1

As is often the case for Graduation at theUniversity of Buckingham, the rather greyweather was not at its warmest, nor at itsdriest. However, the full church was warmand colourful, leaving thoughts of theweather outside.

The Vice-Chancellor welcomed all graduandsand their families to Buckingham, remarkingthat the Romans had decided that Februaryshould have the fewest days so that the coldweather would be over sooner, as Marchsignaled the start of spring. He then spokeabout the University’s achievements over thepast year, including the EducationDepartment and its PGCE (recentlyaccredited by the government), the proposedMedical School, and the new Enterprise Hubat the School of Business. He also praisedthe efforts of Harin Sellahewa, one of our SriLankan graduate students, for his work afterthe Asian tsunami in raising funds to build anew school in one of the worst affected areasin Sri Lanka.

There were two ceremonies, for lawgraduands in the morning, and for business,science and humanities graduands in theafternoon. At the ceremonies the Chancellor,

Sir Martin Jacomb, presented four honorarydegrees. Two of these were the HonourablePravind Jugnauth (LLB ’84) from Mauritius,Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ofFinance in the government of Mauritius (seeWinter/2004 Independent), andOleg Gordievsky, previously a member ofthe KGB who now lives in the UK. Then allthe Buckingham students proudly (and insome cases anxiously) shook theChancellor’s hand and collected their well-earned graduation certificates.

The ceremonies were followed byrefreshments in the marquee and anopportunity for the new graduates and theirfamilies to catch up with friends and staffmembers in the warm and dry. The eveningwas rounded off by an excellent dinner atWhittlebury Hall attended by about 135people, followed by the ball which was still infull swing when I finally made my weary wayto bed at 3:30 in the morning!

Many congratulations to all our newgraduates, and do remember to keep intouch with us through AlumNet.

The University was also delighted thatHernando de Soto accepted the HonoraryDegree of Doctor of Letters. The convocationtook place at Buckingham on 29 January2005, preceded by a seminar where staff andstudents had an opportunity to put questionsto Mr de Soto.

Philip FineHead of Department Psychology

Message fromthe Vice-Chancellor

The growth of the University depends notonly on the growth of existing functions butalso on the introduction of new activities. Tothis end we launched in 2002/3 a newDepartment of Education led by ProfessorAnthony O’Hear (the Director of the RoyalInstitute of Philosophy) and by ProfessorChristopher Woodhead (Her Majesty’sformer Chief Inspector of Schools, who hasdone more than anyone else to improveeducational standards in Britain over the last30 years) and this new school launched itsPostgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)last year.

This course is based on the personalmentoring of students within the classroom,which speaks to the Buckingham tradition ofpersonal tuition, and up to now it has beenaccredited by the Headmasters andHeadmistresses Conference (the associationof independent or Public Schools).

The course has been so successful that inthis, its second year, its numbers of studentshas risen from 13 to 23 and – most excitinglyof all – we have just heard that theGovernment’s Teacher Training Agency hasalso accredited it. Its graduates can work,therefore, both in the independent and publicsectors.

We have thus created at Buckingham the firstindependent teachers’ training school inBritain for over a century – one that has,moreover, received State accreditation - andin this microcosm see the future growth ofour lovely university.

Dr Terence KealeyVice-Chancellor

IndependentTH

E

Spring 2005

Graduation 2005

Hernando de Soto in Seminar

Oleg Gordievsky

Sir Martin, The Hon. Pravind Jugnauth& Dr Kealey

I wish you all avery happy NewYear (of theRooster) and

hope that this year will bring peace andhappiness wherever possible.

The end of last year was, of course,dominated by the tragic events in the EastAsia region and will continue to have an effecton all our lives for many years to come. Asour students were on holiday at the time wehave probably appeared to be a little slow inreacting, but please be assured that sincethey returned we have put a Committee inplace (chaired by Harin Sellahewa, DPhilComputing) and are planning ways to helppeople in the region now, and in the comingyears.

As a university we feel that the best area forus to concentrate on will be that of educationand we are open to ideas on where themoney raised can be used to best advantage.The Committee will meet regularly to discussthe organization of events, use of events thatare planned anyway, and the selection ofprojects from all the ideas that we hope willbe sent to us from alumni, students and staff.

You can read further information andmessages from our alumni on page 12-13 ofthis issue.

On other news, Lauren Hardy has taken onthe role of PR/Media Communication Co-Ordinator from Larisa and she is being keptvery busy with publication of our monthlynews updates, staff newsletter, generalpublicity and, of course, liaising with ouralumni whenever possible.

We are now arranging the second of theBuckingham/IEA lunches. This will be held inthe summer at the Institute of EconomicAffairs in London and the speaker will beHE Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Ambassador to thePakistan High Commission. Should any of youwish to attend this event, I would be mostgrateful if you could let either me, or LaurenHardy (lauren.hardy@buckingham.ac.uk) knowof your interest. Spaces will be very limited.

The ‘Country Group Guidelines’ are beingfinalized and we await final confirmation of thecontent, after which they will be on theAlumNet site(www.buckingham.ac.uk/alumnet) and will, Ihope, be of use to many of you. Our countrygroup in Malaysia has recently revamped itselfand has a tremendous year of events and

meetings planned. For further information onwhat is happening and details on how to getinvolved, or attend the events, please look atthe information on page 11. Also, a recentlyformed Nigerian Group will be arrangingevents in the near future and for contactdetails and further news, please see page 5.

Finally, whatever else you do, please do cometo the Alumni Summer Party in London onFriday 17 June – details at the back of themagazine. Ring or email today for furtherinformation and ticket bookings. I lookforward to seeing you.

Anne MatsuokaPR/Alumni Relations OfficerTel: +44 (0) 1280 820338anne.matsuoka@buckingham.ac.ukwww.buckingham.ac.uk/alumnet

2

Editor’s News

It is my firstmessage in theyear of 2005 forthe Independent. Ihave mixedfeelings about

completing this piece.

I am sure most of us have spent a wonderfulChristmas and the New Year. However, somecelebrations were in the shadow of the Asiantsunami. We have received immediate repliesfrom our alumni who are deeply concernedabout the tsunami disaster. You may read thedetails in our tsunami pages. Many staff andcurrent students are also supportive,participating in the tsunami appeal meetingsand fund raising events. A big thank youshould go to our alumni, staff and currentstudents.

For the articles written by the previousStudent Sabbatical Officers, which I havementioned in the last issue, SuzannaTomassi, Alumni Data Co-ordinator, hascontributed one about her exciting trip toChina during the New Year’s holiday (p 5).Her experience may help you to make upyour mind to pay a visit to China, a vast,beautiful and diverse country of which I amvery proud.

Themost splendid and exciting event so far thisterm is no doubt the Graduation which washeld on 26 February. It was my graduation aswell, which I looked forward to. TheGraduation Ball in the evening afterwardswas fabulous. The cover story (by PhilipFine) and the inside article (by EstenaNewbold, p 3) give more information aboutthe day. I believe the pictures in full colourwill add more attractiveness to your imagineof the event, especially to those graduateswho were unable to attend the ceremony.

I would like to apologize to Dean Sims (BScAFM ’81) and Dean Miah (PEL ’98). In thelast issue, both the first quote of the Season(p 2) and the first alumni news (p 8, exceptthe first paragraph and Dean Miah’s picture)are written by Dean Sims. Although we havecorrected the names in the PDF file of theIndependent on the AlumNet, we still feelterribly sorry for both of our alumni. Wewould try our best to double-check all detailsas always.

Wishing all of you a prosperous Rooster Year.

Xiaojing (Iva) Yu(MSc IHM ’05)Tel: +44 0 1280 820230Email: xiaojing.yu@buckingham.ac.uk

Xiaojing’s News

BUCKINGHAM IN THE NEWS

IEA National Free Enterprise Award forVice-Chancellor

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) hasannounced that Dr Terence Kealey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, isthe winner of its National Free EnterpriseAward of 2004. Dr Kealey was presented withthe award on 24 January 2005 at the IEA's22nd Annual State of The EconomyConference in London by Sir Nigel Mobbs.

Last year's winner was Rodney Leach, ofJardine Matheson, while previous winnersinclude F.A. Hayek (winner of the Nobel Prizefor Economics), Margaret Thatcher andRichard Branson.

IEA Web site says: Since he became Vice-Chancellor he has beeninstrumental in introducing new initiatives tothe university, including an Institute ofMedicine, and is now proposing the formationof an independent Medical School. Terencehas also written extensively on the need formore independence in education.

Alumni at work

Graduation 2005

3

HSBC Appoints Zuraidah asNon-Executive Director

HSBC Bank MalaysiaBhd announced theappointment of DatukZuraidah Atan (LLB’84) as a non-executive directoreffective 18 October2004.

The first woman to beappointed to theboard of HSBCMalaysia, Zuraidah

was previously president and chief executive ofAffin Merchant Bank Bhd for four years untilSeptember 2003. She is a member of theAssociation of Bumiputra Business &Professional Women, Malaysia. She is also activein community service, and serves as an adviserto the National Cancer Society.

Zuraidah said she would be honoured if wepublish her news. She also wrote:

Since I left Affin Merchant Bank as its firstwoman President/CEO (in fact first woman CEOof a merchant/ investment bank in Malaysia!),end September 2003, I read in Chambers(pupillage) and was called to the Malaysian Bar 5August 2004.

After 20 years of being in the corporate,financial and banking sector, it is certainlyexciting to join the legal fraternity.

Over the years, my work has taken me to exoticlocations like Papua New Guinea, India, Laos,China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and manymore. I've been to Australia so many times andof course to New Zealand too! Ergo, given myexposure in the corporate world and particularlycross-borders, I decided to start my ownboutique legal practice called ‘Chambers ofZuraidah Atan’ and am enjoying the challengesthus far (my website www.zuraidah.com).

Apart from the advisory assignments that Iundertake, I am a Legal Aid Centre/Dock BriefVolunteer and an Arbitrator registered with theRegional Centre of Arbitration in Kuala Lumpur(RCAKL).

I am also a Council Member of our NationalTourism Council of Malaysia and am involved,particularly in areas of 'Tourism Financing'. Itravelled to India with our delegation in Marchthis year to meet our counterpart there.

As Adviser, National Cancer Society ofMalaysia, I am very much involved in its fund-raising activities and cancer awarenessprogrammes. Last month(September), we ran the highly successful

'Yellow Balloon Race' launched by our Queen,followed by Cancer Awareness week supportedby our Prime Minister's wife.

I am also a member of various women'sprofessional groups and participate/ spearheadactivities to assist women to enhance skills andcore competencies to gain competitiveadvantage and increase the 'knowledgeworkforce'.

By the way, I have just finished my term as theUniversity Alumni President of Malaysia!

Oh, and I am also a golfer (high handicapper!)and my home clubs are Royal Selangor GolfClub (RSGC) and the Kelab Golf NegaraSubang (KGNS), both illustrious clubs withstrong traditions in Malaysia.

I was a part-time columnist in our local weeklySunday paper for its magazine till midyear lastyear. I had my poems printed in our nationalpapers from time to time. And I frequentlydeliver talks/seminars on areas such as 'CapitalMarkets and Corporate Finance'.

So, that sums up what I've been doing.Otherwise, I spend time at home with my twowonderfully spoilt fat cats, Alya and Blackie.

I arrived in Buckingham very excited. I was

especially thrilled because I was to receive the

Edgar Palamountain Award for Excellence, a

prize in honour of the memory of a former

Chairman of the Council at Buckingham. The

atmosphere was exhilarating. There were so

many of my colleagues there whom I had not

seen since June 2004. I suddenly had feelings

of nostalgia for some very good times spent at

Buckingham University.

The ceremony was short but momentous. The

Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kealey gave the welcoming

address and reminded us always to speak well

of life at Buckingham, as if we’d say anything

else! He also gave us an update on activities at

the University. I was especially encouraged by

the reply given by The Honourable Pravind

Jugnauth, Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius

and Minister of Finance and Economic

Development and a Buckingham Alumnus.

Minister Jugnauth received a Doctor of Laws

honoris causa. He reminded us of the

importance of ‘helping the helpless’ and

obeying the Code of Ethics of the Legal

Profession. Mr. Robert Tomkinson also

received a Doctorate honoris causa. I felt rather

honoured later in the ceremony to receive the

award from Mrs. Chloe Woodhead, the

daughter of Mr. Palamountain. The award itself

was a gold medal and I felt humbled to be

chosen ‘first among equals’ among the

undergraduates.

Estena Newbold (LLB ’05)

Palamountain Prize Winner

Mrs Chloe Woodhead & Estena Newbold

Graduates

Graduates at the Ball

FredericMoraillon(BSc Business

Studies ’90)

Frederic isspearheadingmarketing forBusiness Objects inAsia-Pacific where,

with the team, he focuses on developing boththe brand and lead generation to help ensurethe region meets and exceeds its objectives.He is also heading the Strategic PerformanceUnit responsible for developing the Asia-Pacific solution business.

Frederic has 13 years of building and leadingmarketing and sales strategies in Asia. He hasmanaged more than 300 regional businessand consumer marketing campaigns focusingon delivering solid financial results. To thateffect, Frederic has developed andimplemented the 'Simple Marketing Strategy'and has published several articles in regionalpublications (Marketing ROI: A case ofcorporate survival; Do you need Customers?;Is Loyalty Profitable?; Sales Cycle Marketing,

etc.) He regularly gives speeches onMarketing ROI to further the cause of thestrategic role of marketing in an organisation'sbusiness arsenal.

Prior to joining Business Objects, Fredericwas spearheading business development forSAS Customer Intelligence in Asia-Pacificwhere he was helping organisations developtheir customer intelligence strategies toincrease revenue. His focus and expertisehelped organizations identify and understandways to define who their best customers are,how to retain them and attract similar onesand, most importantly, how to improve theirprofitability. Before that, Frederic ran SoundPrinciples, a specialist consultancy firmfocusing on Marketing ROI and helped severalorganisations build and develop their salespipeline. Frederic has also partnered thePepper and Rogers Group Asia on severalcustomer relationships management (CRM)projects in Singapore, India and Malaysia withthe aim to marry CRM strategy andtechnology. He was also in charge ofmarketing for PeopleSoft South Asia where,with the help of his team, he helped generatedemand of 300% the sales pipeline enablingthe region to grow both in 2000 and 2001.

This focus further helped the brand byimproving the company's recognition by 30%.Prior to PeopleSoft, Frederic helped set-upand manage the marketing function at SiliconGraphics (sgi) and he has also beenresponsible for the branding and marketing ofa large 5-star hotel in Singapore.

He has lived in Singapore since 1991 andholds a Master in International Marketing fromthe University of Strathclyde, a Bachelor(Honours) in Business Studies fromBuckingham and has also engaged in post-graduate Information Studies research atSingapore's Nanyang TechnologicalUniversity.

Frederic is an Ordinary Member of theSingapore Institute of Management, andFormer Member of the Junior Chamber ofSingapore and Rotary Club of Marina Citywhere he was awarded the Outstanding NewRotarian Award in 1996. He is the CouncilRepresentative of The Conference Board'sSouth-Asia Sales & Marketing Council andmember of the Asia Speaker Association. Herecently started the Results FoundationToastmasters with a few friends to promotethe development of public speaking.

Sunil Daryanani (BSc HonsComputer Science with Economics ’90)provided his updated news after a few yearsand kindly sent us Christmas and New Yeargreetings. He would like to publish his emaildani@danitraders.com, just in case anybody

wants to contacthim. Sunil says: Aftermy career atIBM Group inMadrid, I joinedthe familybusiness in 1995and also createda new businessas a travelagency Anami

Travel. I got married in 1996 to Pia. Todayshe is running the travel agency AnamiTravel. Right now I am developing newprojects for distributing clothing, using newtechnology in fashion, throughout Spain withthe family business Dani Traders. We still livein the sunny Canaries though, of course,using the latest technology we can worknationally which is a pleasure as we gain inquality of life.

In 2003 our little baby girl Melody was bornand we are enjoying her as she grows,discovering one of the greatest gifts that aperson can be given in this life...

Kirsten Ladebeck (LLB ’96, MAInternational Relations ’97)THANK YOU so much for your very kindbirthday greetings! I am only now able toreply and thank you but I was touched howobservant you are. I hope all at Buckinghamis and are well!

Olufunke Onitiri (LLB ’96)Thank you very much for the birthdaymessage! I was very surprised and pleased toget it. I have to congratulate you and all theother members of the Alumni office for doingsuch a great job of keeping us alumniinformed on what is happening and fororganizing all those great events to get ustogether. Keep up the great work and all thevery best.

Thomas Kusserow (Wedel exchange ’97)and his wife WeinaWe would like to wish you all the best for2005. May power and sustainability still bewith you in your work to keep the alumnitogether and help them to stay in touch!

Stephanie E Weinberger (BA History of Artand Heritage Management ’98)Thank you very much for all the emailingconcerning the Alumni events & all theorganisations involved. It is very positive thatyears after finishing our studies atBuckingham we still get informed about themain events.

Thank you also for the birthday card emailyou sent me a few months back. It was a nicesurprise and brought back good memoriesfrom my study years at Buckingham. Welldone for all your efforts & thank you all onceagain.

Dinesh Kanavaji (LLB ’00)It has been 4 years since I left Buckingham.Nevertheless there is never a day that mythoughts did not go to Buckingham. It isgreat to know that although I am no longerthere, I am remembered on my birthday. Forthat I thank you.

Alain El Roumi (MSc Computing '02)Please check my websitewww.elsikanaw.com and send my regards toall Buckingham staff and alumni. I miss youall.

Filiz Yuksel (LLM ’05)Thank you very much. It becomes awonderful birthday, when I hear that youremember me. Buckingham was a family forme and will be always.

Nukhbah Langah (BA English literature ’97)Thanks ever so much to all the Alumni Crewfor keeping me in your thoughts. I missBuckingham and all the wonderful momentswith my friends who became a family to mefor all times to come!

4

Alumni at Work

Quotes of the Season

5

It’s a very strange feeling to write for theIndependent after such a long break. It hasbeen over two years since I left the StudentSabbatical post and I have to say EmilVassilev (MBA ’02, LLM ‘03) and Xiaojing(Iva) Yu (MSc International HotelManagement ’05) have been doing anextraordinary job since then!

At the end of December last year I went toChina. China has been my dream destinationfor a while. Since I also received an invitation(from Iva) to a wedding in Beijing I thought itwould be a good excuse to actually visit theOrient.

I will save you all funny details, strangers wemet and silly accidents we had (as I couldwrite a long story about it and that wouldsend you to sleep…). Planning to travel fromone city to another (Shanghai -Beijing-Xi’an-Hong Kong-Macau-Hong Kong-Shanghai)and after having a look on AlumNet Idecided to contact alumni living there.

You might be surprised that I would like tomeet up with somebody who graduatedyears before me. Well, despite the timedifference there is always something thatdraws us together. It’s the University wegraduated from! I always feel I have knownthe people I meet for a long time. Thishappened in Shanghai. There were five of uswho met for dinner in a gorgeous Chineserestaurant. Even though we had never metbefore we had so many things to talk aboutand it even appeared that we shared someof the same friends (I bet some ears wereburning that night!).

So who attended the dinner? If you have alook on the picture you can see our happyfaces – from the left: Jin Ling (MSc ServiceManagement ’01), Johann Kottulinsky(BSc Business Studies ‘00), CatherineXiong (BSC AFM ’99, LLM ’00), SuzannaTomassi and James Zhang who was inBuckingham in 2001. I have to say a hugethank you to Johann who took the wholeresponsibility for organising the evening andto everybody who simply found some time toattend!

And finally in Hong Kong we met withRoderick Wu (LLB ’78, Honorary Graduate’02), a fantastic man who was awarded hisBuckingham Honorary Degree during thesame ceremony that I graduated at.Roderick found some time to take us for adinner and also felt that he should introduceus to Dim Sum and local beer, so we met

again for lunch a few days later. You can seehow enjoyable it was from the picture below!

Well, my holiday is over and I’m back inBuckingham. I had a fabulous time and Idefinitely would like to go back to HongKong and other places in China again. I’mvery pleased that I could meet up with otheralumni and that is what I will definitely doagain when I go abroad!

PS. let me say a huge thank you to MarioCarias-Borjas (BSc Economics ’90),Marie-Louise Mandl (BSc Economics ’91)and Bolanle Animashaun (BSc BiologicalSciences ’93) who I met while traveling toNew York in March last year. It was great totalk to you guys and who knows, perhapswe will meet again soon…

Suzanna Tomassi(MSc Service Management ’02)

Both Medinah Huthman (BSc AFM ’80) andGregory Idehen (LLB '85) sent their messagesto the Alumni Office about setting up a Nigerianalumni society. Popo Kadiku (BA PEL ’87) wouldalso like to contribute.

Thanks for all the information and contributionfrom our Nigerian alumni, and anyone interestedin joining the new Society should contactMedinah (medinahh@yahoo.com), Gregory(idehen3000@yahoo.com), or Popo(popokdk@yahoo.com).

The message published below is from Gregory.Registered AlumNet members could read Popo’srecent news at www.buckingham.ac.uk/alumnet.

Message from Gregory Idehen

I moved back to Nigeria from Los Angeles, USA inMay 2004 after some twelve years. Prior to that Ispent eight years in the UK. My wife and 3 kidswere also back from Los Angeles last August. Ithas been quite hectic searching for the rightschools, starting school, job-hunting for my wife,and in between taking care of my business. I havebeen so busy, I haven't had time to socialize and

meet any alumni here. However, I would like to getin touch with other alumni in Nigeria. It is afantastic idea to do a special on Nigerian Alumni.

I was pleasantly surprised that the Alumnimagazine was still being mailed to my parents’address. It has been quite interesting keeping upwith the progress of Buckingham Alumni.I was surprised to read that ChuckwuemekaChikelu (LLB ’91) (see Winter 2004) who ispresently Nigeria's Minister of Information andNational Orientation graduated from Buckingham.His web link iswww.nigeria.gov.ng/ministryinformation/minister.htm.

I would also like to bring to your notice thatSenator Liyel Imoke (LLB ’86) began a 4-yearterm as Nigeria's Minister of Power and Steel inJune 2003. He has held several impressivepositions in the Nigerian government prior to thisappointment. He was a Senator at 30 years old.From 1999 to 2003, he was Special Adviser tothe President of Nigeria. Here is Liyel’s website:www.nigeria.gov.ng/ministries/ministerpower.htm.

Keep up the good work with the Independent.

Trip to China

News from NigeriaHon Justice K.O Odiete Georgemann

re-visits Buckingham

A pioneer student of the School of Law of theUniversity visited on 11 October 2004. Hon JusticeK.O Odiete Georgemann is presently a High CourtJudge in Nigeria. Her first visit to Buckingham wasin August 2003 (see Autumn 2003).

We would also like to give our warm welcome toCleopatra Barovbe (current student-LLB), theJudge’s daughter, who joined the University inJanuary 2005.

Any of the alumni or current students who wish toget in touch with the Judge could follow the detailsbelow.

The High Court of JusticeUghelli, Delta State

Federal Republic of NigeriaTel: 00234-53251278

Mobile: 00234-803 -4412206, or00234-802-3911825

Welcomed by the Vice Chancellor

6

News from Foundation Office

2005 begins a new year for the FoundationOffice; it is difficult to believe that a year hasgone by since I took over the Directorship ofthe Foundation in January 2004. It has been avery busy year for both Sarah and me and hasended with our moving into the newFoundation office. We finally moved from ourcubbyhole in the attic of Yeomanry House torather more spacious premises on the groundfloor of Yeomanry House where you will bemade most welcome if you find yourselves atthe University.

The most important event of 2004 was a visitby the Vice-Chancellor and me to Bermudaand the Bahamas in November. As always wereceived the warm welcome that all of us atBuckingham have learned to expect from ouralumni. Leo Mills’ words as he greeted us atthe airport in Bermuda, “Buckinghamstudents go the extra mile”, proved to be truethroughout our visit. Wherever we went, youall made that extra effort to make us feel thatwe are all part of the same Buckinghamfamily.

In Bermuda, Leo Mills organised a drinksparty at the Royal Hamilton Amateur DinghyClub. It was a delight to meet alumni there

and talk with them about their successes. Youreally reward our efforts when we see youplaying such an important and valuable role inyour own countries. We are proud to beassociated with you.

We were interviewed by Bermudan televisionand such was our fame that the Vice-Chancellor was recognised by security atHamilton airport as a result of the televisionappearance.

From Bermuda we went to Nassau in theBahamas where Cheryl Major-Bazard hadkindly organised a dinner at Sandals. Onceagain we met alumni and enjoyed discussingnot only their successful careers but also theirdeep sea fishing expeditions. My knowledgeof such increased as I learned of the dangersof eating large Barracuda - thank you Gregand Nick!

These visits are important to us because welearn more about the countries from which ouralumni come and what they would like fromtheir continued relationship with their almamater. Many of you have asked that when wevisit your countries, we consider givinglectures and law updates as well as havingsocial events. We hope to be able to do thisand I will let you have further details in thefuture of planned visits and lectures

associated with them. There were alsorequests for year group reunions atBuckingham, and I know that Anne Matsuokais looking at this. Do continue to let us knowhow we can help you; you are, after all, lifemembers of the University of Buckingham.

Fundraising is the major part of theFoundation office’s work and we havereceived some very generous donations thisyear for which we are most grateful. We arealways delighted to receive donations of anyamount to help fund scholarships,professorships, research, construction andrenovation of buildings, and the establishmentof the Max Beloff Centre for the Study ofLiberty. Max was our first Principal and astaunch supporter of liberty. If you would liketo contribute to the University’s needs do lookat our web pagehttp://www.buckingham.ac.uk/ubfoundation/which will give you details of how you cansupport the Foundation. If you would like yourcontribution to be in memory or honour of afriend or family member, or for a particularpurpose do please let me know. I look forwardto hearing from you.

Dr Mary WelsteadDirector, UB FoundationTel: +44 (0) 1280 820 263Email: mary.welstead@bukckingam.ac.uk

Buckingham forges ahead inthe US

Buckingham has always believed strongly inthe special relationship with the United States.Our university was founded on the model ofthe great American private universities, manyof our faculty have taught in some of theseuniversities with whom we have long-standingrelationships, and we are proud of the manyAmerican students who have come to studyat Buckingham over the years. Since October2003 we have been developing thisrelationship as a result of a new partnershipwith Boston University and its affiliatedstudents' placement organisation EUSA(European Study Abroad). The University nowhas a London office at the headquarters ofBoston's London operations and the newpartnership means that we are able to offerBuckingham students opportunities for workplacements in London and four otherEuropean capital cities. We are aiming to buildon this partnership with America's fourthlargest private university by forging new linkswith universities, colleges and high schools inthe United States as well as by renewingcontact with former students and withuniversities with whom we have long-standinglinks.

Recently we sent out a questionnaire to ourUS alumni. We were overwhelmed by theenthusiastic replies. In the words of onealumnus: " A lot of study abroad programs are

not true cultural experiences for the studentsbecause they travel to England with a largegroup of Americans, live with this same groupof Americans and attend classes with them.They just happen to be in another country. It'sa "much-watered down" experience.Buckingham is unique for the richness ofencounters and relationships you build withpeople from all over the world". Another USalumnus, who studied at Buckingham in the1970s wrote "I am serious when I say that myyear at UCB was the best year of myacademic life".

Since then we have developed not only anexcellent range of new degree programmes,but also new study-abroad options combined,through our affiliation with EUSA, with workplacements. I believe that Buckingham hassomething very special to offer and want youto encourage more US students to come toBuckingham.

I shall be visiting Boston, Lehigh and LosAngeles between 10-20 April. In Boston (10-13 April) I will visit elite independent schools(11 April), followed by a meeting with theProvost and senior staff of the BostonUniversity (12 April). On 13 April I will berepresenting the University of Buckingham atthe regional NACAC fair, which will take placeat Boston Bayside Expo and ExecutiveConference Center, Exhibit Halls A-B, 200Mount Vernon Street.

While in Lehigh Valley (14-15 April), I will visitLafayette, Moravian, Lehigh and otherindependent colleges, who have wellestablished partnership links withBuckingham.

In Los Angeles (16-20 April), I will berepresenting our University at the largestregional NACAC fair, taking place on 20 April,at Pasadena Center Exhibition Building,Annex Hall, 300 East Green Street, Pasadena,CA 91101.

Alumni are especially welcome to meet me inperson and are invited to get in touch withEmil Vassilev in the Alumni Office, direct line+44 (0)1280 820133, emailemil.vassilev@buckingham.ac.uk, in order toset up the most suitable date/venue/time foreach leg of my trip.

Jeremy HowardDirector of the University of BuckinghamLondon Office

University News

Jeremy Howard

7

The University was delighted to welcome morethan 270 new students in January 2005. Weare happy that they are here for thecontribution that they will make to ouracademic and social community, and alsopleased to see positive results from ourenhanced promotional efforts in the secondhalf of 2004.

Recent international visits have included thelaunch in Bermuda and the Bahamas of theBuckingham Foundation through a visit by theFoundation Director, Mary Welstead and theVice Chancellor.

I visited India, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Thailand,Vietnam and Greece and there have beenother visits to the Channel Islands and Taiwan,among others. In Taiwan, I was very gratefulfor the invaluable support and hospitality ofone of our alumni, Regina Saga, and Regina’sfamily.

It is very much our intention to forge stronglinks with UB alumni wherever we visit, asthere can be no better advocates for the truenature of the Buckingham experience than our

former students. We value your thoughts andinput very highly.

The January 2005 intake saw the Universitycontinue its tradition of strong studentnumbers recruited from the UK, Nigeria andPakistan, with growing numbers from EasternEuropean countries, China and Japan. Therewas strong recruitment to our MBAprogramme and positive signs in manyacademic areas.

We hope that we will have the opportunity tomeet you in your own country in the comingmonths and to engage with you in spreadingthe word about the University of Buckingham.

Happy Year of the Rooster!

Tim GutsellDirector of Marketing and AdmissionsTel: +44 (0)1280 820295Email: tim.gutsell@buckingham.ac.uk

Marketing Update

A few years ago Marc Giebels van Bekestein (BA European

Studies ’88), pictured below, decided to set-up a wine company

that would focus primarily on importing to the UK the best of

Hispanic wines.

In Marc’s words “…the business has now grown and we import

over 300 different types of wine from Spain, South America, Italy

and Portugal. We also recently established a joint venture with

another wine importing company that specializes in French, South

African, Australian and Italian wines. This has enabled us to cover

geographically most wine producing regions worldwide.”

ADVERTISING

With a circulation of 8,000, the

Independent opens Advertising Pages

for our alumni from current issue.

You are more than welcome to take this

opportunity to publicize your business.

Please contact us with wording, logo

etc., and indicate the size you would

prefer. The costs will be: quarter £50,

half £100, full £200, all in four colour

and based on A4 size sheet.

If you have any queries, please contact

Emil Vassilev

Tel: +44 (0) 1280 820133

Email: emil.vassilev@buckingham.ac.uk

Engagements

Carolin Ziller (BSc European Studies’98, LLM ’01)

My boyfriend, Philipp von Breitenbuch,33 years old, and I got engaged on 15July 2004. We met on 15 August 2003 atanother Buckingham alumnus Max vonBelow (BSc Business Studies ’01, MScService Management ’02)’s birthdayparty in Germany. Six months later wemoved in together and today we knowwe do not want it any other way again -the wedding will be some time in autumnor winter 2005.

Andrea Hodges (LLB ’94) announcedher engagement to Bruce Steele-Tysonover Christmas when both families gottogether. The wedding will take place inAugust 2005.

Marriages

Santia Rasanayagam (LLB ’97) marriedDemetrios Papachristopoulos on 14August 2004 in Singapore.

The wedding was followed by a receptionat the Grand Hyatt Singapore. They nowreside in Portland, Oregon and have livedthere for the past five years. Some goodfriends present at their wedding wereHamish Fairey (LLB ’96) and SheebaniSethi (LLB ’96).

Veena Shah (BSc Business Studies ’99,MBA ’00) and Anand Verma (BScComputer Science ’97, MSc ComputerScience ’03) got married on 15 August2004 in a beautiful and magical setting ofRoyal Court Hotel in Coventry, UK. ManyUniversity of Buckingham staff andalumni from all around the world werepresent at the wedding and reception.Veena and Anand work and live inLondon, UK.

Thomas Kusserow (Wedel exchange’97) has some good news for us.

‘When I visited my parents for Christmas,I saw the article about Weina and me inthe Independent (Summer/2004). Thankyou very much indeed.

We married on 10 Oct 2004! There havebeen big parties in China, with more than600 guests all together... really amazingfor a German like me...’

Philippa (Pearce) Skandaliaris (LLB ’94)would like to announce her marriage withManoli.

We were married on 4 November 2004 atthe Greek Orthodox Church here inNassau with a reception for 350 atVillagio afterwards. It was a wonderfullyjoyous day full of happiness and laughter.Manoli and I met here in 2002.

As you can see from the picture, we boththoroughly enjoyed ourselves. RahulAhuja (BSc AFM ’93) was our Master ofCeremonies and he did the most fantasticjob of speaking Greek and ensuring thatthings ran smoothly! Katherine Malcolm(BSc Computer Science ’92) was one ofmy bridesmaids and she too made surethe day went without a hitch!

We honeymooned at the Rock House inHarbour Island - a truly magical place.’

Devyani Sethi (BSc Business studies'97) and Morgan Larkin solemnized theirmarriage in a traditional Indian weddingceremony on 26 December 2004 in NewDelhi, India.

8

Engagements.. Marriages..

..and Births‘We had a wonderful wedding, eventhough it was in the shadow of thetsunami disaster.’ Devyani said.

Originally married in a civil ceremony inPhoenix, Arizona in July 2003, they hadbeen unable to have a traditional weddingin India at the time as Morgan was onactive duty with the US Navy. This pastDecember, they were delighted finally tokeep the promise they had made to theirfamilies and friends more than a yearbefore.

They are currently based in Scottsdale,Arizona where Devyani works as a GlobalProgram Manager at DHL WorldwideExpress and Morgan is readingEconomics at Arizona State Universityand thoroughly enjoying civilian life again.

Reyhan Alimova (current student-LLB)married Hans Willemsen on 13September 2004 at a civil service inAylesbury.

The couple were accompanied by CecileMcKinney (current student-LLB), CarolYuhaschek (LLM ’05) and Barry Clifton.Cecile and Carol were witnesses for thebride and Barry was witness for thegroom.

Births

Carlos Fernando Pons (BSc BusinessEconomics ’01) said in his message: ‘Iam doing well and have been living inEcuador for over a year now and eventhough it takes time to get used to iteverything is going well.’

He sent a picture of himself and his littleprincess, Micaela, who was born on 22January 2004.

Carlos and Monica are expecting theirsecond child for October. ‘WE AREGETTING SO OLD!’ said Carlos.

Mabel Leung (LLB ’03) would like toreport her ‘model baby’, HendrikaSeghers, born on 25 March 2004,weighed 4kilos 80 grams at birth.Xiao-mei is Hendrika’s Chinese name,which means little beauty. Already 9months now, she crawls very fast,standing, and says ‘mama’ already.

Hendrika was selected as the ‘modelbaby’ for the spring/summer 2005collection of the Belgium children’sclothing: GYMP.

Jeremy Garson (BSc Business Studies’85) and Kristin would like to announcethat their baby boy Magnus GabrielSonning Garson was born on 29 June2004 in London. The baby was christenedon 21 November 2004 in Venice at StGeorge's Church. Christopher Smith(LLB ’84) is one of the godfathers.

Both Jeremy and Kristin are now livingand working in La Maremma, SouthernTuscany.

Eurika Charlton (LLB ’94)

I am practising out of the Office of TheAttorney General, Nassau, Bahamas. Isuccessfully completed my Bar Trainingwith the Council of Legal Education of theWest Indies and was called to theBahamas Bar in October 2000. I work asa criminal prosecutor.

I was married to Vincent Charlton inAugust 2003. I have an eight-year-old sonDoswell Coakley, prior to marriage. Myhusband has a seven-year-old son CodyCharlton prior. We now have our firstchild together, a baby boy MaliqueCharlton who was born on 6 July 2004.

Juliet Myers (BSc Business Studies ’93)sent us a family picture and wrote: ‘Weare thrilled at the arrival of our daughter,Kayla Dakota Turner born 24 September2004 in Lansing Michigan, USA. Wecurrently reside in the Cayman Islands.’

Deba Bardhan Correia (MSc ServiceManagement ’01) gave birth to a son on24 October 2004, weighing 6lbs, 11oz.Deba and her husband Jorge (currentstudent-DPhil Business) have namedhim Noah Gaius.

9

10

Throughout the month of January andFebruary, a number of stories werepublished about the case of Greek athleteKonstantinos Kenteris who is representedby Gregory Ioannidis. A large number ofthese noted Greg as being a law lecturer atthe University. (Financial Times; BBC Sport;Sporting Life; The Press Association;Sportal; Ireland On-Line; L'Equipe (France);Gazeta esportiva (Brazil); Namdalsavisa(Norway); NZSDA (New Zealand SportsDrug Agency); and a number of otherinternational publications and websites).

Breaking inThis article reports that the universities ofBuckingham and Brunel are in talks to setup a private medical school. Currently thereis just a one in five chance of a would-bedoctor getting into medical school, whichmeans many travel abroad to seek training.Reportedly the UK will be short of 25,000doctors by 2022. (The Economist 05February)

Science is for posh kidsThis article, by Dr Terence Kealey,addresses the effects of teaching sciences

as two GCSEs instead of three. He pointsout that nearly a third of GCSE Physicsteachers in state schools possess no morethan a GCSE in the subject themselves,apparently leading to poor quality inteaching with less students taking scienceat A-level, and consequently fewer degreesin the core sciences. Dr Kealey notes thatgrammar and private schools still teachindividual sciences. He argues this shouldbe standard in state schools too. (TheSpectator 05 February)

Medical studies for cashNews that Buckingham and Bruneluniversities are currently in talks to set up anew medical school. The author says thatmany other universities will follow suit whenthey see the interest the venture hasreceived so far. (Newcastle upon TyneJournal 15 February)

'Back to Basics' for new teachersNews breaks that Buckingham's PGCEcourse has gained government approvaland can therefore now train teachers forstate schools as well as private schools.The course will concentrate on practical

training rather than theory-based learning.(The Times 21 February)

Personal View; Britain must open theirwallets if we are to match the Ivy LeagueDr Kealey's article refers to the success ofthe Ivy League in America and uses it as anexample of the need to maintain privateeducation in Britain thus helping the countryto survive and prosper. He mentions theproposed new medical school and how itwill use its independence to create a 'newtype of medical school, whose professorsfocus on treating people as patients'. (TheDaily Telegraph 21 February)

Woodhead's non-PC training courseThis article details the new governmentaccredited PGCE course offered byBuckingham. It focuses on the main aim ofthe course, which is to offer practicaltraining to produce capable and betterprepared committed and serious teachers.Chris Woodhead commented that thecourse 'has the potential to impact hugelyon standards'. (TES 25 February)

11

News from Malaysia

The University of Buckingham Alumni ofMalaysia had its first event for the year inJanuary 2005. It was a trip to Frasers’ Hillswhich is one of Malaysia’s best loved HillResorts and the event was a roaringsuccess. We had more than sixty membersincluding spouses all of whom took time offto attend. The highlight of the first day wasa B.B.Q and we were entertained by thelocal Police Board. On the second day aNature Walk was organised with theassistance of the local World Wildlife Fund

Representative and for the Golfers, a Golfgame was organised at the local Golf club.Last but not least, our deepest gratitude tofellow alumnus, Andrew Kam (LLB ’86),having housed us in his gorgeousbungalows and also providing us with allthe sumptuous meals for the wholeweekend. Our next event will be the 30thAnniversary Gala Dinner and Dance to beheld in a leading 5-star Hotel in KualaLumpur, Malaysia on 24 June 2005.

First Alumni Event in 2005 written by Anand Selvaratnam (LLB ’87)

At a recent AGM of the University ofBuckingham Alumni Club of Malaysia, anew Committee have been appointed forthe year 2004/2005. The Committee isheaded by President Dato' VSivaparanjothi (LLB ’88), Vice PresidentTengku M Fauzi Hamid (LLB ’82),Secretary Gerald John Pereira (LLB ’91),Assistant Secretary Anand Selvaratnam(LLB ’87), Treasurer Tengku Mu’adzamSadruddin and Committee MembersBrigadier Gen Dato’ Haji Mustapha KhalilBin Ismail (LLB ’98), Jayendran Govindan(LLB ’88), Linda Ong Gaik Bee (LLB ’99),Dinesh Kanavaji (LLB ’00), DesmondChin Soon Yenn (LLB ’00), Cik Fadhlinaand Sumita Gnanarajah (LLB ’90).

More than 500 Malaysians have graduatedin various disciplines from the University ofBuckingham. It is heartening to note thatseveral graduates are doing exceptionallywell in both the private and governmentsectors.

The Alumni Club has been in existencesince 1995 and since then various activitieshave been organized to serve its members.

The present Committee have drawn upseveral activities to foster friendship andgoodwill among the graduates of theUniversity. The Committee have plannedthe following activities for the current term:

1) Upgrade databank of all Malaysianswho have studied in the University ofBuckingham. This databank will enablethe members to be in touch with oneanother and for networking purposesnot only within Malaysia but also withAlumni members from more than 40countries worldwide.

2) The Committee will hold their meetingsin other states on a regular basis so asto establish a close rapport with itsmembers.

3) The International Gala Dinner andDance 2005 will be held at the GrandBallroom, Mandarin Oriental Hotel,Kuala Lumpur on Friday 24 June 2005.This international event is tocommemorate the 30th anniversary ofthe founding of the University ofBuckingham. This event will be gracedby several distinguished dignitariesnamely cabinet ministers, members ofthe diplomatic corps and the judiciary.Invitations have been extended to DrTerence Kealey, Vice Chancellor of theUniversity of Buckingham, and somelecturers who had taught our graduates.Further, graduates from more than 40countries worldwide will be attendingthis international event. This event willcertainly strengthen the goodwill andfellowship between the past andpresent graduates from Malaysia andoverseas. Non-alumni and alumnimembers are encouraged to take thisopportunity to attend this maidenoccasion.

4) Organize seminars and talks on varioustopics of current interest for the benefitof the public.

5) Newsletters will be published everyquarter to update information and tocreate awareness of the activities of theAlumni Club so as to foster closerrelationship amongst the members.

6) The Committee intends to have a Website so as to enable members to keep intouch with one another. The Committeewill be launching its own logo soon.

The President is confident that the Alumniwill try to achieve whatever targets set forthe coming year. The Committee will keepthe members informed of its activities fromtime to time. All Malaysian graduates fromthe University of Buckingham are advisedto fax or email their latest address andcontact numbers to 03-26931741, andvsivap@po.jaring.my.

Yours faithfully, For and on behalf of the University of Buckingham Alumni ofMalaysiaDato’ V SivaparanjothiPresident

International Gala Dinner and Dance 2005

Invitation from President of theUniversity of Buckingham

Alumni of Malaysia

On behalf of the Alumni Club, we wish tocordially invite all past and presentgraduates and their family and friends toattend the International Gala Dinner andDance 2005.

The aim of this event is to foster strongerties between past and present graduates ofour University from all over the world.Further we would like to bring togetherfamily and friends who have been involvedin bringing success to our University.

Please do make your reservations byclicking on to our dedicated website:www.ubamgaladinner05.com.

Dato' V Sivaparanjothi Tel: 03-26931663Fax: 03-26931741E-mail: vsivap@po.jaring.my

12

Staff at the University send their heartfeltsympathy to any alumni and students whohave been affected by the disastrous tsunamithat has devastated parts of Indonesia, SriLanka, India, Thailand, Somalia, Burma,Maldives, Malaysia, Tanzania, Seychelles,Bangladesh and Kenya.

The University (staff and students) will beholding discussions on a fundraising eventonce our students return from their winterbreak and details will be sent out as soon aspossible.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all thoseaffected by this disaster.

26/12/2004 Asia’s Tsunami… We thank you ALL for the tsunami efforts.

We are a global University so we feel thishorror personally as it will have disruptedthe lives of our own students and alumni.

Dr Kealey, the Vice-Chancellor

30/12/2004 Message sent out from Publicity Office by Anne Matsuoka, PR/Alumni Relations Officer

Happy and prosperous New Year to all ofyou. We are all fine here but quite shaken bythe catastrophe that has hit this region.

In Malaysia, the affected places were certainbeaches of Penang Island and LangkawiIsland and poor fishing villages of Kedah andPenang. The whole nation has rallied supportvia massive corporate and personaldonations, medical aid and volunteers anddonations continue pouring.

I myself am a volunteer with YayasanSultanah Bahiyah, a Foundation named after

the late Sultanah, the consort of the Sultan ofKedah. The Foundation is run by HRH thedaughter of the Sultan of Kedah, a personalfriend of mine.

As you know, many workers such as maidsand contract workers who are working inMalaysia, come from Aceh and Sri Lanka, soyou have stories of maids losing their familiesback home.

Last night at our Royal Selangor Club, weheld a fund-raising event just as many otherplaces around the country. The Nation didn't

really celebrate the New Year but heldmassive multi-religious prayers. Those thatdid, turned their events into fundraisingaffairs.

Anyway, we thank God for always beingblessed by good health & good fortunes.Ergo, we try to make a difference, where wecan. I hope our University is helping to collectdonations to help those badly affected placesespecially Aceh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

God bless.

01/01/2005 Message from Dato’ Zuraidah Atan (LLB ’84)

I am well, and so is my family. The disasterthat struck Sri Lanka on 26 December wasunprecedented and caught everyone offguard. The response however has been swiftand massive, and UNHCR is at the heart ofthe relief effort, with all other majorInternational Organisations, NGOs and ofcourse the Government of Sri Lanka.

We had the visit by the UN SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annan last week, which I helpedto coordinate. We hope that the tremendousgenerosity shown by people all over theworld will not be short-lived, as we are in forthe ‘long haul’.

13/01/2005 Response from Paul de la Croix-Vaubois (BSc AFM ’86)

As we watched the news on CNN, suddenlypictures of familiar places close to homeflashed across the TV screen. Since then wecould do nothing much in the run up to theNew Year but sat glued to the TV set, listeningto the endless stories of survival coming outfrom Banda Aceh, at the northern tip ofSumatra, Indonesia, Phuket in SouthernThailand and Sri Lanka. The toll in human liveshas passed the 150,000 mark with more thanhalf coming out of Banda Aceh alone. At the

same time we cannot help but also reflect onthe possibility of the same happening to NewYork City - where we now live and call home.

The closest we got to Banda Aceh was whenwe were on vacation not too long ago, whenwe found ourselves in the resort town ofParapat on the shores of Lake Toba, a fewhours' drive from the Sumatran town of Medan- fourth largest city in Indonesia. Banda Aceh isa relatively short eight-hour drive away fromMedan.

The Tsunami reminded us of yet another kindof disaster three years earlier on September11, 2001 when I found myself about 30minutes away by bus from Ground Zero, theWorld Trade Center Towers in New York City.Yes, it was that close.

On that fateful morning in New York, I wasrunning late for an appointment on FifthAvenue, a few blocks from the World TradeCenters (WTC). I would have continued myjourney that morning, as was my habit to do

whenever I found myself in Manhattan. Thisshort ride would have taken me that morningto the basement of WTC. As a reminder of oneof those visits to the bookshop, I still have thiscash register receipt for a book I purchasedthere entitled, "Satanic Verses" by SalmanRushdie. Printed on this cash register receiptwere the figures 9/11.

Apparently it was not my time. Instead on thatcrisp Tuesday morning 9/11/2001, I saw aplume of black smoke darkened the clear bluesky above New York City ahead of me. Iremember thinking afterwards, that fortunatelyfor all of us it was not a mushroom cloud. Iremember too thinking to myself, "If it is notyour time, it is not your time - and it is onerendezvous that you would not be allowed tokeep."

As it turned out I was destined to renew myties with my alma mater and that sleepy hollowwe once called home - Buckingham, England.

07/01/2005 Article by Husny Syed (LLB ’88): The wrath of God as manifested by the Tsunami hits close to home

On the shore of Lake Toba, Sumatra,Indonesia - not far from Banda Aceh

Paul (left) Kofi Annan (right)

Thank you very much for your very concernedemail. Virtually all of the Buckingham alumnithat I know reside in Jakarta, except for EdwinSusanto (BSc AFM ’97) in Bandung, WestJava and Djojo Hartono (BSc AFM ’97) inShanghai, China. Jakarta, capital of Indonesia,is approximately 2 hours flight from Aceh, theworst-hit area. Hence, nothing was felt inJakarta. In fact we did not know anything untilit was all over the news. I was actually in myhometown, Manado (North Sulawesi, near the

Philippines) for Christmas and did not feelanything either.

The other alumni in Indonesia whom I know,Herny Pangemanan (BSc Business Studies’97), Bharat Advani (BSc Business Studies’96), Mirnalini Sinivasan (left in 1998) andKing Davy Worotitjan (left in 1997), for sureare alright (I have either met or been in touchwith them).

I hope and pray none of the alumni, theirfamilies and friends have been victims of thetsunami, wherever they are. And to those whohave been, my deepest sympathy is with themand prayers for them to be strong to facethrough this terrible ordeal.

My best regards to all alumni and University ofBuckingham staff.

13/01/2005 Response from Joy Tampi (BSc AFM ’97, LLB ’99)

Dr Richard Haas (1911-2005)

It is with great sadness that the University haslearned of the death of Dr Richard J Haas,CBE, MA, LLD. Richard Haas died on 31January 2005 at the age of 94. He had adistinguished career in international law andeven at the age of 94, was working daily untilaffected by respiratory illness in lateDecember.

Dr Haas was an enthusiastic supporter of theUniversity since its inception and served onthe University Council from 1973 to 1983 andwas a Patron. He was a particular supporter ofthe development of science and medicineboth at the University and in a wider sphere,including the Foundation of Science andTechnology, which provides a neutral platformfor debate of policy issues duringparliamentary sessions. Dr Haas was a Vice

President of the Foundation. He was awardedan honorary Doctor of Science by theUniversity of Buckingham in 1989.

Ben Chanda (1957-2003)

We are sad to inform you that Ben Chanda(BSc Aquatic & Fisheries Biology ’89)passed away on 19 August 2003. He wasworking for the Department of Fisheries in theRepublic of Zambia.

Alex Ruxton (1969-2004)

Alex Ruxton (BSc AFM ’93) sadly died onSeptember 2004. He died as a result of atragic accident in Luxembourg. His dear friendSebastian Church (BSc Business Studies’92) says:

“Alex was a flat mate of mine for 5 years afterwe left university, and though not always easyto live with, he had a heart of gold and will bemuch missed by his friends” (many of whomhave been good friends since Buckingham).

Whilst at Buckingham Alex was an importantmember of the ski club/team (which I hadfounded the previous year) being a member ofour first British Universities Team (only oursecond ever event) and being instrumental inthe club/team continuing after I left.

Anne Gibbons (1942-2005)

Our condolences go to the family and friendsof Anne Gibbons, the University'sHousekeeper for some 15 years to 1995, whodied suddenly in February 2005. Her funeralwas held on 11 February at the St Bernadine'sChurch in Chandos Road.

OBITUARIES

I returned on the 24 January from Sri Lanka. Itwasn't easy to travel to many places andspend time with affected people, but I'm gladto say that I was able to do that. I wouldn'thave been able to do so much withouteveryone's contributions, plus the support andunderstanding of family and friends.

It was really good to spend a lot of time withchildren. To bring a little hope to their lives andsee them smile and play was really special tome. Some children were too shocked to talk. Imet a father in my home town (Devinuwara)who lost his wife and his little daughter. He isholding himself together so that his 8-year-oldson, Dilshan won't have to make it alone. Mygirlfriend, Rashmi, and I will send him gifts andhope to visit him at least once a year. Sadly,this is only one incident out of manythousands and it will take much more time forthem to come to terms with what's happened.But I could see that there is hope.

I was able to give books, pencils, pens, rulers,erasers etc to more than 500 children in total.

100 families each received a set of cookingutensils. In addition, I was able to givetextbooks and sports equipment to children,with plastic plates, cups, toothbrushes andtoothpaste, mosquito repellents and cookingoil for families. I made 4 trips from Colombowith friends and family! Two alumni, NevilleIgalawithana (LLB ’05) and Shalinda Perera(BSc AFM ’93) also joined me during 2 trips. I bring thanks to people in Buckingham fromthose who I was able to help. I too thank you

again for your contributions and I hope youwill be happy when you see how your moneywas spent to help the people who wereaffected by the tsunami. From what I saw, itwill take a long time for these people to getback to normality. Many live in schools, tentsand in temporary shelters under difficultconditions. Things are still not well organised.Private groups and individuals (local andforeign) are doing a marvellous job.

From the £1100 I raised, £211 still remains. Ididn't want to hand over money or goods toanyone without being able to make sureeverything goes for the people who are inneed. I received SNG$300 (about £100) from afriend (alumnus) in Singapore. I hope to helprebuild a house with this money and oncethere I can gather more information. I have toraise more money for this, but I'm sure I canachieve this.

Help in Sri LankaHarin Sellahewa (staff/current research student in DPhil Computing) went back to his home country on 7 January 2005.

Thanks should also go to Pushpika Weerakoon (PGD International and Commercial Law ’04) and John Kemp (LLB ’03) for quick responses andefforts on fundraising.

13

Progress in Partnership with SSST

Sarajevo School of Science and Technology(SSST) opened its doors to 67 students inOctober 2004. This will of course increase overthe four-year period of SSST's degree programmaking a significant contribution toBuckingham’s financial position.

The joint venture will allow colleagues frominformation systems to collaborate with theircounterparts in Sarajevo in teaching andresearch projects. It is also hoped thatgraduates from SSST will come toBuckingham to undertake master's programs.

Mary WelsteadDirector, UB Foundation

Ronnie Lessem, Program Director ofTransformation Management, says: This is avery heartening development for all involved.What with our activities in the Middle East, andpotentially elsewhere in transitional societies,we could develop a core competence in thatrespect. Look forward to seeing how theproject unfolds. Perhaps we might also lookfor some research funding that would coverSarajevo and Jordan, both with their Christian-Muslim populations.

Law Society Ball 2004

The Law School successfully held its annualBall in the Town Hall of Buckingham on 23October 2004. Eghan Modeste (LLB ’05)comments: In keeping with the Halloweentheme, the hall was transformed into ahaunted house, complete with spiders' webson the doors and creepy spiders on the tables.The setting, however, remained very elegant,and all the guests looked very smart.

Gregory Scholarship Students

Gregory Scholarship Students

The first three Gregory Scholarship studentsjoined the University in January 2004. Thepicture shows Charlotte Ellis (Marketing withMedia Communications), Ian Cokayne (Law)and Kimberley Child (Law) in front of thedonation board with Dr Kealey, the Vice-Chancellor.

Annual Golf Tournament

The 4th Annual Staff & Student GolfTournament teed off on 6 October 2004 at anow sunny Whittlebury Park Golf & CountryClub. This was in stark contrast to thetorrential rain and thunder and lightening thathad forced us to abandon the originaltournament in August, half way round thecourse.

While some players were unfortunately unableto play this time around, the ever present JohnHalladay (Senior Lecturer in Law), togetherwith Steve Roberts (Gardener) and StefanRidley (Sports Officer) turned out for thestaff, with Stan Lou (LLB ’02) travelling downfrom Birmingham to play in this year’s event.

The tournament was followed by a meal andpresentation of awards in the recently openedAtrium. The awards were presented by theSports Officer, for Nearest the Pin, TheLongest Drive and for the overall Winner. Todate nobody had won more than one trophyfor their day’s play. However, this changed thisyear as Paul Hogarth-Blood (Law Student)swept away the competition to win all threetrophies!

Stefan RidleySports Officer

Recipients of Honorary Degrees

Lawrie Drury, former Head of Accounting andFinance at Buckingham, received an HonoraryDegree of Doctor of Science.

A qualified Chartered Accountant, LawrieDrury graduated from St John's CollegeCambridge in 1961. Following his graduation,he joined Grant Thornton, charteredaccountants, and once fully qualified, movedto Arthur Andersen's London Taxationdepartment. He went on to run a corporate taxdepartment at Thomas McLintock, and then in1972 became Principal of Reed Business. In1989 Lawrie was asked to run a taxationcourse at Buckingham, and after two years offreelancing, he joined the University full-time.Lawrie has held many positions withinAccounting and Finance at Buckingham,including Head of Department and Pro-ViceChancellor from 2000 to 2002.

Robert Tomkinson, Chairman of the Councilof the University of Buckingham, received anHonorary Degree of Doctor of the University.

A qualified Chartered Accountant, RobertTomkinson started his career at Peat, Marwick,Mitchell and Co. where he remained for nineyears. He was then involved in the setting upof a merchant bank specialising in the energyindustries. Following a number ofachievements, he went on to become theFinancial Director at Automotive Products, andthen Group Financial Director atElectrocomponents. Now in retirement, MrTomkinson has taken up a number of non-executive positions across the world.

University News

14

Visit to Hong Kong and Taiwan

Tim Gutsell, the University’s newly appointedDirector of Marketing and Admissions, had abright and breezy introduction to recruitmentfor UB when he visited Taiwan in August. Timwas blown around the island by Typhoon Aereas widespread flooding and damage toproperty occurred in the more mountainouscentral and rural areas of Taiwan. In the bigcities, though, there was more of a relaxedatmosphere as people were required to stayaway from work for the “Typhoon Day” – anunexpected public holiday!

Despite the climactic inconvenience, studentswere interviewed in Taipei, Tainan, Kaohsiungand Taichung and places were offered toqualified candidates. Thanks to Regina Saga(LLB ’96, LLM ’97), a visit was also made tothe very impressive modern campus of TokoUniversity in Chia Yi, near Tainan, anddiscussions are continuing towards theestablishment of a collaborative arrangementwith the university.

In Hong Kong, the weather was calmer, but itwas the students who were “flooding” into theBritish Council organised Enrolment Interviewsat the Hong Kong Exhibition and ConventionCentre, built on reclaimed land in Hong Kongharbour. Over two days, there were more than8000 willing student visitors to the exhibitionand many of them were very interested to hearabout the many benefits of studying atBuckingham, including the “fast track”opportunities offered by our two-yearBachelors degree.

Tim was delighted and honoured to have theassistance on the University’s stand at theexhibition of Dr Roderick Wu (LLB ’78),holder of an honorary Doctorate from theUniversity. Roderick was one of the firststudents of the University back in the 1970sand is now an eminent lawyer in Hong Kong.He is also very actively involved in theUniversity’s Alumni Association branch inHong Kong and kindly hosted a lunch and adinner during Tim’s visit.

Watch this space for more intrepid tales of theUniversity’s international recruitment activities!

Tim GutsellDirector of Marketing and Admissions

Farewells

Summer term 2004 in the School of Businesswas book-ended by farewell parties for twolong-standing and distinguished members ofthe academic staff, both taking retirement. Wesaid au revoir to Lawrie Drury at thebeginning of term, and to David Pendrill at theend. There was a nice symmetry to the twooccasions, because David gave the valedictionfor Lawrie, who returned the honours atDavid’s farewell.

From the deserved compliments they paideach other, and the amusing anecdotes theytold to embarrass each other, it wasabundantly clear that they had great mutualrespect and appreciation for the years theyhad worked together in a team. The presenceat both farewell parties of a large number ofstaff from all sections of the University wasalso testament to the widespread regard andfondness for David and Lawrie.

For most of his 15 years at the University,David was head of Accounting, and wasresponsible for building up a strong andrespected department, in which Lawrie was akey figure. David is also well known for hiscontribution to the musical profile of theUniversity. During the few years that Davidwas not head of department, Lawrie steppedinto the role. In recent years Lawrie also tookon marketing and recruitment responsibilitiesas Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

Both men epitomise two of the qualities onwhich the University bases its reputation: acommitment to delivering a high standard ofeducation, and a focus on giving care andindividual attention to students. They leave twolarge gaps in the management and accountingdepartment. The University will no doubtappoint excellent teachers and academics totake over their work, but David and Lawrie are,as colleagues and individuals, irreplaceable.

Eddie ShoesmithSenior Lecturer in Statistics

IEA Talk by Dr Jung Chang

Buckingham students, alumni, and staff weretreated to a wonderful Lunch Time Talkdelivered by Dr Jung Chang and superblyhosted by John Blundell and his team at theInstitute of Economic Affairs, London on 14October 2004.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Dr Chang asshe visually illustrated passages from herbestselling book Wild Swans: Three Daughtersof China. Dr. Chang disturbed the audiencewith a 4 inch foot binding garment worn toprotect her grandmothers ‘greatest assets’ andintrigued with a ‘Chairman Mao’ badge shewore as a teenage member of the Red Guard.Dr. Chang responded to many lively questionsfrom the diverse audience and mentioned herforthcoming book about Mao.

Dr Chang accepted an honorary degree fromthe University in 1996.

Jeremy Hewitt(BSc Business Studies ‘96)

Business Alumni Event

The Business Society arranged a NetworkingDay for the business alumni and students on18 February 2005.

The event focused on the case study of theEnterprise Hub, which is currently operationalat the University. 3 teams were led respectivelyby Mark Lancaster (BSc Business Studies’92), Anand Verma (MSc Computing ’03) andPhilipp von Both (LLB ’01, MBA ’02). PhilDover (Dean of the Business School), LawrieDrury (Senior Lecturer) and Martin Brassel(Director of the Enterprise Hub) were in thepanel of judges.

Mark’s team are pictured after winning thecompetition.

University News

Chinese edition of ProfessorPendrill's book

Pearson Education has signed anagreement with China Renmin UniversityPress for the publication of a Chineseedition of Advanced Financial Accountingby Richard Lewis and David Pendrill. Thepublication, which is scheduled forSeptember 2005, will undoubtedly raise theprofile of the University in this importantmarket.

Jeremy with Dr Chang (right) and CharlieBrooker (LLB ’03)

David Pendrill and Lawrie Drury

Martin Brassel (right) and winners

15

On 10 November, 2004 alumnus CharlesConway (BSc Economics ’04) and fellowBarclays Business Development leader OliverAllen, visited Buckingham to give a presentationon a unique graduate development opportunity –the Barclays Business Leadership Programme.

As two of only 50 people chosen from 6,000high flying applicants Charles and Oliver are wellpositioned to explain the rigours of selection andthe opportunities presented by the programme.

Since its inception we were told no one has left

the programme before completion. Those thathave completed the programme and stay withinBarclays, can expect to be at Director level in 10– 15 years or less.

Personally, the thing that struck me most wasthe emphasis placed on “hitting the groundrunning” or the “oven ready” factor as somegraduate recruiters are calling it. Barclays seemto have developed this in its broadest sense, tocover career planning and management of yourown learning.

If you are “oven ready”, Barclays will accept youfor this programme without a relevant degree orwork experience. However, this can add somuch to an application and even prepare you forthe “oven”. Placement, work experience ormentoring is arguably the best way to do this.Once again, our Alumni are essential to thisprocess. Please do continue to help and supportyour future.

Marcus WilliamsCareers AdvisorTel: +44 (0)1280 828217Email: marcus.williams@buckingham.ac.uk

To All AlumniThis publication is foryou and if you wouldlike input into the nextissue, please sendcomments and ideas toAnne Matsuoka.

The next publication weproduce will containmore information,updating you on wherealumni are these daysand what they are up to.

Please Note:

Copy for the nextissue required by

22nd June 2005

www.buckingham.ac.uk

Alumni Summer Boat Party 2005Join us on the (moored) boat — the London Regalia on the Thames

Please contact Anne Matsuoka or Lauren Hardy onTel: +44 (0) 1280 820338/820213Email: publicity@buckingham.ac.uk

We accept cash/cheque/credit card when you book your tickets (£30 each),including entrance, welcome drink, buffet supper and disco.

Please book ASAP for the tickets are limited.

The Dynamic Duo Come To Buckingham

Careers Corner

Charles Conway (6 from left) and OliverAllen (5 from left) with current students

Time: 7:30-11:30pmDate: Friday 17 June 2005Venue: The London Regalia

(Between London Bridge and Cannon Street Rail Bridge)

16