Goh Siu Lin (LLB 1993) takes us on a journey from Bristol to Malaysia, showing us how she got to where she is today as the first woman to become Chairman on the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee.

I chose to study at Bristol for many reasons. It is well known for having one of the top Law faculties in the UK. I was drawn to the vibrancy of the student community and loved the iconic grandeur of the Wills Memorial Building. When I graduated I was the first lawyer in my family. While at Bristol I took up volunteering opportunities with Bristol’s Student Community Action and did ballroom dancing which enriched my student life. I also made friends of all nationalities and backgrounds – I love food and there were never too many dinner parties at Bristol, all with new and exciting flavours!

The key things that Bristol gave me were an excellent legal education in a supportive and enriching learning environment, a place for self-discovery, and many, many lifelong friendships. Upon my return to Malaysia I gained admission to the Malaysian Bar and practised for the next two decades at Messrs Shook Lin & Bok. Then when I became the first female to win the Chairman post on the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee, I was exhilarated! It was as if I’d crossed the finishing line for a marathon.

I’m passionate about women’s and children’s rights and have written and advocated for more gender-responsive laws, policies and systems. My proudest achievement to date was being part of the intense lobbying and legislative efforts which crystallised in the passing of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act in Malaysia on 26 April 2017. If I had any advice for my younger self it would be to read more, to be more involved in Bar activities and to develop networks. I’ve now set up a small boutique law practice of Messrs Kee Sern, Siu & Huey and this, together with my responsibilities for the Kuala Lumpur Bar, keeps me on my toes!

What’s a bit of swine flu between friends? For Friendship Day [30 July] we asked you about the friends you made at Bristol and you didn’t disappoint. From dancing in the street to film marathons and swine flu, here are a handful of the stories of why your time at Bristol became such an important part of your lives.

She gave me swine flu

Alice Webb (BA 2013) and I were both in University Hall in different blocks but we were on the same course. In our first week in 2009, she gave me swine flu and we’ve been inseparable ever since!

She has been my biggest cheerleader, my rock and my best friend for coming up to nine years and my life would not be the same without her. Too many funny stories to go through, but without all these hilarious years, we wouldn’t be where we are now having made it through some of the darkest times. With her and four other friends from languages, we have the best group of girls anyone could ask for.

Harriet Abley (BA 2013)

Half a world away

At Bristol, Kate, Kathy and I got on so well that we were inseparable.

I met my wonderful friend Kate Smith (MPhil 2015) on my first day in Bristol before term even started and met the lovely Kathy McInerney (MA 2015) through her who she bumped into at their student residences. We were all studying for completely different degrees (Accounting, Finance and Management / Medieval Studies / English Literature), but that didn’t seem to matter. We discovered so many fun things around Bristol like the Balloon fiesta, Harbour festival, and some lovely pubs. We spent a lot of time in each other’s kitchens, cooking together and board game nights or at the student union pub quizzes. Having these girls to always talk to has improved my life so much and although we are now separated by half the world between Hamburg, Boston and Houston, we skype as often as we can and this June they both made the long trip to attend my wedding which was the most special gift I could have asked for.

I cannot wait to see them again someday. Friends are the best excuse you can find to travel the world.

Lynn Baumgarten (MSc 2015)

Dancing in the street

Andrew Clarke, (BA 1992): the sweetest, funniest man. We rehearsed our ballroom dancing in the streets around St Paul’s; he made me jelly in Tom and Jerry glasses; his neighbour’s pet snake did something unmentionable on my jeans and the first time we met he asked to borrow makeup (to dress up for Halloween).

I miss him. Davros, if you read this, get in touch! Xxx

Sarah Anthony (BA 1992)

Where’s Dave now?

I would very much wish to get in touch with Dave Thorton. He did Maths and Computer Science in his first year, and when we met in 1968/1969 he ‘heralded’ from Cleckheaton. He and I were in Burwalls hall of residence during our first year at Bristol University. Without his friendship my first year in 1968/1969 at Bristol University could have been very different.

Damian Wozniak (BSc 1971)

Taka Taka cravings and watching every Bollywood Movie on Earth

Shreya Tandon (Meng 2015) and I have been roommates, batch mates and flat mates throughout the four years. This led to endless gossips, midnight Taka Taka cravings, sharing wardrobes (I used to dig into her wardrobe more often than she used to), gala times when cleaning our flat / room, dancing sessions, enjoying retail therapies together, watching every Bollywood Movie on Earth while enjoying meals together, last minute doubt-clearing sessions (she was obviously more studious), planning each other’s birthday surprises, immature arguments and endless moments of fun, laughter and joy. All these moments have been one of the best for me. She has taught me how to be a good and caring friend. Clearly we cannot be separated so we joined the same company after graduation and still live in the same city and in adjacent buildings.

Sanjana Narang (Meng 2015)

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Further information

For more friendship stories or to tell us yours, go to our Facebook page.

Michelle McDowell MBE FREng (BSc 1984, Hon DEng 2012), studied Civil Engineering at the University of Bristol. When she graduated she became a structural engineer. As her career progressed she has led many high-profile and award-winning projects, including the refurbishment of the Royal Albert Hall. In 2011 Michelle was awarded an MBE for services to the construction industry and she is now the Chair of Civil and Structural Engineering at BDP. We spoke to her on International Women in Engineering Day 2018.

Tell us about a woman you think more people should know about.

If you are lacking inspiration, take a look at Helen Keller. Meningitis as a baby left her blind and deaf. In spite of this, she not only mastered the English language, but learned to communicate in French, German and Latin. At a time when Harvard wouldn’t admit women, she attended its ‘annex’, Radcliffe College. She went on to become a political activist, a vocal socialist and she marched in women’s suffrage parades. She certainly makes you think twice about complaining! 

We’ve come a long way in 100 years. What do you want to see changed next? 

I would like to see employers positively embrace flexible working, really embrace it. As someone who works flexibly, I think it’s a brilliant deal for employers who get excellent value for money combined with company loyalty. Of course, I benefit too from spending more time with my young children.  

What every-day act would you encourage feminists to take? 

Refuse to put up with unacceptable behaviours – brace yourself if necessary and challenge them. Make the perpetrators feel uncomfortable. They are in the wrong, not you. 

What do you love about being an Engineer? 

I love the tangible results of a very creative process – buildings which emerge from sketches and models, if well designed, can transform lives. One of my most inspiring moments was to return to a school I had designed and for the head teacher to point out a student who formerly played truant but who now not only attended but stayed on after school to do homework. 

Read more from our women in engineering. 

We’re asking staff, students and visitors to the University to answer our three questions. Watch our latest video.

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If you’d like to take part in our Women at Bristol series, please contact the Communications Team.

Watch our other videos on Youtube

Nonesuch takes a look at what the city and the University are contributing to the world of cinema and television in the digital age.

When you think of Bristol and the world of small and big screen, what springs to mind? Hollywood star and Horfield native Cary Grant? Aardman Animations’ Wallace and Gromit? What about the BBC’s Blue Planet and David Attenborough? Or maybe you just fondly remember curling up in front of the latest offering from the University’s Film Society during your time here.

‌Our alumni in the world of film and television include actors, directors, writers and special effects experts. They’ve won Oscars and BAFTAs and are seen as leaders in their fields. Even our University buildings have had a starring role. The 1990 BAFTA-award-winning film Truly Madly Deeply was filmed on location at our very own Goldney Hall, while 2006 hit Starter for Ten was filmed at the School of Chemistry.

Bristol’s reputation as a city of film continues to spread far and wide, and in late 2017 Bristol was designated UNESCO City of Film, becoming an official member of the international UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Dr Angela Piccini, from the School of Arts, said: ‘UNESCO City of Film status draws together all of the diverse film, television, and screen media activities across the city. Here at the University we actually teach and research across moving image forms in many Faculties, far beyond the Department of Film and Television and Faculty of Arts – from medical imaging, to computationally driven innovation, to the politics and power of media representation and the aesthetics of industry-facing practices. Bristol is at the forefront of moving image innovation and the creative industries.’

And in February this year our Chancellor Sir Paul Nurse FRS FMedSci conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters upon Col Needham – who some have referred to as the ‘most powerful Brit in Hollywood’ – for his contribution to the film industry. Dr Piccini gave the oration for Mr Needham, who is the founder and CEO of the renowned website IMDb (Internet Movie Database). Formed in 1990 IMDb became a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com in 1998. As a film buff Col wanted to build a portal of information on all things screen-related, where like-minded individuals could connect and share their love of film no matter where they were in the world.

Fresh from winning the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, alumnus Dr Tom Carter (PhD 2017), CTO and co-founder of technology firm Ultrahaptics, tells us about touching things that aren’t there.

Imagine if you could reach out with your hand and touch a shape in mid-air – a virtual object that you could feel, but not see. That might sound like science fiction, but it’s real, and it’s happening here in Bristol. Ultrahaptics’ technology, which is based on my PhD, uses ultrasound to create three-dimensional shapes and textures in mid-air.

I’ve always been passionate about interface design, the user experience, and making things better. Human interaction with things should be efficient and easy for the user. I’m sure I’m not the only who gets annoyed by parking machines with impossible instructions, or the way when you need to change radio station in your car you have to flail around for the button while trying to keep your eyes on the road.

That’s what our technology is all about – making the way we interact with machines easier and more intuitive. As our tech develops I’m excited about its possible use in so many areas. For now, though, Ultrahaptics has featured in trials of an interactive movie poster and was also part of an art installation at Tate Britain. We’ve seen our tech rolled out into gaming machines and featured as part of a Halloween show at The Magic Castle in Hollywood.

Founding my own company has always been something I’ve wanted to do. When I was studying Computer Science at BristolI was lucky to be in a department that was so forward thinking. I was able to take modules in things such as entrepreneurship, learning about business plans and how to raise investment capital.

The people I met and worked with at Bristol stretched and encouraged me beyond traditional departmental boundaries. Ultrahaptics also benefited from being part of the University’s SET Squared incubator, currently housed in the Engine Shed hubwhere Brunel used to work.

It’s great to see entrepreneurship become more firmly embedded in the University curriculum, particularly with the new Temple Quarter campus that will have innovation at its heart. I believe you can start a business from any background and it’s so encouraging to see this new way of studying come to life.

Further information

You can listen and download the audio version here (mp3).

Professor Weicheng Cui (PhD 1990) is one of China’s most remarkable scientists and a proud alumnus of the University of Bristol. The world-renowned pioneer of deep sea exploration had the opportunity to congratulate the latest graduates of Bristol when he joined the University as Distinguished Guest at its first ever graduation celebration in Shanghai, on Saturday 14 April.

The University of Bristol’s reputation for nurturing research talent is exemplified by Professor Weicheng Cui’s (PhD 1990) extraordinary career.

He is the Dean of Deep Sea Science and Technology at Shanghai Ocean University and was recently named a ‘science star of China’ by Nature magazine for his record-breaking work on manned deep-sea submersibles, including the Chinese Government funded Jiaolong.

‘I have always been fascinated by the idea of exploration and pushing frontiers. I chose to do my PhD at Bristol because it is a world-class institution which combines a strong research heritage with a pioneering approach to the advancement of human knowledge,’ said Prof Weicheng Cui.

In 2014 he founded Rainbowfish Ocean Technology Co Ltd with two fellow Bristol alumni, with the aim of building the world’s first commercial, deep-sea submersible fleet. Their ambition is to reach the deepest place on Earth — the bottom of the Mariana Trench, 11,000 metres down – by 2020. You can find out more about the project on the BBC website.

In recognition of the high value he and colleagues place on their University of Bristol education, Rainbowfish has maintained links with the institution by providing internships to Bristol students.

‘At Rainbow Fish we are concerned with pushing ourselves to the very edge – or depth – of deep sea exploration. To do this we need interns who share our passion and inventive spirit. I believe the University of Bristol nurtures these values and produces students who are well equipped to help us succeed in our mission,’ said Prof Weicheng Cui.

The company is just three years old so many of their Bristol interns haven’t graduated yet. However, Professor Cui is confident that when they do, there will be exciting opportunities for talented young scientists to follow his lead, pushing the boundaries of human exploration.

‘Since three years ago, both our research center and the Rainbowfish company have become places for Bristol students to do an internship. Now we have the capability to take 30-50 students every year. As an Alumnus of Bristol university, I really appreciate very much for education I received and I will do my best to help other students in need. I sincerely wish my University better and better!’

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Find out more about Bristol’s alumni networks in China by visiting our webpages.

Countless alumni meet their partners at Bristol. For some, it’s love at first sight and for others it takes a little more convincing (and dancing), but however they started, our alumni are still going strong, even decades later.

Laura Riley (BA 1984) and Martyn Riley (BSc 1985)

My friends and I decided to adopt Martyn. We first met across the breakfast table at Clifton Hill House. During the first week of term, I noticed a handsome young man at the breakfast table. My five friends and I were looking out to be helpful to the new first years in hall and wanting to help them settle in. I think Martyn caught my eye because he was handsome (!) and I was on the lookout for a new boyfriend as over the summer I had broken up with my boyfriend of three years.

We were in the habit of having coffee in our rooms after dinner so we invited him back because we thought he looked like he needed looking after. He spent the next year asking us all out. However most of them turned him down, including me. Two of my friends Lizzie and Penny were already engaged.

It was towards the end of 1983 that we started going out and then we discovered by a chance chat with Penny that her fiancée was Martyn’s second cousin! Penny and Stephen were married in 1983, Martyn and I were married in September 1984 and Lizzie and John were married two weeks after us. We are all still married! Martyn’s late father was also a Bristol graduate and had met his mother in Bristol in the 1950s. Our son Jamie was born in 2001 and in two years he will be embarking on his university life with clear instructions that you go to university to get a degree AND a wife!!

Rahul Ravi (BSc 2012) and Lydia Ravi (née Murphy) (BSc 2012)

In September 2009 I moved to Bristol to begin a new chapter in my life; studying Economics and Maths at the University. Later that same year, at the Economics winter ball, I lent a girl called Lydia Murphy my jacket as we were walking back home. She was studying Economics and Management and so we got chatting; apparently talking extensively about multi-variable calculus isn’t a good pick up line!

Nevertheless, we started dating in 2010 and had a wonderful time in Bristol completing our respective degrees before moving to London. Five years later I proposed to Lydia and in 2016 we got married back where it all began in Bristol! We had our ceremony at the Clifton Pavilion, Bristol Zoo, surrounded by many of our university friends and family.

We have very fond memories of Bristol and often visit. One day we would love to move back to the beautiful city!

Michael Upstone (BSc 1958) and Rosemarie Aston

In February 60 years ago, I was in my final year at Bristol. I needed a partner to take to the Engineers Ball in the Victoria Rooms. A friend, John Bull, also an engineer, offered to find someone for me from the BRI where he had a girlfriend who worked in the X-Ray department. He was successful and arrangements were made.

On the evening of the ball I went to the St Vincent’s Rocks Hotel in Clifton where my blind date was staying the night as she lived in Weston. She came to the lobby and I met Rosemarie, the love of my life! I think we walked from there to the Victoria Rooms as taxis were not an option on my budget!

The Engineers Ball in those days was a big event and we danced the whole evening to the music of Joe Loss and his Orchestra. Probably at the same event, Acker Bilk and his jazz band entertained us. Everything clicked and this dance was followed by more dances and dates in my final year at Bristol. I remember very happy lunches in the restaurant at Lewis’ in Broadmead, generally paid for by Rosemarie! When exams were over we went with a group of friends on the paddle steamer from Clevedon to Ilfracombe for the day.

We were married at St Johns Church in Weston-Super-Mare in April the following year. My best man was Patrick McMillan (BSc 1957). Now almost 60 years later we have a son and daughter and four wonderful grandchildren. We were truly blessed by the need to find a partner for the Engineers Ball and I have always been so grateful for everything that my time at Bristol gave to me.

Angela Dingle (née Berryman) (PGCE 1972) and Robert Dingle (PGCE 1972, MEd 1981)

It was an attraction of opposites. Bob was over six feet tall and a physicist from Cornwall. I was a foot shorter than he was and an historian from County Durham, albeit with Cornish blood. We met on the second day of the PGCE course. A group of us had assembled informally and were discussing our first impressions of Bristol and plans for the weekend.  As it was tea-time, we moved to the Student Union. Through accident or design, Bob and I found ourselves sitting opposite each other eating fish and chips, followed by strawberry yoghurt. Despite the unromantic surroundings, we discovered later that it was love at first sight for both of us! We rounded off the evening at the cinema on Whiteladies Road, watching “The Go-Between”. The film remains special.

We had different interests too. Bob is a railway enthusiast, very musical, and a keen radio amateur. I prefer being in the garden, painting and going to theatres, galleries and exhibitions. Our relationship could have been a disaster. But we got to know each other really well and despite our differences, we shared the same values. We married in 1974 and are still together, over forty years later. We raised our son and daughter, studied for part-time doctorates in education in the hope that we would have a night out together each week and see something of each other! We will always remember our time in Bristol with great affection. Our experiences there provided the foundations of our marriage and family life, as well as of our careers.

Valentine Gardener (née van Wonterghem) (MSci 2008) and Henry Gardener (MSci 2008)

 

We met in the Chemistry laboratory at the end of my first year in 2005. Henry offered to help me with my experiment! I can’t remember what the experiment was just that I was glad Henry offered his help as it meant I was out of the lab early that Friday!

Our first date was a picnic at Ashton Court on a lovely crisp winter day. Henry took me in his Morris Minor (which really impressed me!!) and we got an amazing picnic from Chandos the deli on Whiteladies: bread, cheese, olives, meats and a bottle of wine. And the rest is history! We are now married with a 9 months old baby, Sophia.

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Further information

Thank you to everyone who sent us their stories! Sorry we couldn’t feature them all.

Did you find love at Bristol? Let us know: we’d love to hear from you for next year.