A Cultural feast - The Magazine for aluMni and friends of the University of Ulster - Ulster University
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The Magazine for Alumni and Friends of the University of Ulster U L S T E R G R A D U A T E A Cultural feast With 2013 focused on the UK City of Culture, Ulster steps into the limelight | Page 03
Numbers
The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
Welcome to your Contents
speak new year, new look
Ulster Graduate
volumes… Our alumni network and we introduce our new range of Artists’
Editions and Multiples from prominent art
03 A Cultural feast
05 Life in the fast lane
07 Diary dates
numbers over 150,000 and design alumni.
people globally now 08 Santander
and is an incredibly rich University of Ulster Fund partnership
and vibrant resource for In December 2012 we launched the
09 University of the
University of Ulster Fund, established to
support networks, business benefit current and future generations of future
development and enduring our students.
friendships. Keeping in touch with With the support of our graduates and 11 News in brief
our alumni and friends is more important friends, it will offer a range of much-
to us than ever before. From this point we needed bursaries and scholarships ranging
will be producing one printed issue of the from awards of £50 towards the costs of 13 Getting to know you
magazine each year which will also be Certificates of Personal and Professional
available as an online version. And those of
you for whom we have email addresses will
Development to £500 travel awards, and
annual scholarships of £1,000.
15 Danske partnership
receive our alumni e-zine on a regular basis
– it can also be accessed at www.ulster. I encourage you to read more about it
on pages 17 and 18 and I hope you will
16 Taking the stage
ac.uk/developmentandalumni
consider making a donation to support the
needs of our current students and also the 17 Supporting Ulster
Cultural feast students of tomorrow.
While sport dominated much of 2012, 19 Building peace
2013 is the year for the arts. This issue Keeping in touch
coincides perfectly with the start of
Derry~Londonderry’s designation as the We love to see and hear from you, so
21 Starter for 10
UK’s City of Culture and I am delighted please remember to update your contact
to say that we are playing a significant role details and tell us what you are doing. Do 23 Distinguished
keep an eye on our website www.ulster.
At any one time we hold 500 pallets of paper in stock, in events that are taking place in the city
ac.uk/developmentandalumni to see details
Graduate Award
throughout 2013. Our Magee campus has
ready to be printed on. Perhaps not surprising for one of the rich and diverse events programme
of the UK and Ireland’s largest printing companies,
been a hub for the arts in the North West for
many years, and this opportunity to showcase open to Ulster’s alumni. Or connect to us 25 Artists’ Editions
the talent and creativity of our students and through our social media channels – search
who last year produced over 80 million items. staff in music, drama, dance, and digital arts for University of Ulster on Facebook, 26 Alumni voices
is one that we are eager to grasp. Twitter and LinkedIn. We look forward to
But size isn’t everything. At GPS we treat small digital print jobs with the same hearing from you during 2013.
respect as big print runs. We remain dedicated to offering all our clients a genuine The theme of cultural excellence
continues throughout this issue - the acting
27 Alumni news
personal service that makes light work of even the most complex print project. Kate Bond
fraternity is represented by features on
Our investment in state-of-the-art technology has been massive, yet even after
GPS our Chancellor Dr James Nesbitt as well
Director of Development and
Alumni Relations
29 People
Alexander Road as Sir Ian McKellen who will receive an
100 years of growth, we’re still small enough to care. People keep telling us it’s
this that really counts.
Belfast BT6 9HP honorary degree from Ulster in February;
the University’s Distinguished Graduate for
31 Class notes
T: +44 (0) 28 9070 2020
2012 is renowned artist Colin Davidson;
To discover more about the print based solutions we could offer your W: www.gpscolour.co.uk
organization call Helen McClay on +44 (0) 28 9070 7722. E: sales@gpscolour.co.uk
The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
a
FEATURE
cultural
03
Feast
T his year the University’s repute as a pre-eminent hub of creativity
in Northern Ireland will be in the spotlight as Derry~Londonderry
takes on the historic role as the first ever UK City of Culture.
The River Still Sings is an interdisciplinary work which features
music, poetry, dramatic narration, video and sound design. Professor
Frank Lyons will compose the score and it will be performed by The
Fidelio Trio: Darragh Morgan (violin), Robin Michael (cello) and
It promises to be a momentous year as communities from every pianist Dr Mary Dullea, (awarded her PhD in Performance by the
corner of the city come together in a wonderfully varied programme University of Ulster). Seamus Deane, one of Derry’s most prominent
of artistic activity. 2013 will not only bring a host of world-class writers, has written a new poem especially for the work. It will be
entertainment to the city, it will also provide an international platform narrated by Dr James Nesbitt, a native of the North West and Chancellor
for the unrivalled array of indigenous talent, providing a once-in-a- of the University of Ulster. The sound and video will be designed by
lifetime opportunity to highlight the best creative talent on this island. Professor Paul Moore, Head of our School of Creative Arts.
Just as Derry~Londonderry steps into the limelight, so too does The piece explores how the nature of rivers and walls can be
the University of Ulster. As Professor Frank Lyons, Director of the divisive yet healing. It will reflect the old and the very new, and the
University’s Arts and Humanities Research Institute commented: heart of the work will lay out the journeys of the two great cities. The
Fidelio Trio will perform alongside digitally generated 3D holograms
“Throughout the year each campus presents a calendar of varied of James Nesbitt’s narration, and traditional acoustic instruments will
arts events. They reflect the University’s teaching and research and be heard alongside soundscapes and live sound processing using state-
demonstrate the immense creative talent of-the-art technology.
stemming from our ranks. They are
designed to be enjoyable and inspiring The second work, Columba
activities that are valuable to students Canticles, is a new oratorio
This year the University’s and the public alike – ranging from jazz commissioned for City of Culture
2013 to mark the association
at lunchtime to projects that collaborate
repute as a pre-eminent with international artists and designers. between St Columb’s Cathedral,
2013 will add a ‘bumper’ package of Derry’s oldest and most historic
hub of creativity in events especially created for the City of building, and the saint of its title.
Culture celebrations.” With music composed by Laurence
Northern Ireland will Roman from the School of Creative
From the outset, the City of Culture Arts, Columba Canticles is based
be in the spotlight as has intended to showcase the wealth of on an award-winning poem by Sam
talent in organisations and community Burnside, distinguished poet and
Derry~Londonderry takes on groups throughout the city. Ulster staff have responded to the call founder of the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry.
with enthusiasm. In particular, the School of Creative Arts at the
the historic role as the first Magee campus is making a major contribution to the programme The Columba Canticles will bring together the choirs of the
with a range of ambitious events covering a broad spectrum: music, University of Ulster and the University of Aberdeen, each comprising
ever UK City of Culture. dance, drama, creative writing, visual art, and digital media. It is students, staff and members of the community. They will be directed
also championing the spirit of the City of Culture by working with by Ulster’s music lecturer and Choral Director, Dr Shaun Ryan, and
local artists and involving students, schools and members of the accompanied by London’s Southbank Sinfonia. The performance will
community in our events. Two large-scale University projects that also include Ubi Caritas et Amor, composed by Paul Mealor, Director
include these elements are: The River Still Sings and the Columba of the Aberdeen Choir, commissioned by Prince William for his
Canticles. marriage to Catherine Middleton and premièred at their wedding.
The first, The River Still Sings, heralds the celebrations of the The performance in the Cathedral on Sunday 9 June 2013 launches
400th anniversary of the famous link between the walled cities of an annual choral competition and celebrates the 400th anniversary
Derry and London and the importance of the Thames and the Foyle of the Promise Chalice arriving from London. It will also mark
in the history of each city. It has been jointly commissioned by the completion of the restoration of the Cathedral and its enduring
the Walled City Music Festival and the City of London Festival presence in the City.
and will be performed in July 2013 in London and receive its Irish
première, as part of the Walled City Music Festival in the City of More Info | Further information about all of the University of Ulster’s events
Culture, in August. in City of Culture 2013 can be viewed at http://www.ulster.ac.uk/events
PROFILE The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
Sporting life Future focus Living the dream
Sport has always been part of Ricky’s It is inevitable that PACE is Ricky still keeps fit by running
life, from early years in Milford, where approached by representatives from and playing football. His job has
he ran and played football and hockey other sports to consider diversification. also presented him with opportunities
at school (he ran middle-distance for For now, Ricky is keeping the door to attend events like Champions’
Finn Valley AC and represented Ireland open, but there are Moscow 2013 League and NBA finals, and he has
up to U23 level), through to arriving (World Athletic Championships), developed strong links with players and
at Jordanstown in 1992. There he Glasgow 2014 (Commonwealth management at Manchester United, FC
05 participated in numerous sports and Games) and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Bayern Munich (the team he supports)
was also nurturing the seeds of sports (Olympics) to concentrate on, as well as and Real Madrid.
management by bringing the Irish the full global calendar of other events.
Universities Athletics Championships to
the Antrim Forum in 1996.
After graduating in 1997, Ricky taught He says: “Through the
at his old school – PE at Royal and Prior Unprecedented success connections we have with the
Comprehensive – followed by a year While London 2012 was
at the National Coaching & Training world’s leading sportspeople,
undoubtedly an unprecedented success
Centre in Limerick, where he worked for PACE athletes, Ricky puts paid to
I have access to people and
with developing and elite athletes. It was the assumption that his experience was events that many people
a natural progression to move to London
Life in the would only dream of and
fast lane
one of continuous celebrations. “As
to work with the world-renowned sports a veteran of summer Olympics since
agent Kim McDonald. When McDonald when I attend I know that I
Sydney in 2000, I can tell you that
died in 2001, Ricky and his now wife they are very much ‘business as usual’
am, at that time, living every
Marion set up PACE Sports Management for us. We don’t experience it in the schoolboy’s dream.
with their associate Duncan Gaskell. same way as fans. We are there 24/7,
These days Ricky is inevitably more grabbing four or five hours sleep at
“I keep in touch with
involved in management than coaching – a time so that we can concentrate on some of my former Ulster
only to be expected when you can boast looking after our athletes behind the classmates and was able to
There’s no doubt that 2012 has been a great year the most famous sportsman on the planet
on your books, not to mention the other
scenes. invite a few of them to attend
for Donegal with the Sam Maguire cup returning world-beaters who are part of PACE’s “We don’t even know what
events at London 2012, so
roster of 75 athletes. has happened in other events until it was great to catch up last
to the county for the first time in 20 years. afterwards and we catch up when the summer.
whole show is over – and that’s what an
One Donegal native had much more Ulster Graduate caught up with Ricky in
Talent spotting Olympics is for us, showtime.” “My advice to current
to celebrate as well – with gold medal- December 2012 on the back of a five-week students and recent graduates
winning performances from Usain Bolt and promotional and sponsorship tour of the Usain Bolt has been with PACE is ‘add experience to your
Mo Farah at London 2012 just some of the world – taking in Australia, New Zealand, since he was 16 and Mo Farah since
top accolades that the athletes in his care Japan, New York, San Francisco and Rio de he was 17. Spotting potential early is Most influential CV’. Getting your degree is
achieved last year. Janeiro – with some of his star clients. vital, and PACE’s global network of
Ricky has been listed in Sports
important, but so is working
coaches helps them identify raw talent.
Business International’s Top 20 most in the area you want to focus
Double graduate (BA Hons Sport & Leisure Only two or three new athletes make on and showing potential
influential sports agents in the world;
Studies with DIS 1996, PGCE Education it onto the roster each year and Ricky
1997) Ricky Simms is a director of PACE acknowledges that they can be selective
listed four times in the top 20 most employers that you have a
influential people in athletics in the real interest in and dedication
Sports Management based in London and in whom they work with.
UK; listed in the 1000 Most Influential
includes Bolt, Farah, Christine Ohuruogu
“I am very proud of the role we Londoners; awarded a European to your chosen field.”
and the Kenyan long-distance runner Vivian
have had in taking Usain from a good Athletics Association Coaching honour
Cheruiyot as part of his extended family,
young athlete to a worldwide star who for Services to Athletics; and awarded
such is his close relationship with them.
is a genuinely global household name. Athletics Kenya Agent of the Year. He
In my opinion, he is the first runner to is a Board member of the Association As someone who has been focused
have achieved this accolade and we are of Athletics Managers (AAM) and an on athletics since an early age, Ricky is
unlikely to see anyone emulate this for International Association of Athletics certainly the perfect example of someone
decades, if not for another century,” he says. Federations (IAAF) authorised and who practices what he preaches.
licensed Athlete Representative.
The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
A selection of dates
EVENTS
for your diary An
educati o n all y
Cultural Events Professorial Lectures Business and Finance graduates
include those who studied Accounting
b e n eficial
14–23 February City of Culture
event: Brian Friel Performances, Great
13 February Roger Austin,
Professor of Education, ‘Unlocking
and Economics, Banking and Finance,
Economics, Applied Economics,
p art n ers h i p
07 Hall, Magee campus the Future: The Role of the Internet in
International Business Studies etc.
The reunion will take place in the June 2011 marked the start of an exciting educational partnership between the
15–17 February City of Culture
Building Bridges Between Schools’,
University of Ulster, Coleraine.
Lecture Theatre 8, Coleraine campus University of Ulster and Santander Universities UK. Santander Universities UK works
event: Cinesonika: The echo International
If you wish to find out more and catch as part of a global network of higher education institutions to support study, research,
6 March Gary Adamson, Professor
Film & Video Festival of Sound Design,
up with friends you might not have
Magee campus/Nerve Centre
of Psychology, ‘Latent Variable seen since university please contact: work experience and travel for both students and staff.
27 February–1 March City of Modelling: Applications to Mental
Culture event: ‘Fulgurite Chamber’, Health’, Lecture Theatre MD108, More Info | Michael Graham:
Void Gallery, Derry~Londonderry Magee campus michael.graham@ucd.ie
Aidan Doherty:
12 February–16 March 14 March Greg Maguire, Professor aidan.doherty@kbc.ie
or Patrick Gallen
Cultural Crossings programme of of Animation, ‘Persistence of Vision:
patrick.gallen@uk.pwc.com
events, Coleraine campus Animating Belfast’, Conor Lecture
Theatre, Belfast campus
20 March Life Stories: Paul
Muldoon, Coleraine campus 17 April Sarah Edge, Professor of UCPE Diamond
5 June Annual student Fashion
Photography and Cultural Studies, Reunion
‘The Extraordinary Archive of Arthur
Show, Belfast campus
J. Munby: Photographing Class and 17 November UCPE Diamond
7 June End of Year student shows, Gender in the 19th Century’, Lecture Reunion – UCPE is celebrating their
Belfast campus Theatre 8, Coleraine campus Diamond Anniversary on Sunday
17 November 2013 at the Titanic
9 June City of Culture event: 2 May Peter Walker, Professor of Centre, Belfast. There will be a drinks More than 1,020 partner universities are part of this Ulster Festival of Art and Design and travel by Visual
Columba Canticles, St Columb’s Architecture, ‘Architecture: Craft or reception at 12 noon followed by network in countries including Argentina, Belgium, Communications students to attend the D&AD New
Cathedral Sullen Art?’ Conor Lecture Theatre, luncheon. Tickets are £45. Brazil, China, Germany, the USA, Spain, Poland and Blood Exhibition in London.
Belfast campus Singapore.
12 June City of Culture event: Years 1953–85 will be contacted by
The partnership is fulfilling its promise of being a
Internships
Ulster Media Show, Foyle Theatre, year representatives. Former students
and staff from 1986 onwards should very beneficial one for Ulster. In the first year of the The current academic year will see even more
North West Regional College More Info | For details on these lectures,
see www.ulster.ac.uk/events/professorials contact Liz Rodgers at erodgers694@ agreement, 11 international students received funding opportunities rolled out across the University. Once
1–9 July summer graduation If you are interested in attending any of hotmail.co.uk. Please note that the as part of the Santander Scholarship programme. A again, Santander Scholarships will be available
ceremonies the lectures please notify the Corporate closing date for registration will be 1 further five received funding this academic year with as will support for student and staff mobility and
Events Office by email to events@ulster. April 2013. future scholarships currently being processed for January entrepreneurship. Additionally, Santander Universities
21 July City of Culture event: ac.uk or telephone 028 7012 3266 2013 intake students. Students representing each faculty UK has provided access to internship collaboration
The City of London Festival – The within the University have received this support. funding in conjunction with the University to run a
River Still Sings, Culturlann in
Reunions
programme that will enable a wide range of students
Derry~Londonderry Spreading their wings to obtain valuable internships in the most vibrant of
19–28 July City of Culture 21–22 June Coleraine 1988 reunion Student and staff mobility has been promoted through
businesses and organisations.
event: Walled City Music Festival, – Faculty of Business and Management a Mobility Scholarship and Award programme that Kate Bond, Director of Development and Alumni
Derry~Londonderry enables travel for study or research purposes for highly Relations, said: “This partnership represents a set of
A 25 year reunion for graduates of innovative projects and study-related experiences. In wonderful opportunities for Ulster students and staff.
Faculty of Business and Management, 2012, recipients of this funding travelled to Spain, The range of funding available can be used in support
More Info | University events: Coleraine who graduated in 1988 and/
www.ulster.ac.uk/newsandevents the USA, and Central and Eastern Europe to focus on of a wide range of projects for people from all faculties
Development and Alumni: or who started their studies in 1985/86 subjects as diverse as typography, rheumatic diseases and enables innovative study opportunities to happen.
www.ulster.ac.uk/developmentandalumni has been organised for June 2013. Well and engineering. We very much look forward to continuing to work
Development (Arts and Culture) over 30 of the former classmates have with Santander and and welcome their new branch to
www.culture.ulster.ac.uk/events.phtml already registered their interest in the Funding for entrepreneurship has also provided a
City of London Festival: the University which opened in our Belfast campus in
event and most have begun catching wonderful opportunity for many of our students. In 2012
http://mediacentre.kallaway.co.uk/city-of- December 2012.”
london-festival-press-release10.htm up with their former classmates this funding supported (amongst others) the Student
City of Culture 2013 events: already! Entrepreneurship Awards, Sir John Sorrell’s talk at the
www.cityofculture2013.com/events
FEATURE The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
C reati n g t h e
u n i v ersit y o f
t h e future
Earlier this year, the University announced an ambitious This new campus is not a like-for-like shift of our Jordanstown
development programme for our two campuses in the Greater Belfast operation to Belfast. It is so much more than a physical relocation.
09 area. These plans will equip Ulster to play a leading role in Northern It will be a centre of excellence and the birthplace for our future
Ireland’s future growth, helping create a strong, stable, outward- entrepreneurs and leaders of enterprise and innovation who will
looking economy. underpin the wealth and health of our society.
Central to the plans is a new £250m Belfast City campus, which
will house 15,000 full-time and part-time students and staff by 2018
in four interlinked buildings at York Street, Frederick Street and “Higher education has a vitally important
Donegall Street, measuring approximately 75,000m² – comparable in
size to Victoria Square. By bringing these bright, ambitious, creative
role to play in growing our economy.
people into the city centre, we will form a lively student community, This project underlines the University’s
boost the local economy, complete the transformation of the
Cathedral Quarter and create opportunities for development in retail,
commitment to this goal and to making a
entertainment, food, culture and tourism. major contribution to the economic, social
and cultural vitality of the city.”
“Investment in education is an obligation Dr Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning
that we have to the next generation. That is
why the University of Ulster is making the Lasting legacy at Jordanstown
biggest investment in our history, creating a The University’s move into the new Belfast City campus will see a
major redevelopment of the Jordanstown site, starting in 2018.
vibrant, new campus in the heart of Belfast
which will provide a platform for world Whilst the majority of students and staff will transfer to the new
Belfast City campus, the University’s relationship with the wider
class teaching and research.” Jordanstown area will continue through enhancing our existing
sports facilities, along with our Dalriada student residences and the
Professor Richard Barnett, Vice-Chancellor FireSERT specialist engineering facility.
A Masterplan concept has been developed which proposes to
create an ‘urban village’ style residential development, including
Internationally acclaimed mixed use community facilities which will become an integral part of
The brief to our design team, internationally acclaimed architects, Jordanstown, enhancing the area and creating an exciting and vibrant
FeildenCleggBradley Studios, was very clear. Our buildings place to live.
and facilities must be as welcoming to our neighbours as to our
students. Universities are central to the development of creative Progressive
cities. By investing in the heart of the city, we are demonstrating our Professor Alastair Adair, Provost of Belfast and Jordanstown
commitment to this critical goal. Our internal spaces will be visible campuses, highlighted the rationale behind the University’s vision for
from the outside and our new public spaces and pathways will invite Jordanstown and the work that has been undertaken by the project
the local community to come inside, helping to raise their aspirations team to reach this stage.
and showing that a university education is open to them.
“Having been an integral part of the Jordanstown landscape since
The Vice-Chancellor said: “Universities which were built in cities 1972, the University has developed close and long-term relationships
have, in the past, tended to be inward-facing institutions behind with many of our neighbouring residents and businesses. We have
iron railings and walls which, as a result, did not interact with the taken time to research thoroughly and consider the Masterplan for the
communities around them. future development of the site.
“We are breaking from that tradition with a bold design that “We appointed a team of specialist consultants to work with us on
sends out a very strong message locally and internationally that we the development and we believe that the proposed design concepts for
want everyone to feel that this is their university, regardless of their the ‘urban village’ and our retained facilities at Jordanstown reflect the
background, and we want them to have access to the building and University’s long-term presence on the site and our commitment to
facilities inside. While the architecture of this new civic building is respecting the residential character of the surrounding area.”
important, it is the activity inside it which will ultimately determine
its success.” For further information | Please visit
www.ulster.ac.uk/greaterbelfastdevelopment
The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
including the Department of Enterprise,
Ne w s in Trade and Investment and the First Trust
NEWS
Bank, will regularly assess the state of
the economy and inform and critique
brief
Northern Ireland Executive policies.
The integral role played by SMEs
in the growth of the local economy was
recognised by the launch of a dedicated
Every year, the University generates thousands
Centre for SME Development. The
of column inches in printed publications, hours of broadcast time and substantial In the clouds Keeping the brain new Centre helps SMEs achieve
11 online coverage through websites and social media, thanks to the stories business goals through programmes
generated by our teaching and learning, research, innovation and the year-long The provision of, and demand for, healthy to boost business performance and by
Cloud Computing services is opening
calendar of events. Here is a snapshot of just some of the stories that hit the A study has revealed that a drug facilitating leadership and management
up exciting new business opportunities
headlines in recent months. designed for diabetes sufferers development. The Centre for SME
around the world, says Professor of
could have the potential to treat Development provides a range of
Telecommunications Gerard Parr.
neurodegenerative diseases like support activities, development
Following a visit to the United Arab
Alzheimer’s. Type II diabetes is a programmes and events delivered
Emirates, Professor Parr said the market
was rapidly expanding as computer users known risk factor for Alzheimer’s by the Ulster Business School’s staff
sought lower costs and the minimum and it is thought that impaired insulin complemented by visiting lecturers and
overheads, saying: “Essentially, Cloud signalling in the brain could damage sectoral experts.
Computing is a ‘pay-as-you-go’ model nerve cells. Scientists believe that drugs
for outsourced computing resources designed to tackle Type II diabetes
where the headaches and costs of could also have benefits for keeping our
purchasing and maintaining expensive brain cells healthy.
equipment are reduced or removed Professor Christian Hölscher and his
completely from the user.” team used an experimental drug called
(Val8)GLP-1. This drug simulates the
Sustainability Emerging talent The language of activity of a protein called GLP-1which
Ulster has an ongoing and steadfast A new generation of emerging business can help the body control its response
to blood sugar. The team found that
commitment to sustainability. We were young talent unveiled their stunning
Ulster teamed up with top local blocking the effect of GLP-1 in the
delighted that this was recognised by
the award of ‘First Class Honours’ in
catwalk creations at the End of Year
Fashion Show in summer 2012. The
businesses including Wrightbus, brain made mice perform more poorly Justice and peacebuilding
Michelin, Bombardier and Moy Park on learning and memory tasks, while Transitional justice is a burgeoning
the People and Planet Green League designs on show reflected the high
to equip their employees with the boosting it with the drug seemed to area of study and policy, and gender is
Table for the second year running. quality workmanship and skills of
language skills they will need to do have no effect on behaviour. The new one of the most prominent sub-themes
Ulster also won a top energy efficiency our top textile and fashion design
award at the annual Sustainable students. Industry leaders attended the
business with China. Our innovative
Chinese language and cultural
It’s connected findings, published in the journal Brain
Research, are part of ongoing research
of transitional justice. The 5th Annual
Ireland Awards which recognises extravaganza, which provided experts Summer School on Transitional Justice,
awareness course is delivered by the Connected Health is a way of funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK,
the effective energy and carbon in the trade with a first glimpse of organised by the Transitional Justice
Confucius Institute at the University of connecting patients to their healthcare the leading dementia research charity.
management which has been in place Northern Ireland’s best up-and-coming Institute, brought together practitioners,
Ulster in partnership with the School providers via the technology now found
over the last 20 years. young talent. academics and postgraduate students
of Modern Languages. Professor Pól in common household items such as cell
from around the world to share in
Ó Dochartaigh, Dean of Arts, said: phones, computers, smart phones and
The University was also awarded interactive seminars and workshops
official Fairtrade status, following a Sustainable technologies “China’s economy is expanding rapidly. simple networked medical devices. The
University is a sector leader in this field,
centred on United Nations Security
It has become the second strongest Council Resolution 1325 on Women,
successful awareness campaign run Two purpose-built, fully- with a number of Connected Health
economy in the world and there is every Peace and Security.
across all four campuses. Fairtrade is functioning terraced houses were initiatives based in the Nanotechnology
chance that it will become the strongest
a tool for development that ensures constructed at the Jordanstown and Integrated BioEngineering Centre
economy in the world. Mental health workers and
disadvantaged farmers and workers in campus, in order to monitor how on the Jordanstown campus.
developing countries get a better deal much energy is lost in a typical home. conflict resolution experts from
“China is seeking to engage with the around the globe explored new ways
through the use of the international Each of the houses, exact replicas Professor Norman Black, Professor
wider world, and we have to engage of addressing the legacy of violent
Fairtrade Mark. For a product to of properties built in the Ravenhill of Medical Informatics said: “There can
display the Mark it must meet area of east Belfast during the 1900s,
with them. As part of that, learning
be little doubt that the case has already
Keeping an eye on political conflict. The event, in the
about the language, the culture and the
international Fairtrade standards. The
University was commended on: the
is occupied by a member of staff way China does business is the key to been made for a radical change in the business form of an international workshop,
was jointly organised by INCORE, the
and their families. The research on developing links with China.” delivery of health and social care across
quality of University and Students’ energy loss and possible retrofitted the globe, including Northern Ireland. Two new centres were launched in University’s conflict research institute,
Union Fairtrade policies; extensive energy efficient technologies, funded A growing number of international the Ulster Business School in 2012. The and the International Development
use of Fairtrade tea and coffee at by the Department for Employment governments are looking to Connected Northern Ireland Centre for Economic Research Centre of Canada. Its focus
in-house events; and excellent use of and Learning (DEL), is being carried Health as the basis of the new world Policy (NICEP), which will be based at was on ‘Trauma, Development and
publications and the University and out by the Centre for Sustainable delivery systems.” the Ulster Business School with start-up Peacebuilding: Towards an Integrated
Students’ Union websites. Technologies. funding provided by a range of sources Psychosocial Approach’.
you
FEATURE The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
GETTING
TO KNOW
13 Chancellor Dr James Nesbitt took time out from his acting commitments
to visit all four campuses in November 2012, meeting students and staff
involved in a diverse range of subjects, as well as being introduced to some
of the pioneering scientific research taking place here at Ulster.
“I’ve really enjoyed having the Also in Belfast, he addressed an external audience,
updating them on our plans for the new Belfast City campus.
Coleraine saw him pay tribute to 150 full and part-time
graduates who received their nursing badges. He noted: “Ulster
opportunity over the past two days to “The plans the University has submitted for the campus are
visionary and will contribute significantly to the development
of a more confident, more vibrant, forward and outward-
has a strong tradition of producing top quality nursing graduates
and it is great to join them and staff on this special day.
talk to staff and students and witness looking Belfast,” he said. “The high quality of the education they receive was recognised
at first hand the incredible teaching “Ulster’s commitment to making higher education possible for
young people is something I am very passionate about, and the
recently by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, whose
2011–12 monitoring results showed Ulster was one of two
approved education institutions to get an ‘outstanding’
location of this campus, the openness of the design – breaking
and learning opportunities Ulster is down barriers between background and higher education –
reinforces our ethos. What could be better for the development
grading for practice learning and one of five institutions to get
‘outstanding’ in any of the five areas monitored.”
offering and the remarkable research of this city and this region than a university, with all its
global connections, coming into the heart of Belfast, offering
and innovation taking place across all our campuses.” full and part-time educational opportunities to people of all
backgrounds and access to world class research?”
At Magee campus, Dr Nesbitt hosted a question and In Belfast, he dropped into the digital animation studio At Jordanstown, the Chancellor visited the Centre Also at Coleraine, he visited the Centre for Molecular
answer session with Drama and Media students in the Foyle where Professor Greg Maguire and Conann Fitzpatrick are for Sustainable Technologies and was also briefed on our Biosciences. he said: “In the last Research Assessment
Arts Building. passing on their expertise to Art and Design students. pioneering work in the field of Connected Health. Exercise, the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute finished
Dr Nesbitt said: “It’s great to be back in Jordanstown, where I top in the UK for research power. Ulster’s biomedical
He said: “I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to visit the Dr Nesbitt said: “The last two years I have spent in New
was a student, and to see at first hand the incredible scientific scientists are conducting groundbreaking, internationally
Magee campus, to meet staff as well as Drama and Media Zealand on The Hobbit movies have given me a real insight into
research our academics are involved in.” recognised research into nutrition, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and
students. how CGI has radically transformed cinema.
other degenerative diseases.”
“The Foyle Arts Building is a terrific facility, enabling “With this kind of facility plus staff expertise, it is not all
School of Creative Arts to nurture some of our brightest and that surprising that the first crop of graduates are in demand
most creative talent in music, dance, drama, the creative and it really bodes well for the future of Northern Ireland’s
technologies, design and filmmaking.” burgeoning film industry.”
The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
Ulster students profit Taking
NEWS
from Danske
partnership the stage Major awards
Sir Ian has been
honoured with more than 40
international awards for his
performances on screen and
15 In 2012, the University joined forces with Danske Bank in stage.
a new partnership founded on our mutual commitment Renowned stage and screen actor Sir He was born in 1939 and
raised in the industrial north
to supporting educational opportunities for young Ian McKellen, CH, CBE will deliver of England of Northern Irish
people in Northern Ireland. the Chancellor’s Lecture in February stock and started acting
professionally in 1961. After reading English at Cambridge
With each party firmly This new collaboration will Complementing this hands-on
at Magee campus. This will be the first University and completing a three-year apprenticeship
acknowledging the utmost see us working together across a programme for students, the bank is time the prestigious event has been held with regional theatre companies, he was recognised as a
importance of education as a number of areas. These include our also putting its weight behind one prominent actor of his generation.
vital path to our future prosperity, Schools and College Engagement of Ulster’s most successful public at the Derry~Londonderry campus. His youthful performances as Shakespeare’s Richard
this innovative partnership links Plans, entailing a range of activities initiatives, Life Stories. Life Stories II and Marlowe’s Edward II stormed the 1969 Edinburgh
academia and commerce to create from Open Days, to presentations to is a series of ‘in conversation’ Festival, played two seasons in London, toured Europe and
a special combination of expertise, schools across Northern Ireland and events with distinguished Ulster were televised. In pursuit of the ideal theatre ensemble, he
able to provide practical, relevant parents’ evenings. The partnership graduates and has included names
S ir Ian will be the sixth distinguished speaker to deliver was a founder-member of the touring Actors’ Company. As
help to new and aspiring students. will enable us to work with schools such as Paul Brady, Baroness leading man for the Royal Shakespeare Company, he has
and colleges throughout the country, Shirley Williams and Moya Doherty the annual lecture, following in the footsteps of
Tony Wilcox, Managing Taoiseach Enda Kenny who spoke on wide-ranging themes played Macbeth with Judi Dench and Iago with Willard
as well as others in Great Britain, to date. These one-off events are
Director, Retail & Private Banking, when he delivered the lecture on the Belfast campus in 2012. White. He has starred in a score of modern plays, many for
making it possible for us to meet the always packed with students, staff
at Danske said: “Our future will
needs of future students. and members of the public, and their the National Theatre under its first director Laurence Olivier
be determined by today’s young It is fitting that Sir Ian’s lecture will be delivered on and his successors.
informal manner more often than the Magee campus as it is home to the School of Creative
people. A large part of this new In addition, Danske Bank will
not makes for a fascinating evening Arts which offers degree programmes in drama, dance, Sir Ian has worked extensively on television e.g. Stephen
partnership revolves around provide bespoke financial advice for
of revealing, amusing and poignant
music, design and creative technologies. This event will Frears’ Walter, The Scarlet Pimpernel, And the Band Played
outreach to schools – guiding new students across the campuses
tales and recollections.
also be a high point of the University’s programme for On, Rasputin, Cold Comfort Farm. In 2005 he fulfilled his
parents and students on future career as part of their introduction to
paths and the academic routes and university life during their early The University looks forward to Derry~Londonderry’s 2013 City of Culture celebrations. ambition to act in the ever-running British soap, Coronation
associated funding required. This days as a fresher. working with Danske in what has Street.
is an extremely important stage the assured makings of an extremely McKellen has made more than 40 movies. In 1996, he
in young people’s lives and we
Vice-Chancellor, Professor
Richard Barnett, said:
valuable partnership. Honorary degree co-produced, co-scripted and starred in his film adaptation
are committed to assisting and Sir Ian will also receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Richard III. After Stephen King’s Apt Pupil, he achieved
supporting where possible.” of Letters for his services to acting at the event. The award his first Oscar® nomination as film director James Whale in
Danske Bank, formerly known will be conferred by the Chancellor, Dr James Nesbitt, who Gods and Monsters. Younger cinemagoers discovered him
“The support from Danske co-stars with Sir Ian in Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of J as Magneto in the X-Men films and as the wizard Gandalf in
as the Northern Bank, has been
involved to varying degrees with
Bank will allow Ulster to R R Tolkien’s The Hobbit. his Oscar®-nominated performance in The Lord of the Rings
the University of Ulster for some develop a range of activities Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Communication) and Provost trilogy. In 2006, he played Sir Leigh Teabing in The Da Vinci
time. We worked together on with future, current and past (Coleraine and Magee), Professor Deirdre Heenan said the Code. He is currently working on Vicious, an ITV sit-com
Northern Ireland’s first loan scheme students. We are very excited campus was honoured to host the Chancellor’s Lecture: “The with Derek Jacobi.
specifically designed for full-time University is delighted to recognise an actor of Sir Ian’s He toured the world as King Lear, in the final production
postgraduates in the Ulster Business that the connection with
standing with an honorary doctorate and that he has agreed for The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works
School back in 2005; the ‘Sport 4 U’ Danske Bank will initiate and to deliver the 2013 Chancellor’s Lecture. Festival (2007): followed by a sell-out tour and two London
programme designed to encourage enhance a range of major “It is also wonderful for Derry~Londonderry as the 2013 seasons in Waiting for Godot.
students and staff to enjoy the
benefits of sports activity (2006); activities at the University.” City of Culture that this event is coming for the first time to He has been an eloquent advocate for gay rights since he
and earlier this year, a creative Magee and it will no doubt be a highlight for the city and for came out in 1988 and co-founded Stonewall, the UK charity
initiative called ‘Home is Where the University.” which lobbies for legal and social equality for gay people.
the Art is’ which involved a series The following year, he was knighted for his contribution
of commissions of original student to the performing arts. In 2007, the Queen appointed him
artwork for the bank’s first-time Companion of Honour for services to Drama and Equality.
house buyers.
The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
Supporting Ulster The new fund invited applications
in November 2012 and received
of digital technologists working in
and with museums internationally. 2012 University of Ulster
Fund Award Winners
NEWS
an overwhelming number of The bursary will make it possible for
applications totalling 90 requests for Oonagh to attend this conference,
The University of financial support. Speaking at the
awards ceremony in December at
the Jordanstown campus, Professor
Alastair Adair, Pro-Vice-Chancellor
providing access to training not
available in the UK, enabling her
to meet key international figures
working in her field and the
Opening up opportunities
to Learning
£1,000 Gateway Scholarships – Julie Steele (full-
17
Ulster Fund – a Gift (Development) said: “In my role
as Chair of the Fund Disbursement
Committee I can tell you it was a
challenging task to select the 17
opportunity to clarify questions
brought up by her research.
Your opportunity
time) and Ian Healy (part-time)
£500 Broadening Horizons Travel Bursary –
William Brewster, Breedge Callagan and Oonagh
from One Generation
Murphy
successful applicants, such was the
quality of the submissions. Had to ‘give something
we the funds we could have easily Rewarding Excellence
supported double the number of back’
£1,000 Sport Scholarship – Sinead Connelly
to the Next
students.” We’re all familiar with the phrase
to ‘give something back’ as it is one £500 Academic Excellence Awards
Gateway to success which is often heard in the media Rachael Annett – Faculty of Art, Design and the
The Vice-Chancellor presented and society at large today – the Built Environment
17 student awards and a grant to University of Ulster Fund provides a
perfect opportunity for our graduates Matthew McDowell – Faculty of Arts
the Student Hardship fund and the
to consider donating to a good cause
Students at Ulster can look forward to an even brighter future Library. The student awards included
two new Gateway Scholarships, a that helps current students achieve all
Kenneth Vaughan – Faculty of Computing and
Engineering
thanks to the support of University alumni, staff and friends. brand new scholarship supported they can during their time with us.
Sheree Kirkwood – Faculty of Life and Health
exclusively by the Fund, available to The fund will be supported by a Sciences
The new University of Ulster Fund, recently launched by the The Fund, previously known as the Alumni Fund, has been in both full-time undergraduate and part- major new fundraising initiative,
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett, will offer a range existence since 2003 and has provided much needed support time adult learners offering £1,000 the cornerstone of which will be a Emily Brussard – Faculty of Life and Health
of scholarships, bursaries and awards to recognise and reward for libraries, student hardships and travel bursaries. Times per year to help with the costs of their student-led telephone campaign. Sciences
study. On being presented with the The first telethon, which kicks off
achievement, promote student innovation and creativity – and have changed for students and we felt the time was right to Andrew Park – Faculty of Social Sciences
provide help for students who need additional financial support. re-invigorate this initiative, with an emphasis on recognising first Gateway Scholarship (part-time), on 4 February 2013 and runs for six
the achievements of our students and offering that helping hand Ian Healy spoke of the life changing weeks, will see students from across Phillippa Watson – Ulster Business School
when it is needed. impact of such an award, saying: the University calling thousands of
“The award of the Gateway you, our alumni, to introduce you to
Scholarship is immense to me, as it the fund and to seek your support. The Vice-Chancellor’s
will allow me to devote more time to Donations of all sizes are welcome Student Fund
my studies and to improve myself, and we hope that if you receive a call
Opening up Opportunities to Learning – providing Gateway £1,000 – Ronan Harkin, MEng Mechanical
The new Fund scholarships to full-time and part-time students from low income
knowing that I now have extra help to from one of our students that you will
consider helping us to create more
Engineering
meet the extra expenses that a degree
will offer support households and a range of academic travel bursaries.
course can entail. It provides peace opportunities for students like Ian and £770 – Simon Connelly, BEng (Hons) Electronics
Oonagh. and Software
in five areas, Rewarding Excellence – providing Academic Excellence Awards of mind and a comfort blanket against
the cold economic climate. I don’t £1,000 – Thomas Brady, MEng Mechanical
reflecting the which recognise the academic successes of our students and Sport
scholarships supporting our most talented sportsmen and women.
know if I could have survived without To make your gift now | Support Engineering
it. I can’t thank the former students
values of Ulster enough for making it possible for me
the University of Ulster Fund by
contacting: £980 – Junxiu Liu, PhD Computer Science
Student Hardship – making extra funds available to the Student
and the needs of Hardship Fund, helping students who are facing hard times through no
to get this grant. Thank you.” Annual Fund Officer
Development and Alumni Relations Library
today’s students: fault of their own. The University’s focus on helping
students to take up opportunities
Office
Room 82C25
An award of £3,000
Supporting the Library – helping to fund more books and journals which enhance their studies also University of Ulster
featured in the Awards, with three Belfast campus
as well as digitizing existing texts, making sure our libraries remain
state of the art. students receiving Broadening
York Street
Belfast
Student Support – Student
Horizons Travel Bursaries. Oonagh Co Antrim BT15 1ED Hardship Fund
Murphy, a 3rd year PhD student in An award of £2,000
The Vice-Chancellor’s Student Fund – an unrestricted category Telephone +44 (0)28 9536 7514
of the Fund, designed to create impact whenever and wherever the the Faculty of Arts received £500
universityofulsterfund@ulster.
opportunity arises, giving grants which recognise individual talent, towards the cost of travelling to the ac.uk
entrepreneurship and creativity. US to attend Museums and The Web www.ulster.ac.uk/
2013 – the biggest annual meeting developmentandalumniFEATURE The Ulster Graduate | Winter 2013
• May 2012 Ulster alumni to Irish-American friends and
joined the University at the supporters. The event was also
American Ireland Fund gala in attended by a number of Ulster
New York. We were delighted
to welcome New York-based
alumni who have been central
to the US fundraising efforts
Ulster’s contribution
alumni David Hamilton (Law
with Economics LLB, 2006),
including Paul Jennings (BSc
Hons Human Communication,
to peacebuilding at
19
now working as an Attorney
for Zeichner Ellman & Krause
1999) who now works for
Silicon Valley Bank.
home and overseas
LLP and Ciaran Kennedy (BEng
Hons Software Engineering with Next steps
DIS, 2003), now Vice President INCORE is unique in that it is based in a
of Solutions Consulting at NYSE A programme of events society emerging from conflict
Technologies to the Ulster table. linked to our work in peace
Building Peace Locally, The University contingent also
met other alumni during the visit,
including Margaret Molloy (BA
and conflict will take place
in the UK, Ireland and the
USA throughout 2013. From
Our Masters degree in Peace and Conflict
studies at Magee campus is the oldest course
Making Peace Globally
of its type on the island of Ireland
Hons European Business Studies 24 – 26 May the University is
(Spanish), 1993) now Chief collaborating with the Rotary
Our annual International Summer School
Marketing Officer for Velocidi, Club of Londonderry to hold
and Masters degree have transferred
who served on the organising a Global Peace Forum in
peacebuilding skills to over 1400 people from
committee for the gala itself and Derry~Londonderry as part
over 30 countries
Gavan Corr (PGDip Business of the UK City of Culture
Administration, 1999), now with celebrations – see www.
INCORE’s MSc course has attracted more
Cowen Group, Inc. peaceconference2013.com.
Peace and conflict issues are never far from the minds of those who • September 2012 Celebration The University’s Development
Mitchell Scholars (7 in total) than any other
degree in the University of Ulster
live in Northern Ireland, it is often all too clear that peacebuilding event to mark the centenary and Alumni Relations team will
remains a pressing and live part of our day-to-day lives. The University of of Tip O’Neill’s birth, John continue to actively fundraise
for and promote the Chair and
Our graduates go on to apply their skills
Ulster has a proud and unequalled track record in the area of peacebuilding reaching back over decades. Hume’s 75th birthday and the with real impact, for example, working with
University’s plans to establish the overall INCORE Peace internally displaced persons in Colombia or
We now want to build on our achievements in this area in ways which will benefit current and future Initiative. We are aiming to
the Hume O’Neill Chair in joining UN and EU missions in Democratic
generations. A key priority, linked to our fundraising efforts over the next few years, is the establishment Peace at Magee campus. This reach the fundraising target of Republic of Congo, Kosovo and Serbia
of a Chair (Professorship) which honours the significant contributions of John Hume and Tip O’Neill to event was compered by Dr £3 million for the Chair by the
peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. Miriam O’Callaghan, and the end of 2013. Our senior academics have been seconded
incomparable Phil Coulter to leadership roles in the Human Rights
Gifts of any size will help
took time out of his busy Commission, Community Relations Council
to establish the Chair and
Research Institute (INCORE) is seeking to raise £3 million, pleased to be working closely touring schedule to perform and as Police Ombudsman
in recognition of donations
– the University’s centre of with a further £2.5 million to be with both the Hume and O’Neill for guests. Speakers included
“All politics is local.” excellence for peace and conflict raised to establish the INCORE families to realise this ambitious US Consul General Gregory
there are a range of naming
opportunities and benefits. INCORE staff have been directly engaged
Thomas P. O’Neill work at the Magee campus. Peace Initiative for an initial five project.” Burton, Deputy First Minister with peacebuilding on the ground in on the
Former Speaker of the US House This wider initiative, which years. Martin McGuinness and former ground in NI and in many conflict regions
of Representatives includes a Lesson Learning
We are delighted that to date
Highlights of 2012 US Ambassador Sean Donlan.
Programme and a range of
£2.1 million has already been included: Thomas P. O’Neill III, Tip’s
son, and Dr Pat Hume both
“Peace making is not an In winter 2012 our academics completed
Masters and PhD scholarships, a report which identifies the reconciliation
The John Hume and Thomas P.
will equip a new generation of
raised through the generosity of • March 2012 Hume O’Neill paid tribute to John and Tip’s event, but a process.” priorities for Northern Ireland for the Office of
O’Neill Chair in Peace will build a number of private donations, Chair in Peace featured at the unique friendship which led to
peacebuilders for the future, not John Hume, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister
on the University’s impressive coupled with a £1 million grant American Ireland Fund National the increased commitment of the
only in Northern Ireland but Nobel Peace laureate
track record and lead work on from the International Fund for Gala in Washington DC. Vice- US to the non-violent approach
overseas, particularly those from INCORE is an associated centre of the
global initiatives designed to Ireland. Chancellor Professor Richard advocated by John Hume.
countries in conflict. United Nations University
make a practical difference Barnett joined senior political
Kate Bond, Director of • November 2012 Tom For further information
to ensuring peace, locally and business leaders from the
and further afield, for future Fundraising target Development and Alumni
Relations, says: “We have had US, UK, Northern Ireland and and Shelly O’Neill hosted a
Visit: www.ulster.ac.uk/
incorepeaceinitiative Our Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN),
generations. The academic memorable event in their home or for further information on the internationally acclaimed and largest web
To establish the Hume O’Neill a busy year fundraising for the Irish Republic to showcase
appointed to the Chair will also in Boston to introduce the helping us to reach our target, resource on the Northern Ireland conflict has
Chair as an endowed position, the Chair on both sides of the our work as a leading centre for email: incorepeaceinitiative@
steer a wider initiative based at University and the John Hume attracted over 12 million visitors to date
in perpetuity, the University Atlantic. The University is very peace and conflict studies. ulster.ac.uk
Ulster’s International Conflict and Thomas P. O’Neill ChairYou can also read
