Category: Bristol Volunteers

Boston alumni welcome students to the city, November 2019

Posted on by clare.young


Alumni gave a warm welcome to our students undertaking their study abroad year in Boston, at a welcome event this November. Hosted by the Boston Alumni Network, alumni helped welcome students as they navigate their first few weeks in Boston.

The evening was a great success, students enjoyed the chance to meet alumni and hear about their experiences, both in Bristol and Boston. Alumni had the opportunity to catch up with old friends as well as meet and connect with alumni who were new to the city.

A special thanks to Jon Kanter (BA 1992), who helped co-ordinate the get-together held in a lovely space in Central Boston. The group was updated with plans of a new space – Connect Boston – within the University’s new alumni engagement platform, Bristol Connects. Bristol Connects is an exclusive, online space for alumni, students and staff.

A very big thank you goes to all Bristol Volunteers who give up their time to support the University by helping students and keeping the Boston alumni network connected.

Find out more about our volunteer-led groups and networks and about Bristol Connects.

Sydney alumni get-together, 14 October 2019

Posted on by clare.young

Alumni and friends gathered in central Sydney for an alumni get-together this October. Hosted by University of Bristol Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), Dr Erik Lithander, the evening was a great success.

Alumni and friends from around Sydney were warmly welcomed to a drinks reception, alumni had the chance to catch up with old friends and meet alumni new to the city. Erik provided alumni with updates on the exciting new developments happening in Bristol.

Events such as these are central to building a strong network of alumni in Australia, and our special thanks go to Izzi Barnes (MSci 2015) and Lorna Whitwam (MSc 2005) for all their help in coordinating the event and making it such a success.

If you would like to organise an alumni get-together in your city, please contact us at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

 

Eastern Canada Reunion Weekend 2019

Posted on by Natalie Hill

Heater Proctor (BSc 1964):

Our 2019 reunion was convened in Niagara-on-the-Lake at the Pillar and Post Inn, 17 to 19 September. This is a deluxe hotel with a great variety of amenities and wonderful food, in a very picturesque small Ontario town near Niagara Falls.

14 of us enjoyed fine dining at the Inn, lunch at a local restaurant, and dinner at Trius Winery, one of many delightful wineries in the Niagara area. Some of our group visited the heated outdoor pool and the hot springs at the Inn. At the local Shaw Festival Theatre we took in a performance of The Ladykillers, a hilarious farce.

During our first evening Heather Proctor (BSc 1964) brought greetings from the Development and Alumni Relations Office at Bristol, giving us an update on the new buildings at the University. George Plant presented an interesting talk about his examination of lunar rocks from the first moon landing in 1969.

Our reunion dinner at Trius Winery was exceptional. After an outdoor champagne reception, we were seated in a private room, and each course was explained and presented with theatrical precision by a flight of waiters!

This was a reunion to remember. Sefton Haisz (BSc 1967) and George Plant did a wonderful job organising this, and we thank them very much.

Next year’s event has been planned for 21 to 23 September in Kingston Ontario. We look forward to welcoming as many alumni as possible to the 2020 reunion. We plan on inviting particularly those alumni in our area who graduated between 1970 and 1990.

You’re bringing students and alumni together

Posted on by Grace

Siyan Ruan (MSc 2014), Beijing alumni network Leader, explains why Bristol networks are so important for students and graduates to feel connected.

The Beijing alumni network is a volunteer-led group that works closely with the University of Bristol to host events and activities for graduates based in Beijing. Our first meeting back in 2015 brought together more than 250 graduates, and we now support Bristol’s China Graduation Celebration, sit on Career Panels and organise meetings and events.

Studying at Bristol is a very precious memory in my life. I can still remember the nights we spent in the library, the excitement when I delivered an assignment, the sense of relief when I finished my exams, the fulfilment when I handed in my final thesis. It was challenging, but so worth it. I still benefit now from my experiences at university.

As an international student arriving in Bristol, everything was so fresh to me. I can recall the first day I arrived, staying in a hotel and thinking ‘It’s like being in a British film!’ Banksy’s artwork and trip-hop music were so amazing and new to me. I also made a lot of friends in Bristol who I am still in touch with now. Bristol gave us the opportunity to tackle some of our challenges together.

The University of Bristol has a community of over 12,400 alumni in China and over 2,000 Chinese students at Bristol, making it the largest international network. There are volunteer-led networks in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, which nurture and support a family of graduates, and there are other international alumni networks based in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the US.

When you have shared memories of a place, you have a shared language. The Beijing alumni network – and the alumni network more broadly – gives graduates the opportunity to meet other people who have experienced Bristol, who have been shaped by the same city, the same university, and perhaps by the same memories. It provides a significant connection for those who studied together.

As part of the Beijing alumni network we also meet current Bristol students who are doing placements, internships or who are studying abroad in China. I often recognise myself in these students, excited and sometimes a little bit shy in a new and unfamiliar place. I was so supported when I moved to Bristol that I feel moved to pass on that kindness to current students and do what I can to ensure they have a positive international experience.

Bristol alumni networks are based all over the world, keeping graduates connected with Bristol and each other. These groups enable members to connect and network with like-minded alumni, share advice and expertise, and attend exclusive events.

 

London Branch Annual Lecture: Sir Paul Nurse, ‘Science and the public good’

Posted on by Natalie Hill

Sir Paul Nurse delivers the 2019 London Branch Annual Lecture

 

Scientific research is aimed at generating knowledge of the natural world and of ourselves, and also at developing that knowledge into useful applications, including driving innovation for sustainable productive economic growth and better public services, improving health, prosperity and the quality of life, and protecting the environment. – Sir Paul Nurse

Robert Dufton (LLB 1983, Honorary LLD 2014):

The London Branch of the University of Bristol Alumni has organised an annual lecture every year since 2006. This year it attracted a record crowd of 209, no doubt because of the speaker, Sir Paul Nurse, Chancellor of the University of Bristol since 2017, Director and Chief Executive of the Francis Crick Institute, and 2001 Nobel Prize winner for his research on protein molecules that control the division (duplication) of cells in the cell cycle.

The evening was hosted by London Branch Committee members: Chair Julian Metcalfe (BSc 1978); Treasurer Martin Lunnon (BSc 1973, PhD 1976) and Secretary Alan Ingham (MEng 1999). A brief AGM, involving the presentation of the annual report by Julian, the annual accounts by Martin and a vote of thanks given by Alan about outgoing branch committee member David Snoxell (BA 1966), who chaired the London Branch from 2005 to 2010 and who had inaugurated the annual lecture, was ably chaired by Julian and lasted 6 minutes, which may have contributed to his being re-elected for a second term as Chair!

Jonathan Phillips (BSc 1994), Chair of the Alumni Association Committee, spoke about the work of the association, and his aim that the association will in time become one of the reasons why students choose Bristol over other universities.

Sir Paul welcomed the audience to the Francis Crick Institute, the UK’s leading biomedical research institute which focusses on the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. The state-of-the-art building opened in 2016.

His lecture ‘Science and the public good’, (science meaning research of all disciplines) emphasized the importance of combining discovery research and its translation which then directly helped people. Great research required excellence, academic freedom and diversity of thinking/institutions and a determined curiosity about big questions. In addition to his current work at the Crick Institute, Sir Paul drew on his experiences at the universities of Sussex, Oxford, Harvard and Rockefeller, and his time as President of the Royal Society for five years.

Questions from the audience followed and conversation continued over a reception.

Become a Bristol Volunteer: current opportunities

Posted on by clare.young

Become part of Bristol’s bright, collective and strong community of experts by volunteering your time and expertise. We work with departments across the University to match our alumni volunteers with relevant and rewarding opportunities.

Explore some of our ongoing volunteering opportunities below.

Offer your time as a mentor
We are looking for engaged professionals to share their expertise with our students. There are several mentoring schemes you could get involved with across the University – current mentoring opportunities are listed below:

Bristol Mentors 
Bristol Mentors is a programme that matches students with an alumni mentor, who can help them explore ideas and share advice on how to break into industry. With a focus on supporting students from under-represented backgrounds, eligible students will be matched with a mentor to provide support throughout the academic year.

For more information about our Bristol Mentors programme, get in touch with the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Social Sciences Mentoring
Are you a Social Sciences and Law graduate and using your degree in your current role? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Use your expertise and experience to help guide our students through their studies and help them realise their future in social sciences field.

To find out more contact the Professional Liaison Network at pln-fssl@bristol.ac.uk.

Professional Law Mentoring Scheme
Our alumni are very successful in a broad range of legal careers and are an excellent source of guidance and inspiration for students. The Professional Law Mentoring Scheme aims to bring together these alumni to inspire current second year LLB and MA students and influence their career journeys.

If you work in a commercial legal role and would like to be involved as a mentor for the scheme, please get in touch with the School of Law Employability team at law-employability@bristol.ac.uk. 

Bristol Career Insights events
We are looking for alumni who can share their career stories, give exclusive insights into their industries and share their experience at our upcoming Bristol & London Career Insights events:
Bristol, Tuesday 15 October 2019
London, Tuesday  5 November 2019

If you could support current students and recent graduates looking to take the next steps in their careers please get in touch with the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Distinguished Alumni Law Lecture Series
Each year the School of Law invites senior judges, barristers and partners in leading law firms to give guest lectures through the Distinguished Alumni Law Lecture Series. The School are looking to involve new speakers in the programme – if you are keen to give something back and share an inspiring story with our students, we would love to hear from you.

To find out more information, please contact Alumni Coordinator, Dr Oliver Quick, Oliver.Quick@bristol.ac.uk. 

Would you like to help the Churchill Hall Association Committee?
Churchill Hall Association (CHA) comprises all those who have lived at Churchill Hall. The CHA Committee organises activities designed to support the Hall and to engage all members of the CHA community.

The CHA Committee is looking for assistance and to diversify its membership. They would particularly welcome recent Churchillians to help better represent the ideas of the entirety of the CHA community. Churchillians based in and around Bristol would also be very valuable.

If you would like to join the CHA Committee or discuss other volunteering options, please contact the Committee at committee@churchillhallassociation.co.uk.

Clifton Hill House Association 
Anthony Duncalf, current Physics students (2018-), is starting an Association of Clifton Hill House. Anthony is looking for local Clifton Hill House alumni to participate in initial meetings, spread the word and possibly join the Committee.

To find out more please contact the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Build our global alumni networks
Working in partnership with the University, we have alumni networks, professional groups, Halls Associations, sports groups and networks in many locations all over the world. These networks help members to gain new social and professional contacts, benefit from advice and expertise, connect with other like-minded alumni, and gain access to exclusive activities.

To find out how you can connect with our groups, or for more information about starting a new network, please contact the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Alumni welcome international students to their Bristol community

Posted on by Natalie Hill

Alumni gave a warm welcome to our incoming international students at a new welcome event this September. Enjoying a traditional afternoon tea and relaxed conversation, alumni helped welcome students to Bristol as they navigate their first few weeks of life in the UK.

With conversations flowing, the event was a wonderful opportunity for new students to get to know the city and each other. Conversations ranged from which societies to join, to the best of Bristol’s many eateries. Alumni shared their top tips, Bristol favourites and their own experiences of starting fresh in an unknown city.

The event was part of a programme of Welcome Lounge events, a calendar of social events designed to give new international students a taste of Bristol life.

To find out more about volunteering at the University, contact alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk or explore our ongoing volunteering opportunities online.

Students and alumni mentors connect in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore

Posted on by Natalie Hill
University staff, students and alumni mentors at the ‘Meet your Mentor’ event in Kuala Lumpur

A huge thank you to all our international alumni who are volunteering their time, experience and expertise as professional mentors to our Social Sciences and Law students this year.

This September, students met their mentors for the first time in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. All three events were a huge success due to the wide range of fantastic alumni who attended and the invaluable advice and guidance they shared with their mentees.

The events were well received by both mentors and mentees. Second-year Law mentee, Angus Yuen, said:

The Meet your Mentor event consolidated a fine connection between the University, alumni and current students. As the inaugural meeting in Hong Kong, the event provided the opportunity to gain an insightful view of my aspired career, and undoubtedly helped create a better framework to further my current studies!

University staff , students and alumni mentors at the ‘Meet your Mentor’ event in Hong Kong

Nina Sharil Khan (BSc 1998), Chief Unicorn Officer of Popcon, Economics and Accounting graduate and mentor in Malaysia said:

I felt that the event was amazing and such a great platform for students to connect with their alumni in a more structured way so, it’s not just a one-off meet and greet or networking thing, but is a fantastic platform to build a relationship with someone from the industry who they can go to for advice and coaching whenever the need arises.

These are such precious relationships that will be able to guide new graduates and hopefully pave the way for a new tradition where they in turn give back.

Students and alumni mentors meet in Singapore

This year’s International Mentoring Scheme will run until March 2020. The team will be looking for more engaged Social Sciences and Law graduates from Singapore, Hong Kong or Malaysia to participate in next year’s scheme. If you are interested, please email fssl-pln@bristol.ac.uk.

The International Mentoring Scheme is run by the Professional Liaison Network in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law. Find out more on their website: www.bristol.ac.uk/pln

You can also find out more about becoming a Bristol Volunteer by visiting our opportunities page or emailing alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk

 

Alumni in Malaysia help new students on their way to Bristol

Posted on by Joanna Sochacka

The Malaysia alumni network and the Malaysian and Singaporean Student Association (MSSA) joined forces this August to give some of Bristol’s newest students the best send-off to Bristol.

Our alumni have a lot of insight, practical advice and plenty of stories to share with the next generation of students, and we’re delighted to see this in action in Malaysia.

Kindly hosted at Radiant Retreats in the highlands outside the city by Hanis Harun (LLB 1994, MBA 1995), CEO of Radiant Group in Kuala Lumpur, the weekend of events introduced the incoming 2019-20 cohort with current students and alumni over a series of orientation activities.

The meet-up aims to support new students with their adjustment to life in a new city and unfamiliar country and help build a network of familiar faces and connections that will no doubt grow over the years ahead.

Alumni were also on hand to share how their time at Bristol shaped their careers and pass on useful tips on making the most out of the opportunities Bristol can offer.

The event also united MSSA Committee members past and present, sharing the latest news and best practice from over the years of one of Bristol’s largest student societies (pictured from L – R: Farah, current VP, Zaki, VP 1991-92 and Brian, VP 2015-16).

“The Bristol alumni is a close and strong network in Malaysia, and we wanted the new students to know we would be there for them now and into the future” – Ahmad Zaki Zahid, LLB 1994.

Find out more about our international alumni networks and contact alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk if you’d like to get involved.

 

 

 

Bristol Volunteers share their stories with the next generation of students

Posted on by clare.young

Many thanks to alumni Harri Davies (LLB 2013) and Tom Rowland (BSc 2012) were able to join us for the University of Bristol undergraduate open day in June, to speak to, and inspire our prospective students.

We are very grateful to our Bristol Volunteers who offer their time and expertise to support events for those considering Bristol. Students very much value the opportunity and it gives those considering a degree at Bristol a clear picture of how we can support their career aspirations and enables them to see the variety of opportunity open to them after graduation.

Delighted to have been invited to speak to six form applicants at the University of Bristol Open Day. Really impressed with the questions about my epic time at Bristol and during my year abroad in Hong Kong.

Harri Davies (LLB 2013), Opportunities Manager, Aspiring Solicitors

 

If you would like to share your career story with prospective students and support the University of Bristol in this way, please get in touch- alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk