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Alumni news
We’re always proud to hear what our alumni do – and there’s no doubt that you’re one of the best advertisements for the University. We caught up with just some of our proud graduates to find out how they are progressing. We’d also love to hear from you, too. Why not share your successes with fellow alumni?
Alumna flies in for visit
One of our international graduates enjoyed a whistlestop tour of the Wolverhampton Campus when she flew over from Dubai.
Analisa Mediano, who attained a Masters of Business Administration (distinction) at Westford School of Management in UAE, a partner of the University of Wolverhampton, visited the city in 2016 for a few hours to attend her graduation, but never had chance to look around the University.
So, in December 2019, the alumna, who lives in Sharjah, UAE, and works in government as a compliance executive, flew to Gatwick for a five-day visit to England during which time David Wedge, Alumni Relations Manager, took her on a tour of the campus.
She said: “I did not get a chance to see the entire campus during my graduation in 2016 as I had to fly back to Dubai after the ceremony. In spite of needing to leave soon, I always wished to visit Wolverhampton again.
“The staff were very friendly and helpful and I thought the campus was clean and modern with well-laid-out buildings, offices, lecture halls, and laboratories. I’m so grateful for Mr Wedge’s exceptional hospitality and professionalism. My visit wouldn’t have been possible without his support.”
Poet published debut novel
Former student Rob Francis delved into his Black Country roots for his debut novel, which was published earlier this year.
Rob, who lives in Dudley, completed his PhD in Creative Writing in the School of Humanities and now teaches Creative and Professional Writing at the University.
His debut novel, Bella, published by Wild Pressed Books, was launched officially at the Tilstone Studio in the University’s Arena Theatre. He has written five poetry chapbooks, Transitions (The Black Light Engine Room Press, 2015), Orpheus (Lapwing Publications, 2016), Corvus’ BurntWing Love Balm and Cure-All (The Black Light Engine Room Press, 2018), Lamella, (Original Plus, 2019) and Fieldnotes from a Deep Topography of Dudley (Wild Pressed Books).
Computer Science student wins £5,000 bursary
One of our postgraduate students has won a £5,000 bursary to help him in his Master’s degree research.
Iman Hussain is studying MSc Computer Science and was awarded the bursary from the Richardson Foundation, set up by one of the Black Country’s most famous business families.
“£5,000 is a large amount and I want to make sure I use it for good,” he said. “It breaks down a barrier and gives me access to equipment that could be used to level the playing field.
“Suddenly I have the resources to pursue projects that would otherwise have been shelved, I can dedicate more of my time to helping the people around me through technology.”
His research focuses on the development of smartphone apps: one of the projects he is working on aims to redistribute food that will otherwise go to landfill. “Food waste is a huge issue, with about one-third of food thrown in the bin,” he said. “My idea is to have restaurants access the app and use it to see where their excess food can be distributed.”
His other idea centres on a virtual reality history app that will allow the user to view cities such as Wolverhampton through history.
“It would work in a similar way to Pokemon Go,” he said. “Virtual reality would mean we would find ourselves in Wolverhampton in the 19th century or Birmingham in the 1930s and you could really see how the streets had changed over the years.”
Thanking senior lecturer, Herbert Daly for encouraging him to apply for the bursary, Iman added: “From my undergraduate days, Wolverhampton has given me the support I needed and I really appreciate that. It’s why I wanted to stay here for my postgraduate studies. It’s given me a fantastic platform and I’m really looking forward to carrying on.”
Atif – a face to watch
Atif Ali, who graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Law, has been tipped as someone to watch after being shortlisted for the Greater Birmingham Chambers Future Faces Award, which celebrates the achievements of young professionals.
The development officer, who works in the Inclusive Growth Directorate at Birmingham City Council, said he was proud to be recognised in the public sector and education sector.
“The Future Faces nomination is important and something I am proud to have been shortlisted for, especially so early on in my career,” he said. “It was great to see the work that I have done to date was being recognised and valued by not just the Council that I work for but recognised by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.”
He was also later shortlisted in Birmingham City Council’s Chamberlain Awards in the ‘Rising Star’ category, for showing great attitude, initiative, accountability and responsibility in his role, which determines planning applications.
For the past couple of years, he has worked on the 2022 Commonwealth Games compulsory purchase order (CPO) and Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme, working with residents and businesses in Perry Barr as well as external organisations to ensure that any CPOs are conducted promptly.
Saudi student awarded PhD after online viva
One of our postgraduate students successfully completed his doctorate virtually when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his studies.
Abdulrahman Al-Shabeb, 31, a PhD student from Saudi Arabia, was about to complete his doctorate after working on his thesis when UK lockdown restrictions were imposed in March.
As he returned home, he had to curtail his journey in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he was hosted by the Saudi Embassy and from where he took his via voce via Microsoft Teams.
Abdulrahman said: “I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Ambassador, Turki Aldakhil, for assisting me with my PhD viva. I am so proud to now be a graduate of the University of Wolverhampton.”
Vic’s double awards scoop
2020 went off to a flying start for LLB graduate Vic Younis, who won two legal awards to recognise his work as a disputes resolution solicitor.
Vic, who graduated in 2009 and went on the study part-time on the Legal Practice Course between 2010 and 2012, picked up the Rising Star in Law awards at the British Muslim Awards and the Excellence in Legal Practice (individual category) in the Signature Awards.
A partner at the Wall James Chappell in Stourbridge, whose roots go back to 1830, at just the age of 32, said he was thrilled to have picked up the awards.
“I owe a lot to the University of Wolverhampton,” he says. “I always wanted to go into law and as a local student, it was where I was keen to study.
“It was the foundation to my legal career and I firmly believe that without the expert guidance and teaching provided by the tutors on my LLB and LPC courses I wouldn’t be the solicitor I am today.”
Novelist publishes last novel in his trilogy
A former senior manager for Worcestershire County Council has published the third novel of his semiautobiographical trilogy.
Steve Brotherton, who studied for an MBA at the University between 2004 and 2006, began to write The Shots trilogy about seven years ago.
“The stories have been in my head for most of my life, but started to take shape when I did a 2000-words writing fiction assignment at Keele University, where I was studying for an MA in Creative Writing,” he said.
The first in the series, Another Shot, was published in 2017, while the second, titled An Extra Shot, was published in 2019. The third story, One Last Shot, was published earlier this year.
“The Shots trilogy is based on a first love relationship I had as a teenager,” he said. “It tells the story of Freddie and Jo-Jo, who are reunited in a coffee shop three decades after the end of their teenage romance.
“How they originally met, why they parted, what happens in their lives apart, and what happens when they reunite are all told through a series of first person vignettes. I love the cathartic nature of writing stories; it’s a wonderful release and escape from the real world.”
