Issue 27 AUTUMN 2007 The magazine for alumni and friends of the University of Ulster Honorary Graduates Summer 2007 University News Events and Reunions People Arts Sport

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http://alumni.ulster.ac.uk

ISSUE 27 | AUTUMN 2007

2 11 12 15 19 32 A WORD FROM THE EDITOR contents Welcome to issue 27 of The Ulster Graduate, and a special welcome to the 4,500 alumni who graduated this summer. Our cover photograph for this issue is of His Grace The Most university news Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws in July. Some of our most University News 02 recent graduates will have been present when His Grace Honorary Graduates 09 spoke about what an incredible time this was for Northern Ireland. His Grace’s graduation speech can be heard at innovation and enterprise www.publicaffairs.ulster.ac.uk/podcasts.Tutu.mp3 Bouncing Bugs 10 During the last six months we have been working hard on Let’s Work Together 10 the development of a new alumni portal, which will replace Graduate Innovation 11 the existing web pages early in 2008. This will enable you to check your record to see if we have your details correct, to make event bookings and buy memorabilia online, and development and alumni news it will also offer an enhanced email directory, amongst other benefits. We will be contacting everyone by email Richard K Degenhardt Belleek Collectors Scholarships 12 when this is launched, so do let us have your email address Alumni Library Membership 12 by contacting the Alumni Relations Office or by completing Alumni Fund Travel Scholarships 13 the update form on the back of the magazine’s carrier sheet, if we do not already have it. alumni reunions and events

Another recently introduced service for our alumni is the Magee Reunion 14 Alumni Library Membership scheme, which enables alumni London Alumni Barbeque 14 to borrow up to two books at a time free of charge. Hong Kong Reception 14 Further details are on page 12. Coleraine Graduates of the ‘70s 15 I hope you enjoy reading this issue of The Ulster Graduate. Reception in Washington DC 16 Working with Eastern Europe 16 Best wishes Dublin Wine Tasting 17 Belfast campus Class of ’57 Reunion 17 Munich Alumni Event 17 Published by Alumni Golf Challenge 18 The Alumni Relations Office, The University of Ulster, West Coast, USA 18 Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT37 0QB. Quiz, Coleraine campus 18

Tel: 08 700 400 700 (Switchboard), or people 028 9036 8350 (Direct Line), Fax: 028 9036 6085, Email: [email protected] Northern Ireland Assembly 19 Web: http://alumni.ulster.ac.uk Coffee with Oliver Jeffers 20 Three Cheers for Ikea 21 Editor: Sue Rees, Alumni Relations Manager Class Notes 22 Design: Lairdesign Print: W & G Baird arts Views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily of the University. The University of Ulster regrets that it cannot Riverside Theatre 29 accept responsibility for any claim whatsoever New Faculty of Art, Design and the Built Environment 29 which may arise out of advertisements carried in good faith. Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter 30

Cover Story sport His Grace The Most Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was awarded an American Stars Sign for UU 31 honorary Doctorate of Laws in July 2007. Remembering a GAA Great - Eamon Coleman 31 Find out more on page 9 Colours Sports Awards 32

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 1 university news

Moving Out of Conflict Determination, Picking at the sores of the past “Europe is emerging, not as a superstate Dedication and could frustrate the development of but as a union of states where the more peace and reconciliation in Northern stridently aggressive expressions of Ireland, according to Senator Maurice national interests are suppressed and Leadership Hayes, who delivered the latest in modulated in the interest of the wider the Tip O’Neill Chair Peace Lecture good in a globalised world, and at a series at the Magee campus in June. time too when regionalism has become a motor for growth, and great cities Senator Hayes took as his theme reassert their salience as economic and ‘Moving Out of Conflict’ and said: cultural poles of growth.”

“There is a lot to be said for drawing Concluding, Senator Hayes called for the line, in order to let politics and a loosening of the tightly-packed knot mutual trust develop. The present of competing national identities on the democratic institutions are a delicate island of Ireland, for a kind of breathing graft on a rootstock riddled with space in which new forms of everyday memories of sectarian struggles, deeply living and ordinariness could develop rooted in centuries of animosity. and flourish, free from the animosities Seated from left: Anne Rowe, Ruth Mein, and passions of the past: Professor Richard Barnett “There is a real danger that the graft Standing from left: Dr Max O’Brien, Professor David might not take if there is too much “What the Northern Ireland conflict Eastwood, Dr Philip Jordan and Professor Alan Sharp. scrabbling in the underground looking needs is to be taken out of the pressure for evidence of the bad husbandry or cooker of immediacy, which puts stress The Convocation Student of the Year the criminal neglect of yesteryear. on everyone. It might take a generation 2007 is Ruth Mein, in recognition or two – a short time in historical of her charity work for the local “The general political will that the perspective, but if by taking the community of Moshi in Northern institutions should be made to work, pressure off people either to rush to the Tanzania. Ruth, from Eglinton, should be allowed to do so, could easily consummation of their constitutional received a perpetual trophy and £500. be frustrated if we insist on picking dreams, or to frustrate those of others, at the sores of old wounds, raising then a sounder and more lasting The Convocation Student of the Year old ghosts, revive old animosities and arrangement based on consensus could Award is presented annually to a student suspicions, and most of all shattering emerge, then it would be time well or group of students who can demonstrate the burgeoning trust which is a spent. Meantime, the energy which significant personal achievement or a prerequisite for peaceful co-existence could then be diverted into building up substantial contribution to the life of the and co-operation.” the economy and social structures in the University, its students or the community. North would be well spent too.” He looked to Europe and European Ruth’s first experience of resource and integration as a solvent of the To hear the lecture go to social issues in Tanzania came during a national tensions that have affected www.publicaffairs.ulster.ac.uk/ geography field course in the second year Northern Ireland: podcasts/Hayes.doc of her degree studies. Inspired to make a difference when she returned to Northern Ireland, she organised a group of 12 fellow geography students to fundraise for and build a new secondary school in Moshi.

Ruth returned to Tanzania in June to oversee the project for three years. Building work began in July, and will be carried out by UU students, local parents and the Moshi village council.

Once completed, the school will be run by a Tanzanian charity in partnership with the Tanzanian government. A teacher training programme will also be established and supported by funding from the Moshi business community and from Northern Ireland.

Ruth was awarded a BSc Hons degree Senator Maurice Hayes in Geography in July 2007.

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Dr Martin McAleese

ROYAL GARDEN In June Northern Ireland Finance Minister Peter Robinson joined with Dr Martin McAleese, husband of the Irish PARTY AT COLERAINE President, to welcome a pioneering cross-border postgraduate innovation Her Majesty The Queen and His The Vice-Chancellor said: management programme delivered Royal Highness, The Duke of “This visit by Her Majesty is a great by the University and Letterkenny Edinburgh visited the Coleraine honour for the University. She took a Institute of Technology. campus in June to attend a great interest in how the campus has Garden Party hosted by The Right developed since her last visit.” Honourable Peter Hain MP, the then Secretary of State for The theme of the garden party was ‘The Northern Ireland. Community and Voluntary Sector’ and the event was attended by leading figures Arriving at the University, Her Majesty from public life, including First Minister and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh The Right Honourable Dr Ian Paisley MP were greeted by The Lord-Lieutenant MLA, local MP Gregory Campbell MLA, of County Londonderry, Dr Denis and Mr Nigel Hamilton, Head of the Desmond CBE, and were introduced Northern Ireland Civil Service. to the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor before mingling with guests. Also amongst the 2,000 guests were Minister Robinson and Dr McAleese were some members of University staff who attending a special graduation ceremony To mark the occasion, Her Majesty had also been present during Her at Belfast City Hall, at which 12 civil service accepted an invitation from the Majesty’s 1977 visit. and public sector high-fliers received MSc Vice-Chancellor to unveil a plaque degrees in Innovation Management in the commemorating her visit and to sign Professor Alan Sharp, Provost of the Public Service. the visitors’ book. Coleraine campus, paid tribute to the work of the University staff who had At the ceremony, the honorary degree Her Majesty also accepted a gift of 24 played a part in making the visit a success of Doctor of Laws ( LLD) was conferred ‘Castle of Mey’ daffodil bulbs, named – with a special mention for the physical on Dr McAleese in recognition of his after a former holiday home of the late resources team who had worked so hard contribution to north-south relations and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. to ensure that the campus looked its best intercommunity reconciliation. on so important an occasion. This was Her Majesty’s second visit to In his speech to the graduating class, the Coleraine campus. Her first visit Music at the event was provided by the Dr McAleese spoke about the dramatic was in 1977 as part of her Silver Jubilee band of the Northern Ireland Fire and changes that he had seen in Northern celebrations. Rescue Service. Ireland and the island of Ireland since his childhood.

Turning to the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland, Dr McAleese said:

“I know that you will join me in wishing every member of that government every success as they go about the business of underpinning peace with prosperity, reconciling two communities into one fair and equal society, and focusing on a strategy that transforms the northern economy from one heavily dependant on the public sector to one driven by investment and entrepreneurialism – an economy characterised by self-sufficiency rather than subsidy.”

Concluding, he told the new graduates:

“I wish you every success, and through you may the public services North and South be powerful engines of dynamism, Her Majesty greets the Chancellor, Sir Richard Nichols, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Barnett consolidating the peace and bringing prosperity.”

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 3 university news

£20 million Investment in Fighting Intelligent Systems Research Alzheimer’s The University’s new £20 million the intelligence from an abundance of Intelligent Systems Research Centre sensors, and to use that knowledge at the Magee campus was officially effectively. With an ageing population Disease opened in May. The Research Centre in western Europe, the use of intelligent will make a major contribution to systems in the care of the elderly is a UU biomedical researchers are international research in the area of major growth area which we are perfectly undertaking a year long pilot computational intelligence and bio- poised to develop.” project to examine the role of inspired computing, and will be led by insulin in Alzheimer’s Disease, Director Professor Martin McGinnity, Brain/computer interfacing: “Here too, in a bid to find a way to stop an internationally recognised our work is targeted at the health care the disease from damaging academic and research leader. sector: working on ways to help people brain cells. who are disabled. Work is already under It is the largest single research investment way exploring how the EEG signals in the in the 150-year history of the campus, brain may be interpreted by computers and will attract scientists of international and used to operate everyday objects calibre from across the world, positioning creating a new communications channel Northern Ireland as a world leader in that will transform the lives of people intelligent systems research. with disabilities.”

Professor McGinnity outlined the Centre’s programme of work:

Bio-inspired computational systems: “Computational neuroscience – exploring how the brain works, and transferring that knowledge into computational systems: Dr Christian Holscher. more intelligent machines, based on our understanding of biology. This work will The project, funded by UK charity lead to systems that adapt, learn, self- the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, will organise, and self repair. The range of be carried out by researchers at application areas is immense, ranging the University led by Dr Christian from machines in a manufacturing process Holscher and scientists from the (which might for example diagnose faults University of Dundee. and repair themselves without needing human intervention) to medical and Their collaboration will look at entertainment systems.” Professor Martin McGinnity with Minister for Enterprise, the abnormal changes in insulin Trade and Investment Nigel Dodds MLA. signalling that occur in a transgenic Cognitive robotics: “This field focuses Invest NI has offered the University mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, on the creation of robotics systems £7.2 million of funding, £1.1 million of and to see if a protein called GLP1 that are more intelligent, in that they which is from the Centres of Excellence (currently being investigated as a have a greater understanding of their programme, with a further £6.1 million new treatment for diabetes) can surroundings and what’s happening from the Integrated Development return insulin signalling in the brain around them. Sophisticated robots are Fund, coordinated by Ilex, the urban to normal and reverse some of currently available but lack the ability regeneration company for Londonderry. the early cellular changes seen in to adapt to changing circumstances or Alzheimer’s disease. interact intelligently with humans. We will The project represents the culmination of be focusing not simply on robot-human a four-year development and appraisal Harriet Millward, Deputy Chief interaction, but robot-robot cooperation process, and will lead to approximately Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research and collaboration as well. Increasingly, 100 top researchers being located in the Trust, said it was vital to understand robotics assistants will have a role to play Centre when recruitment is complete. The more about the link between in all our lives, whether at work or University has launched an international dementia and diabetes because both at home.” search to bring the world’s leading talent diseases were rising at a rapid rate. in the field to Northern Ireland. More than two million people in the Ambient Intelligence: “We’re seeing UK today have diabetes, which puts cheap wireless sensors becoming Listen to Minister Dodds’ speech at the them at increased risk of developing increasingly common: the future task is to opening of the ISRC at dementia, and 700,000 people already develop new and compelling ways to use www.publicaffairs.ulster.ac.uk/ have dementia, a number forecast the data those sensors collect – to extract podcasts/Dodds.mp3 to double within a generation.

4 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 university news

year aged 69. He was an expert on Studies at the New University of Ulster European minorities, who became a in 1973, where he stayed for the rest of Alcock supporter of Unionism and an adviser his working life, becoming Professor of to Lord Trimble. European Studies and retiring in 2001. Memorial Born in Valletta, Malta, Antony Alcock His major work, A History of the was appointed senior lecturer and Protection of Regional Cultural Minorities Lecture head of department of West European in Europe, was published in 2000. Nobel Laureate Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey offered a keynote address on Northern Irish politics in April when he delivered the first Antony Alcock memorial lecture at the University.

His lecture was entitled ‘Reflections on the Belfast Agreement’ and was the former First Minister and Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party’s first major public speech in Northern Ireland since his decision to join the Conservative Party in the House of Lords.

The Antony Alcock Memorial lecture was established to honour the late From left: Lady Daphne Trimble, Professor Richard Barnett, Lord David Trimble, Mrs Mary Alcock, Professor Professor Antony Alcock, who died last Alan Sharp and Ms Charlotte Alcock. Big News for Small Businesses Japan’s Minister of the Economy, Trade follows a visit by UU’s Ken O’Neill, the conference in Belfast was a major coup and Industry, Mr Akira Amari, has Professor of Enterprise and Small Business for everyone in Northern Ireland concerned backed the decision of the International Development, to Tokyo to make the case with promoting small businesses: Small Business Congress (ISBC) to hold for having the conference in Belfast. Alan its annual conference in Belfast. Morrow from Invest Northern Ireland “The University is already hosting the UK’s accompanied Professor O’Neill on the visit. largest annual event for people in small When UU hosts the conference in 2008, business support in November 2008. The it will be the first time in the 38-year ISBC consists of the employers’ bodies ISBC event will run in parallel making it history of ISBC for the prestigious for small businesses in many parts of the one of the biggest ever celebrations of conference to be held in Northern Ireland. the world including the USA, Canada, entrepreneurship on these islands. Europe and China. It also embraces the The Japanese Government’s Organisation governmental organisations set up to Professor O’Neill adds: for Small and Medium Enterprises and support SMEs in countries such as Japan, Regional Innovation (SMRI) provide the Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan. “It is not only about the size of the ISBC Secretariat. Mr Amari’s endorsement Professor O’Neill said the decision to hold conference, it is about the opportunity the conference presents to showcase Northern Ireland to so many top level decision- makers and influencers.“

Invest NI’s Alan Morrow said:

“Northern Ireland is privileged to be hosting this conference which will attract many influential researchers, practitioners and policy makers from the world of entrepreneurship and small business development. Invest NI is delighted to

Professor Ken O’Neill; Graham Davies, Director of Entrepreneurship Invest NI; Tsutomu Handa, President Japanese work in partnership with the University Association of SMEs and Regional Innovation; Yoshiko Ohtawara, International Liaison Manager Japanese and our Japanese colleagues to deliver a Association of SMEs and Regional Innovation and Ian Murphy, Director of Entrepreneurship Invest NI. memorable event in Belfast in 2008.”

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 5 university news

New LRC for Coleraine campus iStrategy In September 2007 a new £5.1 million For more information see: Learning Resource Centre opened in http://library.ulster.ac.uk/coleraine/lrc Coleraine providing, in one location in Challenge Central Buildings, an excellent learning environment with easy access to The MBA Association of Ireland’s computers and printed materials. Strategy Forum, sponsored by InterTradeIreland, took place at Key features of the new facility are: UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate enhanced opening hours with 24 hour- Business School in late June 2007. opening of the IT area; approximately 190 computers as well as wireless networking Teams from Dublin City University, provided throughout the centre; extensive Trinity College Dublin, UCD Michael print collections on new shelving with Smurfit Graduate Business School, areas devoted to special and rare book University of Ulster and Waterford collections; approximately 680 study Institute of Technology competed in places split between IT spaces, individual a one-day intensive strategy session study/reader spaces and group room to answer the question ‘Where next study spaces with six group study rooms for Apple Computers, creators of the bookable by students for group activity. iconic IMac and Ipod?’

Presentations were made to a judging panel which included Laurence Lord, InterTradeIreland’s Corporate Services Director, and UU’s Belfast - One Vision Professor Patrick MacNamee. The UCD Smurfit School team won the challenge and was presented with Experts from Harvard University “This is what Urban Design, properly the MBA Strategy Forum Trophy at were in Belfast in July 2007 to conceived, does best: creatively reveal an awards ceremony that evening. showcase their visionary ideas for not only needed relationships between recasting the face of the city in the new and old parts of cites, but that “The MBA Strategy Forum new century. there may even be some important moves MBA students out of parts that are missing and need to the classroom and into the real The findings of the ‘Belfast Recast’ be designed.” challenges of business” explained studio conducted at Harvard’s Graduate InterTradeIreland’s Laurence Lord. School of Design were unveiled by The study group includes Professor “All the teams presented incisive Professor Richard Sommer, Director of Sommer, his colleague Dan Adams analysis, insight and informed Harvard’s Urban Design Program. and three interdisciplinary teams recommendations for Apple of advanced graduate students from Computer’s future - and showed the Professor Sommer is also undertaking Harvard’s Architecture, Landscape extremely high calibre of business a long-term study of urbanisation Architecture, and Urban Design programs. graduates we can look forward to in Northern Ireland and Belfast in across the island.” his capacity as a visiting American Professor Jim Berry, of UU’s School of Scholar and O’Hare Chair in Property the Built Environment said: Development and Design at UU. “Our linkage with the Harvard Graduate Professor Sommer said: School of Design has been a very positive experience for education in “The city of Belfast has recently Northern Ireland. It has provided an undertaken many impressive and excellent learning opportunity for the significant projects, but is at serious University to work with global experts in risk of not achieving enough bringing innovative design thinking to synergies between all these new bear on key sites across Northern investments. There is still too much Ireland and has promoted linkages of a ‘silo’ mentality: sites come up for between the academic, public and development and projects proceed private sectors focused on the intensive without any way to measure or guide study of the challenges offered by

the contribution they might make to the mixed use sites and the creative reuse From left: Conleth Donaghy, Paul Garland, Robert ‘Big Picture’. of the urban fabric of our cities.” McKeavney and Damian Moore of the UU MBA student team.

6 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 university news

Delivering Research Excellence The Doctoral Midwifery Research The DMRS also plans to hold an Society (DMRS) has been established international-standard scientific conference by UU’s Professor Marlene Sinclair, annually where cutting edge research by Ireland’s first Professor of Midwifery midwives will be presented. Research. It is funded by the Research and Development Office for NI Health A further development is the and Social Care. establishment of Special Research Interest Groups which will bring together small The main objective of the Society is to teams to develop portfolios of research provide quality support and guidance data, share best evidence and write to doctoral and post-doctoral midwife research proposals. Initially they will researchers regionally, nationally and meet face-to-face but it is hoped to internationally. It is the first time that a develop a virtual network to ensure that forum has been established which will international best practice is observed. allow doctoral midwives to undertake, present and disseminate their research. Professor Sinclair said:

During the next year the DMRS will “We want to ensure that midwifery present the Professor of Midwifery series research is of the highest standard of lectures which will demonstrate the and that those engaged in it have the methodological rigour required for high required support and guidance. The standard research and also showcase high establishment of the DMRS is in keeping profile research undertaken by leaders in with the strategic plan for research and midwifery research. development in Northern Ireland.” Professor Marlene Sinclair. CALLING ALL BEI STUDENTS .... WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

The Business Education Initiative is • To assist community building in a successful, innovative programme Northern Ireland by widening aimed at offering undergraduate horizons of our young people in a students studying in Northern new cultural setting. opportunities and develop the skill base of Ireland the opportunity to study staff working in Northern Ireland. business and management for BEI has provided an excellent opportunity one academic year at church for students from Northern Ireland to British Council are responsible for the affiliated universities and experience university life and study in the management and delivery of the BEI colleges in the USA. USA. The programme offers significant programme and we wish to hear from all financial incentives and is well regarded by past participants of BEI to discover if/how The programme began in 1994 and graduate employers. the programme has benefited you and over the years at least 1,200 students your career. We know that there are over from Northern Ireland have received Overall, the purpose of the BEI is to 1,200 BEI alumni out there, but where are scholarships to participate on produce graduates with an international, you now? this programme. business-orientated perspective who will be capable of eventually making a If you were a BEI student, or know contribution in advancing the Northern someone who was, please get in contact The BEI purposes are: Ireland economy. and register your details online at http://www.bei-ni.com/alumni/ • To develop the academic and It is hoped that over time, graduates of BEI or email applied skills of ambitious and will bring an entrepreneurial approach to [email protected] talented students in business- business life in Northern Ireland, making orientated subjects businesses more export focussed and Once registered, you will be able to competitive in a global market setting. network with other alumni and learn of • To create the opportunity for our It is expected that BEI graduates will be future BEI alumni events. young people to realise their well equipped to help drive our businesses ambitions in international business forward, recognise development We look forward to hearing from you soon.

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 7 university news

REDISCOVER NORTHERN IRELAND

The University and UU graduates played a significant highlighted the vibrant innovation and creativity found in role in this year’s Rediscover Northern Ireland Northern Ireland. This exhibition was also shown at the programme in Washington DC. Ormeau Baths Gallery in Belfast during August 2007.

Rediscover Northern Ireland began during the St Patrick’s Day celebrations on 15 March 2007 and culminated in the Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife Festival from 27 June – 8 July 2007 including art and craft exhibitions, concerts, poetry readings and demonstrations of skills and traditions.

Resolutions: New Art from NI featured work from over 20 artists, all of whom have strong links with the University’s School of Art and Design. The exhibition, hosted by the world famous Katzen Arts Center at the American University, in association with the Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast, was curated by Katzen Center Director Dr Jack Rasmussen. Maritime Archaeologists Thomas McErlean, Rosemary McConkey, Contributors included internationally renowned artists such Dr Colin Breen and Dr Wes Forsythe on the National Mall. as UU’s Professor Willie Doherty, twice nominated for the Turner Prize and Professor Paul Seawright, a leading figure in The University also had links with many of the musical development of photography in the UK, as well as emerging offerings during the programme. University Musicians-in- stars who have graduated from the University more recently. Residence Darragh Morgan (violin) and Mary Dullea (piano), performed in concert at the Philips Collection Museum of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett said: Modern Art on Sunday 13 May and First Trust Bank/University of Ulster Distinguished Graduate Brian Irvine performed in “The University’s School of Art and Design is the largest concert with the Brian Irvine Ensemble and was also the provider of undergraduate and postgraduate art and design Composer in Education Resident at the Duke Ellington School education on the island of Ireland and is recognised nationally for the Arts during April 2007. and internationally for its research. During the Folklife Festival, held on the National Mall, the “All but one of the featured artists in this exhibition graduated University was represented by Dr Wes Forsythe, Dr Colin from the University’s School of Art and Design and over half Breen, Rosemary McConkey and Thomas McErlean from the hold the esteemed Master of Fine Art degree. This is evidence School of Environmental Sciences, who were showcasing NI’s of the wealth of talent emerging from UU and continues marine archaeology. The team presented a range of exhibits the long tradition of excellence from the School of Art demonstrating the impact and contribution of Northern Irish and Design.” archaeology to international heritage. These highlighted pioneering studies on shipwrecks and coastal sites, including Craft NI, supported by UU, presented Made in Northern the discovery of the earliest known tidal mill in the world at Ireland: A Dynamic of Change, an exhibition held in the Strangford, and Northern Ireland’s rich shipping legacy from Smithsonian Institution’s S. Dillon Ripley Center, which the Girona to the Titanic.

Many of the participants in the Festival were UU alumni, including Dr David Hume MBE (Grand Orange Lodge), Paul Flynn (Arts Council NI), Gino Lupari (Four Men and a Dog), and Linda Ballard (Ulster Folk and Transport Museum).

To mark the beginning of the Folklife Festival, the University and the NI Bureau in Washington organised a joint reception for UU alumni and friends of the University and the Bureau (see page 16 for details).

The University was delighted to play such a significant role in Professor Richard Barnett, Jane Brooks Beer, Professor Samuel Beer and the Rediscover Northern Ireland programme, and we hope that Maeve Walls in front of ‘Pays de Mont Blanc 2003’ by Darren Murray it will assist us to improve our links in North America, and build from the Collection of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. many new ones.

8 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 university news

Honorary Graduates Summer 2007 Working 9 to 5 ...

As a UU graduate, the chances are that you’re reading this thinking that your studying days are behind you. We hope not!

Why further study? There are many reasons for keeping your qualifications topped up and studying part-time at your alma mater may be one way of realising ambitions you never had when you graduated. Cathal Goan, Doctor of Letters Enya, Doctor of Letters Martin Amis, Doctor of Letters It is a competitive world. You may have reached a point in your career when you want to improve your job prospects. One way to do this is to refresh your knowledge, even if you have studied to an advanced level already. We are constantly adding new courses to our portfolio. We may have something new that will help you change your career.

Balancing the demands of your study with the rest of your life is one of the key factors in making a success of it. Professor Jennifer Adgey, Professor Rick Batterbee, Professor Martha Schwartz, We try to help as much as we can by Doctor of Science Doctor of Science Doctor of Science being flexible. It is a challenge, but the rewards are great – in terms of personal fulfilment or in real career benefits.

Part-time study is a way of attaining those rewards without having to manage the demands of coming into university every day. A few hours spent in study every week might change your life. Those hours don’t even need to be spent on-campus. Through Campus One, we offer an unequalled portfolio of distance E Neville Isdell, John Gilliland, Ann Tate, learning opportunities delivered Doctor of Science Doctor of Science Doctor of the University directly to your computer.

The best thing about flexible learning is that we have something for everyone, from pre-degree level right through to Masters qualifications. If part-time study isn’t for you this time, pass on your Ulster Graduate to a work colleague or family member!

Why not have a look at our online prospectus or order our CDROM pack to see what’s coming up for 2008? Full details of all our courses can be Linda Beard, His Grace The Most Reverend Tommy Makem, Doctor of found at: Doctor of the University Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Letters. We note, with regret http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk and Doctor of Laws that Dr Makem died shortly http://campusone.ulster.ac.uk after receiving his honorary doctorate.

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 9 innovation and enterprise

Bouncing Bugs Scoop Let’s Work Together Prize at Ireland’s The University of Ulster can help your business thrive. Combine our expertise and resources with your Biggest Student Awards company’s knowledge and skills and we can achieve extraordinary results. Sponsors Enterprise Ireland, Ulster Bank and Invest NI honoured five students from the University with a merit award at the 2007 Student Enterprise Awards, Ireland’s biggest third level business awards, during a ceremony in The Royal College of Physicians, Dublin.

Students Alison Cole, Louise Fleming, Ruth Forsythe, Karen Green and Emma Kilpatrick of team ‘Bouncing Bugs’ from the BA Hons Business Studies programme, beat off stiff competition from hundreds of third level students across Ireland with their business proposal.

The all-female team came up with a business idea for a children’s gym called ‘Bouncing Bugs’ which is designed for children aged five to nine. Its aim is to fulfil a niche in the Here are just some of the services we offer: leisure market and combat current concerns over obesity in children. • the chance to tap into the expertise of over 1350 academics across a range of disciplines Now in its 24th year, the Student Enterprise Awards - which • state-of-the-art facilities were designed to foster and promote innovation and • access to over 25,000 highly employable students for entrepreneurship amongst third level students across the placements and career positions island of Ireland - had a celebrity entrepreneurial expert on the • partnerships with the University in cutting edge judging panel, Ruth Badger. Ruth is the star of the hit BBC research projects show, The Apprentice, as well as Sky One’s Badger or Bust. • personal and professional development through a range of courses, e-learning and short courses tailored to meet The promotion of the competition within the universities your needs in Northern Ireland was the responsibility of the Northern • networking with other businesses and academics in your Ireland Centre for Entrepreneurship (NICENT). Paul Brown of field at our regular Knowledge Club events the Centre at the University of Ulster stated that: • Knowledge Transfer Programmes – FUSION and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). “Competitions such as the Student Enterprise Awards provide a useful opportunity for students to explore what entrepreneurial new venturing might have to offer them, What businesses say: they can explore what working for themselves might have to offer as opposed to working for someone else.” James Leckey Designs Ltd, Dunmurry - on the completion of a successful KTP with the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, UU - said:

“...As a direct result of KTP, the company has been transformed into a world-player in the market sector. New processes and materials were also developed and now the company is exporting to the US, Europe and Japan. Sales have almost doubled in these new markets. Eventually export sales are predicted to amount to twice the volume of sales in the UK.”

For further information on how we can help your business or to request a copy of the latest edition of U2B, the Business Liaison team’s newsletter for and about the business community, contact the Business Liaison Office on 028 9036 8019 email: [email protected] or log on to http://oie.ulster.ac.uk Front from left, Louise Fleming, Emma Kilpatrick, Alison Cole, Karen Green, and Karen Wilson (Invest NI). Back from left, James McGowan (School of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and To view a copy of U2B online see www.ulster.ac.uk/u2b/ Strategy), Pauric McGowan (NICENT) and Paul Brown (NICENT).

10 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 innovation and enterprise GRADUATE INNOVATION

The University offers a number of excellent opportunities Dr Edward Archer, FUSION to help graduates progress their careers. Two programmes designed to match up companies, academic Dr Edward Archer completed a FUSION project with Irish institutions and graduates are Knowledge Transfer Composites Ltd in 2006. Partnership (KTP) and FUSION – both of which provide increased career prospects, an attractive salary package and the chance to complete a professional qualification.

Two graduates with first-hand experience of KTP and FUSION tell us how they benefited.

Antonio Lupari, KTP

Antonio Lupari was employed as a KTP associate in Creagh Concrete, a manufacturing company in Toomebridge.

His project focused on developing an integrated quality and environmental management system to address the needs of customers, suppliers, employees and management.

Commenting on his personnel highlights of KTP Antonio said:

“As well as gaining experience of working with a fast Irish Composites is an innovative design, manufacturing and developing company, I became a student member of IRCA, testing company, based in Galway. completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Practice and NVQ level 4 Management modules. I also had the opportunity As the graduate working on this FUSION project, Edward to attend numerous courses and workshops to develop my looked specifically at cure monitoring of thermoplastic skills within the area of quality. For the company there was an recyclable wind turbine blades during production. He helped increase in turnover of 50% and profit of 209% during the to develop a processing route for the turbine blades which course of the KTP project – that is some achievement!” is currently under application for European Patent by Irish Composites. After completing the KTP programme, Antonio was appointed as a full-time member of staff in the role of Business Edward sums up the highlights of his experience, Improvement Manager in charge of a team of 100 people. Since then he has been promoted to Manufacturing Manager. “The FUSION scheme offers superb opportunities. I found the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice Creagh had another UU graduate as a KTP, Jacqui Burns (KTP particularly useful and I enjoyed relating much of the theory 2000-2002). Her project focused on assisting sales expansion to a commercial application. I have built up my technical through an effective marketing development strategy. Jacqui competences and made many useful contacts throughout the successfully completed her KTP and is currently employed as island (in industry and academia). This has been very Marketing Manager in the company. beneficial in my career as a Research Associate at the University of Ulster.”

How to Apply:

FUSION and KTP positions are advertised in the national and local press in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

For further information on FUSION contact Dr Janet Johnston on 028 9036 8215 or email [email protected].

KTP enquiries contact KTP Office on 028 7137 5236 or email [email protected] From left: George McAllister, Jackie Conway and Antonio Lupari.

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 11 development and alumni relations Richard Kennedy Degenhardt Belleek Collectors’ Scholarships

Ceramic artists Kerrie Ahern and Rebecca Simpson and Celtic scholar Seán Ó Maólagáin were this year’s winners of the Richard Kennedy Degenhardt Belleek Collectors’ Scholarships. The Scholarships worth £550, are presented annually to outstanding UU students in the fields of ceramics and Celtic studies.

The Scholarships were presented at a special ceremony on the Belfast campus in April. Presenting the awards was Mrs Linda Beard, Chair of the Degenhardt Scholarship Endowment Fund. Mrs Beard said:

“This is the sixth year that these Scholarships have been presented and I am delighted to say the enthusiasm and positive commitment to the Scholarships from collectors all over the world has been overwhelming.

“The standard of entries from the students seems to get higher each year and we have offered three Scholarships this time as Seated from left: Rebecca Simpson, Seán O’Maólagáin, and Kerrie Ahern opposed to the original two.” Standing from left: Gerry Burns, Linda Beard, Larry Beard, Professor Bob Welch

Mrs Beard was presented with the honorary degree of Doctor of Experimental Factory, a recently created ceramics design studio the University in July (see page 9) in recognition of her services to and residential artist studio. development at the University. Rebecca Simpson proposed to attend the seventeenth annual Richard Kennedy Degenhardt was instrumental in establishing summer school of the Northern Ireland Group for Art Therapists, the Belleek Collectors’ International Society, and the Scholarships, which offers presentations, workshops and group discussions for founded in his memory, are funded by the Society as well as by individuals with an interest in the therapeutic application of art Belleek Collectors worldwide, international Belleek Chapters, with children and adults. Belleek Pottery and friends and family of Mr Degenhardt. Seán Ó Maólagáin’s proposal was to spend time in the Gaeltacht Kerrie Ahern plans to use her scholarship to travel to China to region of Donegal to preserve a contemporary eye-witness work with Takeshi Yasuda, formerly a Professor of Ceramics account of a vanishing way of life by recording the life story of at the University of Ulster, who is now Director of the PWS 91 year old Niall Ó Maólagáin. Alumni Library Membership

We are delighted to announce that all graduates of the Alumni library membership is for 12 months at a time, but University resident in the UK and Ireland can now join can be renewed on confirmation of your contact details. the Library as Alumni Borrowers. There is no fee for this service. We regret that access to e-journals, databases and other online resources is not available to Alumni Alumni Borrowers may borrow up to two standard loan Borrowers because of strict licensing rules limiting books and will be able to request books from any of our access to current staff and students of the University. Campus Libraries. To register go to: http://library.ulster.ac.uk/alumni/ The application process is completed online and If you have any queries about this service please following verification a borrower card will be sent contact Ciaran Cregan at: [email protected] out within five days. or on: 028 7137 5256

12 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 development and alumni relations

ALUMNI FUND TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS

A number of alumni have been to Washington DC to consult papers in You can donate by the following awarded Travel Scholarships from the Library of Congress, the National methods: the Alumni Fund this semester. The Endowment for Democracy Library and By cheque - made payable to the awards are made to assist students Georgetown University Library. ‘University of Ulster Foundation’. (USA who need to consult material or Donors - cheques should be made conduct research outside Northern Maria Cambell is a first year PhD student payable to ‘The American Friends of the Ireland. They are funded from the who used her award to travel to Boston University of Ulster’). Alumni Fund, which was set up to and New York to undertake research enable us to use donations from into the poets Robert Lowell and Anne By credit card - donations can be made alumni to extend the opportunities Sexton and to interview the New York Poet over the telephone by calling the Alumni available to our students. Laureate Sharon Olds. Office on 028 9036 8350 or through our web pages at http://alumni.ulster. Kate Ellis is a PhD student studying Atsushi Tamura, is a third year PhD Music ac.uk/alumnifund.html how political violence affects children student who is researching Rachmaninoff’s in Northern Ireland and Israel. She second piano sonata. He travelled to Yale By Standing Order – we can send used her award towards the cost of University to study various versions of you a form or you can download one travel to Israel to conduct research with scores of the sonata. from http://alumni.ulster.ac.uk/ schoolchildren. alumnifund.html. Just £10 a month We would like to thank all those who have for three years, with Gift Aid, is worth Mathew Hill is a final year PhD student contributed to the fund so far. £460.80 to us. researching American market democracy promotion in Bosnia-Herzegovina If you would like to learn more about Further details of Gift Aid are on our during the Clinton administration and the Alumni Fund, our campaign leaflet is website. (USA Donors – Donations to Afghanistan during the George W Bush available at http://alumni.ulster.ac.uk/ the American Friends are tax-deductible administration. His award was for travel alumnifund.html to the extent allowed by law).

13

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 13 alumni events and reunions

Magee Reunion Nearly 50 graduates from the classes of 1997 and 1987 returned to the Magee campus in April for the annual 10 and 20 years on reunion.

During the afternoon Professor Alan Sharp spoke about developments on campus both past and future, and talked about how much the campus has grown in both student numbers and in physical size . Afterwards the alumni were able to see the latter for themselves when they were given a tour of the campus by Frank Carey, allowing the graduates to view some of the facilities which have been The day was rounded off with a dinner The reunion for the Magee graduates of added since their time as students, in the magnificent setting of the Great 1988 and 1998 will be held on Saturday including the Learning Resource Hall, where graduates enjoyed catching 5 April 2008. We will be sending out Centre, Aberfoyle House and the Foyle up with old friends and talking of days invitations, but put the date in your Arts Building. gone by. diary now. London Alumni Barbeque Hong Kong Reception Over 100 graduates from universities easy access to international markets across the island of Ireland enjoyed have helped make Northern Ireland a a barbeque at Callaghan’s Bar centre for investment from some of the November 2007 in Bloomsbury in July. The wet world’s top companies. A reception is being held for alumni of weather failed to dampen the UU at the Pacific Club, Tsimshatsui, Hong enthusiasm of those who attended, Across its global network of offices, Kong on Friday 30 November 2007. We and there was a real buzz from Invest NI delivers a tailored package of will be sending invitations out nearer the graduates catching up with old practical and financial support; enabling date, so if you would like to attend, do friends, and making new ones. new investors to become operational please let us have your correct mailing quickly and helping them achieve address and email address if you think we Many thanks sustained growth. Visit: may not have them. to Invest www.investni.com/invest Northern Ireland, who A number of events are planned for sponsored London during the next year, see Information on all our the event. http://alumni.ulster.ac.uk for details. Invest NI is the events and reunions, government- both past and present, funded agency responsible for promoting economic development in Northern Ireland or throughout Northern Ireland; to elsewhere, are listed on grow the economy by helping new and existing businesses to compete our website at internationally and by attracting new http://alumni. investment into Northern Ireland. ulster.ac.uk/ The region’s young, talented workforce; eventsandreunions.html together with competitive costs and UU graduates at the barbeque.

14 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 alumni events and reunions Coleraine ‘Graduates of the ‘70s Reunion’

August 2007 saw the return to the Saturday saw a talk about the campus, Dr Brian Rushton, take a minibus tour of Coleraine campus of more than presented by former Provost Professor the local area or take a boat trip along the 60 graduates who had studied Peter Roebuck, which ranged from coast with local company Seatreks - a new at the then New University of photographs of the campus in its earliest feature which will definitely be offered Ulster during the 1970s. Alumni days through to future developments. again in future years. had travelled from as far afield as This was followed by a tour, giving the Australia, South Africa and opportunity to see some of the many After the almost impossible task of Portugal as well as from across changes which have taken place in the getting almost 70 people to stand still the UK and Ireland. intervening years. Professor Roebuck had long enough to be photographed, those brought along some photographs from attending enjoyed the reunion dinner in The weekend started with an informal the ‘70s, which sparked off the Bannview dining room. The graduates reception in the Senior Common many reminiscences. were joined by several former members of Room, where many old friendships staff, including Professor Terry O’Keeffe. were rekindled and much catching up Saturday afternoon offered the was done. opportunity to tour the Arboretum with To round off the evening the Senior Common Room was open until late so that everyone could carry on socialising and asking “whatever happened to...” and “did you hear about...”. Copies of some of the student publications of the era, such as the Ballysally Gazette, Phase One and Satyr were available for people to look at, prompting a few comparisons of then with now.

The weekend was judged to be a great success, and our thanks to everyone who helped to make it so, including Professor Roebuck, Dr Rushton, the catering staff and the Senior Common Room.

Another reunion for the class of the ‘70s will be organised in five or six years, and next year’s reunion, for the classes of 1980-1984 will be held on 29 and 30 August 2008.

Erasmus/Exchange Alumni 1992 -1993

An international group of UUC alumni met at McHugh’s Bar in Belfast on 4 August 2007. The reunion, which focused on erasmus/exhange students from ‘92-’93, was small, but successful. Everyone enjoyed the craic immensely.

Jean-Philippe Pons made the trip from France, but did not arrive in time for the photo. Sunday afternoon included a memorable trip to the Coleraine campus and a lovely walk on the strand in Portstewart. If we missed you, please contact Sue Rees or Shannon MacKinnon for future events. Shannon can be contacted at [email protected] From left: Hans Lejdegard (Sweden), Shannon MacKinnon (USA), and Conor Browne (NI).

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 15 alumni events and reunions

Reception for Alumni and Friends in Washington DC

Over 140 alumni, honorary graduates, friends and guests attended a reception in the Northern Ireland Bureau’s building in Washington DC on 29 June 2007. Many of the alumni travelled significant distances to be there, including alumni from Texas, Florida and New York.

The event was timed to coincide with the first weekend of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which featured Northern Ireland as a participant. Many of the Bureau staff are themselves UU graduates, including Pictured above are some of the UU alumni and staff who attended the reception. the then NI Bureau Director Tim Losty (PG Diploma Marketing 1988 and MSc Business Improvement 2000) and Deputy Director Maeve Walls (MBA 1995).

Special guests included Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning. We were also pleased to welcome participants from the Festival including representatives from UU’s Centre for Maritime Archaeology and graduates who were at the Festival representing a variety of NI organisations. For more information on UU’s contribution to the Festival and other activities in Washington please see page 8. From Left: John Rankin, Noreen Taggart, Sir Reg Empey and Maeve Walls. Working with Eastern Europe A seminar on Working with Eastern Europe was organised by the UU Alumni Association, in partnership with the University’s Knowledge Club at the Jordanstown campus in May.

This seminar was aimed at those in organisations and businesses interested in joint ventures with, and exporting to, Eastern Europe. It covered cultural and legal issues, and sources of help and information as well as examples from the personal experiences of businessmen or women who have lived and worked in the region.

The speakers were Suzanne Hill, Director of Handel Export; Alison McCann, Commercial Lawyer and Jo Ann Morgan, Head of Research and Residential Property with Parker Green International; Maurice Mulvenna from UU and Eleanor From left: Sue Rees, Alison McCann, Suzanne Hill, Eleanor Butterwick, Maurice Mulvenna and Jo Ann Morgan. Butterwick from Invest NI.

16 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 alumni events and reunions

Dublin Wine Tasting – Belfast campus Wines for Christmas Class of ’57 Reunion Do you remember the top floor of the ‘Tech’? The plaster 6.30pm 25 October 2007, Dublin casts modestly covered with sheets to avoid offending the innocent visitor? The big presses in the back The second Wine Tasting for UU alumni in Dublin will corridor? Mr Warwick’s office at the top of the stairs? be held on Thursday 25 October 2007. If so, you may be interested in an anniversary reunion for The tasting will take place in the glorious old wine cellar students of Belfast College of Art who started in the year of the Berry Bros. & Rudd Building, just off Grafton Street 1957. The event is to be held at the Belfast campus on and will represent the classic tasting format for Christmas Saturday 27 October 2007 and will take the form of a lunch. Lunch/Dinner. We plan to have a talk about the development of the college since the late 50s and the work that is currently in progress, Founded in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd opened its Dublin a tour of the college and an exhibition of work by those wine shop in 1999. Located in the former Weights and attending the reunion. Measures Office, built in 1880, it has been fully restored and now houses over 800 wines within its historic walls. The invitation to the event is extended to students of all A fascinating display in the shop of some of the original years who were at the college in 1957. Unfortunately our Standard Weights and Measures, on loan from Dublin Civic records for 50 years ago are not readily available so if you Museum, is reminiscent of the giant scales which dominated were a student then, or know of anyone who was, and Berrys’ original store in St. James’s Street, London. Beneath would like more information please contact Margaret Ravey the shop, atmospheric cellars contain an unbeatable at [email protected] or alternatively contact selection of fine and rare wines. Sue Rees, Alumni Relations Manager, on 028 9036 6844

The first Wine Tasting for UU alumni in Dublin was held on Thursday 26 April 2007. A wine connoisseur gave the group ‘an insight into the Classic Grapes’ featuring wines Alumni Event in Munich from France, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and explaining how its geographic origin affects the taste of We are planning to hold our first ever event in Munich in the next each wine. few months, and are hoping to set up a Bavarian Branch of the Alumni Association. We have been in contact with the alumni in the region for whom we have email addresses, who have responded very positively to the suggested event and branch.

We are currently discussing dates, but if you are interested in attending an event in Munich or joining a Bavarian Alumni Branch do please contact the Alumni Relations Office. Details of the event will be posted on our website and invitations posted shortly.

QUIZ, SENIOR COMMON ROOM, COLERAINE CAMPUS 8.00pm, 15 November 2007

A quiz is being held in the Senior Common Room at the Coleraine campus on Thursday 15 November 2007 to raise Dublin Wine Tasting April 07. funds for the Alumni Fund. Why not come along for a fun chance to test your general knowledge, and an enjoyable Costs (Subsidised by the Alumni Association) night out. It costs just £1 per head and there will be a variety of prizes to be won. UU alumni €20.00 per person UU guest €30.00 per person Maximum of 30 participants. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Information on all our events and reunions, both past and present, in Contact For further information and to book contact: Northern Ireland or elsewhere, are the Alumni Relations Office on 028 9036 8350 or email listed on our website at http://alumni. [email protected] ulster.ac.uk/eventsandreunions.html

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 17 alumni events and reunions

Alumni Golf Challenge

45 alumni, staff, students and Winning Team Stableford friends of UU took part in the Competition 90 pts: Pauline Thom, fourth University of Ulster Golf Patrick Reid, Dougie Thom, Bernie Daly Challenge, held in June 2007. Runner-up Team Stableford Organised by the University’s Alumni Competition 85 pts: Association, the Golf Challenge was Maurice McFarland, Stephen McFadden, held at Galgorm Castle Golf and Henry Richmond, Gerard Hughes Country Club in Ballymena. The golfers Professor Jim Allen and Grant Dugan. enjoyed a welcome barbeque and drink at the ninth green, and finished the Winner Individual Stableford evening with an excellent dinner in the Competition 43 pts: Grant Dugan club where the prize-giving took place. Runner-up Individual Stableford Professor Jim Allen, Pro Vice-Chancellor Competition 38 pts: Pauline Thom (Communication and Institutional Development), thanked the participants and everyone who had donated prizes, Par Three Team Challenge +2 points: including Belfast Visitor and Convention William O’Brien, Mark McMenamin, Bureau, Open Fairways, Hilton Hotels, Keiran Morrison, Fergal Callan Tyrone Crystal and the Riverside Theatre, and presented the prizes to the Next year’s Golf Challenge will take Winning Team: Bernie Daly, Patrick Reid, following winners: place on Thursday 19 June 2008. Dougie Thom with Professor Jim Allen.

West Coast, USA INAUGURAL The Official Residence of the British Consul General in Los Angeles was the setting for the first UU alumni event NORTHERN on the West Coast of the USA. Consul- General Bob Peirce and his wife Sharon IRISH Harroun Peirce kindly agreed to host an informal reception for alumni and friends of the University in the area. NETWORKING

Professor Jim Allen, Pro Vice-Chancellor Mrs Sharon Harroun Peirce, far right, with alumni. EVENING, SAN (Communication and Institutional Development) was joined by Alumni After a few words of welcome from Consul- Relations Manager Sue Rees and Professor General Peirce, Professor Allen spent a little FRANCISCO Paul Arthur, who was undertaking a while updating the guests on developments Venue: Fulbright Fellowship at Stanford University at the University and some of the exciting Johnny Foley’s Irish House, last Semester. projects planned for the future. 243 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, The reception was held in the garden of CA 94102 the Residence, where beautiful harp music (415) 954-0777 enhanced the occasion. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends with Time: 6pm – 8pm a common bond. Date: Thursday, 25 October 2007 The University has over 100 graduates on the West Coast, and working with Invest Drinks and appetizers provided by Northern Ireland we are planning to set up Invest Northern Ireland. British Consul-General to Los Angeles Bob Peirce, far a network of Northern Ireland graduates in right, addressing the guests. the region.

18 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 people Northern Ireland Assembly The Northern Ireland Assembly was 2006/2007. He A member of the Northern Ireland Bar and restored on 8 May 2007 having been is Chairman of the Bar of Ireland, he has been SDLP MLA suspended almost five years earlier Corporate Services in for Belfast North since 1998. A member in October 2002. UU’s Professor Lisburn City Council of the Social Development Committee in Paul Arthur, a well known political and also serves as a the new Assembly, he was Chair of the commentator, reflects on the director of Voluntary Regional Development Committee and University’s contribution to the new Services Lisburn, served on the Education Committee in the Northern Ireland government. Lisburn Citizens first Assembly. Advice Bureau and Professor Paul Arthur, well known to many sits on the Ulster UU alumni, writes: Grand Prix Steering Basil McCrea, group. He is a member of the Apprentice MSc Informatics “Virtu, a heightened sense of duty, was Boys and Deputy Master in the Orange 2000, Jordanstown held in very high esteem in both Greek and Order. Jonathan, who represents the DUP, Roman public life. It is also implicit in the was elected as MLA for Lagan Valley in Basil is a member of corporate aims of the University of Ulster, March 2007 and he serves on the Social Lisburn City Council and it is gratifying to see it represented Development Committee and the Public and was a Party in the composition of the new Northern Accounts Committee in the Assembly. Officer for the UUP Ireland Assembly. It must say something until his election to about the diversity of the experiences that the Northern Ireland students encounter at UU that all five Anna Lo, Diploma Assembly in 2007. major parties have UU graduates as MLAs. Social Work 1993, He was a candidate Advanced Diploma in the 2005 General Election unsuccessfully “But it goes much further than that. In the Management contesting the Lagan Valley seat. Basil has last (transitory) Assembly UU produced at Practice 1995, MSc significant international business experience least one Minister and the Speaker. Indeed Executive Leadership having worked in Germany, the US and in the negotiations that led to the creation 2006, Jordanstown the Middle East. He is a member of the of the Assembly we learnt through the Education and Employment and Learning diary of the late Professor Antony Alcock Anna made history Committees in Stormont and is the Party that it was a ‘triumph for UU’ in that UU in 2007 by becoming Spokesperson for these portfolios. produced four front-line negotiators.” the first person from an ethnic minority to be elected For the first time in more than a to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Anna Conor Murphy, generation there is a real prospect for was born in Hong Kong and she moved BA Hons Modern sustainable devolution. UU graduates to Northern Ireland in 1974. A qualified Studies in the are again well represented in the current Social Worker, she was a founder member Humanities, 1996, Assembly and The Ulster Graduate has of the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Jordanstown been looking across the parties at those Minorities and was on the first Equality

UU graduates who are empowered to Commission for Northern Ireland. She is Conor Murphy make important contributions to the currently Chief Executive of the Northern was elected as a development of Northern Ireland. Those Ireland Chinese Welfare Association. Councillor in Newry featured are intended to give a flavour Anna is a member of the Committee for and Mourne District across the parties, and we will be featuring Employment and Learning and the Social Council in 1989 other UU graduates who serve as MLAs Development Committee and is Alliance serving until 1997. Prior to his election as and in other roles as the work of the Party spokesperson for each of these a public representative he was employed Assembly moves forward. key portfolios. as project manager for the South Armagh PoW’s Project. He was elected as MP for Amongst the MLAs who have studied at Newry and Armagh in 2005 succeeding UU are Jonathan Craig (DUP), Anna Lo Alban Maginness, Seamus Mallon MP and was Sinn Féin’s (Alliance), Alban Maginness (SDLP), Basil BA Hons History Assembly group leader from 2003 to 2007. McCrea (UUP) and Minister for Regional 1973, Coleraine In May 2007, Conor was elected to the Development Conor Murphy (Sinn Féin). new Northern Ireland Assembly as MLA for Alban Maginness Newry and Armagh and was subsequently Jonathan Craig, HND Mechanical made history when nominated by his Party to serve as Minister Engineering 1987, Jordanstown he was appointed as for Regional Development in the Executive. the first nationalist His ministerial responsibilities include Jonathan was first elected to Lisburn City Lord Mayor of strategic planning, transport, public Council in 2001 and served as Mayor in Belfast in 1997. transport, roads and water policy.

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 19 people

Coffee with Oliver Jeffers by Christopher Johnston

Artist Oliver Jeffers is clearly a debut picture book, How to Catch a Star, man who is going places fast. was inspired by a moment sitting on the His impressive talents have been end of a jetty in Sydney, looking at the recognised in his shortlisting for the stars. After submitting his illustrations to Irish Children’s Book of the Year 2007 HarperCollins Publishers, without the help for his picture book The Incredible of an agent, his work was picked out of Book Eating Boy. the submissions pile and he was offered a contract the following day. Most people would recognise Oliver’s distinctive style automatically - playful There are many dimensions to Oliver’s illustrations captured so well in his first talent and one of the most recent projects picture book How to Catch a Star- which has seen him collaborate with his brother have earned him international acclaim. Rory (also a talented artist and UU Most recently this included winning the graduate) and international artists Mac coveted Blue Peter Book of the Year Premo and Duke Riley to produce a piece award for his spectacular book Lost and of art known simply as ‘Book’ (lookatbook. Found and then becoming the official com). For thirty-six weeks a sketchbook illustrator for the 10th World Book Day... was sent from one artist to the next, each pretty impressive for someone who only artist having five days to complete a piece graduated from UU in 2002. of art in response to the preceding one. Depiction of Beauty. By the time the sketchbook was finished Oliver, who was born in Western it had clocked up 60,000 miles between would be cut off. The exhibition named Australia and grew up in North Belfast, Belfast and Brooklyn resulting in an appropriately ‘Building’ is brought to life first realised his talent for painting after inspirational collection of artwork. through a series of painted objects from coming runner-up in The Irish News the switch room. amateur art competition back in 1995. It As well as bringing new colours to life in was then that he decided to explore his Belfast City through his many exhibitions Oliver’s latest work is very ambitious and talent further by studying for a degree which have included ‘Nine Days in Belfast’ sees him focusing on what he calls his in Illustration and Visual Communication - a unique insight into nine days of his true “passion for painting”. Through a at the Belfast campus. Whilst at UU experience of growing up in Belfast series of figurative oil paintings overlaid he took time out to travel throughout - Oliver has extended his work to include with mathematical questions, he explores Australia, where he got his first big break preserving Belfast’s most important the relationship between art and science when Lavazza Coffee Company saw his artefacts. Again teaming up with Premo, to create a new understanding of their original coffee illustrations. This led to Riley and his brother Rory, they set about interplay. Leonardo da Vinci’s use of the him being featured in a live exhibition salvaging the remains of the electrical mathematically determined star shaped during the Aroma coffee festival at The switch room in Belfast City centre which figure of “Vitruvian Man” to create the Rocks, Sydney, where he illustrated on provided the electricity power for the city. perfect figure gives you some idea of the site in front of thousands of people, using The location of the switchboard room concept of Oliver’s work. the simple techniques of coffee stains remained a secret during the troubles and black ink. Like all good stories his for fear that the nerve power of the City One of the most distinctive aspects of Oliver’s work is his unconventional and extremely creative approach to art which in itself make his work so highly sought after. He also has a special ability to communicate different ideas. In his latest work ‘Additional Information’ he poses the question whether art can be logical and also emotional. Through his paintings Oliver explores this juxtaposition by drawing upon physics, philosophy, psychology and mathematics to create a collection of paintings which are truly thought provoking. Oliver’s next important move will see him locate from his Conway Mill studio in Belfast to New York where he will be truly painting on an international stage.

To find out more visit: Still life with light. www.oliverjeffers.com

20 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 people THREE CHEERS FOR IKEA

Three Jordanstown graduates are leading the team working to open IKEA’s first store in Ireland, which will open in Belfast on 13 December 2007. Paul Reid is the Belfast Store Manager, Helen Blakley the Marketing Manager for Belfast and Dublin and Cathy Donnelly is the Human Resource Manager for Belfast and Dublin.

At 29,000 sq metres, IKEA Belfast will be one of the Swedish retailer’s flagship stores and will stock the full range of IKEA products totalling 9,500 items.

Paul graduated in 1997 with a BSc Hons Building Engineering and Management. Paul balanced his final year studies with working for the construction company with which he had spent his placement year, but decided when he graduated to work for Marks and Spencer. He gained a place on their graduate programme and worked in retail management with them for several years. Since moving to IKEA he has worked in Edinburgh, Sydney, Melbourne and Germany, but he is From left: Cathy Donnelly, Paul Reid and Helen Blakley now settled back in Northern Ireland, for a while at least. Paul believes that his knowledge of building management is graduating from UU, Paul has returned to balancing work extremely beneficial when working with the company building with study. During the time when he was based with IKEA in the store, as he understands the process as well as knowing Germany, he completed a University course in the language. the requirements from a retailing perspective. Cathy gained a husband as well as a PG Diploma and Masters Helen completed the BSc Hons Communication, Advertising at UU, and comments that the best aspects of the course were and Marketing programme in 1997, and was offered a job the small class size and its practical nature. with Guinness on graduation, having enjoyed a successful placement year with the company during her studies. After All are very excited at bringing IKEA to Belfast, and are huge three years, she moved on to the Belfast Telegraph as fans of the products. Cathy in particular, speaking as an HR Promotions Manager. A post at Genesis followed, dealing professional, is enthusiastic about the positive experience she with many aspects of design, advertising and communication. had during the recruitment process. All believe that there are She joined IKEA in October 2006. enormous opportunities within the company, both in the UK and around the world and say that IKEA’s commitment to their After graduating from QUB Cathy travelled for a while, and staff is backed up by the investment it makes in training. In then after a short time at Bishop’s restaurant she spent ten particular they talk about the lack of a formal hierarchy, with years as Head of Human Resources at Botanic Inns. She has a everyone working together – in fact they speak of co-workers Postgraduate Diploma in Hotel and Tourism (1994) and an MA rather than of staff. Although IKEA has certain requirements in Human Resources Management (2000) from UU (completed for all stores, the local team are given the opportunity to use while she was working with, and supported by, Botanic Inns). their creativity to put a local ‘stamp’ on each store. They are Cathy joined IKEA last September, at the same time as Paul. also enthusiastic about the strong commitment IKEA has to the environment – the Belfast store will use rainwater to flush All three speak warmly of their time at Jordanstown, and the toilets and a wood pellet boiler will provide the heating. believe that the time spent there has been invaluable to their careers. All are still in touch with many friends from their Paul, Helen and Cathy are delighted at the excitement which student days. Helen feels that the placement year opened has greeted the arrival of IKEA in Belfast They are also pleased her eyes to how a marketing department relates to the other that the store is generating such an interest in Northern departments, while speaking positively about the practical Ireland, and the island of Ireland amongst IKEA co-workers nature of the programme. Many of the staff who will be in the UK. The team is preparing for the large numbers of working with Helen in the Marketing department are also shoppers expected at the opening and visited Paris in August UU alumni. to experience and learn from the opening of another major IKEA store. They expect many of the 400-plus people who will Paul says that he enjoyed his time as a student enormously, be employed by the store to be fellow UU graduates. although managing a construction project during his final year of study did not leave him much time to enjoy the traditional To find out more about IKEA Belfast visit: student pursuits with his friends and classmates! Since www.ikea.co.uk/belfast

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 21 people - class notes

Dr Alan Ruth, MA fieldwork stumbles into a murky world preparing to rise to the challenge of “living of political intrigue, while finding lots of and breathing Liverpool One” as it takes Marketing 1997, steamy romance along the way. shape in the city centre. Jordanstown Dave says that the novel is meant to Her responsibilities will include driving the be informative as well as entertaining image of Liverpool One to all stakeholders, and that the geography, biomedical making it a best in class shopping and and environmental science in it are all leisure destination, along with providing essentially accurate. As to the romance strategic leadership and direction to the – you’ll have to ask Matthew! management team.

Published by Athena, Oriente is available A profile of Joanne was published in issue from all major bookstores in the UK and 23 (Autumn 2005) of The Ulster Graduate. USA as well as from the appropriately named Amazon.com. Dave’s second novel, Transandina, set in Venezuela and Colombia, is to be published by Athena Claire Allan (nee Davidson) in December and his third, Ayllu-Andina, BA Hons Modern Studies set in Peru, next May. Like Oriente, Transandina and Ayllu-Andina also feature in the Humanities, Dr Alan Ruth has been appointed Chief UU academics whose research leads them 1997 Jordanstown, MA Executive Officer of the Irish Health Trade wandering into serious trouble. Newspaper Journalism Association. Prior to his appointment, Alan worked as an independent management Although members of the School of 1999 Belfast consultant. Before this, he was Managing Environmental Sciences claim to have Director of Searle Pharmaceuticals (Ireland). had great fun ‘identifying’ UU characters, After graduation Claire started working Dave stubbornly maintains that all of his as a reporter with the Derry Journal and Alan is a Chartered Biologist. He also characters are purely fictional. Readers will kept her writing strictly to evenings and holds the following qualifications: a have to draw their own conclusions. weekends. However in 2006, approaching Bachelor of Science in Psychology; a her 30th birthday, she decided to make a Masters in Business Administration; a stab at writing her first novel. Masters in Marketing with distinction (winning the Chartered Institute of In December 2006 she signed a four book Marketing Award for Best MA (Marketing) deal with Irish publishing giants Poolbeg Dissertation 1997); and a Doctorate in Press and her debut novel Rainy Days and Organisational Psychology. Tuesdays hit the shelves this summer - making its way into the original fiction top The Irish Health Trade Association ten within three weeks. The book deals represents the interests of manufacturers, with one working mother’s bid to renew importers, and distributors of her self confidence and get her life back complementary healthcare products. These on track - and deals with the taboo topic include vitamin and mineral supplements, of post-natal depression. It has earned her Dave and Matthew Eastwood. herbal preparations, homeopathic favourable reviews and comparisons with products, flower remedies, natural body Marian Keyes. care products and health foods. Joanne Jennings, BA Claire’s follow up novel Blue Line Blues is scheduled for release next summer. She is Hons European Business married to Neil and has one son, Joseph, Professor Dave Eastwood Studies 1991, Coleraine who is three and a half. and MA Marketing 1999, Geography and Environmental Science Jordanstown students who have sat through Professor Dave Eastwood’s ‘Geography of Development’ and ‘Latin American Joanne Jennings has been appointed as Development’ classes may have wondered the Chief Executive who will lead a £950m what he really got up to during his retail-led regeneration scheme in Liverpool, fieldwork research travels. known as Liverpool One, which is due to open in 2008. Joanne was formerly Now they may be able to find out by Chief Executive of Belfast City Centre reading his first novel, Oriente, a thriller Management Company. written jointly with his son Matthew and set in Bolivia in which a UU Biomedical Joanne, who has 15 years of experience in Sciences researcher on Amazonian urban regeneration in Northern Ireland, is

22 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 people - class notes

Larry and Dulcie development of Cirque du O.C. Circus, a to give recognition to writers starting out programme that brings together children on their careers and represent a substantial Kugelman, MA Peace from local and global communities in commitment by the company to the and Conflict Studies 2000, conflict and teaches creative and effective sponsorship of literature. communication through performance. Magee Picturing Peace, a collaborative project with UC Irvine and UU, teaches elementary Larry and Dulcie Kugelman are founding and middle school children how to members and leaders of the Center for communicate their feelings, values, Citizen Peacebuilding at the University and understanding of peace through of California, Irvine, and have a long- photography. After seeing its success standing history of developing, promoting, in the US, Larry and Dulcie were able to and spreading peacebuilding efforts implement the same programme in two internationally. Spending several years in schools in Northern Ireland. the seminary before travelling to Iran with the Peace Corps, Larry developed a love “Working with the Center for Citizen for international travel and helping others. Peacebuilding provides us a wonderful When a car purchased for $75 took him opportunity to express our interests and and his brother to Seattle, Larry developed continue our work in spreading peace, for another love when he met his wife, Dulcie, which we are very grateful,” the couple says. a London native whose passion for helping victims of war and violence led her to pursue a degree in peace studies from Chapman University. Philip Cummings, Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Languages for Celia de Fréine (judge) and Philip Cummings at the awards ceremony. Business 1995 Philip Cummings has won the Irish John Nelson, BSc Hons language section of the Glen Dimplex New Writers Awards 2006 for his poetry Physics 1977, DPhil 1981, collection Néalta Coiscéim. At a gala Coleraine awards ceremony on 2 November 2006 in Dublin’s Four Seasons Hotel, John Larry (left) and Dulcie (centre) with other UU alumni at John Nelson has been appointed O’Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and the recent UU West Coast event. as Executive Vice President and Tourism, Glen Dimplex Group Chairman Chief Operations Officer at the ON Martin Naughton and Group Chief Over the past ten years their shared desire Semiconductor Corporation based in Executive Seán O’Driscoll presented the to creatively spread peace has taken the Phoenix, Arizona. couple across the world, most notably to award, worth €5,000. Northern Ireland where they lived while Prior to joining ON Semiconductor, John Announcing the award for best first book studying for their Masters degrees in peace was the CEO of 1st Silicon, where he was and conflict studies. in the Irish language, Celia de Fréine from responsible for day-to-day operations the judging panel noted how, in Néalta, including worldwide manufacturing, sales, “We became fascinated with Northern Philip Cummings “delights in word-play, marketing and product development. Ireland and wanted to be of assistance his language beguiling in its simplicity, yet From 1990 to 2002, John served in to the peace process, especially to meticulous in its attention to detail. An several executive positions, including those seeking to reconcile after years epigraph on different cloud formations Chief Operating Officer of General of violence,” the couple says of their precedes each section in this book and Semiconductor and president of General decision to uproot and move to the helps weave its strands of love, loss, and life Semiconductor’s Asia-Pacific operation. region. Working with a local Irish woman in Belfast, into an effective sequence. This whose own family history is plagued with collection introduces a new voice in Irish Prior to leading General Semiconductor the traumatic consequences of years of language poetry which is fresh and individual, Taiwan’s divestiture from General violence in the country, the Kugelmans while giving a nod to past masters.” Instruments, John was president of helped develop Seeds of Hope, a grass- General Instruments, Taiwan, and he also roots organization aimed at building Philip has been the Arts’ Editor of the served as Vice-President and General reconciliation efforts where serious national, daily Irish language newspaper Manager of General Instruments power violence has occurred. Lá Nua for the past three years and has semiconductor division. John’s other published, as editor, two collections of experience includes positions as wafer Helping to lead the UC Irvine Center for articles from the paper’s archives. fabrication operations manager at Citizen Peacebuilding, Larry and Dulcie Unitrode and Fairchild Semiconductor, have continued their peacebuilding The Glen Dimplex New Writers Awards, as well as various wafer fabrication efforts, playing an instrumental role in the worth €45,000 over five categories, aim engineering posts at Analog Devices.

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 23 people

Research Fellow at UU’s Centre for the Study of Conflict, where he was Congratulations: centrally involved in ground-breaking community relations initiatives such as the Understanding Conflict Project and the David Hume, MBE BA Hons The award to Professor McGreal, who is Future Ways Project. Humanities 1985 and PhD 1994 based at the Jordanstown campus, was Jordanstown presented at the Gala Dinner of the 12th Now Assistant Director at the Annual Conference of the Asian Real University’s UNESCO Centre, he has also Graduate David Hume has been Estate Society/the 2007 American Real been chairman of the Northern Ireland awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Estate and Urban Economics Association Youth Committee, subsequently the Birthday Honours. The award was made held in Macau and attended by Northern Ireland Youth Council. He has for lengthy service to the community in 450 delegates. also been an Equality Commissioner Ballycarry and Larne, County Antrim, since 2003. and reflects involvement in a wide Professor Christine Bell, Associate variety of groups over many years. Director of the Transitional Justice Institute CRC Chief Executive, Duncan Morrow, (TJI), has won the American Society for says that no one has been more A journalist for 15 years, he left the media International Law’s Francis Deake Prize. fundamental to the path community in 2003 to become Director of Services relations activity has taken. with the Orange Order, based in Belfast. The prize is awarded annually for the leading article by a younger author in the “Derick is a truly deserving recipient of He was founding chairman of Ballycarry American Journal of International Law. the award and his passion, innovative Community Association in 1990, ideas and determination continue to co-founder in 1993 of the Broadisland She received the honour for her recent impact positively on the lives of many Gathering, the longest-established Ulster article on ‘Peace Agreements: Their Nature today. It is fitting that we present Scots family festival, and chairman of the and Legal Status.’ In the American Journal Derick with this award at a time of General Sir James Steele Trust Fund, a of International Law (2006). considerable progress in our community youth bursary scheme. as he more than anyone has helped In her article, Professor Bell, who is based bring us to the point where a shared He is also Honorary President of the at the Magee campus, traces the evolution future seems genuinely achievable.” Larne Ulster American Society and was of peace agreements in recent years, and one of those principally involved in the suggests that their increasing legalisation Dr James Uhomoibhi of the Faculty of twinning of Larne with Clover and York points to a newly emerging international Engineering has been appointed Europe County in South Carolina. His efforts in law stream. representative for the African Laser this latter regard resulted in him having Centre (ALC). the title of Honorary Citizen of Clover Dr Derick Wilson, one of Northern conferred by the city council in 1996. Ireland’s most influential community The Centre, a virtual centre of excellence relations activists, has been rewarded for focusing on laser research in Africa, Married with three sons, he is author his 37-year career at the heart of efforts to was established in 2002 to provide of several historical studies, the latest build a shared future. a platform through which Africa can of which was Far From the Green Fields pool its resources to become globally of Erin, a study of Ulster emigrants, Dr Wilson was presented with the competitive. The Centre is an open, published in 2005. Community Relations Council (CRC) annual non-exclusive partnership aimed at award for exceptional contribution. stimulating innovative research and Professor Stanley McGreal, Director of technology development in the field of the Built Environment Research Institute, He began his career in 1970 as a detached lasers and laser applications. has received the prestigious International youth worker in Sandy Row and Roden Real Estate Society 2007 Service Street, employed with the Schools Dr Uhomoibhi said Award in recognition of his significant Community Relations Project. contribution to the development of “I feel honoured to be appointed to the International Real Estate Society, of He then established the professional this important position in Europe in which he is a past president, and the training programmes for youth and service of my parent continent Africa. European Real Estate Society on whose community workers as a senior lecturer As we strive towards empowering and board he served from 1998-2005. in the then Northern Ireland Polytechnic. developing individual and societies in a These part-time and full time courses diverse and now global stage, I see this The International Real Estate Society attracted mature students from all areas as an opportunity to contribute towards brings together representatives of and backgrounds. technology and knowledge transfer in regional societies worldwide including science, engineering and technology the American, European, Asian, Pacific- Dr Wilson spent seven years with the in Africa using lasers as the driving Rim, Latin American, African and Middle Corrymeela Centre in Ballycastle between vehicle. Europe and especially African Eastern real estate societies. 1977 and 1985. From 1985 he was academics. I’ll be delighted to facilitate a

24 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 people

process to make progress a reality in Africa” Natasha Monroe Dr Uhomoibhi is the Faculty of BA Honours Business Studies 2005 Jordanstown Engineering E-Learning Coordinator and is the University’s Representative Shortly before graduating I applied for The Membership Director of BPW UK on the Teaching and Research in the Business and Professional Women invited me to the next board meeting in Engineering in Europe (TREE) network. Northern Ireland Travelling Scholarship Chesterfield, Derbyshire, to help generate He is the Chair of the European from the University of Ulster. I was some marketing ideas for the organisation EUNISE-Learning Task Force (ELTF) successful in the application and as the Marketing Director had just left. futures and visions group. consequently carried out a Marketing As a voluntary not-for-profit organisation Communications Research project in the members and directors are extremely Dr Mickey Keenan, from the School Zimbabwe during the summer of 2005. committed and active. of Psychology, Coleraine campus, will receive the ‘Public Service to Behavior Later that year at a regional event in Analysis Award’, from the Society for Luton I met Lynette Ametewee and we the Advancement of Behavior Analysis discussed plans to set up Young BPW (SABA) at their annual conference in UK for women under 35 in line with Chicago in 2008. Business and Professional Women in many other countries. As young professionals The award is presented to an individual ourselves we realised that a little extra who addresses socially significant help and guidance from people with the problems using methods directly linked right experience can go a long way to to behaviour analysis. developing your career, as will networking with the right people. On selecting Dr Keenan for the accolade, the SABA board members Our idea has grown as have the number of praised his public advocacy for autistic younger members. Samantha Raggatt has children and their parents in the media joined Lynette and myself in carrying out and in academic circles. The project was extremely interesting and three pilot projects in London, Northern I had a wonderful experience in a country Ireland and Nottingham. Lynette, They also acknowledge Dr Keenan’s where I had little idea of what to expect. Samantha and I presented the aims and work as former Director of Parents’ Education as Autism Therapists (PEAT) Most of my three weeks was spent in objectives of Young BPW UK at the BPW and dedication to helping parents win Bulawayo in south Zimbabwe and, like UK National Conference in Edinburgh tribunal cases to ensure ABA treatment the rest of the country, it is affected by in April 2007 and received support and of their child. soaring inflation, poverty and HIV. My enthusiasm from the whole organisation. main marketing communication finding Lynette and I are, at present, joint Young “It has been a long struggle dealing here was that Coca-Cola played a major BPW Board representatives for the UK. with misinformation about the part in this city, sponsoring the technical science of behaviour analysis in my college, news agencies and the town itself. This experience has undoubtedly helped community. But we are getting there,” Advertisements are hand-painted on the me in my career. I am currently working says Dr Keenan. sides of buildings and last for years as for National Museums Northern Ireland opposed to a few weeks, and more people in Marketing and Events which is “Within Psychology as a whole, it is own a mobile phone than have a TV. something that I really enjoy. I would behaviour analysis that has pioneered like to encourage all young professionals research techniques that have led to The warmth of the people was also to become involved in a networking applications adapted to the needs of unexpected, and how happy they are with organisation to develop their career the individual. so little that they have. The project gave and potential. me a real insight into other cultures as well “Regarding children with autism, as different methods of communication I have really enjoyed being involved with individualised treatment programmes that can be used internationally. BPW as the organisation can, and has, mean that each child is nurtured made a difference not only to me, but in a holistic and child-centered I presented my findings at the Business women around the world. It has category manner. This sentiment is echoed by and Professional Women AGM in February 1 consultative status to the United Nations the Department of Education. The 2006, where I started to learn more about and has just set up a Parliamentary group alternative is an eclectic approach that what Business and Professional Women in the Houses of Parliament. It also benefits has no research evidence to support its (BPW) were about - an international women entrepreneurs with free advertising implementation.” organisation with over 25,000 members and the ability to promote their business to in 30 countries, networking, lobbying, new audiences. For further information visit: training and mentoring, helping women http://www.abainternational.org achieve their full potential in all aspects of For more information or to join BPW / their life. Young BPW visit www.bpwuk.co.uk

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 25 people

Martin McMullan, BSc Hons BioEngineering 2005 Jordanstown The Art of Marketing

Martin McMullan has recently been named as one of the world’s top three in a global lecture contest in Singapore, organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and its affiliate, the Institute of Materials, East Asia.

Martin is currently a second year PhD student at UU’s Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre (NIBEC) where he is conducting research in the area of nanotube biosensors. The work presented in the competition was a result of collaborative work with the Bioelectronics and Biosensors group at Arizona State University.

Judges were impressed with his well delivered presentation, which gave an overview of implantable biosensors and the Adrian Margey photographed at his studio with one of his depictions of Dunluce Castle. design of a revolutionary sensor to measure blood lactate levels. Adrian Margey, who graduated from skills and knowledge I gained from the BSc Hons in Communication CAM have helped me achieve success “The sensor has many possible applications Advertising and Marketing (CAM) with my artwork. Having a good grasp in the health sector, where it could be in July, used the summer after his of marketing certainly gives me an used to assess patient condition and test finals to indulge his passion for art. advantage in terms of understanding for a range of possible diseases or clinical how to bring my work to new audiences. conditions. It also has major implications In August Adrian, who hails from in the monitoring and development Kilrea, held his fourth solo exhibition “I was lucky in that I always managed of optimised training regimes for elite in Walsh’s Hotel in Maghera. It to combine my interest in the arts athletes” he said. captivated art lovers and locals with with my studies. For example, I spent its mix of North Coast landscapes, my third year on placement within Martin secured his place in the world final depictions of traditional musicians, the Communications and Media by gaining second place in the national nostalgic portrayals of rural life and Department at the Arts Council of final of the Young Persons’ Lecture local landmarks. While at Jordanstown, Northern Ireland and focused my Competition, sponsored by the Institute Adrian juggled his studies with a final year dissertation on the role of of Materials, Minerals and Mining, with thriving career as an exhibiting artist. marketing professionals in increasing support from The Worshipful Company of A string of successful solo exhibitions and diversifying audiences for the arts. Armourers and Brasiers in April 2007. over the past four years has ensured he has made his mark on the buoyant “The Summer Exhibition went down commercial Irish art market. really well and was definitely worth the juggling act!” Adrian reflected on how his time at Jordanstown has aided his foray into Examples of Adrian’s work can be the art world. “Without doubt the viewed at www.adrianmargey.com

Martin McMullan receives his national award from Judges Richard Dolby (far left), Phil Bischler (far right) and Master of The Worshipful Company of Armourers Adrian Margey - Mussenden. and Brasiers Christopher Cash (second from right).

26 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 people

He was also the author and compiler of a at the wrong time. He has been here for series of books on Ulster’s past, including nearly 30 years and was much loved.” OBITUARIES his beloved Glens. His wife, Lydia, two sons and a daughter are believed to have been spending Cahal will be missed by many in the the weekend in Alotau, a town on the Dr Cahal Dallat University, as well as the wider community. country’s eastern tip, where they ran a business. The death of Dr Cahal Dallat has seen the loss of one of the University’s Alumni Originally from Stratford-upon-Avon, Guy Association’s strongest supporters. Paul Wilkins, BA Hons English 1973 arrived in Papua New Guinea in 1979 as Magee, PhD 1976 Coleraine an English teacher and went on to work in the government’s education department. Paul was a student at the Magee and He also worked as an environmental Coleraine campuses from 1970-1976. impact consultant at a huge gold mine in He stayed in Derry after graduating, where Papua New Guinea’s rugged highlands. he first taught at St Columb’s College for Lately he had been working for a firm of many years and then was the librarian estate agents. UU graduate Clive Tiney said: at Lumen Christi College. His work at both colleges in preparing pupils for “He was a vibrant, stimulating and university entrance was highly valued. His challenging conversationalist; a true unassuming erudition, humour, wit environmentalist, keen on preserving the and humanity inspired his pupils, family environment but not overly sentimental, and friends. politically dedicated to Zero Economic Growth (not a subject that was discussed Paul was a gifted poet; his two books widely in student politics in 1970s and of poetry, Pasts (1978) and Truths of certainly not in Ulster in the 1970s) but the Unremembered Things (1999) were just as happy to discuss the pros and cons published by the Carcanet Press and of different types of rabbit traps or the earned him great respect. He won an Eric benefits of Beagling. He always seemed Gregory Award in 1978. to be cheerful and was certainly willing to explore all of the benefits of a student life. In 1984-1985, Paul was Schoolmaster In short he was one of these people who Fellow Commoner at Churchill brought more to a meeting or party than Cahal, who died in August at the age of College, Cambridge. he took away and he will be missed 85, was a great friend of the University. by many.” He graduated with a DASE in 1974 and Paul died in January 2007. His funeral at St an MPhil in 1978, and in 1991 was Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry on 3 February Former classmates of Guy are raising awarded an honorary DPhil for his work in brought hundreds to mourn him and money to donate a tree, to be planted education and community organisations. celebrate his life. In the words of one of on the Coleraine campus, in memory of the prayers at the service: Guy. If you would like to contribute please Cahal was the inaugural President of the contact the Alumni Relations Office. University’s Alumni Association, and served “Derry was privileged to embrace him as Chairman of Convocation, and as a warmly as her own, honouring his member of both the University’s Court Englishness, encouraging his adopted Professor Robert Glenn Ussher and Council. Irishness. May we always remember that we are richer for his having touched Professor Ussher was appointed as Born in Ballycastle in 1921 he obtained our lives with his incomparable wit, his Assistant Lecturer (Classics) at the then his first degree from Queen’s University, courage and his honourable soul.” Magee University College in 1949, and Belfast, and then returned to Ballycastle went on to serve as Lecturer, Senior to work in the family building firm. He Lecturer, Reader and Dean of the School of later embarked on a career in teaching and Humanities. In 1984 he was appointed to went on to become Principal of the Star of Guy Mascord, BSc Hons Biological the Hughes Foundation Chair of Classics the Sea in Ballycastle. and Environmental Sciences 1978, at the University of Adelaide, South Coleraine Australia. On his retirement in 1992 he He had many interests, especially in was appointed Professor Emeritus. local history. In 1965 he was a founding Guy Mascord was murdered on the member of the Glens of Antrim Historical veranda of his home in Port Moresby, the During his career he published a number Society, which is still running. Cahal and capital of Papua New Guinea, in what of works, including The Characters the historical society also joined with other police believe was a bungled burglary in of Thephrastus, Aristophanes – academics and poets to found the John August 2007. “Ecclesiazusue” and Euripides – “Cyclops”. Hewitt International Summer School, which is held annually in memory of the “It seems he got in the way of the burglars After retirement he returned to Northern Belfast poet and art expert, and of which and was cut down,” said a fellow British Ireland and died in Coleraine in August Cahal served as director for many years. expatriate. “He was in the wrong place 2006 at the age of 79.

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 27 University of Ulster Memorabilia

The University offers a wide range of quality memorabilia which make memorable souvenirs or gifts for friends and family. Goods may be purchased by post and e-mail.

For a full list of items with prices and photos and an order form, visit our website at http://alumni.ulster.ac.uk/memorabilia.html

For further information contact the Alumni Relations Office, Tel 028 9036 8350 or e-mail [email protected]

Items include:

Sweatshirt (80% Cotton, 20% polyester) embroidered with UU logo in navy or grey ...... £22.00

T-Shirt (100% Cotton) embroidered with UU logo in navy or grey ...... £9.50

Teddy Bear with Mortar Board and UU Scarf ...... £12.50

Striped Scarf (100% wool) ...... £17.50

Mobile Phone stand ...... £3.25

UU Plaque ...... £18.50

Campus Prints, Framed ...... £49.50 Unframed ...... £5.00

Pen Drive ...... £20.00

Sleeve of 3 Golf Balls (Titleist Pro V1) ... £8.00

Pens

Cross Ballpoint & Pencil Set ....£38.00

Waterman Ballpoint Pen ...... £28.00

Waterman Fountain Pen ...... £31.00

Genoso Rollerball ...... £10.00

Parker Vector Rollerball (White) .....£4.00

Civic Ballpoint (Blue) ...... £2.00

28 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 arts Riverside Theatre Welcomes UU Alumni

As a fellow graduate of the University, beats every other theatre in the North, at the accumulated wear and tear of the I’m delighted to say a few words of the time of writing). And we are pleased past thirty one years. We’ve introduced introduction to the Riverside’s current to offer special concessions to UU Alumni groundbreaking outreach work for both line-up of over 41 different events for the highlights of the drama and dance primary and secondary schools within a and productions between September events in the programme. Please contact 30 mile radius. We’ve re-invigorated the 2007 and February 2008. The Riverside the Theatre’s Marketing Manager, Sharon Riverside Youth Theatre into a new Junior is Northern Ireland’s third largest Kirk, on Coleraine (028) 7032 3037 for and Senior section and are over the moon professional theatre and the only one further details or write to her c/o Riverside that international star James Nesbitt, who based on a university campus. Theatre, University of Ulster, Coleraine, began his career in the Riverside in the late BT52 1SA. 70s, has agreed to be its patron. Those of you who’ve seen a copy of our brochure by now will have noted the The Theatre has been through a radical To those of you in business who are diversity of the content: music, variety, restructuring of just about every aspect looking for the ideal venue for a small light entertainment, comedy, a circus of its operation in the last seven months. conference in Coleraine – ranging in show, shows for primary and secondary It has a new, improved management size from 50 to 250 – the Riverside schools, Irish dance, traditional ballet, committee. The staffing complement has Theatre is the ideal venue, with its own contemporary dance, a Christmas Show been streamlined. We’ve re-carpeted the shop, licensed bar, in-house catering, (sponsored by the Club!), community and foyer and re-upholstered much of the comfortable auditorium and smaller rooms amateur presentations – and – double the furniture. We’re investing in new sound for break-out sessions. amount of drama from the same period and lighting equipment. We’re hoping last year. To all of you who’ve been saying to raise funds from Lottery and various I do look forward to seeing as many of you “we want to see more plays” – there are other sources to improve the overall look as possible visiting us in the near future. ten in the autumn season. (That just about of the building and scrub down some of JEREMY LEWIS, General Administrator.

in Architecture, Urban Design and New Faculty of Art, Design Planning which are integrating cutting edge investment and market- driven considerations with more and the Built Environment traditional planning, design and development solutions. The new academic year sees the Professor Alastair Adair, who has been creation of a new faculty – the appointed Dean of the new Faculty, said: Those creating the new urban Faculty of Art, Design and the Built “Every profession involved in the creation landscapes are also being asked to Environment. of the urban environment is taught and integrate more public art such as undertakes research here. No other sculptures. This makes the involvement The Faculty brings together the university in Europe has this. When you of artists and designers vital at all stages previously very successful schools of the also consider our linkages with Harvard of the planning process. Built Environment and Art and Design. Graduate School of Design and the The new structure comprises the School International Centre for Local and Through involvement with leading of Architecture and Design, the School Regional Development, we have the companies in Northern Ireland there is of Art and Design, the School of the exemplars of best practice both in Europe also potential to bring design ideas to a Built Environment and the Research and America, giving us the potential to be wider global audience. Graduate School. a world exemplar.

The aim of the Faculty is to provide “We believe that there are huge greater integration of art, creative opportunities for both types of professionals design, architecture and the built – those from the built environment environment to meet the needs of our and those from the artistic and design modern society. backgrounds – in the new Northern Ireland, and, indeed, further afield.” The teaching, research and academic enterprise activities contained in each Another critical issue today is the speed of the Schools will make a major and of response of planning, design and unique contribution to the aesthetic development professionals to major enhancement, social transformation applications that will bring significant and economic modernisation of investment to Northern Ireland. To this end Northern Ireland and further afield. the Faculty is promoting new programmes Professor Alastair Adair

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 29 arts

The Rise and Rise of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter

Tim Kerr, Cultural Development dissuaded any repopulation of the area Needless to say, with the Belfast campus Officer at the Belfast campus offers until recently. within spitting distance, there have been some reflections on developments considerable strides made to strengthen in the Cathedral Quarter. The University is at the heart of the the already strong links between the regeneration of the area, now ‘officially’ School of Art and Design in particular Whilst the Belfast campus continues branded a ‘cultural quarter’. With funding and the OMAC (the existing Old through the second phase of its from an EU Programme designed to bolster Museum Arts Centre) and its emergent redevelopment programme, the the regeneration of the area through clone, The MAC. myriad of luminous-clad players in the cultural activity, last winter it delivered now familiar symphony of metallic a calendar of more than 150 activities, Dr Christa-Maria Lerm Hayes from the rhythms, male voices and off-stage involving almost 1,400 participants, in and School of Art and Design chairs the percussion are hammering it out around the area (see The Ulster Graduate visual arts advisory panel for The MAC for the number one spot against issue 26 for more information). development. She could barely contain stiff competition in the guise of the her excitement at the prospect of the excavation, drilling, and piling of the new centre on our doorstep: Cathedral Quarter soundscape. One of the major capital developments within the Cathedral Quarter is St Anne’s “The MAC offers a wonderful One of Belfast’s oldest and best Square, a £75 million piazza-style layout opportunity for the University to work preserved districts which founded its with shops, restaurants and a mix of in really close partnership across a growth in the prosperous linen and commercial and residential usage on a range of joint activities. We are already shipbuilding industries of the late two-acre site to the rear of St Anne’s initiating projects at the OMAC in eighteenth century, is rapidly being cathedral. Due for completion in 2009/10 order to begin the ‘familiarisation’ transformed into one of the most chic, is The MAC, a new £16.56m arts centre. process, the precursor for forging an des-res postcodes in town. Á la Temple The venue will include 1,000m2 of visual integral association that will make our Bar, the area’s propulsion into the art galleries along with two theatres, relationship in three years time all the fashionable limelight has been largely workshop and education rooms, dance more meaningful”. due to its strong cultural currency studio, café and bar. Anne McReynolds and a hip artisan ambiance amidst The MAC’s Project Director said: There is little question that this previously its cobbled alleyways and warm, red prosperous section of north Belfast is on brick warehousing. Ironically, it was “We are set to create the most significant course to successfully restore its former its dilapidated and run-down state purpose-built space for contemporary self as the cultural epicentre of the city. which on the one hand lured the performing and visual arts in Northern It is no coincidence that the University is thespian community whilst on the other Ireland for generations”. firmly sited at its core.

Artist’s Impression of The MAC

30 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 sport

ranks and Bryan (North Carolina State will represent the UU Sports Academy at American Stars University) and Adrian (Coastal California events across the country. The Rise and Rise of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter University) and coach Deirdre Brennan, whose husband is former Irish basketball With the UU Basketball team now playing Sign For UU international Gareth Maguire, said that the in the Super League and the introduction scholars are a much welcomed boost to of the American scholars, they are The UU Basketball team has welcomed the side. further steps in the University realising its the University’s first international vision to become the leading university for sports scholars into its ranks. “It’s great to have the two scholars on sport on the island of Ireland. board for this season. It is the first time The addition of Adrian Gross and Bryan that the University has competed at such Nieman will boost UU’s prospects as this a high level in basketball and to compete season they will be competing at the at the top level in an all-Ireland league highest level in their sport – the Irish is testament to the hard work that the SuperLeague. University has put in to backing the UU Basketball team,” Deirdre Brennan said. Team UU are one of only two clubs in Ulster playing at the elite level and they Bryan is studying for a Masters of Business will join city rivals Belfast Star in the Studies and Adrian is undertaking a league. The two sides face each other on Masters in Political Lobbying and Public the first day of the season on 7 October Affairs, both at the Jordanstown campus. 2007 at their shared home venue at the Jordanstown campus. Not only are the scholars playing for UU Basketball but they are also taking part in The fortunes of the side are undoubtedly the University’s extremely successful Sports bolstered by the arrival of the two Outreach programme. The players will be American sports scholars into the acting as Sports Ambassadors for UU and Bryan Nieman and Adrian Gross

successive Ryan Cup successes in 1987, Remembering a GAA Great 1988 and 1989 with players who would later go on to take part in the Down and The death of former UUJ Gaelic In 1983 Eamon led Derry to success in Derry All-Ireland winning sides of the football manager Eamon Coleman in the Ulster Minor Football Championship early nineties. June left the world of Gaelic games and the All-Ireland Minor Football mourning a great man. Championship. Four of this team would be “It was the commitment shown by the in his senior winning panel ten years later. two managers at Jordanstown that Eamon Coleman was a former manager He added a second Ulster Minor Football showed the players what they needed to of the Derry senior football team. Born in Championship a year later. do to succeed at county level,” Tommy Ballymaguigan in County Derry, he also Joe said. managed Armagh, Cavan and Longford He led Derry U-21s to the 1986 Ulster as well as a number of club sides. Under-21 Football Championship as well as “There are so many memories of Eamon bringing the senior side to National League but the one that sticks out in my mind At the time of Eamon’s death, titles in 1992 and 2000. is his half-time team-talk in ’86. It was Professor Jim Allen, Pro Vice-Chancellor so inspirational. It was our first ever final (Communication and Institutional Tommy Joe Farrell, who is now in his and we were playing Cork. Safe to say Development) said: thirtieth year of involvement with Gaelic that very little of what he said would be games at UUJ, remembers Eamon’s time ‘family friendly’ but he laid it on the line “The University sporting community with the club: “Eamon just exuded Gaelic what the players needed to do. I have was greatly saddened to hear of the games and I was so impressed with his no doubt in my mind that team-talk was death of Eamon Coleman. Eamon was knowledge of the game but also his the catalyst for us winning joint manager, with Charlie Sweeney, of knowledge of players. that Sigerson.” the Jordanstown Gaelic football team that won the Sigerson Cup in 1986 “He always talked about winning and, He is remembered as a GAA great, well – the University’s historic first success most importantly, he knew what a respected by players and colleagues but at this level – and again in 1987. He team needed to win. His dedication to Eamon will always be remembered as a was a popular manager, well liked and training and his and Charlie Sweeney’s great friend. respected by staff and players, many of commitment to the sport rubbed off on whom became close personal friends. the players.” “He never took himself too seriously and he was always a really fun person to be “The University extends its deepest With the joint-custodianship of UUJ around. He got on so well with all the sympathy to Eamon’s family as well as football in the hands of Coleman and players and everyone he met,” Tommy the wider GAA community.” Sweeney, the club also enjoyed three Joe said.

the ulster graduate l autumn 2007 31 sport COLOURS SPORTS AWARDS

The Sports Union hosted its annual John McAlister won the coveted President’s Colours Sports Awards Ceremony in Plate, awarded to sportsperson of the year May at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast. for Coleraine and Magee. He has been The Bank of Ireland sponsored the life and soul of his club (8 Ball Pool), event celebrated and rewarded the guiding and training them. His leadership achievements of both individual and was recognised when he was selected to sporting teams at the University. captain the NI Universities Team to Gold at the Home Nations Tournament.

The Jordanstown Ladies Hockey club were awarded the Convocation Merit Award for endeavour. The club’s achievements include reaching the final of the Irish Intervarsities Plate Competition and the final of the UWHU Qualifying Plate. The second team won the Ulster Women’s Hockey Union Intermediate Plate and reached the Irish Cup Semi-Final. Lynn Handley, captain of first team, was selected Alix Jackson from the UUJ Ladies Hockey Club for the Irish Colleges Combined Team. accepts the Convocation Merit Award from Mr Alan McClure. The Jordanstown Men’s Volleyball team were named Jordanstown Team of the also reward for all of the hard work and Year. The club has notched up some major successes of sportspersons across achievements this year; winning the Irish the University.” Intervarsities (without losing a single match) for the second consecutive season. Billy Kehoe, Head of Retail Banking (Bank The team also finished third in the All of Ireland) said: Ireland Premier League and five of the UUJ players were selected to play for “As part of an initiative which celebrates the NI Universities team at the Home excellence in people for their sporting Neil Dougan. Nations Championships. achievements and commitment to others Neil Dougan, from Bangor was named in the sporting field, Bank of Ireland is sportsperson of the year and was Noleen Lennon, Sports Union delighted to support the University of awarded the prestigious Jordanstown President said: Ulster’s Colours awards. The aim of the Silver Salver. The sports scholar has had Sports Union to recognise individuals and a magnificent year within his chosen “This event is the pinnacle of our sporting teams reflects Bank of Ireland’s own focus sport of weightlifting. Neil won the British year. It is a great night of celebration and on leadership and rewarding teamwork.” Universities and finished second at both the Irish Senior Championships and at the British U23 Championships. He also won the NI Senior Open Weightlifting Championships and finished third and tenth respectively at the European Small Nations Championships and the University World Championships.

The Coleraine 8 Ball Pool Club scooped the coveted Convocation Rose Bowl for their outstanding achievement and excellence within their sport. They also picked up the Hurst Trophy for team of the year (Coleraine/Magee). The club has had an outstanding year winning both the Irish Intervarsities and British University Championships. To top this, six of the club’s members were part of the Gold Medal winning NI Universities team at the Home Nations tournament. 8 Ball Pool Team.

32 the ulster graduate l autumn 2007