University gifted Norman Cornish painting ‘Pit Road, Winter’ to cement family ties Jana Alidon was selected to take part in the first ever exchange programme between the University of Sunderland and Kibi International University (KIU) in Japan. The experience saw Jana living and studying in Japan for almost three months. The main purpose of her visit was to give Sunderland’s Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) students who are interested in teaching in Japan, a chance to study there. A £500 award aided Jana’s travelling and living expenses, from there she was able to carry out English language observations, improve her language competency, the experience supported her personal development and growth, offered her career opportunities, and she was able to act as an ambassador on behalf of the University of Sunderland. KIU focuses on foreign language studies, the courses the students take are mainly English language classes. Jana, 21, from Teesside, said: “The main purpose of studying in Japan was related to my course TESOL, as it offered opportunities of observing how English language lessons are taught in international universities such as KIU. “From this I was able to interact with students by getting involved in activities, assisting the teachers and sometimes explaining certain terms and customs in England.” As a result of these experiences, Jana said: “I have become more independent and gained more confidence in my ability to adjust to a new environment – vital skills to possess in my journey to teaching English abroad.”
Norman Cornish’s evocative painting of two miners striding to work on a cold grey morning is now on permanent display at National Glass Centre, after the celebrated artist’s family donated the painting to the University of Sunderland. ‘Pit Road, Winter’ was donated by Norman Cornish’s family in recognition of his long connection with the University; which includes being awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts in 2012. Norman captured Dean and Chapter Colliery at Ferryhill in ‘Pit Road, Winter’; a road he walked along almost every day for more than 30 years. The painting is dated around 1995, during a time when mining faced an uncertain future.
“My father also had another reason to thank University of Sunderland. In the 1960s he was offered a visiting lectureship at what was then Sunderland College of Art. This appointment helped fund his transition from the mines to a professional art career. “The gift of the ‘Pit Road’ painting reinforces my late father’s relationship with the University of Sunderland. The painting reflects Wearmouth’s strong industrial heritage. Hopefully it will be enjoyed by visitors to the National Glass Centre for many years to come.”
Passing on personal good fortune to the next generation is integral to building a successful and altruistic society, and it can make a real difference to a young person’s future prospects. Legacy gifts are critical and form an integral strand of philanthropic support to the University allowing us to plan for the future with greater security and flexibility.
John Hodgson, long term supporter and lead legacy campaigner of the University, understands personally the life-changing impact financial support can make, and is keen to ensure his gift will go on to further the ambitions of those in need of support. “Sunderland is the city where I was born and spent my childhood. My mother and father died when I was a student and I was left needing to rely on financial grants as my remaining family couldn’t support me to continue my education. “I have not forgotten how important that money was to me. It enabled me to realise my potential, follow a career lasting 30 years, and enjoy a good quality of life. “I am hoping my decision to pledge my legacy to the University of Sunderland will inspire you to follow me. Whatever level of contribution you may choose to make,
Keep in touch For more information on University of Sunderland scholarship programmes go to: www.sunderland.ac.uk/developmenttrust 0191 515 2692 development.office@sunderland.ac.uk
The University of Sunderland Development Trust Development and Alumni Office 5th Floor Edinburgh Building City Campus, Sunderland SR1 3SD
DEVELOPMENTRUST Donor Newsletter Winter 2015
Joseph scores a future in sports journalisM
what will your legacy say about YOU?
janA alidon - japan
“I received helpful advice and support from experienced English teachers. This was an experience that tested my skills and abilities to teach and gradually gain confidence in every lesson I taught. “Moreover it has been challenging, interesting and enjoyable to teach and meet incredible students and staff.”
Norman’s son John Cornish commented: “When my father learned the University were to award him an Honorary Doctorate of Arts it gave him another opportunity to reflect upon his early life. His formal education had ended at the age of 14, when, as one child of seven, he was obliged to leave school and help his parents support their large family. On a dark night on Boxing Day, 1933, he began a new phase of his life working underground as a miner. So, with no college or university education behind him, many years later, the award from the University was affirmation that, despite the most difficult of c i rc u m s t a n ce s , he had fulfilled his potential to learn and had been formally recognised for his achievements in life.
no matter how large or small, know that it will make a huge difference to future generations of Sunderland students and offer life-changing opportunities and facilities.” Jo Dann of the University’s Development Office adds “When the time is right we hope that like John, our supporters consider the University when making their Will. In return, we are committed to managing funds we receive in line with your stated preferences. Pledging a legacy provides essential long term support and we encourage our supporters to share their plans with us in that we can ensure their wishes are fulfilled with thoughtfulness and efficiency”. If you would like to discuss how to make a legacy gift to the University contact the Development Office on 0191 515 3664.
When student Joseph Pearson decided to tackle a career in Sports Journalism, he turned to the Futures Fund for support and found himself on the other side of the globe working for two of New Zealand’s biggest media organisations and covering the Rugby World Cup. With a long held desire to travel, but acutely aware that he would soon be graduating, the 22-year-old was motivated to take action in pursuit of his dream media job and began researching internships abroad. He came across a journalism work placement at The New Zealand Herald in Auckland, through Travellers Worldwide. That’s where an award of £2,500 from the Futures Fund proved a life-changing opportunity for Joseph, from North Yorkshire. “I wanted this placement so badly and remembered a lecture about the Futures Fund in the first few months of my final year, telling students about postgraduate funding schemes the University offers, explained Joseph. “I was thrilled when my application was successful. I would never have been able to even consider my trip to New Zealand without the Futures Fund. I left Sunderland in June and haven’t looked back.
“I knew what I’d come here for but I didn’t know how lucky I would be and found myself learning every little trick of the trade in the newsrooms of New Zealand’s two largest media companies.” Joseph began his eight-week placement with New Zealand Media and Equipment (NZME), working for The New Zealand Herald and within a month of arriving in the country he was covering the All Blacks. As a result of this experience he was able to secure a job immediately at Fairfax Media, working for Stuff.co.nz. He said: “I have been publishing content for print and online every single day on my favourite topic – sport. I’ve been covering the Rugby World Cup in the last few months, working five days a week on a competition this country counts down for every four years. “Stuff even gave me a weekly column for their Sunday paper, which was a page of World Cup funnies, and the editor captioned me as ‘our resident Pom’. “I covered all of the All Blacks’ knockout games – including the final at 5am (NZ time) – where they hammered Australia 3417 to win the World Cup for the third time.” Such was the confidence the Herald had in the Sports Journalism graduate that they
trusted him to attend an All Blacks press conference on his own and he soon found himself interviewing the heroes of the team - Dan Carter, Sonny Bill Williams, Charles Piutau and Luke Romano. “Now I’ve spent four to five months working in a professional environment on the other side of the world and I can return to the UK with a wealth of experience and contacts I could not have possibly found so quickly back home,” said Joseph. “I have been living the dream. Every little experience has taught me so much and with the fast paced nature of journalism, I have been learning fast. “The Futures Fund has helped provide me with my opportunities in New Zealand which will set me up for my career as a sports journalist in the near future.”
trainee teachers
Message from the Vice-chancellor We know how important it is for our students and graduates to get the optimum support in order to achieve their career aspirations, especially now in such a competitive jobs market. That is why we offer them a range of added value opportunities. One of the most impactful, as you will see throughout this newsletter, is the Futures Fund. The experience, support and opportunities that the Futures Fund offers has made such a difference to the lives of countless graduates These life-changing experiences the fund’s recipients have enjoyed are down
to the generous contributions of our donors. Without your help such support would not be possible, and for that we are all extremely grateful indeed. This year we have seen the most applications to the Futures Fund since it was established, which is wonderful as we are able to help more students and graduates. To sustain this level of support, however, we naturally need to replenish the fund. That is why in November this year we launched a new annual giving campaign, with the aim of raising £250,000 per annum.
make the grade across the globe with futures Fund
Achieving this target will help so many more graduates fulfil their career and life ambitions. Once again, thank you indeed for all your support. May I also take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas and best wishes for new year!
For more than 100 years the University of Sunderland has become renowned for its teacher education in all sectors, developing a wide portfolio of provision. Our Department of Education promotes excellence in all aspects of education through study, research and practice, producing skilled and competent practitioners.
Kind Regards Shirley Atkinson, Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive
Futures Fund injects success into graduate’s scientific research Attending his first ever conference in the US with support from the Futures Fund, ‘dramatically’ inspired Sunderland scientist Joseph French and fired his confidence and imagination into new areas of research. Two years ago, the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences graduate successfully applied for £2,500 award which funded his five-day trip to attend the 19th annual international conference on DNA computing and molecular programming in Arizona. As a result of the confidence he gained, the global connections he made in the scientific community, and the ideas he developed in his areas of research interest - computing and biology, at the conference, Joseph was inspired to develop his own research, creating a DNA based drug delivery nanomachine, as part of a Masters degree in Leeds, immediately after he returned from the trip.
He wanted to create a nanomachine that incorporated major aspects of DNA computing, the performing of computations using biological molecules, rather than traditional silicon chips. Although “ambitious” admits Joseph, his objective was to cure cancer with an entirely DNA based system that would detect a certain molecule and release its cargo. The 24 year-old from Teesside said: “While it is difficult to judge the weight of each experience within a career, I believe that attending this conference had a dramatic affect on my scientific career. My approach to scientific problems improved with the larger familiarity of techniques in use today. “Additionally my ability to conceive and produce novel ideas greatly improved with my exposure to current research and techniques in the field.
“I have gained a great deal of confidence as a scientist both within a conference and in the lab. This entire trip was one of the most prominent and enjoyable experiences in my scientific life.” Joseph is now about to start a PhD at Durham University under the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Soft matter and Functional Interfaces Scheme. He said: “While this focuses more on nanoscopic interactions rather than smart machines, my previous experience will no doubt have an effect on my approach to problems. I still fully intend to continue onwards afterwards into a research role in Academia producing biologically compatible nanomachines.” He added: “Ultimately the results of being awarded the Futures Fund scholarship had a dramatic impact on my professional career immensely and I would like to thank the people at the University of Sunderland who made this opportunity possible.”
lauren coyne reece - denmark
The Futures Fund in the last 10 years has made a significant contribution towards helping many of those student teachers develop their professional skills through a variety of experiences and making an impact, not just at home, but in all corners of the globe, and inspiring generations of pupils.
Four Primary Education students completed a week-long placement this summer at the Montessori International Preschool in Denmark thanks to £500 from the Futures Fund. Lauren Coyne Reece was one of the students who visited the Danish School. Montessori is a forest preschool for children aged three to six-years-old, which encourages pupils to do outdoor learning to improve their education. The aim of the placement was to explore different pedagogies in different cultures and help Sunderland students gain as much experience as possible in order to enhance their teaching practice. Lauren, age 20 from Jarrow said, “I was able to observe some of the teachings of the Montessori method and it really opened my mind about teaching and compare it to the way we teach here in the UK. The preschool had no toys but a lot of activities distributed in different areas such as the creative area, the literacy area, mathematics and sensory area.” Lauren noticed that reading and writing was not forced upon the children but they independently chose to work in those areas because of their enjoyment of reading and writing. “This is something I would like to try and encourage when it comes to teaching my own class, and also an area I would like to research when it comes to completing my dissertation in my final year.” Lauren says that it’s thanks to the Future Fund that enabled her to learn invaluable skills for her role as a teacher. She added: “The Futures Fund enabled me to take advantage of this experience which has helped to develop my professional role as a teacher.”
“As a result of this experience, I have now decided that at some point in the future I would like to work in an international school in Asia, and without the funding support I would never have been given these life-changing opportunities. Most importantly we wouldn’t have been Natalie Graham and Marycatherine able to make even just a small impact.” Spence - Thailand and Singapore Natalie Small changes in a short time made a huge impact on a group of children’s education when two Sunderland teaching students arrived at their school in rural Thailand determined to make a difference. Natalie Graham and Marycatherine Spence, who are both training to be primary school teachers, travelled to Asia to take part in a voluntary English Teaching programme through the company Original Volunteers, after being granted £500 each for the trip through Futures Fund. Natalie said: “This experience has taught us so much about how to go about teaching our somewhat complex language to children who know very little of it.” The school the students taught in was based in rural Thailand, in Takupa, where the pair both quickly became familiar with the cultures and customs of the Thai people. They learned to communicate through actions as well as language, as both pupils’ and teachers’ levels of English were so basic. Natalie explained: “The Thai children were very used to didactic teaching, whereby they had very little interaction with their teacher, and as English Volunteers, we aimed to bring the fun back into the classroom, as well as an enthusiasm for learning our complex language. We did this by allowing the children to move around the classroom and involve themselves fully.”
Thanks to their Futures Funding, the pair were able to buy a full set of whiteboards, pens and magnets for the school, as well as alphabet letters and chalk for the playground. Natalie explained: “It was clear to us how much the children appreciated this and the use of whiteboards in our lessons brought their learning to life.” She added: “Throughout my time teaching in Thailand, I was able to reflect on how lucky I am to have been given this one-ina-lifetime opportunity, and it is with great thanks to the Futures Fund that myself and Marycatherine were able to embark on such a journey.” In addition to teaching in Thailand, the students were also able to visit a British International School in Singapore, and given a tour of the school of 2,700 pupils.