Welcome to Your Brighton Effect, where we look at how we raise and spend the funds that are very kindly donated by people like you, our alumni and other supporters.

This year the School of Education awarded its first alumni bursaries specifically to support students undertaking alternative placements. These experiences are unique across the sector and require each student to research an appropriate six-week placement in an alternative, or non-educational setting. Six bursaries of up to £500 are awarded each year.

The placements are fundamental to challenging students’ assumptions about education and helping them to understand people from different backgrounds. Edwin Few taught at HM Prison Lewes in his third year of Primary Education.

He said the experience “blew my prejudices out of the window and I really think I’ll be a better, more considerate and aware teacher as a result of this placement”. The alumni bursaries enable students to make the most of these opportunities and to ensure that finances will not be a barrier to them achieving their ambitions.

Alexander Everett (pictured) was one of the first bursary recipients. He used the support to help fund his placement at the Grief Encounter Project, a charity which works closely with bereaved children and families.

He said: “I was privileged to undertake a project focusing on children’s literature and the significant role of primary school teachers in supporting bereaved children. This led to the production of a booklet called Recommended Literature for Supporting Bereaved Children that will be featured on the charity’s website. Without your support, I would have missed out on what has been the most humbling and enlightening experience during my time at the University of Brighton.”

UNIQUE EDUCATION PLACEMENTS Without your support, I would have missed

out on what has been the most humbling and enlightening experience during my

time at the University of Brighton.

Your Brighton EffectWe would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of all the students and staff who have received support, and indeed from the university as well. Through your generosity we have made a difference to students, researchers, communities and society in ways that otherwise, would not have been possible.

Media studies students have the opportunity to work on community projects in Kenya through a partnership with ITSkills4RuralKenya, a charity set up by University of Brighton alumnus Edward Kibosek (Communication Studies MA 2003). The students raise funds to undertake the trip which has also benefitted from a generous donation from another Kenyan graduate, Mru Patel (Computer Studies BSc(Hons) 1984). Alexander Coulthard (Media Studies BA(Hons) 2011), was one of the students who went to Kenya in 2011 and had this to say about the experience.

“I became familiar with the work of ITSkills4RuralKenya while studying two modules introducing me to the concepts of community development through the use of information communication technologies (ICTs) taught by Dr Peter Day. The modules allowed me to explore how different technological tools are being used around the world to reduce poverty. Making available information and communication resources aims to empower disadvantaged communities by enabling small businesses to prosper and increasing opportunities for employment and income.

“Edward invited us to visit the community of Kibugat in rural Kenya in the summer of 2011 to gain a better understanding of villagers’ everyday lives and how they thought ICTs could best help them. The emphasis of the project was on collaboration. We decided to begin by meeting with a group of young community members who were excited by the arrival of the ICT centre.

“Together we gathered video footage of the community, collecting interviews with parents, teachers and farmers. The teachers understood that ICTs would not only allow economies to thrive but also contribute significantly to young people’s learning.

“Some community members did not share this enthusiasm and were hesitant about being filmed. Their lack of interest referred to a number of issues such as uncertainty about the benefits that ICT can bring to a rural community; apprehension towards the unknown and a worry that unlimited access to information may have a negative effect on traditional livelihoods. The exercise relied heavily on the young people’s energy and belief that ICTs can bring positive change to communities.

“Prior to arriving in Kenya, Dr Day had set up a community networking website and the young people of Kibugat were keen to start using the platform as a means of interaction and learning. They each set up an email account, created a profile, uploaded our footage and wrote their first blog. They hope they’ll be able to encourage more community members to begin using the platform to share ideas about work, local events, plans and ideas.

“Our time spent in Kibugat has certainly contributed to laying the foundations for future developments. I would like to thank the great people of Kibugat who welcomed, hosted and taught us about the Kalenjin culture. My time in Kenya was incredible.”

MAKING IT WORK IN KENYA LIFE-CHANGINGSUPPORT FROMSANTANDER

In April, the university celebrated a new three-year agreement between Santander Universities and the University of Brighton. The occasion provided a great opportunity to recognise the achievements of the students, staff and community partners who received funding over the last year.

In the last three years, the support offered by Santander has directly benefitted 103 students and staff through a wealth of exciting projects from community engagement and student enterprise awards, masters scholarships, travel grants for students and staff, business research and collaboration funding to excellence in art and design. In 2011/2012, a total of £110,000 was allocated through 42 awards between the amounts of £500 and £7,500.

Carlos Sanchez Velazquez (pictured), one of the masters scholarship recipients explained the difference this scholarship has made to him. “Scholarships have always been part of my academic life. I’m from a tiny village in Andalucía, in the south of Spain. There, some families, such as mine, have little financial resources and would often struggle if they had to pay any university tuition fees.

“I applied for 15 maybe 20 scholarships – no one seemed to believe in me. Except, that is, Santander Bank! Santander said yes. That ‘yes’ has definitely changed my life.”

The University of Brighton Sports Scholarship Scheme supports talented athletes in both their academic and sporting ambitions. We provide financial support to assist with training, competition and travel costs, as well as free access to university sports facilities, sports science consultancy and much more. All this has proved invaluable and has assisted our student athletes in achieving their goals.

Halil Zorba, a Civil Engineering student, represented England at weightlifting at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and was also selected to represent Great Britain Students in the World University Games in Beijing, China in August 2011 following his graduation. Halil said “Thank you to the university, and Sport Brighton once again for being extremely helpful and supporting me for the past four years.” Guy Franklin an agriculture student at Plumpton College, who graduated in the summer, became the only junior to win the British senior grand prix, and he represented the country in both European and World Championships. His parents said, “Thanks very much for all your help and support, which has been invaluable. We are all very grateful… it certainly eased the pressure and he is very hopeful of achieving a good end grade”. Other Elite athletes include Faye McClellan, a first-year physiotherapy student and winner of the Para-triathlon ITU World Championship in Beijing and David Coleman, a postgraduate sports student in the School of Sport and Service Management who is ranked number two in the UK for the discus in indoor athletics.

SPORTSSCHOLARSHIPS

Faye McClellan

Guy FranklinHalil Zorba David Coleman

Thank you so much to everyone who donated during this year’s telephone campaign. Students really enjoy speaking to people who have walked in their shoes and learn a lot from the wisdom of many of our alumni. Some have even arranged work placements as a result of calling during the campaign.

Every year, alumni donate to help students in their area of study through specific projects. This has included the School of Education bursaries, prizes for exceptional students in the Brighton Business School, support for student societies in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, and financial support for students undertaking research for their dissertations and final year projects in the School of Computing, Engineering and Maths.

Grants awarded through the alumni and friends fund are often relatively small (just a few hundred pounds) but can have a big impact on a student approaching the last few months of their studies when money can be tight.

TELEPHONE CAMPAIGN 2011–12