Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Graduate School News-Dec 2009
Graduate School News-Dec 2009
Business School Scholarship winners, staff and the Williams family: (from left to right): Lynn Williams, David
Evans (Head of Graduate School), Mel Hackney and Kirsty Jones, Laura Cox (Postgraduate Admissions
Tutor), Erika Regina Nobre Alecrim, Howard Brown (Associate Dean), Jing Liao, Tony Gibbs (Head of
International Partnership Development), Lizzy Solomon Jatula, Nicholas Boaz
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for staff to meet these talented students. Brooke Storm Attwood-Smith
Those students who attended were all MA Mind, Brain and Learning
extremely appreciative and clearly delighted to I am most grateful for the award as without it I
have received these awards. David Evans, would not have been able to study the MA Mind,
Head of the Graduate School, welcomed the Brain and Learning and pursue my academic
students to Brookes and congratulated them aspirations which I hope will lead onto a
on their achievements. doctorate in a related interdisciplinary context.
The John Henry Brookes Scholarship is the
Lynn Williams and her daughters Kirsty and reason I am able to be here engaging with
Mel, wife and daughters of the late Simon intellectual people on similar academic pursuits
Williams, Dean of the Business School and grappling with the fundamental problems of
1999-2005, again attended the event to philosophy, psychology and biology.
present the Simon Williams Memorial
Scholarships. They clearly enjoyed meeting
those students who had received these
special awards.
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Erin McGirt - MA Urban Design award are offered further goes to show the
I chose to come to Oxford Brookes because of University’s commitment to student provision
the outstanding reputation of the School of the and care.
Built Environment. In speaking with people
who were familiar with urban design in Jelena Kucenko
England, many of them said they believed MSc International Real Estate Management
Oxford Brookes was the best place to study I was advised that Real Estate programme here
the subject in the country. Also, I felt like the is rated top nationally and internationally – this is
University appreciated me most for what I the main reason I chose Brookes. Furthermore
could contribute to the program which only the university is well located with a very
made me want to join the community more. favourable environment for a young person.
Built Environment Scholarship winners and staff (from left to right) Madiina Nakibenga, Ruth Collins
(Senior Postgraduate Administrator), Nadia Tithi, John Johnson, Almaz Fiseha, Mars Street (Dean),
Catarina Bentes, Jamie Elwin (Senior Lecturer), Olivia Ablordeppey, Lamyea Ali, David Evans (Head of
Graduate School), Lucinda Lay and Ihiri Lilian Vitale Oyaha.
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motivating factor, encouraging me to put even It has gone a long way to ease off some of the
more efforts into my studies. financial burden from me. Through this
award, I am encouraged to put my best in to
John Johnson my studies, devoting all my time to the
MSc Environmental Assessment and program without the distraction of a part time
Management job.
Having spoken to a professional in my chosen
career path, who recommended the course at Solongo Tsogt- MSc Rehabilitation
Oxford Brookes, and visiting the open day After visiting a number of different
where I had a chance to meet the lecturers, I universities, I found that Oxford Brookes
knew that this was the place for me! University was the most welcoming, well
organised and internationally recognised for
I was absolutely delighted to achieve this high quality, innovative teaching methods.
award, as I had no expectation of receiving it. Moreover, there is a lot of support for
It definitely helped me to study at Oxford International students.
Brookes for two reasons. Firstly, and most
importantly, it gave me the financial aid to The John Henry Brookes Scholarship has
undertake full-time study. Secondly, learning been a great support to me in paying my
that I had received the award was a massive tuition fees, and eased the financial
confidence boost. It made me feel that I was circumstances of moving overseas. The
‘wanted’ on the course, and really gave me award has encouraged me a lot.
the self-belief to go on and put my all into the
degree. Thomas Jacob - LLM in International Trade
and Commercial Law
Omer Javed - MSc Software Engineering I decided to study at Oxford Brookes for the
The John Henry Brookes Scholarship means following reasons:
a lot to me. It is the feeling of honour and the • Good law department
feeling of achievement. This is the best thing • Many students in Oxford and it is
to motivate students to do their best in well-known across the world
studies. • Brookes is one of the greenest
Universities in the UK
• The University has many international
students
• Oxford has many historic buildings
and is close to London
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships
4.
as my only income is a small pension. Abbey Santander Scholarships
I was very surprised to receive the Catarina Bentes - MSc Spatial Planning
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, and I feel The main reason I chose Oxford Brookes was
privileged and extremely grateful. It has been the detailed description of the course and
an enormous boost to my confidence, and is each one of its modules, particularly the urban
driving my determination to succeed. design specialist route. From what I saw on
Individual staff members on the MA Creative the web site, it struck me as a very good
Writing are all research active, highly course in terms of content and structure. I
motivated, approachable and encouraging, as also researched other schools and Oxford
I expected. I think that the standard of Brookes was ranked as one of the best, apart
teaching is as good as that in any other from being an RTPI accredited course.
institution, and considerately superior to
some. There is a good mix of students in Mario Alberto Martinez Mendez
terms of ethnicity, age and social background. MSc Advanced Engineering Design
We are quickly becoming a 'group' as we (Received Abbey Santander and John
grow more comfortable with each other. The Henry Brookes Scholarships)
list of visiting speakers is impressive, and is a The possibility of developing my biggest
valuable addition to the course programme. In passion, design, made me decide to study the
fact everything has lived up to, or exceeded, MSc in Advanced Engineering Design at
my expectations. Oxford Brookes. There is no better place to
study it than a university surrounded by some
Eva Johanna Rode - MSc Primate of the most important automotive companies.
Conservation In addition, the facilities here allow the
Without the scholarship it probably would not students to put into practice all the knowledge
have been possible for me to come here obtained during the lectures. The city was
because as well as the tuition fees, there is also a factor in my decision, because Oxford
also the high cost of living. I am very grateful Brookes is situated in one of the most
for this award because it allows me to important cities in the UK.
become an expert in conservation and do
something really meaningful for myself and To me, this award was the key to open the
society in the future. University’s door, without the help of the
Built Environment Scholarship winners and staff (from left to right) Susanna Simpson (Santander
Universities Retail Director), Matias Cristobal Pascuali Tello, David Evans (Head of Graduate School),
Erika Regina Nobre Alecrim, Robert Mottershead (Abbey Santander), Julia Helena Diaz, Edward
Trewhella (Oxford Brookes International Director), Catarina Bentes, Mario Alberto Martinez Mendez,
Claudia Sanhueza, Rafael Licen Santos, and Cristobal Sanchez Flores (Abbey Santander).
5.
scholarship I would not have been able to Built Environment
cover the fees. It opened up the possibility for
me to study a master’s degree that will Almaz Fiseha Demissie
change my life. MA Development and Emergency
Brookes Africa Scholarship Scheme
I do not have words to describe the (BASS)
experience that I’m having being part of the Oxford Brookes is one of the few academic
Oxford Brookes community. Starting from the institutions I have learnt of who value relevant
lectures, the facilities, and environment, and field experience. I was accepted to the
ending with my classmates, everything has program based on my 34 years of relevant
been better than I could have thought. development and emergency work and not on
prior qualification (degree).
School Scholarships
Arts and Humanities The scholarship means a great deal. It gave
me the lifetime’s opportunity to get the
Liam Smyth - MA Creative Writing qualification I have dreamt of all my life. It will
De Rohan Scholarship also open up opportunities for me to
Being situated directly between Birmingham contribute more to the field. If it had not been
and London, Oxford Brookes University is in a for this scholarship, I would not have been
great location, plus Oxford is a great city in its able to afford to come to Oxford Brookes.
own right, with a distinctly bohemian edge
mingling with a rich academic tradition that I My experience of the University so far has
felt would prove an inspirational place to been amazing. Coming to live in another
study. All of the tutors on my course are country is a huge step. Becoming a student at
published in their specialist fields and I was an advanced age is also a challenge.
excited at the prospect of being taught by However, the support system at the University
authors I have long admired. is so good that I did not feel lost or
overwhelmed by any of it.
Simply put, I would not have been able to
continue studying without this award. The fact Madiina Nakibenga
I have been given this opportunity has made MA Development and Emergency Practice
me determined to work hard and do my best Martin Wilkinson Scholarship
to excel both personally and academically. Why Oxford Brookes? First was the unique
course of Development and Emergency
practice which is not in any other university in
United Kingdom. Secondly was the
scholarship from the Martin Wilkinson Fund
which inspired me the most because I did not
have enough money to enrol at the beginning.
6.
previously completed the course, and only Trang Cong
had good things to say about it. It seems a MSc International Real Estate Management
very hands-on course with lots of site visits, Jones Lang LaSalle Educational Trust
support from staff and a high rate of International Award
employment.
After working with Savills Vietnam for 3 years,
This scholarship is very important to me; I when I decided to pursue a Master degree in
would not have been able to attend university the UK, I was careful to compare the options
without it. I have not been with English and choose a university that met my criteria
Heritage long enough for them to subsidise for teaching quality and ranking, as well as
my course and I currently have two jobs to the environment of the city. Brookes was at
maintain myself. I feel very privileged to have the top of my list. My managers and
been given the opportunity to study here and colleagues who used to study and work in the
improve my career options. UK also gave Brookes strong
recommendations. This is one of the leading
modern Universities with a very up to date
curriculum.
Research students from across the School of Arts and Humanities will be presenting papers at
our Winter Symposium on Saturday 12 December. If you would like to join us for what is
always a very interesting and enjoyable day, please contact Charmian Hearne, Research
Student Administrator at [email protected]
In September 2009 Brookes launched the The MA in Film Studies accommodates local
new MA in Film Studies: Popular Cinema, needs as well as global demand. Plans are
with the help of Oscar-winning special underway to increase marketing to both local
effects expert Ben Morris, a member of the teachers of film and media, as well as to
team that worked on The Golden Compass. overseas students, building on Oxford’s
recognisability – and the teaching team’s
He gave a lavishly illustrated Master Class expertise:
on the film’s special effects. His presence
highlighted the course’s distinctive quality Programme Manager Warren Buckland
for combining theoretical and historical, as (Reader in Film Studies) has published on a
well as professional approaches to popular wide range of topics ranging from Steven
cinema. Spielberg to the cognitive semiotics of film,
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he teaches the MA Research Seminar in James Caterer (Lecturer in Film Studies), an
Film Studies and oversees the Dissertation expert in British cinema, the international film
Projects; industry, and film and television-related tourism,
teaches a module on Professional Film Cultures
Alberto Mira (Reader in Film Studies), an (which develops an understanding of the
expert in the history of sexuality, Spanish function and development of the cultural
cinema, and Classical Hollywood Cinema, industries).
teaches the Narration in Classical
Hollywood cinema module; This is the first MA in Film Studies in Oxford (the
University of Oxford offers a rather idiosyncratic
Daniela Treveri-Gennari (Senior Lecturer M.St. in Film Aesthetics). The team hopes to
in Film Studies), whose research interests expand the modules it offers in the coming
include post-war Italian Cinema, teaches years, making Brookes an international centre
the Popular European Cinema module; for the study of film.
8.
Postgraduate Society News
The Postgraduate Shout Out was designed together Oxford Brookes and Oxford
to bring together new and ongoing University postgraduates for a classic and
postgraduate students over a drink and much-loved pub quiz. The semester will
some nibbles. The night went well and a culminate in a Christmas party in Harts Bar
significant number of students signed up to in the Students Union on Thursday 17
the society. There are now approximately December, with a DJ and nibbles, and a
100 members who meet socially on a regular performance from the Circus Society!
basis. Our events aim to cover a range of Tickets for this event are £12.00 to members
cultural and social activities. For example, and £15.00 to non-members.
our morning coffee concert was a relaxed
event that opened up the world of history For further information and details of ticket
and classical music in Oxford. On a different sales, please email:
note our wine tasting evening in [email protected]
Summertown was a great fun night out. Tickets also available from SU Reception.
Coming up we have a Pub Quiz starting on
Mondays in All Bar One in town which brings OBU Postgraduate Society
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FEATURE
Technology Masters Students receive Sponsorship
from Jigawa State Government in Nigeria
The School of Technology is forging close Telecommunications) and Nura Tijjani
ties with Jigawa state in Nigeria thanks to a Abubakar (MSc Software Engineering)
new programme of state sponsorship for began their studies in the School of
higher education and the arrival of three Technology in September 2009.
impressive international students.
These students are clearly relishing the
For the first time Jigawa state government opportunity to study at Oxford Brookes and
offered local students sponsorship to study in the UK. They are making the most of their
a Master’s degree programme anywhere in time here. As this is the first year Jigawa
the world. Students from Jigawa state who state has supported students in this way
had gained a first class honours degree at they are keen to repay those who have given
undergraduate level were chosen to receive them this chance. They also hope that other
this award. Three out of the four who students from Jigawa state may be able to
qualified decided to study their Masters follow them to Oxford Brookes. Nura
programmes at Oxford Brookes. Mohammed commented: “We hope to be the stepping
Gumel Ibrahim (MSc Mobile and High Speed stone of Brookes becoming host of Jigawa
Telecommunications), Nasir Faruk (MSc state students wishing to learn from the
Mobile and High Speed best.”
10.
They were recently interviewed for the careers are/were based in local government
Graduate School Newsletter, and their (in state departments and in the judiciary
thoughts and experiences are described respectively), whilst their mothers are
below. full-time housewives.
How were you selected to receive this Mohammed is the oldest of seven children
generous award? and has two brothers and four sisters. One
Mohammed, Nasir and Nura explained that of his brothers is a nurse and his other
an agenda for education in Jigawa state had siblings are students.
been pursued in recent years by senior
government figures. The commitment of Nasir is the youngest of four boys. Two of
Professor Ruqqayya Rufa'I, the State his brothers work in Business and one is
Commissioner for Education, and Alh. studying at Lagos State University.
Babangida Hussain, the Executive Secretary
of the Scholarship Board, was playing an Nura has one brother and two sisters. His
important role in the development of brother is studying at the Canadian
education in the state. Early opportunities for University in Dubai. His younger sister is a
students from Jigawa state to undertake student at University in Kano, Nigeria, whilst
undergraduate-level overseas study were his older sister is married and is a
followed in 2008 by similar initiatives in housewife.
relation to Masters-level courses. These new
Postgraduate awards provide funding for all How did you feel when you found out that
expenses including accommodation, tuition your studies would be supported in this
fees, living expenses and air fares. way?
Mohammed’s comments sum up the feelings
A prestigious ceremony attended by over of all three students:
5000 representatives from across the state One of my childhood fantasies was
education sector, including headmasters and to study in the UK, thinking that was
university lecturers, as well as the Governor the only way for me to be at the top
of Jigawa state and the Commissioner for of my career, but I didn’t know where
Education, was held on 21 August, 2008. the opportunity would come from.
The event was a fantastic occasion to which I just kept dreaming. I was surprised
the students’ families and friends were and honoured the day I received the
invited. It is hoped that the excitement scholarship.
generated by the day will encourage those in
office to continue this commitment, and How did you first find out about Oxford
inspire other students to follow in the Brookes and decide on your course?
achievements of the sponsorship winners. Nura studied a BSc (Hons) in Computing
and Software Engineering, a course run in
Nura explained that the State Education partnership with Oxford Brookes, through
Department had taken a very active interest Informatics Education in Singapore. In the
in their progress since the students’ arrival at final year of the course students can choose
Oxford Brookes. They had been contacted to have their degree validated by particular
regularly by Department representatives named institutions. Nura chose Brookes
asking them for feedback about the because the modules on offer interested him
University and their experiences so far. the most.
They assured me that all reports had been
favourable! He was also inspired by David Lightfoot’s
(Principal Lecturer, School of Technology)
Tell me about your family and visit to Singapore. He said:
background. After David taught us a new
The students explained that Nigeria is Programming language called
predominantly Muslim in the North and Zonnon, he was telling us about
Christian in the South. It has a population of Brookes and how he treated his
one hundred and sixty million people and an students. Please allow me to quote
average family has around seven children. him saying “I tell my students to do
The population of Jigawa state is so and so …”, “I advise my students
approximately five million. to do so and so ...” and so on.
I was really inspired by the
The students described their family character of his teachings.
backgrounds. In all three cases, their fathers From then on, I always
11.
prayed to further my studies at in Clive Booth Hall with flat mates from a
Brookes and become one of his range of countries. and is learning to cook
“my students.” dishes from all over the world.
Nura recommended Brookes to his friends
Mohammed and Nasir. They then Overall Nasir feels the University works very
researched their particular choice of course well. He enjoys playing football and has
online. gained a place in the Brookes first eleven
Nura particularly likes the Students Union
All three students praised the assistance and the city itself. He says that Brookes is a
they had received from David George, home from home and that there is always
Postgraduate Admissions Administrator in something happening to occupy him and
the School of Technology. Nura visited keep him cheerful.
David at the Education UK Fair in Nigeria
where he received invaluable information What are your plans for when you
about Brookes courses and the University in graduate from your Master’s programme?
general. Should Mohammed, Nasir and Nura gain
distinctions in their Masters, they have been
Mohammed felt that the MSc in Mobile High promised further funding by Jigawa state to
Speed and Telecommunications would build study a Research programme at Oxford
on the experience he had gained during Brookes. All three students are keen to do
industrial training at Nigerian Universities so. They are incredibly driven and will clearly
Networking (NUNET) during his work hard to achieve this goal.
undergraduate degree. He is passionate
about working in the telecommunications When asked about their future plans, they all
sector. express the desire to return to Nigeria at
some point. Mohammed commented:
What do you think about your course My plan is to go back to my
so far? What do you particularly country and help in building
enjoy/find interesting? the nation, but I want to go back
All three students are finding their courses highly experienced and on top of
extremely interesting and challenging. They my career. I can wait for anything
are working very hard to learn new concepts that adds to my experience, be
quickly in order to keep on top of each it study or work.
module. Nasir feels that practical work experience
would be beneficial and enhance his long
They enjoy learning from lecturers who they term career prospects.
have found extremely helpful and always
willing to engage with them. They clearly What do you miss most about home?
appreciate the support that they have Mohammed, Nasir and Nura all say that they
received from academic staff who respond miss their families although being in regular
quickly to queries that they have about their contact has made things easier. Nasir and
work. The facilities in the School of Nura both miss Nigerian food. They find
Technology are beyond their expectations. British food rather bland and uninteresting by
They see the strong practical elements of comparison, and not as substantial or
the course as another positive. satisfying! Nura is clearly rather disappointed
by English weather - especially the cold and
Mohammed commented: rain! As temperatures in Nigeria rarely dip
Brookes has a very warm learning below 17 degrees, they have all purchased
environment, which is warmer, thicker clothes since arriving in the
academically challenging. I would UK!
recommend Oxford Brookes
University for anyone who wants Meeting Mohammed, Nasir and Nura I
to be on top of their academic career. gained a real sense of their lives and
experiences in Jigawa state, Nigeria. It is
What do you think about the University certainly unlikely that they would have been
and living in Oxford and the UK in able to study in the UK, without this funding.
general? What do you particularly They explained that it was a dream for many
enjoy/find interesting? young Nigerians to study overseas, but for
Mohammed finds Oxford a very most it was just not possible. Whilst a high
student-friendly place to live. He has proportion of students were now studying in
particularly enjoyed meeting people from Singapore and Malaysia, where it is a lot
different cultures and backgrounds. He lives cheaper, studying in the UK was still the
12.
ultimate goal. Funding from Jigawa state has Oxford Brookes and wish them every
made this possible for these talented success in their future studies.
students. We are delighted that they chose Judith Powell
From left to right: Alh. Sule Lamido (Governor of Jigawa state and Profesor Ruqqayya Rufa'i
(Commissioner of the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, Jigawa state)
If you have any feature stories about our students and their journeys to Oxford Brookes.
Please contact [email protected]
For further information about the Graduate School or about postgraduate study at Oxford
Brookes University, with items for this newsletter, or for large print or alternative formats,
please contact David Evans at: [email protected] or Judith Powell at:
[email protected].
Happy Christmas
to you all
from the
Graduate School
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