Bangor International July 2016
Graduation 2016
www.bangor.ac.uk/international
Philippe graduates with a First after an action packed three years another course, I actually started my degree about one and a half months after term began so had to catch up with all module’s course work, which was challenging. However, thanks to the friendly and helpful lecturers I had additional catch-up classes and extended deadlines.
has managed to balance his studies, two jobs and a variety of extra-curricular activities. He was a member of the Afro-Caribbean society, Makerspace society, Stage Crew society and the Gaelic football club; as well as taking on a host of other challenges and roles.
“During my degree I was fortunate to work on many projects and programmes where I met some wonderful people, did things I couldn’t have dreamt of and developed skills which contributed to my personal development.”
“Whilst at Bangor I have done so many things I honestly had never imagined doing. I volunteered with a project where I coached children in sport, I took part in competitions such as the Culture Challenge and Enterprise by Design and I was the Campus Sport officer for the Athletic Union executive committee.
“Academically the main highlight was working on my final year dissertation with my supervisor. It is one of the biggest pieces of Philippe Bantsi Mongapndam, work I ever delivered. The start from Cameroon was difficult as I needed to carry A student from Cameroon is out research and investigations, celebrating graduating with a First but thanks to my supervisor’s Class degree in Electronic friendly approach and openness, Engineering after what he our partnership developed over describes as ‘years of hard work, time and I was able to achieve a sleepless nights and perseverance’. good result.” Philippe Bantsi Mongapndam, 20, He added, “Working while studying not only worked hard in his degree, was a necessity for me so as to but also had two part-time jobs and reduce the burden on my parents’ was heavily involved with a number shoulders, so I had to be efficient of Students’ Union initiatives, clubs and find the right balance between and societies. working and studying so as not to affect my degree.” Philippe said, “Due to visa issues Over the past three years, Philippe and because I transferred from
“I was also a football activator working in developing football across campus, and having attended a course run by the Football Association of Wales I’m now an FAW Football Leader.” Next year is likely to be just as action packed for Philippe as he will be staying in Bangor to study a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering. He also plans to take on the role of Campus Life Co-ordinator which involves helping to run a programme of activities for the thousands of students living in the University’s halls of residence.
Canadian student a step closer to a career in international human rights UK universities, then assessed them based on a number of factors such as having a beautiful campus, one that I felt like I was in a fairy tale; small class sizes with a real connection to the lecturers; and affordable tuition and living costs. I found all of this at Bangor University. “During my studies, I jumped between jobs and I found the work-study balance a struggle at some occasions, but it helped me connect with the locals and to feel at home in north Wales.
Elizabeth Strange from Canada A Canadian international student will now pursue her dream of “changing the world” after graduating from Bangor University this week. Elizabeth Megan Strange, 23, from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, graduated with a LLB Law degree after an incredibly busy and successful two years of study. After high school, Elizabeth studied human rights and women's studies at St Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She was actively involved in the students’ union and volunteered with a rape crisis helpline and also cofounded a sorority. She met her Bangor born husband, Andrew Thomson, whilst he was with the British Army and stationed at their Medicine Hat base in 2012, and they married in 2014. Elizabeth said: “I have dreamed of attending law school since I was a little girl, and it's a dream come true to be able to say I hold a law degree.
“When it came to selecting a university, I started with a list of all
“In my first year, I was selected to compete at the Telders International Moot Court Competition, a prestigious competition for public international law hosted at The Hague. As a team, we ranked highly, and individually I was ranked the 6th best orator out of 96 competitors from across Europe. “In my second year, I was selected to compete at the Jean Pictet International Humanitarian Law Competition at Evian les Bains, France. The competition was judged and planned by world leading international humanitarian law practitioners. We had the opportunity to tour the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters in Geneva and meet its president, and we made friends with people around the world which was an invaluable experience. In the feedback, our team was commended for embodying the spirit of Jean Pictet through our cultural sensitivity and negotiation skills. “My dissertation was part of a research project from the Wales Observatory for Children’s Rights. The topic was child and adolescent mental health services in Wales analysed from a human rights
perspective. My research looked into consent law, distribution of services, and cooperation between service providers, all analysed from a feminist and human rights based approach. My research, as well as the research of others from the observatory, will contribute to the Welsh Assembly's audit of the child and adolescent mental health services. “In my final year I was the president of the University’s Law Society and was actively involved with the Students’ Union. I was a senator on the Student Representative Council, and proposed numerous policies for the improvement of the University, and a delegate for the National Union of Students Wales conferences. For 2016-2017, I have been elected as a member of the executive committee for the National Union of Students Wales. “Being an international student there was the obvious cultural shock, but also the homesickness. I’ve not been home since moving to Wales in August 2014, and in that time my mother was diagnosed with cancer and my grandfather died. My husband and I were evicted from our house just weeks before Christmas 2014 and my husband lost his job in February 2016. Needless to say, it has been a struggle, but it’s been worth it, as I've always stated - I am not pursuing a job title or a salary, I am pursuing a dream of changing the world.” Elizabeth returns to Bangor University’s Law School in September to study an LLM in International Human Rights and Criminal Law. Afterwards, she hopes to pursue a career in international human rights, international humanitarian law, or international feminism.
Just a few of our international graduates...
Kholoud Alabduljader from Kuwait has spent the last 6 years studying at Bangor University, she began her studies with a Masters degree and then continued to study for a PhD in Exercise Physiology.
Nebu George from Mumbai, India who has graduated with a BA in History and Archaeology. Nebu has decided to continue his studies at Bangor University and will begin an MA in Celtic Archaeology in September.
Arathi Nambier who is from India but grew up in Malaysia graduated with a BSc in Psychology and has decided to stay on at Bangor University to study for a Masters degree.
Emily Ramirez graduated with an MA in History, Emily originally came to Bangor University on a study abroad programme in 2013.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
RITS - Bangor MBA Graduates attend Bangor graduation ceremony
Ninety six proud MBA students from the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen (RITS), a branch of China’s top Tsinghua University, were conferred their MBA degree at Bangor University on 15 July 2016, following two years part time study on the Bangor University validated MBA programme.The 96 students attending also brought along 86 guests to attend the ceremony and help them celebrate their achievement.
The 96 visiting graduates and their guests enjoyed the traditional graduation ceremony in Bangor University followed by an evening meal hosted by Bangor University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John G Hughes and an overnight stay in university accommodation. The successful validation of the MBA degree took place in October 2012 at RITS Shenzhen and Shanghai centres.
A student from RITS pictured centre with two of Bangor University’s international student ambassadors.
Hobby and career change leads to First Class Honours! country while pursuing a qualification.” He added, “The freedom and responsibility associated with my final year project was a highlight of my academic studies at Bangor. I especially enjoyed being able to specify and develop a project on my own terms, since I was able to develop specific skills which can be directly applied to the industry in which I’d like to work.”
Spencer Rose from the USA Creative Technologies graduate University with helping his Spencer Rose from Denver, ambitions. He said. “I chose to Colorado, United States, enrolled study at Bangor because it was the in university with the goal of first university in the UK to offer a becoming an airline pilot 9 years Creative Technologies degree ago. He soon discovered that his scheme, which seemed like it day-in, day-out passion was would offer a diverse range of working on video games - which taught skills and knowledge. The had been a hobby for many years. idea of studying in Bangor was This week he will be graduating also appealing to me as it offered a with a First Class Honours degree. reasonably affordable way to experience living in another Spencer, 25, credits Bangor
“I’m excited to focus on working with games on a full-time basis. I’m eager to take the skills I’ve acquired in writing code and working with software and apply this to projects which I’m truly passionate about. My time at Bangor has prepared me to involve myself even further in game development, and my hopes are to continue working on games for many years to come.” Spencer is excited to be graduating with first-class marks, and being able to apply the skills and knowledge he’s acquired at Bangor to future projects.
www.bangor.ac.uk/international
Karen Jones
Ali Khan
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International students in the UK
Upcoming Visits for 2016 Visit our country visits page for more information:
www.bangor.ac.uk/international/visits.php Please do contact us if you would like one of our international oďŹƒcers to visit your school or if you need any advice. W: www.bangor.ac.uk/international E: international@bangor.ac.uk
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For further details about country visits please contact the relevant Country Manager.