has an excellent track knowledge transfer section of the Company Scheme): is an established European Studies discuss a recent record in assisting companies to Business Partnership Unit actively Government funded scheme which undertake and profit from research into supports organisations by: helps companies access the knowledge conference: Writing the City. and expertise within universities. specific problem areas by: • developing patents and licences based on University expertise; Programmes generally last for two years • identifying appropriate academic and address issues that are central to the expertise; • supporting the commercialisation of strategic development of participating ities have always been living, breathing, expanding Joyce’s Ulysses, Andrej Belyis’ Petersburg, Berlin in the novels academic research; • arranging for the use of specialist companies. TCS can help business C entities. The name for such change is urban of Alfred Döblin, or Paris in the volumes of Balzac and Hugo. laboratory and testing facilities; • assisting the development of become more competitive through: transformation. Such transformations, or interchange of One only needs to think of the famous slogan of the Polish University ‘spin-out’ companies. • applying for any relevant • the development of new and/or avant-garde in the early 1920s: ‘Miasto, masa, maszyna’ – traditional patterns and innovation, occur day and night Government or EU funding support; improved products; literally in front of our respective doorsteps. Aston University, metropolis, masses, machines, with its many reverberations • setting up projects, including • the enhancement of business being at the very centre of a city that is experiencing the most in other cultures, including amongst the Italian Futurists, in resolving IPR and management processes; significant transformation since the 1960s, was ideally located order to remind oneself that social progress and advancing issues; • facilitating more effective to host a symposium on literary reflections on the metropolis. civilisation was for a long time synonymous with the speed • planning for the commercial management systems. The event took place under the auspices of the Centre for the of city life. exploitation of the results. Study of Literature and Society in the School of Languages & Our symposium, Writing the City, looked at Jerusalem in European Studies with speakers from Mainz, Cologne, Work Placements: the majority of Aston’s undergraduate students undertake a 20th-century German literature (Oliver Kohler from Mainz), London and Oxford. Throughout the academic year 2000- one-year placement in industry. The Universities Work Experience Resource Centre the Monsters in the Labyrinth: Civilisation and its Discontents in also organises shorter course-related assignments during vacation periods. By 01, the Aston German Research Colloquium had already been the Urban Mystery Novels of Eugène Sue and G.W.M.Reynolds taking on a placement student, companies benefit through the opportunity to: devoted to the study of texts that epitomised the city as an (Sarah James from Oxford) as well as The Café in Apollinaire’s object, and even product, of literary, philosophical and • dedicate a specific person to company based projects; and Benn’s lyrical focalisations of the City (Andreas Anglet sociological writing. • attract intelligent, highly motivated students at reasonable cost. from Cologne); it considered the cultural legacy of Weimar Sociology and other cultural sciences have long recognised as a provincial city of cosmopolitans (Eva Szantho from West Midlands Innovation Network: the role of the EU funded Innovation Network is to provide free business advisory services to small and medium sized the city as an ideal field for the study of social Aston) and one of many literary representations of what has organisations in the West Midlands area. transformations and behaviour patterns. Foucault, for been Europe’s most troubled city, Berlin, in the shape of Irina example, described the metropolis as a complex heterotopy; Liebmann’s novel on a metropolis that is, at present, in other words, a place of multiple identities. Babylon was, in undergoing the most dramatic transformation of any Other Industrial and Commercial Services provided by the University: mythological terms, the place of a first multi-lingual European city (Astrid Köhler from London). The Business Partnership Unit also facilitates links with other business support activities of the University, for example: community, supposedly indulging in unspeakable One of the common denominators of the papers presented libertinage. Athens, Alexandria and Rome were to set other • company-based projects for postgraduate students; was the insight into the city as a half-real, half-virtual space prominent, quasi-mythological examples for the • graduate recruitment from degree courses in business, engineering, life sciences where past and present, continuity and simultaneity come development of the modern city, such as Paris, London and, and European languages; together. The literary images of the city that have been eventually, Berlin. • courses designed to meet the specific training and development needs of created over the centuries reflect the way in which the managers from industrial and commercial organisations; The specificity of literary approaches to the city is their ability individual tries, with ever increasing desperation, to find • a purpose-built residential training centre; to constitute a blending of the real and imagined shape of some orientation in this chaotic system of functions, the provincial town and metropolis alike. Some obvious sensations and opportunities. • a television and multi-media suite which provides an education television channel in the West Midlands; examples come to mind: Dickens’ London, (Left to right) Geoff Hutt, Martin May, • Aston Science Park’s Business Incubation service. John Richards, John Bailey Clarin’s (Leopoldo Alas’) quintessentially provincial Spanish town of Vetusta in his classical novel La Regenta, James For more information on the Business Partnership Unit or the services offered above please contact John Richards on 0121 250 3649 or [email protected]. Alternatively visit our web site: www.aston.ac.uk/bpu. 22 23 Aston Autumn 19/10 29/10/01 3:39 pm Page 21

A ston Students’ Guild Freshers' Week - past and present Where are they now?

Over the years, the many different Exec' Teams have organised and re-organised A regular feature bringing you bang up-to-date with the activities of your contemporaries. Here you'll the events of Freshers' Week, each attempting to put their own individual mark discover who's doing what and where. If you'd like upon it and make their year better than ever before. to share your news with fellow alumni, please drop a line to the Alumni Relations Office at the owever, there is one thing no minibus! Martyn highly recommends H Exec' Team could ever better in being an Auntie for a week and usual address. Go on, send a photograph! Freshers' Week: Aston Aunties. The describes it as: "A great opportunity to term was first coined 26 years ago and make friends and contribute. since then many an Aston graduate University is not just about learning Harish is married to Anita and has two (even the lads) has been proud to say: but about becoming an adult, being children: Karishma 18 and Shubir 19. "I was once an Auntie." responsible and sharing. It can make a huge difference to the frightened kids 1960s 1970s For those of you who have ever been to have someone to help them get an Aston Auntie, no doubt the Charles Parker (1965 BSc Building David Willey (1970 BSc Applied their feet on the ground. For me it was experience is one you will never Engineering) currently works in Physics) has taught as a Physics important to make sense of life." forget. Apex caught up with a former partnership as a builders merchant, Instructor for over 25 years at the Auntie to see just how fond these Martyn is still in touch with fellow operating in a specialist field of University of Pittsburgh and in 1990 memories really are and to gain a little Aunties and not so fresh Freshers: materials and trading with many was awarded the Teacher of the Year Aston Aunties insight into what today's Aunties have Mark 'Hatty' Hatfield (1979 BSc Civil large civil engineers and Award for Natural Sciences. David Harish with his wife Anita Engineering), Jeff Hinsley (1979 BSc to live up to. Steve also has some firm aims and groundworkers. Charles was the moved to America to study for a Combined Honours) and June Burn to National President of the Institute of Masters Degree in Physics at Ohio We spoke to Martyn 'Ratty' Wheatly expectations for the year ahead: "I mention a few. Builders Merchants in 1991 and from University, having completed a Barry Timms (1976 MPhil (1980 BSc Production Technology and want to raise the Guild's profile within that date to this has been the Certificate in Education at Birmingham Biological Sciences) received a PhD in Management) who was an Auntie for So, having remembered past Freshers' Aston so that staff members recognise National Treasurer. University. A particular area of interest 1980 from the Tenovus Cancer several years and also started and Weeks, lets look at Freshers 2001 with the true value of the Guild. I want the for David is firewalking, which he seeks Institute, Cardiff, and moved to the subsequently ran the 'Party on the the main man, Guild President, Steve Guild to operate more professionally to explain by applying the principles of in 1983 where he is Green' for ten years. How was his time Watson (2001 BSc Managerial and at all levels and I'd like to see Einstein's physics. Finally, Dave informs us he is currently a Professor in the division of as an Aston Auntie? "Long hours. Lots Administrative Studies). "Training went as 'the place to go' for all students this the resident 'mad scientist' on The Basic Biomedical Sciences at the of driving, but great fun!" One of his extremely well over the summer. The year. The Exec' Team should be truly Tonight Show With Jay Leno and has University of South Dakota. His memories was being thrown out of launch of the new-look Einstein's was a representative of all Aston students also appeared on The Brian Conley research area is prostate cancer. Digbeth Coach Station whilst huge success! This year's Freshers are and I'm looking forward to the Show. Married for 36 years, Barry has four fantastic and so involved.” challenges in this academic year." collecting Freshers in the University children and two grandchildren.

Ron (left) with James John Tivendell (1971 MSc Applied and Elizabeth Psychology and 1976 PhD Psychology) John Dillon (1978 BSc Energy A new theory for Einstein's is a Professor of Industrial and Technology) is an Operations Ronald Heath (1967 BSc Organisational Psychology at the Manager for CLP Power International, Mechanical Engineering) is a based in Hong Kong. John finds his one is that familiar smell, the capacity is the same, it's more spacious University of Moncton, New Consultant Engineer for TRW Ltd. role challenging and interesting, tasteful black and white than before. General Manager of the Brunswick, Canada. He’d love to hear G (formerly Lucas Gas Turbine especially as he frequently has to chequered floor and the obstacle Guild, Ross White, said: "Basically we from his Aston classmates. Equipment Ltd.) working in a division travel to places such as Australia, course to beat all obstacle courses as needed to bring Einstein's in line with that specialises in supplying fuel Harish Kimatrai (1976 BSc Thailand, India and Taiwan in order to you try to reach a friend sat just two bars in the city; we're facing stiff pumping and metering units to a Administrative Science) works for the develop the company tables away. Are these familiar competition from all sides." variety of aviation applications such Kimatrai Group of companies which further afield. Married to memories of Einstein's (aka The Pit)? John Pass Associates, a local firm from as Concorde. Ron is among the is an internationally based trading Cindy, John has two Alas they are no more. The venue you Leamington Spa, was behind the leading TRW consultants on aircraft group with interests in Asia, Africa children, Adam 19, love of old has undergone a complete design tender and the main fuel pumps worldwide. Married to and South America. Their product Craig 17, and two step- refurbishment. But it was worth it! contractors were Builtec. Next time Elizabeth, Ron has one son called range includes pharmaceutical children, Gamal 17 and Aunties enjoying the new Einstein's In just five weeks, the Guild you're at Aston, drop in. The new James. James has cerebral palsy and products and general consumer Devinia 21. John loves redecorated the entire bar. The The new Einstein's boasts an air Einstein's will surprise you and will in 1996 Ron went with James on an goods sourced from India and . to keep fit and enjoys chequered floor has been removed, purifying system, new furnishings, come to hold memories of its own of expedition to the North Pole with the Harish is currently based in Bombay, swimming, golf and the chairs and tables replaced, even extended bar, and even more the day you returned to Aston and met charity Whizz Kidz to raise money for where he oversees group trading going to the gym. John Dillon the light fittings have been changed! televisions. Although the seating up with lost friends. mobility aids for disabled children. operations in Lagos and Lima.

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Les Poultney (1978 BSc Chris Lewis (1981 BSc Metals and employed as a Business Group Stelios Stipidis (1989 BSc Computer Anne Cummins (1994 BSc Pharmacy) Martino Giaquinto (1995 BSc Environmental Health) has worked for Materials Technology) and fellow Director for Young and Rubicam Science Applications) has recently currently works as a Pharmacist for St. Managerial and Administrative over twenty years as a Local graduate Stuart Edwards (1981 BSc Mattingly (part of the global WPP joined Axima as a Commercial George's Hospital, London, having Studies) and Andrew Mellor (1994 Government Officer for Solihull Metals and Materials Technology) had Group) based in Melbourne, Australia. Manager. Axima specialises in the returned last December from her BSc Managerial and Administrative Council. In 1990 he returned to Aston their own private reunion this summer operation and maintenance of travels overseas. Anne spent two Studies) have both recently been to study for an MSc in Public Sector when they met for the first time in technical installations and facilities months travelling through South East appointed as Associates with the Efstratios Platon (1985 MSc Management and has since twenty years - whilst holidaying in management. In October 2000 it was Asia, before heading off to Sydney, Birmingham based solicitors Wragge Computer Science Applications) progressed into general management. Menorca! Chris and his family were lives in Greece and awarded a large contract with the new where she experienced Australian and Co. This is not only a top regional Married to Val, his wife of over 21 walking by the harbour when Chris is the owner of a airport in Athens, where it is healthcare working for a couple of legal company, but also a national years, Les has three children: Adam spotted a familiar face in the crowd. It computing school, responsible for the baggage handling hospitals, one of which was the oldest one which competes regularly with 18, Helen 16 and James 15. He says took him a couple of seconds to put a a private system and the maintenance of hospital in Australia. Further travels many of the large London companies he still plays football and enjoys the name to the face and then elementary school mechanical and electrical systems. took her to New Zealand, where she for work. Martino took the Bar odd round of golf. approached and said: ''It's Stuart and a computing Stelios has previously worked for IBM met up with fellow Aston graduate Vocational Course after graduating Edwards isn't it?'' The look of shock store, all based in UK, IBM Greece, and IMS Carolyn Chottin (1994 BSc and was called to the Bar in 1996. He Alison Ranftler (1978 and confusion on Stuart's face was a Mytilene, the (International Medical Statistics). Pharmacy), the two of them then did a pupillage at Keating BSc Pharmacy) has sheer delight! Even stranger, whilst capital of Lesvos. Stellios is married with a four year old experiencing an idyllic life in and Chambers, London, before being worked for the last 22 talking over a cold beer, they both Wendy (left) with Muriel and Roger daughter. around Queenstown. Anne then appointed to Wragge and Co. Andrew years in retail pharmacy discovered that they had moved into travelled alone to the US and Fiji took the Law Society's legal practice and is about to start a the same career and were inspectors Wendy Prince-Lagoutte before returning back to London. course after graduating and then new job as Manager of in the police force. It's a small world! (1986 BSc French and German) is Anne says that although she enjoys trained with GKN Plc before his a large pharmacy in working as the Administrative her job, she still looks out for any appointment as a Solicitor for Wragge Maidstone, Kent. Alison Assistant for the Anti-Corruption has also done some Division of the OECD (Organisation 1990s overseas opportunities. and Co. Andrew also serves on the Business School's Undergraduate Alison Ranftler charity work for ECHO, for Economic Co-operation and Development) in Paris. Married to a Advisory Board. which supplies medicines Alan Griffin (1991 BSc Transport Frenchman called Roger, they have a to hospitals in the Third World. Management) currently works as a Married with two children, Aiden 18 three year old daughter called Muriel. Warehouse Design Manager for TNT and Bethan 15, Alison says as a family Sean McManus (1995 BSc Logistics. Working for the Business they enjoy travelling, going to the International Business and German) Stuart and Chris Iris Devadason (1987 MSc Applied Development Division of TNT, Alan cinema, and taking weekends away in has recently had his first book Linguistics) has taught English manages the development of Matt Milne (1982 BSc Behavioural published, Small Business Websites the country. Language and Literature for over 34 Science) runs a small SAP consulting warehousing and supply chain That Work. It is a book designed to years and is currently based in India at company in Los Angeles. projects for clients, mainly across help businesses learn how to the United Theological College, Europe, but also globally. Alan moved commission, manage and promote a Bangalore, where she teaches students 18 months ago to Ledbury, s Zafar Iqbal (1983 MBA and 1987 between the ages of 25-55. Iris is website, without having to get too 1980 Herefordshire, with his partner, PhD Modern Languages) has been returning to involved with all the technology. Sean Amanda, and his fifteen-month-old employed as a Business Studies Aston this has also co-written another book Steve Mound (1980 BSc French and son, Jed. He says his garden is a Russian) went on to do a PGCE at Lecturer for Manchester City Council's year, however, about marketing on the web, due to bombsite and that Charlie Dimmock is Sheffield University after graduating Adult Education Service since 1988. to do a PhD. Anne (left) with Carolyn be released shortly. In addition to this, very welcome! and was a French teacher in Essex for Before this he worked for the United She is also 61 he still manages to work part-time for Oliver Eckersley (1994 BSc Society, six years after that. He then crossed Bank of Pakistan in London. Zafar has this month, so Route One Publishing, helping to recently been awarded the Mintel HAPPY Government and Psychology) has manage their websites. Find out more The Channel to France and has been Rachel Curley (1992 BSc Managerial Group Best International Paper Award BIRTHDAY lived and worked in Japan ever since about Sean on his website teaching English at a secondary school and Administrative Studies) left Aston for the CIM Analysis and Decision IRIS!!! graduating. He is currently employed www.sean.co.uk. He would love to ever since. He was elected Councillor and successfully completed a part-time of his town, Longuenesse, this year, paper worldwide. as Human Resource Manager at Tact hear from old friends from Aston! Iris Devadason postgraduate diploma in Personnel and District Councillor for La Zafar says he Ltd., which operates a chain of over Management at Nottingham Trent Communauté d'Agglomération de would never 250 schools throughout Japan. Oliver Robin Kimmerling (1988 PhD University. Currently employed by Saint-Omer. Steve is married with have achieved is married to Yuko and they have a Management) was an economics Boots the Chemists, she is involved in three children. any of this one year old daughter called Shion. demonstrator and Teaching Fellow without his MBA. setting up and managing HR shared from 1984-1995, but has now retired services and in the launch of 'Pure to Stoke Gabriel in South Devon, Paul Smedley (1980 BSc Mechanical Beauty'. Rachel is soon to take a career Adam Smith (1994 BSc Managerial Richard Arbon where he lives with his second wife, Engineering) is based in Avon, break to go travelling for six months and Administrative Studies) lives in San (1985 BSc Zafar Iqbal Meryl. They enjoy a variety of hobbies Connecticut, and works at Pump and around China, South East Asia, Francisco, working as a global Managerial and Administrative together, such as horticulture, Engine Controls, Goodrich Corporation, Australia and New Zealand! Still marketing communications manager for Studies) joined Cadbury's (UK) as a winemaking, sea bathing and eastern in West Hartford. He is the Senior interested in music, Rachel is a cellist Hewlett Packard. In his spare time he Marketing Trainee after graduation philosophy. Both also love going to Section Leader in the hydromechanical for the Nottingham Symphony teaches his American acquaintances and has remained in marketing and church and, more generally, village engineering group. Orchestra. Aston pub games! advertising ever since. Richard is now life. Robin is Chairman of AGA. Sean McManus

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Jason Power (1995 BSc Applied values in order to fight crime, hoping Debbie Morris (2001 BSc Business Physics and Electronics) has recently to see an improvement in Administration and Social Studies) is joined Dolby Laboratories Inc. as relationships between residents s no stranger to the 'Where are they In touch Market Development Manager, where through their involvement in 2000 now?' pages, as she spent her he is busy working on Digital Cinema community activities, whilst increasing Louisa Galpin (2000 BSc Managerial placement year writing them working If you've lost touch with your friends from Aston, or would like to contact your former lecturers here, why not get in touch with us. - the next generation of cinema. This the number of local beat officers, all of and Administrative Studies) just two here in Aston's Alumni Relations is an exciting concept, enabling films which he believes help to build trust. months ago started working for Office. This obviously inspired her to to be shown over and over again Dave is married and has three Accenture in London as a Business carry on working within a university We’d like to find without any degradation from dirt children: Sally 9, Robert 7 and environment as she now works for Analyst. Prior to this she had travelled These people are no longer in touch with the Alumni Relations Office. and scratches, making every James 5. the University of Westminster in the for a year, during which time she If you know of their whereabouts, please contact us. performance as good as the opening managed to meet up with a few other Admissions and Marketing Office. night. Jason recently moved to Bath, Debbie would like to say: "Hi" to all Stephen Walsh (1997 BSc Aston graduates along the way! Whilst Sally Addison (1984 BSc Pharmacy) Janet Field (1985 BSc Applied where he spends his free time in the the girls who lived in Dalton 11b. Managerial and Administrative in France, she worked as a ski guide in David Alcorn (1979 BSc Civil Engineering) and Human Biology) many restaurants and delis pursuing We'd like to say a special thank you to Studies) moved to Boston, USA, along the Three Vallées with Andy Jackson Eirwen Allen (1991 BSc Human Stuart Flowers (1980 BSc Mechanical his passions for fine Debbie for the work she did for the with his wife Maggie in December (2000 BSc Marketing) with whom she Psychology) Engineering) food and wine. He lives Alumni Office and we wish her all the 2000. He is now the Director of an travelled to South America. In Peru Deborah Archer (1986 BSc Pharmacy) David Gibbons (1993 BSc Transport with his girlfriend best! Management) international e-learning company. they met up with a further five Aston D.C. Ball (1975 BSc Civil Engineering) Karen Hall (1995 graduates, all seven of them going on Peter Helson (1983 BSc Human Susan Barker (1983 BSc Political Studies BSc International to complete the Inca Trail. Louisa says: Psychology) Megan Wellens, (née Marks, 1999 and Business) Business Studies and ''All in all, it was a fantastic year!" Michael Izzard (1982 BSc Metals Stephen Barnett (1982 BSc Electrical French). BSc French and German) met up with and Materials Technology) and Electronic Engineering) fellow Aston graduate Adam Cooke Robin Knox (1978 BSc Energy Technology) Oliver Fortescue (2001 BSc Business Helen Bowden (1977 BSc Ophthalmic (1995 BSc French) earlier this year Amanda Lee (1994 BSc Applied and Public Policy) applied in October Optics) whilst doing her PGCE teaching and Human Biology) Jason Power 2000 for the JET Programme, an Christina Branagan (1985 BSc Business and practice at Broxbourne School, Yue Lie (1983 BSc Electrical and Electronic internationally recognised programme Computer Science) Hertfordshire. Adam has been a Engineering) offering university graduates the Prashant Calcutteea (1999 BSc Managerial Azizah Ali (1996 MBA) lives in Kuala qualified teacher since 1997 and Zahera Manzoor (1995 BSc Managerial opportunity to teach English in and Administrative Studies) Lumpur and is the Business started his career at Broxbourne Debbie with Matthew Barrett (2001 BSc and Administrative Studies) Japanese schools. Oliver is now living Business Administration and Social Studies) Tom Carless (1991 BSc Society and Development Manager for Microsoft School, where he is now Head of Martin Parsons (1979 BSc Geological in Okinawa. He teaches at a Junior Government with Business) Malaysia Sdn Bhd. French and a member of senior Sciences) High School in Nakagusuku village, Joanne Whitmore (2001 BSc French management. He is responsible for a John Decamp (1979 BSc Managerial Robin Reed (1979 BSc Production which houses about 650 students and German) has recently begun a department of eight other teachers and Administrative Studies) Technology and Management) Lisa Thomas (1996 BSc Managerial aged between 12 and 15. He works as graduate training scheme with and also for the teaching of French Andrew Donald (1980 BSc Managerial Perry Roberts (1982 BSc Human and Administrative Studies) has an Assistant Language Teacher to the Beiersdorf UK Ltd, a German across the school of over 1300 pupils and Administrative Studies) Communication) recently been appointed as HLB Japanese Language Teacher and he is company famous for Nivea and ranging from year 7 to A-level. He George English (1976 BSc Managerial Jeffrey Salisbury (1992 BSc Human Kidsons new Audit Supervisor at their having a fantastic time. Elastoplast. Joanne is working in the also helps to train PGCE students. and Administrative Studies) Psychology) Chester Office. Lisa joined HLB Kidsons, Sales and Marketing Department, but Megan is now a qualified teacher and chartered accountants and business will be able to choose her preferred has recently started work as a French Patrick Goffin (2001 BSc Managerial advisors, in 1996 after completing her career after her 18 months training You’d like to find and German teacher for Queen and Administrative Studies) has degree. Her main responsibilities will period. She says her aim is to get to Friends, flatmates and research partners. A number of alumni have contacted us Elizabeth's School, Barnet. recently taken up a position as include the completion of audit work at the company's headquarters wanting to get back in touch with lost friends. Many have been successfully Marketing Executive with Adnams reviews for management review, in Hamburg and definitely plans to be reunited, but others are proving a bit more difficult to track down. Do you know Brewery of Southwold. Patrick believes attending client and clearance working in either France or Germany any of the following? meetings and supervising staff in the that his placement year with by 2004. Good luck, Joanne! Rehana Ashraf (1999 MSc Information David Kennedy (1977 BSc Ergonomics Carlsberg-Tetley may have been audit department. Technology) and Physics) beneficial in his obtaining this Philip Bentley (1982 BSc Geological Rob Jesudason (1994 BSc Managerial position. Adnams brews a variety of Sciences) and Administrative Studies) Dave Whatton (1996 MSc Public regional ales, markets Germany's best Lee Fosbrook (1991 BEng Production Peter Lewis Samuel (1978 BSc Civil Sector Management) in April 2001 selling lager, 'Birburger', owns two Technology and Production Management) Engineering) became the new Police Commander hotels and is one of the country's for Sutton Coldfield, Erdington, leading wine merchants. Patrick is Looking for someone at Aston? Kingstanding and Castle Vale. Dave currently working on the latest Contact the Alumni Relations Office. joined the police force after leaving advertising campaign and organising If we have a current address, you will be invited to write a letter or leave your contact school in 1983, successfully applied sponsorship for the Adnams brand in details. We will pass these on to the address we hold. As we rely on alumni telling us when for the National Accelerated 2002. In addition to this, he is also they move on, we cannot guarantee the person you are looking for will still be at that Promotion Course in 1990, and has studying for his Advanced Chartered address. We would like to hope, however, that you all keep in touch with us and let us risen quickly through the ranks ever Institute of Marketing exams. know of any changes to your address. The in-touch service does not give out individual since. Dave aims to target community Adam (left) and Megan Good luck, Patrick! Joanne Whitmore names and addresses to inquirers and all mail is treated in the strictest of confidence.

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Reunions and events Coming up over the next 12 months, What a gregarious lot you are! Aston alumni reunions and get-togethers are the perfect way to meet Notice Board a fun-packed and informative up with other Aston alumni either in your home town or right back on campus in the heart of programme of open days, Birmingham. Apex has been dropping in on your reunions to see what went on... conferences and special reunions to entice you back to your alma mater. Transport Management Class of 1996 Saturday 17 November, Institute for the Study of Language and Details from [email protected]. The third great event and looking set to be a regular date. Since past reunions never Society a one-day workshop: Celebrating the Link: subject- 9-10 March, 2002, Alumni Weekend. A must for all graduates made it to Aston campus, we decided to celebrate our five years at the Students' specific research and good practice in the modern languages with visits to research areas, news and time to party! Guild. It proved to be quite a feat of logistics (appropriate given the course in programme. Details: 0121 359 3611 ext. 4224 or email question) in sorting out Guild membership and paperwork. But here we are waving [email protected] Saturday 27 April and Wednesday 25 September (tbc) 2002, our green Guild cards with pride. Many thanks to the Guild for turning our application Thursday 22 November, AGA goes to Millennium Point. Full Aston University Open Day for prospective students. round so quickly. Everyone enjoyed coming back, although we're sure it was 'better in details from the AGA Secretary www.astongraduates.com. Tim Burge, Ben Hudson, Michael Watson, Dan Anniversary reunions coming up: Class of 1987, Class of 1982 our day'. A sign of age? The only disappointment was the absence of the infamous Tancock, Wayne Brathwaite, Jason Clark, Gaz Wednesday 30 January, 2002, Network Lecture by Aston and Class of 1977 - watch this space for your 15, 20 and 25 year Dutton, Susan Kiley, Dave Boothby, Phil Riley, 'Blastaway'. No longer available. How do they cope without it these days? Course graduate Luan Greenwood on intercultural communication. reunions in June and July 2002. Tracey Hughes, Jon Hawkes with Maxine Tutor Alasdair Traill has also become a regular at our events. Next one planned for Rawcliffe, Gareth Shipley and Nick McGeorge. February/March." Details from Sue Kiley on [email protected]. NEWS FROM AGA Vineyard Visit Anniversary Reunions Rugby old boys and girls Jenny Martin (1962 BSc Applied Chemistry and 1971 MSc A small party of intrepid Metallurgy) reports on the latest AGA events. travellers left Aston early one Every year we arrange a reunion to mark special The Rattlers, a team of rugby-playing morning in June to research anniversaries since you graduated. The Class of 1981 alumni, are making their mark in the wine and cheese production. In celebrated 20 glorious years since Aston and world of sport. Back in May they joined Pétanque the evening they returned in a the Class of 1976 rolled back for with the Cobras to enter two teams in much brighter mood. At Astley A very strong AGA team again their 25th anniversary. But, 1989 Vineyards near Stourport, Protective clothing had to be worn Class of 1981 the annual Oswestry Charity 10s overcame the challenge from the award-winning wines were for this visit. Modern Languages couldn't wait. competition. Both teams put up a good Hints' village team in what has sampled from an area originally Here they are only 12 short years on. now become an annual event. performance and played each other in developed by Benedictine monks 600 years ago. Near Class of 1989 Some members of both teams had Class of 1976 Modern Languages the semi-final of the plate competition, Bromyard, at Frome Valley Vineyard, AGA members were shown been in training, but the majority with the Rattlers snatching a narrow details of pruning different types of vine and were also treated to had no previous experience of Lawrence Inniss accepts the victory from the jaws of defeat, in a more samples. At the final stop members were encouraged to French boules (Pétanque). However, newly acquired trophy on taste the wine of their choice as an accompaniment to their somewhat comical match! The Rattlers all deemed the evening, especially behalf of the team. Pharmacy Class supper. Earlier in the day members had visited a cheese making team (with a few Cobras thrown in) the interval refreshments, to be farm near Worcester, where they had been shown the processes of 1976 excellent. AGA Chairman, Lawrence Inniss (1989 MSc Public then went on to lose in the final. The involved and been able to taste the different varieties. Protective Sector Management), is seen here accepting the newly acquired With the impetus of a rare visit from Nancy Rattlers was started last year as a way of clothing had to be worn for this visit. On its return, the minibus trophy on behalf of the team. He also took up the challenge to continuing former Cobras and Vipers had a clanking noise as a result of the bottles brought back for Evans from Australia coinciding with 25 provide a team during the winter to compete against Hints at future consumption. It has been proposed that, in order to years since they left Aston, a group of involvement with the clubs, and indoor skittles. Members with previous experience prepared to Boat Quay, July 20, 2001. Aston further this research, another trip should be organised for spring hopefully giving them the chance to get help Aston maintain its unbeaten record should contact the graduates met at Coffee Bean before Pharmacy graduates and friends from 2002. Report by David Harrison (1976 MSc Industrial together once in a while to play the secretary. All other members and friends including grannies, going on to Riverwalk for a Tandoori 1976 asked the Alumni Relations Office for Administration) and John Richards (1966 BSc Building) game or socialise in a relaxed teenagers etc are also asked to join us at what we know will be buffet dinner. A fine time to meet up and help to put them in touch with each other. environment. We would love to hear a fun event. enjoy good food and good company. For As a result, 11 people met up in the centre from any former Cobra or Viper who details on joining the Singapore Alumni of Birmingham earlier this year and four Future AGA events to be confirmed include indoor skittles at Hints, near Tamworth, dinner at the College of Food would like to get involved. The next big Network, contact the Alumni Relations others, keen to come, were unable to make in February and a visit backstage at the newly refurbished Hippodrome Theatre. Membership details from The event planned is the annual D&D in Office or visit our web site it on the day. Peter Wright, who knows the Secretary c/o the Alumni Relations Office or via www.astongraduates.com. March 2002, so why not use this as a www.aston.ac.uk/alumni for info on the city well, took the group on a very chance to get some of your old team email network. enjoyable tour of the city centre, finishing mates together and re-live some of Alumni Weekend 2001 Our Singapore Co-ordinators enjoyed an up on Aston Campus, where they those glory days from Aston. Every year we see new faces as well as welcoming those of you for evening at the Singapore Cricket Club frightened a few undergraduates with the whom the Alumni Weekend has become a permanent date in your with Dr Dennis Crumpton, Head of the vision of what is to come. Having vowed diary. 'First-timers' and 'loyal devotees' had a fantastic time back on Chancellor, Sir Adrian Cadbury, International Office at Aston University. not to leave it so long next time, they're campus and were treated to a full programme of exciting events and awards the Aston Graduates' Staff from Aston enjoy meeting up with planning another meeting to celebrate 30 Association Annual Prize to Dan activities throughout the weekend. Here's a taster of what went on. alumni when they are travelling overseas years, so make contact! Devonald (2000 MEng Electronic Systems Engineering) bringing them news of their University Nancy Prewer (née Evans), Peter Wright, Ron and taking news of Thompson: (née Wigham), Dennis Fallon, Karen Simultaneous their success home to Ayling (née Daniels), Christine Wright (née Doggett), Carol Higham (née Manning), Val translation Aston. (Left to right) Back row: Luke Jones, Tom Davies, Giltrow-Tyler (née Chetwood), Jane Capell (née James McQueen, James Tindall, Simon Williams, Hansdorfer) and David Scott Gareth Davies, Steve Pensom, Ben Hughes, (Left to right) David Tan James O'Brien. Front row: Russell Smith, Dave Boon Leing, Elaine Leong Love, Tom Davies, Richard Lumby, Matt Jackson, Lye Leng, Goh Chong Chia Mike Round, Iain Paterson, Eddie Charlwood. and Dennis Crumpton.

Surprising research in IT Talking business In the herb garden 30 31 Aston Autumn 19/10 29/10/01 3:38 pm Page 1

AUTUMN 2001 ISSUE 8 Aston University Gifts

An exciting new range of Aston University branded gifts is now available from the Alumni Relations Office.

apexAston University Alumni Magazine

Item description Quantity Unit price (£) Total (£)

Cufflinks 15.00 Tie 10.00 Scarf 15.00 Desk-clock 15.00 To order your Aston University gifts, please Key-ring 4.00 complete the order form below and return Mug 3.00 it to: Alumni Relations Office, Aston Paperweight 20.00 University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, Parker Rollerball 3.00 B4 7ET, UK. All prices include postage and Umbrella 15.00 packing. Lapel Badge 1.00 Waterman fountain & ballpoint pen set 30.00 Payment can be made by credit card or Aston Through the Lens 6.00 cheque made payable to Aston University Baseball cap 7.00 in sterling and drawn on a bank in Bookmark 1.00 Getting to the point England. All orders must be accompanied by full payment. Refunds will only be given if the goods are faulty. Please allow Order total: Behind the scenes of one of 28 days from receipt of order. Birmingham's newest landmarks Title Name Address Postcode Country Telephone Email In at the deep end Tick as appropriate ❏ I enclose a cheque in pounds sterling drawn on a bank in England for £ Underwater expeditions around the world ❏ I wish to pay by MasterCard/Visa/Switch/Access/Delta/Solo. Please charge to my account. Card number Expiry date Name on card Cardholder’s signature Issue number Recognising achievement Honorary degrees and national prizes 32