University of Buckingham Alumni Magazine Summer 2015

In memory of a great pioneer We remember Professor Sir Chris Woodhead 4 University news Graduation 2015 Debate New Vice-Chancellor How we celebrated Should tuition fees appointed the occasion be abolished? 4 8 12 Welcome

Welcome to the ceremonies, and also the Valedictory central themes of the election campaigns Summer edition speech, please do look on the University here in the UK. of The Independent. website. Distinguished Alumnus Award – 2015 In this issue you will This year we were delighted that Bernie We are pleased to announce that Dr Paul find news of our Marsden accepted an Honorary Master Davis (English Literature 1994) has been recent Graduation of Arts. Bernie, who is a renowned rock named as the winner of this award for 2015. ceremonies, and blues musician (formerly of Not only is Paul successful in his own including a Whitesnake), has lived locally all his life, field, but particularly for his tireless Convocation for the conferment of and has recently been involved in helping contributions to the University, especially Honorary Degrees for the Medical School. the University fundraise for the the departments of English and History. We are all delighted that Sir Roger refurbishment of the Radcliffe Centre. He regularly attends meetings of the Swan Bannister, Sir Magdi Yacoub and Sir Graeme He kindly agreed to play, with his band, and Pen Literary Society, and supports the Catto are now honorary members of the at the Swan Ball. What an evening that University through attending research University. Our first cohort of medical was! Read more on page 7. I have to say, seminars, many alumni events and students came to the ceremony and some 6am came around very quickly indeed. graduation ceremonies. also attended the dinner that followed. The Also in this issue you will find news from As Paul is a graduate from one of the 70 students, who were enrolled in January, our alumni, including interviews with 1991-1995 cohorts he will be presented have had a huge impact on campus life. Dinesh Rajp (LLB 2003, LLM 2006) and with the award at the Reunion Dinner We continue our inclusion of a speech Dr Harin Sellahewa (Information Systems on 8 October. Many congratulations, Paul. by a Valedictorian and this year it was 2001, DPhil 2007), currently Head of the I hope to see you there. given, very eloquently, by George Galazka Applied Computing Department here at (MA Military History). If you wish to read Buckingham. The academic debate in this Anne Matsuoka copies of any of the orations given at the issue focuses on tuition fees, one of the Head of Alumni and Graduation

Contents 4 8 University News Sir Antony Seldon Graduation Celebrations for this year’s becomes Vice-Chancellor; Education has cohort of graduates a new home; Farewell to Martin Ricketts 10 12 14 Interview New Head of Applied Computing Debate Buckingham academics discuss Alumni interview Soup kitchens, music Harin Sellahewa talks about his journey up tuition fees and speeches; Dinesh Rajp reminices the career ladder about Buckingham

17 18 20 Alumni News Alumni Announcements Births, marriages Alumni Events What’s on this year and deaths

2 The Independent From the Vice - Chancellor

The centrality of student fees is not just some technical A pathfinder of independence adjustment to how Higher Education in England is by Alistair Alcock funded. It changes the whole focus of English Universities. ‛He who pays the piper, calls the tune’. It is no coincidence that Buckingham’s long-term reliance on fees has produced and sustained high scores for student satisfaction and employability. Buckingham has also changed the very appearance of these Universities. Back in the 1970s Universities were not interested in recruiting overseas students as they obtained no substantial financial advantage from it. When I went up to Cambridge in 1972 I could not believe how monochrome the student body was compared to my school. Had I arrived at Buckingham a few years later I would have felt much more at home. I think it is wonderful that over the last few months the student body has been supporting Nigerian celebrations, Eid, the Chinese New Year and the colourful Indian Holi Festival, and indeed the student production of the American musical ‛Grease’. And then there are the academic developments that our independence has allowed Buckingham to try out; two-year undergraduate degrees; unusual Buckingham has held six graduation ceremonies, one to postgraduate subjects like Lean and Service mark the formal opening of the Medical School, with Sir Management; new modes of study like the ‛in-School’ Graeme Catto, Sir Magdi Yacoub and Sir Roger Bannister PGCEs to train teachers, and the London-based as honorary graduates, then five more for our own Research Programmes. Of course, we can never rest graduates. This required me to write and deliver six on our laurels. The story of the last 40 years has been speeches about the University. Though each was shaped ‛where Buckingham succeeds, others will follow’ – to the particular ceremony, they all contained a common and imitate. theme about our independence and I thought it might be The latest venture is the Medical School. To set up appropriate to repeat that part here in The Independent. a private Medical School to train doctors has been a ‛Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the University. mammoth undertaking, not just in size but in duration When the founders opened its doors they were embarking of gestation. It took my predecessor Professor Kealey’s on a lonely path. The idea of a private College, largely knowledge and connections to bring in the team. I have funded by fees paid by students, was alien to the UK, often commented that Buckingham University has far indeed an anathema to the whole of the Higher Education greater name recognition in Kuala Lumpur than in establishment. Now it has become the norm (in England Aylesbury. Here, however, is a venture that is making at least), and this year seven or eight UK institutions with its mark dramatically at Milton Keynes Hospital and degree awarding powers are joining together to form the St Andrew’s Northampton, our partners, and the whole Independent Universities Group. area these hospitals serve. Forming this Group has been a fascinating exercise, This highlights one final point about independence. not least because in trying to write a prospectus for the Perhaps the greatest advantage that independence has Group, each of us member institutions has been asked given the has been the ability to highlight what independence has allowed us to do. to attract independently-minded academic staff, staff This has required me to look back and consider what prepared to think and say things that others, always Buckingham’s independence has achieved – and I think wary of their paymasters, may indeed be thinking but it is a record of which we can be proud. are too nervous to express. That true independence I have already referred to what could be termed was the central driving force behind our founders and the ‛Buckinghamisation’ of English Higher Education. is now a critical part of Professor Kealey’s legacy.’

The Independent 3 University News

Buckingham’s new Vice-Chancellor to join in September

Sir Anthony Seldon has been appointed as the University’s new Vice-Chancellor, starting from 1 September this year. A distinguished academic and powerhouse in academic circles, Sir Anthony is a political historian, author and commentator on education and contemporary Britain. He is well-known for his innovations in education, having been an adviser to the government and headmaster of three successful schools. He is a strong advocate of personalised education that supports character growth over exam results and has introduced the teaching of well-being and happiness in schools. Sir Anthony is also a prolific writer, having written or edited over 25 books, including works on , and David Cameron. He co-founded the Institute of Contemporary British History, the internationally respected body whose aim is to promote research into British history since 1945. His father, Arthur Seldon CBE, helped set up the University 40 years ago, and now Sir Anthony is keen to play his part in Buckingham’s future. ‛There are many exciting developments already in train at Buckingham and I am looking forward to building on the excellent work of Professor Terence Kealey, and working Sir Anthony Seldon received an Honorary Degree from Buckingham in 2013 with the outstanding staff to make it a truly pioneering academic institution,’ in 2002 as a Professor of Education, he says. The University was involved in the setting up the PGCE Lady Keswick, the Chancellor, says: 0at Buckingham in 2003 and the MEd ‛We are very pleased indeed at this mourns the loss in 2008. announcement. Sir Anthony has From 1994 to 2000 he was Chief transformed two large independent of Professor Sir Inspector of Schools in England and was schools, Brighton College and Chairman of private education provider Wellington College, and made each Chris Woodhead Cognita from 2004 to 2013. of them formidably strong institutions. Sir Chris, who was knighted for services We believe he has the mixture of to education, is associated with support leadership, innovation and academic Professor Sir Chris Woodhead, who was for ‛traditional teaching methods’ and track record to make the University chief inspector of Schools and a former was a radical reformer willing to tackle of Buckingham one of Britain’s leading University of Buckingham Professor of the failings of the education system. universities.’ Education, died on 23 June 2015. He most prominently identified Sir Anthony will leave his current He had been suffering from Motor weaknesses in schools with poor teaching. job as headmaster of Wellington Neurone Disease and more recently Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alistair College, one of Britain’s most successful was diagnosed with cancer. He leaves Alcock, said: ‛Professor Sir Chris Woodhead private schools, and will move to a wife, Christine, a daughter and three played a critical part in founding the School Buckingham with his wife Dr Joanna granddaughters. of Education here at Buckingham. This Seldon in August. Sir Chris, who joined the University concept of a Postgraduate Certificate

4 The Independent of Education for training teachers based on practice at the teachers’ schools has now become an accepted part of the Educational scene. In a little over a decade the School of Education has moved from being a start-up maverick to a mainstream educator. That was only possible because of Chris’s pioneering spirit, a spirit that seemed quite unquenched by his prolonged illness. The University and the world of education will miss him.’

A good move for Education

The School of Education at Buckingham is thriving, with its ever-growing reputation attracting trainee teachers from across the world. Now it has also relocated. Professor Martin Ricketts with Sir Ronald Coase in 1995 The School of Education has been running since 2002, when it opened a Head and as the Director with Cognita, with just 12 trainees. Now there are over and sent many of my staff to train with the Martin Ricketts 500 students participating in the various University. When I was approached about Education courses available, making it potentially becoming Dean, the idea retires the leading provider for teacher and of further developing such a successful headteacher training for the independent institution very much appealed to me.’ school sector. Geraint has already taken steps Professor Martin Ricketts, one of the But the increased success of the towards achieving his vision of growing longest-serving members of the University, school isn’t just down to their burgeoning the School: ‛We want to add day courses has retired after 38 years of teaching at numbers; the department has also moved in certain teaching methodology, and the University. to beautiful new grounds in Whittlebury from September we will be offering Martin Ricketts joined Buckingham Hall, and Geraint Jones has become a course for international teachers to in October 1977. He was hired by Alan the new Dean of Education. gain Qualified Teacher Status – the Peacock, the Principal at the time, Geraint took over the role last professional qualification to teach who offered him the position of Lecturer September from Peter Ireland, who in England. in Economics. had been leading the Department since ‛We also intend to improve the quality ‛At that time Buckingham was even 2009. Geraint was formerly Director of of our teaching by making the courses quieter and more remote than it is now,’ Education for the Cognita Schools Group, subject specific for secondary teaching. says Martin. ‛The atmosphere was intimate Europe’s largest independent school This will cater for 26 different subjects, because of the small number of students, provider, and prior to that he was the which we could not have done without the and students all seemed to be non- UK’s youngest senior independent space in Whittlebury Hall,’ he says. conformist and very diverse; there school headmaster. The move to Whittlebury Hall were people of all different ages and When asked why he chose to has been a fantastic opportunity nationalities, which made teaching come to Buckingham, Geraint for the School, allowing them very interesting. said: ‘I enjoyed the challenges to meet the needs of their ‛But what I really liked at Buckingham of headship. There was a lot students whilst enjoying is the feeling that you’re in a self-governing to do at my school, and it a picturesque backdrop. college. You have quite some control over became the top performing ‛Now we have training your destiny and you can’t find this in a school in the county for its rooms that seat more lot of other Universities,’ he says. Towards GCSE results, and one of the than 650 people, with over the end of his career he gradually became highest performing schools 80 different breakout rooms. more interested in the business side of the in England. I worked closely All of our trainees can now University, how to market the University with Buckingham both when I was stay on site within the and attract students. award winning hotel.’ Martin was also a big contributor to New Dean of Education Natalie the musical events at Buckingham and Geraint Jones Tyner is Chairman of the Buckingham Summer

The Independent 5 University News

Festival. Some of his best memories are of the cultural events held at the University, such as the concerts of Alan Brook. Martin doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels during his retirement. He will continue to write academic papers and work on the fourth edition of his textbook. He will also remain director of the Max Beloff Centre for the Study of Liberty and hopes to develop it further. Cindy Verbruggen

The CAB comes to Buckingham

The Citizens’ Advice Bureau has come to the University thanks to a group of law students who are manning a weekly session on campus for Buckingham residents. The eight undergraduates have been Law students with Buckingham CAB Director Ian Payne trained by Buckingham CAB and will be the first port of call for local members The service is available from 15:30 to accusations of sexism, was banned by of the public seeking help. 17:30 on Wednesdays in the Law School many unions. Students have learned how to refer by appointment only. Please call: Only 23 institutions, including the people to the right service and have the +44 (0)1280 828283 on Mondays, University of Buckingham, were given an means to book appointments for them Tuesdays and Wednesdays between overall ‛green’ ranking meaning that they with the relevant parties, including 09:00 and 17:00. did not impose any bans beyond legislative financial helpers or social services. requirements, and did not have any Professor Bob Watt, who heads the regulations that were judged to deter University side of the project, said: ‛We are freedom of expression. proud to be working with the local CAB. University of A total of 47 institutions were given a Funding for community legal aid has been ‛red’ rating and five were named as being cut to the bare minimum and we are Buckingham tops censorious. These were the University delighted to be working with the CAB who of Essex, Bath Spa University and the maintain a vital service. Even in these days the poll for free University of Northampton, plus the of austerity it’s a win-win situation – the University of Portsmouth and the University citizens of Buckingham can get some speech of the West of England. first-line legal help and assistance, and Among the policies that were perceived our students can practise some of the as being restrictive were ‛no platform’ things they have learnt in the lecture room. The University of Buckingham has come rulings, which ban individuals or groups We hope that this venture fosters a good joint top in a new poll revealing which thought to hold far-right or extremist relationship between town and gown.’ universities have the best record when views. These were found in a third of Buckingham CAB Director Ian Payne said: it comes to freedom of speech. students’ unions. ‛It’s absolutely brilliant that the CAB and A total of 115 higher education Pro-Israel and pro-life groups were the University are working together. There’s institutions took part in the rankings by targeted by bans at other universities, a lot of talent in the law school. This will online magazine Spiked and Buckingham as was a Nietzsche reading group outlawed help the students to learn useful skills was ranked top alongside Trinity St David, by University College London Union on that will help them if they become lawyers.’ Winchester, London Met, Liverpool Hope, the grounds that it promoted fascism Law student Charles Hogan added: Sunderland and Southampton Solent. and racism. ‛The CAB program represents an The poll reveals that 135 bans were Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Alistair opportunity to put skills acquired during instituted or upheld in various universities Alcock said: ‛The University of Buckingham my studies into practice, giving advice over the past three years. Of these, 32 were was founded on the ideals of freedom of to real people, with real consequences. bans on newspapers imposed by students’ speech in general and academic freedom Having spent nearly two years in unions. Some involved the Sun and the in particular. I am sure the founders would Buckingham I am relishing the opportunity Daily Star as part of the No More Page 3 have been delighted to see this recognition of making a contribution to the local campaign. The controversial Robin Thicke that their successors continue to uphold community.’ song Blurred Lines, which has faced those ideals.’

6 The Independent First Medical School Honorary Award Ceremony

Sir Roger Bannister, Sir Magdi Yacoub and Sir Graeme Catto were made Honorary Graduates at the first ever University of Buckingham Medical School Honorary Ceremony. It was held on Thursday 19 March, a day before the main graduation ceremonies. Chief Operating Officer at the Medical School, Professor John Clapham, said: ‛All of our Honorary Graduates were chosen because they were pioneering in some way – an attribute which resonates with us in establishing the country’s first independent Medical School in modern times.’ In his opening speech at the ceremony, Honorary Graduates and guests make their way to the ceremony Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Alistair Alcock reflected on how the University’s He became Chairman of the Sports Council research group studying transplant first cohort of Medical students will ‛always of Great Britain and then President of the immunology, renal bone disease and be pioneers’ as well. He continued to say International Council for Sport and Physical facilities required for patients with kidney the University’s greatest advantage as a Recreation. He studied the autonomic disease. Over time he became Medical result from its independence is its ability nervous system that controls all the Director of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, to attract independently-minded staff. involuntary movements such as breathing, Professor and then Dean of Medicine ‛That true independence was the central heart rate and blood pressure. and Vice-Principal of Aberdeen University. driving force behind our founders… Egyptian-born British Professor Sir Magdi The University of Buckingham opened And it is this independence of thought Yacoub established his pioneering heart the country’s first independent Medical and actions that is the common theme surgery group at Harefield Hospital. School in January. The four-and-a-half year in the lives of today’s honorary graduates He later went on to undertake the largest MB ChB course offers a mix of clinical and which the University and I personally heart and lung transplant programme and biomedical science teaching over am pleased to honour at this evening’s in the world. He is Founder and Director two years. The second, clinical, phase celebrations,’ he said. of the Magdi Yacoub Research Network, will be centred at Milton Keynes Hospital Sir Roger Bannister was the first man which has created the Qatar NHS Foundation Trust over the remaining to run a mile in under four minutes in 1954 Cardiovascular Research Centre in two and a half years. The School is also when he was 25. Already a qualified doctor, collaboration with the Qatar Foundation fundraising to develop a new Medical he concentrated his efforts on medicine, and Hamad Medical Corporation. School campus in Buckingham and combining research with clinical practice. Sir Graeme Catto created an active Milton Keynes.

The Independent 7 Graduation 2015

New graduates celebrate

The Behrens family and friends A proud day: Security and Intelligence graduates celebrate their success

Graduation days at Buckingham are Each congregation was welcomed Graduation always a cheerful and colourful affair, by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor with families coming from far and wide Alistair Alcock: ‛I hope and trust you have All four corners of across the globe to celebrate with their enjoyed your studies and in the future loved ones. This year was no exception – will find them not just of practical help, the world joined us the crowd that gathered at St Peter but also intellectually stimulating in and St Paul’s Church to see students their own right. Above all, I hope that to celebrate another receive their degrees reflected just the University has imbued you with how uniquely international our student something of our spirit of independence, successful year body is. Graduation this year was that you can go out and apply that particularly special for the Behrens independence of thought and action family, as siblings Leandra and Leonard in making your mark in the world.’ graduated together, following in their This year honorary degrees were father’s own footsteps when he awarded to: former British judge graduated from Buckingham in 1986. Sir Oliver Popplewell; Professor Daniel

8 The Independent Smiles all round

A proud day: Security and Intelligence graduates celebrate their success English graduate Jessica Montgomery

Jones, founder of the Lean Enterprise enabling you to achieve something you will cherish the ties and friendships Academy; Professor Barbara Cannon, worthwhile. This is billed as a valedictory made here. I urge you to return to an internationally renowned Professor speech, but that is misleading – the Buckingham from time to time and of Physiology; and rock and blues University has not seen the back of me!’ to retain links with your teachers and singer and guitarist, Mr Bernie Marsden, The ceremonies were also addressed by fellow students. I offer you all my heartfelt who was born in Buckingham. the Chancellor, Lady Keswick, who wished congratulations – I wish you every success The class of 2015 saw the second to remind graduands that ‛at Buckingham in your future careers, whatever you inclusion of a valedictory speech. George we do not give out degrees lightly; our choose to do.’ Galazka, a Master’s student in Military standards are high.’ She continued: After receiving their degrees our History, spoke about how it was ‛the ‛In this global world a good degree from graduates finished their celebrations result of serendipity’ that brought him to a world-class university gives you the at the Swan Ball, where they danced the Buckingham. ‛As you’ve been sitting here, key to open the door to a shining future. night away to Honorary Graduand Bernie I imagine that you’ve had a mixture of You will have the capacity to become Marsden and his blues band, pop-rock feelings; satisfaction, relief, but hopefully privileged leaders in many diverse fields band Scouting for Girls and DJ JamJam also appreciation of the University for and in many countries… As alumni I hope until the early hours of the morning.

The Independent 9 ‘Everything is going to be fine; you made a good decision’ Dr Harin Sellahewa talks about his journey from undergraduate to Head of Applied Computing at Buckingham. By Livia Douse

Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Dr Harin lots of friends from across the world who Harin’s biggest hurdle was money. Sellahewa first heard about the University he still keeps in touch with: ‛Being in Verney But determined to recruit him, Sabah of Buckingham during his search for an Park accommodation we had a big kitchen found a solution; in 2001 Harin became undergraduate degree as a teenager. area and many of us would get together and the recipient of a grant kindly donated ‛I heard that it was a ‘small hut’, so initially cook. For various social and religious events by Dixons Group (the largest high street I didn’t consider it as an option. Then we all came together as a community and retailer of IT products in the UK). a friend of mine joined the University we would celebrate, with everyone in their In the following years Harin juggled his around 1998, and whilst on holiday in national dress.’ postdoctorate studies with a number of the UK I visited her and found Buckingham Graduation was one of Harin’s proudest other positions. He worked for a couple to be really quite nice.’ moments. ‛I vividly remember – I was sat of years as a Research Associate on the With his parents’ support, Harin applied in the church thinking ‘wow, I’ve actually EU funded FP6 project SecurePhone, under to Buckingham. He landed a place on the done it’, and that was definitely one of Sabah’s leadership. He was responsible Applied Computing programme soon after, the best bits of my time at Buckingham. for developing efficient facial recognition having been interviewed by Sabah Jassim, But I suppose the best memory I have algorithms for a multimodal biometric Head of the Department at the time. Sabah of studying at Buckingham is meeting my authentication system, to run on would become his mentor and eventual late girlfriend. I met her when I was finishing computationally constrained mobile colleague. ‛Since our first meeting he has my undergraduate degree.’ devices (PDAs as they were known at played a major role in my education and When he first came to the UK Harin the time). He then joined the Gray Cancer my career,’ says Harin. had no intention to move into further Institute at the University of Oxford as Harin fondly remembers his time as education. ‛The plan was to get a degree, a Postdoctoral Scientist, where he worked an undergraduate. ‛I’d be in the attic, in perhaps work somewhere in the UK for on the Optical Biochips project. During Computer Room One, sometimes late at a couple of years and then go back to his time at the Institute Harin developed night, other times right through the night Sri Lanka,’ he says. But Sabah had other cell detection, counting and tracking to the next morning. I enjoyed working ideas. Towards the end of his software for biological assay analysis. through each piece of coursework and undergraduate degree Sabah set out Harin had also taught undergraduate solving the problems I came across.’ to convince the talented young student students in the latter stages of his PhD, In true Buckingham nature, he made to stay and do a PhD. which lead him to discover that teaching,

10 The Independent A calling in life: Harin teaches his undergraduate class

alongside research, was his calling in life. ‘ Most of my colleagues As well as running a busy department When a position for a research-active Harin continues his own research into lecturer came up in Buckingham’s Applied were my lecturers, so biometrics in both facial and gesture- Computing Department in 2008, one year I am truly humbled to based recognition on smartphones and after he had completed his PhD, Harin tablets, which was the focus of his PhD. applied. He was successful. be leading the team’ There are also a couple of new things Six years later another opportunity came he would like to start: ‛one is to do with along; Sabah Jassim stepped down as Head age estimation of wild animals. This came of Applied Computing and the position about whilst I was giving a guest lecture became vacant. It was the perfect at a Sri Lankan university. One of the progression for Harin and he landed the job lecturers asked me if it would be possible in November 2014. ‛It’s quite a privilege to to use image processing techniques to be heading the department,’ he says. ‛Most find the age of monkeys for example.’ of my colleagues were my lecturers, so Harin is also interested in using automated I am truly humbled to be leading the team.’ techniques to detect diseases in crops Harin has great plans for the Computing and plants. ‛I am currently supervising Department’s growth and development. a PhD student based in Ghana. She is ‛We want to double our number of looking at cocoa plant disease detection, undergraduate students in five years’ time,’ so we’re trying to see if we can use a he says. Alongside this Harin is also aiming mobile phone to take a picture of the crop for the Department to be included on and identify if there is disease present.’ subject league tables in the same time Harin is the first undergraduate student frame (currently the Department does not to have climbed this far in the career have enough students to be included). ladder at Buckingham. When asked what ‛I am confident that we should be in the he would now tell his undergraduate self, top 30 institutions, as I know that we offer Harin said: ‛Everything is going to be fine; top quality degrees.’ you made a good decision.’

The Independent 11 Overcharged Tuition fees have again been part of the election debate, how do you think Higher Education should be funded in the UK?

Universities should be free to charge what I favour making universities share the risk fees they want. Setting a cap just invites of student loans by replacing the current them to cluster round the upper limit, system with an income-sharing contract: fearing that to set a fee below the maximum students would sign up to an agreement permitted will signify that their courses to give X percent of their future earnings are in some way inferior. We need greater to the university in exchange for free tuition, realism in setting fees: some courses with an upper limit on the total returned. are genuinely more expensive to run There would need to be transition than others and prices need to signal arrangements from the current system, and this by greater fee differentiation. universities would need to recruit financial At the moment, universities which partners to provide bridging finance and admit weak students, offer them mediocre administrative expertise. But in the longer courses and do little to promote term this system would mean institutions Len Shackleton employability, get too easy a ride. Their had a real incentive to recruit students who Professor of Economics often excessive fees are paid out of student were genuinely committed and to support loans which are massively subsidised by the them to maximise their potential. taxpayer. A high proportion of these loans will never be fully repaid, but there is little comeback on the universities. Students do not know, when signing up, whether they are being recruited to make up the ‘We need greater realism numbers with little prospect of future in setting fees: some employment; official figures on overall student employability are meaningless and courses are genuinely easily manipulated by canny institutions. more expensive to run’

True thinking about university tuition fees tending towards a state of ‘plutocratic would need to be rooted in thinking about anarchy’ (William Morris). State-funded the kind of democracy and society we ‘free’ university tuition may be something aspire to, how we understand the relation that, at this time, is deemed ‘unaffordable’ between individual initiative and the (Nick Clegg). In fact, perhaps we should common good, and how we understand think very hard about whether this is really what a university education really is. the case, whether fees might be distinctly Universal state-funded school education means-tested, whether high endowments was established in the 19th century, in part with high scholarship rates would be a good because of the sense that if people were idea, whether a slightly smaller but better going to vote they needed at some level funded university system might not be one to be educated. There would be a logic way forward. University education needs in saying that as many citizens as possible to be seen again as a privilege and Stefan Hawlin should be educated to the highest level responsibility, not a mediocre rite of Professor of English if that society is going to succeed passage. This might be something good economically and technically, but also to come out of present dilemmas. in terms of harmony, social integration, and justice. Especially when considering that we live in a developed, multicultural, highly technological democracy, integrated or disintegrated by media. Highly stratified class societies can succeed, but that relies on a strong ethos of philanthropy, compassion and understanding between classes and ethnic and religious populations. ‘University education In our society there is an awful lot needs to be seen again of ‘illth’ (Ruskin’s term); wealth badly or foolishly generated or deployed. as a privilege and Geoffrey Hill says that we are now responsibility’

12 The Independent How should Higher Education be funded? makes no difference to the fee. Rip off, I simply don’t know. It’s something that or what? clearly wasn’t thought through when I would like to investigate a scheme higher and higher targets for university by which everyone was entitled to higher attendance were put in place by education vouchers of up to (say) governments of whatever hue. Something £15,000 to be spent at any time of life on else has also happened to muddy the a recognised qualification at a mainstream waters; until recently education was seen or private provider, or with an employer as a good in itself – a right and a duty for training on the job. The vouchers could to inherit and pass on the wisdom and be topped up by the student, parents experience of the ages. Now it is little or employer, or by government loan/ more than a job passport for the graduate tax. individual and an economic tool for Would this result in universities having Julian Lovelock the nation. And don’t such consumables to be genuinely competitive, on students Former Pro Vice-Chancellor have to be paid for by customers? just paying for what they receive, on a and Dean of Arts and Languages What I do know is that if the current rebalancing of academic and practical level of fees and system of loans had qualifications, on research being funded been in place all that time ago, I would only by industry or government, on an never have gone to university. My parents end to university being some sort of rite wouldn’t have afforded it and debt was of passage for school leavers irrespective a dirty word. If you couldn’t pay for it, of the value of its outcome? I would hope you didn’t have it. so – but these at least are some of the The tripling of university fees under goals for which we should be striving. the coalition government was an attempt to inject more of the ‘market’ into higher education. Make universities compete and they’d at last have to offer value for money and customer service. Make them differentiate between courses that are more or less costly to deliver. But it hasn’t worked. Most universities immediately charged the maximum £9,000pa for all courses. So a degree in Leisure at ‘If the current level of fees the University of the Back Streets of Somewhere costs the same as a degree and system of loans had in Engineering at a Russell Group been in place all that University; and whether a student is taught for three or thirty hours each time ago, I would never week in a group of ten or two hundred have gone to university’

I am in favour of all universities in the of the coalition has meant that this move UK being free to set their own tuition fees. has so far been only a partial success. Tuition fees are very important for the The universities’ income has been boosted shape and quality of higher education. by tuition fees, but the over-generous loan Instead of universities putting on what repayment terms and defaults has led to the government and the institutions think unsustainable debt falling on the taxpayer. students should want, the fees empower The sudden jump in fees has been the students to decide. Provision is then bitterly opposed as unfair to poor determined by the wishes of the combined students, but this does not hold up; potential student body, plus what the universities have to attract the brightest government, employers and the universities students, irrespective of background, themselves are willing to fund. for the sake of their reputations by building Universities are not, therefore, so in scholarships and bursaries. Alan Smithers much in the grip of the government as Now that the clamour about tuition fees Director of the Centre for Education a monopoly customer, and they are free is dying down, it is to be hoped that a bold and Employment Research to recruit students in what they regard government will free up the universities to as optimum numbers. charge what they think appropriate, even Tuition fees also drive up quality. though this would mean stiffer competition If a significant proportion of a university’s for our university. income comes from students it gives priority to tuition, and it continually strives to enhance its reputation. The fee-paying American Ivy League universities are recognised as the best in the world. ‘It is hoped that a bold The benefits are readily apparent in our university, too. government will free The last government gave more freedom up the universities to to universities to set their fees, but only below a certain level. The difficult charge what they think compromises between the two parties appropriate’

The Independent 13 Dinesh Rajp (LLB 2003, LLM 2006) read university. A student in their thirties brings a small a group if you have not done the law at Buckingham and stayed on for a depth of life experience, which perhaps work. Preparing and partaking in this type a research LLM. He is now a Visiting gives a more structured approach to of tutorial environment is conducive to Lecturer and also the founder of studies, than that of an 18-year-old student healthy competition between colleagues Consultancy Commercial Contingency starting at university. I found when doing and also encourages a faster learning Services, which specialises in work placements that employers were process. I do recall one of the many fine negotiation, dispute resolution more accessible; as a mature student lecturers and tutors that I had, Gordon and mediation. I was somebody with a bit of experience Goldberg. He usually held his tutorials as well as possessing the qualifications. at the end of the day, around five o’clock. The very first time I came Today, lecturing and providing students He had this tradition of encouraging to Buckingham, I didn’t notice real-life examples drawn from my current students to stay beyond the stipulated anything different about being work experiences, enriches their tutorial hour as he had much to discuss. an older student in my early thirties. knowledge, I hope, and provides them If you did you would still be talking after Buckingham has a good contingent of with a practical significance relating to two or three hours. It was still about legal mature students and you didn’t feel left what they are learning. Nothing is more matters – but much more relaxed. out. Younger students would not exactly rewarding than watching a student’s Buckingham is a tremendously sociable look up to you but you’d always find ‛eureka’ moment, when they get what place where you can work and play hard. somebody knocking on your door to talk you have been teaching them. I played a bit of tennis and table tennis. about their worries. I wasn’t an agony I enjoyed my law degree and my I tried to get involved in football; once, uncle but somebody to confide in. research at Buckingham. Both are intensive I remember getting sent off because I left school in 1985, after A-levels in courses, but if one employs a structured I couldn’t catch up with an opposing Law, English and Economics. I had a place method in approaching the learning it player and pulled his shirt. The University to study Law at Brunel, but Barclays were almost becomes natural and quite is still a place for students and staff to offering a training programme and enjoyable. The two-year undergraduate get involved. For example there’s the duck I eventually became a small business degree provides a set of subjects each race: both students and staff buy plastic manager at the bank. I was at Barclays term which are followed by coursework and ducks and dress them up. The lock gates for ten years but when I hit my thirties exams. Every other term, in my day, was not open and the ducks bob along to the I felt I had hit a ceiling; I did not particularly an exam term, so there was a period of time finishing line. fancy financially advising my portfolio to study but still enjoy university life. As I said, I did a research Masters of restaurants and takeaways for the rest There were, and still remain, five or six at Buckingham and was also doing a bit of my life. students to each tutorial: you’ve got to be of teaching. I left in 2005 to do further For me it was the right time to go to on the ball as you will be found out in such post-graduate research into immigration Nothing is more rewarding than watching a student’s ‛eureka’ moment Jonathan Sale interviews Dinesh Rajp, Law Lecturer and Legal Consultant

14 The Independent and asylum law at Westminster University, To give you a flavour of how I saw it as my contemporaries. The memories live on. where I eventually became Deputy Course ‘special’: when the OTM (The Old Town Mill Student union elections were always Director of the Chartered Institute of Legal – I believe it is just referred to as the Tanlaw fiercely fought. One year there was Executive courses. After eight years of Mill now) was lit up on a lovely summer somebody from Nigeria standing for full-time academia, I have returned as a evening, students would get their guitars President and somebody from Pakistan. Visiting Lecturer at Buckingham. Also, I run and a piano would be rolled out. Song When my friend Jerry Park from South my own business consultancy; I negotiate, ensued. There was a lot of talent around. Korea wanted to be President, he put mediate and resolve disputes. Often with When Paul Lyon Hogarth Blood, together a culturally diverse committee disputes you can spend too much time a short, jovial stocky fellow, always smiling, and I started writing his speeches; we applying a purely legal approach without sang ‛It’s a Wonderful World’, well, you just did get him to practise a lot! resolving anything, leading to litigation; had to close your eyes – and it was Louis One quiet Sunday night recently I it is often advantageous to apply a Armstrong! He always sang it halfway walked to the hallowed Law School. As commercial business approach to preserve through a karaoke night at the student bar I walked to Room FO6, where I was giving business relationships. and then at the end: it was time to go out a lecture on the following day, I heard a During my postgraduate days, with on a high. His singing caught the moment. Pakistani voice talking on the phone about other members of the staff I started I dare say he can do it now. putting posters up. Some things never creating an infrastructure for students; Planned or unplanned, all the German change. It was like a time warp. And did for example setting up student law students lived in Well Street, occupying I see a South Korean fellow go by, blurting societies and organising Student Society a row of houses. Somebody there would out much the same sort of thing? Wonder President meetings to coordinate the social always be having a Saturday night party. who writes his speeches, Jerry? calendar. In the days when a bar licence I recollect cooking quite a bit, it was I wondered what my audience the required extending, I remember going very cheap; people would come round to next day would be like; in a few hours in front of magistrates to explain why the my dorm and put money in for the food and I’d find out. I was betting that I’d see university bar should have an extension big pots of curry or chilli were always on the a little of each of my old friends staring until three or four in the morning. boil. It felt like a soup kitchen sometimes. back at me and then I’d know I was truly James Slater, a Senior Law Lecturer When I put my head round the door in my Buckingham home. The truth is, and current Director of the Law School of the student bar a few weeks ago, I saw when I did walk into FO6, as the lecture part-time degree programme (who arrived students all sitting round a central table progressed I could see a lot of my in 2001), was reminiscing the other day singing songs. There’s a familiarity: faces old colleagues through the over his great memories of the characters change but the activities are the same. faces and demeanour of these who hit it off together during 2000-2002 I look at the students now students I had just met. to make it a most special time. and they remind me of I have truly come home.

The Independent 15 Spreading the word With your help, Buckingham’s Marketing Team are travelling across the world to promote the University

Buckingham has always had among the Visit the Marketing Department in its to Mauritius, Belgium, Poland, India, most satisfied students in the UK, and new offices in Hunter Street and you’ll find Cyprus, Pakistan, Vietnam, Nigeria, Ghana, one of the ways in which our Alumni can a hive of activity. This is where Jane Russell Germany, Canada and the United States, support the University is by telling other and David Noy edit and update the website; where we attend recruitment fairs, go into people about how they have benefited from where Becky Maclean looks after our schools, and keep in contact with our and enjoyed their time here. The Marketing presence on social media; where Justine agents. Whenever possible our marketing Department promotes Buckingham both Kibler designs our brochures and is a staff are supported by members of the in the United Kingdom and internationally, photographic wizard; where Livia Douse academic faculty on these trips: but personal recommendation is always looks after UK marketing and our Open prospective students always like to know the most effective way of attracting new Days (each April and October); and where who will be teaching them! students. In fact a large majority of those Tino Santonocito and Jamie Lee-Brown The Alumni Office will notify you of who join us here have been told about are our international team. In all this our overseas visits and our international the University by friends or family. we are supported by Helen Adams and representatives are always eager to meet Cindy Verbruggen, our superbly efficient alumni – some of whom volunteer to help administrators, and Natalie Tyner, a recent at exhibitions where they share their Buckingham graduate who is our marketing Buckingham experiences. intern. We work with each of the Schools Remember that if a student registers of Study to promote their courses as at Buckingham as a direct result of your effectively as possible. recommendation as an alumnus, we offer At the moment Livia is in Wales you a payment of £400 – either paid to representing the University at a UCAS you personally or, if you prefer, as a gift fair – one of more than 20 which we are from you to the Alumni Annual fund. attending each year; Jamie is on an So please tell others about your University overseas visit which has taken in China, and what it has meant to you. Taiwan and Japan, and Tino is on a visit Jamie visits Shenzhen to Columbia. This year we are also travelling The Marketing Team

16 The Independent Alumni News

and those who defend it are grammar Alumnus becomes police or grammar Nazi’s,’ says Johnny. Bahamian Senator The subject matter might seem dry, but the book is aimed at being entertaining as well as informative. ‛It’s almost like dressing Robyn-Dawn Lynes (LLB 2007) has been up for a party; we use formal grammar when appointed as new Senator by the Bahamian we need to. I put my good clothes on when government. She had been a member of the I’m out and about and at home I take them Bahamas Bar and a partner in the law off,’ he explains. practice of Kingdom Law Advocates. Although written for University of The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Manitoba students beginning their university Minister of The Bahamas, said:’ I am experience, it is also suitable for high school delighted that Robin has accepted my students as well as the general public invitation to join our dynamic team in the interested in refreshing their grammar. Senate. She is a new-generation thinker and The book is available on Amazon. Louise Kenward’s art project took her to China activist who has a brilliant career in public life ahead of her. She is a highly intelligent, unselfishly motivated young woman of deeply-held Christian beliefs who has From Bexhill to Bexhill News in Brief already demonstrated an innovative, – the return hands-on approach to helping at-risk youth in our Over-the-Hill communities. In addition, Robyn has a first-class legal mind In September 2013 Louise Kenward Cay Kellinghusen (BSc in Information and outstanding communication skills. These (Psychology 1993), an established Systems 2006), who lives and works in talents will no doubt be of great service to installation artist, set out to travel around Berlin, has founded the Game Science her and the country as she attends to her the world. While living in Bexhill, Sussex, Center. This is a museum for interactive legislative duties in the Senate.’ she discovered that there were two other technologies in Berlin. Find out more at In addition to her legal career, Robyn- Bexhills – in Australia and Canada. Her www.gamesciencecenter.de/en/. Dawn is active in church and community aim was to unite all three through an art Gulmira Rzayeva (MA Global Affairs work. She is Youth Minister with the Voice of project that now encircles the globe. 2008) is a senior research fellow at the the Watchman Ministries; Founder and In each of the Bexhills the railway was the Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS), under President of Core of Hope Youth Resource key to prosperity and Louise decided to use the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Centre, a social outreach organisation for trains as far as possible after being inspired and Research Associate at the Oxford underprivileged young people in Over-the- by Victorian traveller Annie Brassey (whose Institute for Energy Studies. She has Hill communities; and a member of the collection is now housed in Bexhill Museum). published several scholarly publications National Committee for Families and Annie’s book, A Voyage in the Sunbeam focusing on her area of expertise. You can Children. (1878) accompanied Louise on her journey. find her publications at www.oxfordenergy. After crossing Europe, Louise boarded a org/author/gulmira-rzayeva/. train on the Trans-Siberian Railway where Ram Mudambi (former lecturer) she began her art project. She selected a has recently been inducted as the Frank Revisiting English pebble at each point on her journey and, M. Speakman Professor of Strategy at Grammar using crochet, covered the stone, before Temple University in Philadelphia, USA. replacing it discreetly in the railway track. Some of his work about Research and Travelling on through China, South-East Development has recently appeared Johnny Geddes (MA, Dipl. Journalism Asia, and Indonesia, finally she reached in the Harvard Business Review. 2003) published a new book named Bexhill (formerly Beck’s Hill and, before Dominik Steffani (MSc Service Revisiting English Grammar this January, that, Bald Hill) in Australia. She became Management in 2003) was elected co-authored by Rosemarie Finlay, a senior part of itinerant art project TarpSpace, as Principal of A.T. Kearney’s Strategic instructor at The University of Manitoba. and also began collecting oral history Operations Practice on 1 January 2015. The book is a revolutionary guide to which she continued to do in Bexhill, He supports his clients in large-scale English Grammar and is already selling well Canada (Canadian Railways chose the procurement transformations and cost both in Canada and South Africa. It has been town’s name from an arbitrary, alphabetical cutting projects. reviewed favourably by numerous people, list of new stations), built because of a Lorinda Long (Chair of UBAA) was elected including authorities on the subject. now derelict grain elevator which served in April 2014 as the new Treasurer of the Bar Their mission is to make grammar as a community hub for surrounding farms. Council, and took up her appointment on accessible and remind people of its After a spell as artist-in-residence at 1 January 2015. The Bar Council represents uses. ‛I’m afraid that the image of Bexhill Museum, Louise plans to continue barristers in England and Wales. Lorinda is a grammar has been demonised and expanding her ‘trail of breadcrumbs’. financial services specialist having worked as has become almost like a relic, like Find out more on her website: an in-house transactional lawyer and Head a corporal punishment. It’s a www.bexhilltobexhill.com of Legal and General Counsel for a number dragon at the back of a cave Paul E H Davis of leading institutions such as NatWest.

The Independent 17 Alumni Announcements

Marriages

Congratulations to Katie Best wishes to Nigel Collett The marriage of Philipp Hunger Best wishes to Joanna Major Balaam (BSc 2004, Senior (MA in Biography 2003) (CMJ 2013) to Olessa took (Business Enterprise 2009) Accounting Lecturer) who and Austin Aloysius Tay place on 12 June, 2015 in his who married Sean Kelly on 6 married Chris Mitchell on 20 (Psychology with Socio-Legal home town Augsburg, Germany. June 2015 at St Mary’s Church, September 2014 at St Mary’s Studies 2003, LLM 2004), We wish them the best of luck Woburn, UK. Church, Old Linslade, UK. who married at the Old Bell for the future. Hotel, Malmesbury, on 23 August 2014.

Congratulations to Sarah Emem Ekpenyong (LLB 2006) Morley and James Leck married Oriyomi Olayinka Oniru (PGCE with QTB 2013), on 18 April 2015. Many who married on 11 April 2015. congratulations to them both. They met at Buckingham whilst studying.

Births

Many congratulations to Hiroko Tsubota (née Endo) Congratulations to Helen Suhel Abo-Hatab (MA Dominik Steffani (Service (MA Res 2006) is delighted to Watts from the Alumni Office Security & Intelligence 2011) Management 2003) on the announce the birth of her son, on the birth of her baby girl, and Mei Matsuoka would like to birth of his second daughter, Kent. He was born on 29 Sophie Claire Watts, who was announce the birth of their son Eleonore, who was born on 8 October 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. born on 2 March 2015 Calid Abo-Hatab. He was born August 2014. on Thursday 16 April 2015, weighing 3.5kg.

18 The Independent Deaths

The University is very sad to announce the death of Dr Gordon Goldberg in Perth, Australia on 13 June 2015. A memorial service for him was held in Melbourne on 29 July. Anyone wishing to send a message to his widow, Kerry, should please send it via the Alumni Office, [email protected]. In his time at the University of Buckingham Gordon left an indelible mark on a whole generation of law students. He will also long be remembered in the town for riding his bicycle with his academic gown flying in the wind behind him. Central to understanding Gordon’s power and influence were two loves; his love of the common law (he never really reconciled himself to Britain’s membership of the European Union) and his love of and Professor Mike Cawthorne, 1941-2015 respect for students (for who he could have infinite time It is with great sadness that an Honorary Doctor of Science the Virgin in Oxford. Sir David’s and care). the University has learned of by the University in 1992. career of work and service at It is wonderful to think that the death of Professor Dennis the Universities of Oxford, his love and passion for the O’Keeffe on 17 December Aloysius Dozie (Law, 1978) Buckingham and Birmingham, common law, and for the 2014. He was a wide ranging passed away on 19 April 2010. and latterly for the Oxford English language in which social scientist and a Visiting He was laid to rest in Imo Preservation Trust, were it finds expression, has been Professor affiliated to the State, Nigeria. celebrated by a huge number passed on to disciples across School of Education at of friends and family. the continents. Although as Buckingham. He had a wide Sir Jocelyn Stevens (HonD Lit a loyal subject of the Crown interest in social philosophy, 1998) passed away on 9 Yolande Hinson, Senior he would have hated to be politics and economics, which October 2014, aged 82. Departmental Administrator thought of as a citizen of the lead him to edit the collected Co-launcher of The Daily Star for the School of Economics, world, nevertheless he works of Frédéric Bastiat and and managing director of The passed away on 27 April 2015 certainly left his mark far translate the Principles of Evening Standard and The Daily at the Florence Nightingale beyond the confines of a small Politics Applicable to All Express, Stevens was an Hospice, Stoke Mandeville, market town in England. Governments by Benjamin ambitious and successful man. following an unexpected Alistair Alcock Constant (2003). He was In 1996 he was knighted, and illness. Her friends, family and a much valued colleague two years later the University colleagues will greatly miss her. Pauline Hilda Kasonda at Buckingham. awarded him an Honorary (LLM 1999) passed away on Doctorate of Literature. As this magazine was going 16 November 2014 after losing Karl Otto Pöhl (HonD Sc to press, the University was her battle with cancer. She had 1992) died on 9 December Sir David Yardley, Professor shocked to learn of the an excellent reputation in her 2014, aged 85. As an and former Head of Law at death of Professor Mike role as Managing Partner of economist he was an active Buckingham, passed away on Cawthorne, Dean of the law firm Abenry & Company and engaging public figure, 5 June 2014. Dr Carol Brennan, Postgraduate Medicine and Advocates, and will be greatly and his presidency over the of the Law School, represented Sciences. He died peacefully missed by many. Her daughter, Bundesbank at one of its most the University of Buckingham on 21 July with his partner Josephine Mbuya, also turbulent times will leave him at the memorial service for Liz by his side. We will be graduated from Buckingham forever known as a father him in November, held at the sending a full obituary in the with a Law degree. of the euro. He was awarded University Church of St Mary next Alumni Update.

The Independent 19 FeatureAlumni Events

As in previous years, the Alumni Renunion Dinner will be held in Church House, Westminster

2 June – Alumni Breakfast with an update speech by Professor Alistair of a drinks reception on arrival, followed Venue: Royal Overseas League, Alcock (Acting Vice-Chancellor). by a three-course dinner. It will be a Park Place, London SW1A 1LR The alumni then embarked on a tour wonderful chance to catch up with your Federico Marescotti (Economics 1980) of the campus. Some had not returned fellow graduates as well as current and gave a fascinating talk on his career since to Buckingham since their graduation, former staff. A list of the names of those he graduated from Buckingham. Now CEO so it was a wonderful chance for them attending will be posted on the website. of VELA Capital Srl, his experiences of to see all of the developments and changes If you have any photographs from working in the financial markets around that have taken place around the University. your time at Buckingham that you the world were very interesting to hear. As predicted the main attraction proved would like us to share with other guests, At the beginning of his career Federico to be the new Medical School (which we will be producing a small leaflet worked in the Department of Finance and opened earlier this year). for the event and would appreciate Corporate Bond of Hambros Bank (London) Following on from the tour, we invited it if you could send them over to Lucy and Finanziaria Indosuez (Milan). In 1986 the alumni to join us for a drinks reception at [email protected]. he founded a company active in the field and buffet in the Tanlaw Mill Bar. This You can purchase tickets through of environmental services, which in 1990 was a great opportunity for alumni to the University website under the was partially sold to RWE AG. get acquainted with each other, relive Alumni and Supporter Events tab. Federico started a new career in PE memories and discuss their time at You can also book tickets and find with a Swedish fund and then became Buckingham. out further information by emailing President and CEO of Friulia, a € 1.5Bn It was a lovely afternoon, and great Lucy at [email protected]. closed end fund investing in Northern to see so many familiar faces. Please let Italy and ex-Eastern Europen Countries. us know if you are interested in us hosting Today he runs his own PE advisory a similar event annually. company and sits on the board of two We would like to let you know that major Investment companies listed on 8 October – 1991–1995 The Independent will now be produced the LSE: JP Morgan European Smaller Reunion Dinner once a year, so please expect the next Companies and Dunedin Enterprises. Time: 6.30pm – 10.30pm issue mid-2016. It will be longer than Venue: Church House, Dean’s Yard, the current publication and will have 24 July – An Afternoon for Westminster, London SW1P 3NZ a more academic feel. Buckingham Alumni Ticket Price: £55 Venue: Prebend House, Buckingham Please join us at Church House, The revamped monthly update will We invited Buckingham alumni back to Westminster, for the 1991-1995 Reunion include more alumni family news. the University on Friday 24 July as sadly Dinner. Any updates on career changes or our Alumni Summer Party (due to take If you graduated from the University snippets of personal news that you place in June) had to be cancelled. of Buckingham between 1991 and 1995 may wish to share can also be added During the event we hosted a welcome then you are invited to attend this year’s to the update. tea party in the refurbished Prebend House, reunion dinner. The evening will consist

20 The Independent