Impact 2018 by University of Westminster alumni

IMPACT ISSUE No2 2018

YOUR SUPPORT IN ACTION

The 125 Fund Transforming Muhtasim Mojnuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future REGENT STREET CINEMA

Combatting loneliness in the community

WESTMINSTER WORKING C U LT U R E S Mixing business and Bollywood in Mumbai

IMPACT | Introduction

Welcome

elcome to this latest issue of Impact – and a very personal welcome from me. Having just started as Vice-Chancellor and President of this tremendous institution, it gives me great pleasure that one of my first official addresses is to you, our highly valued alumni and supporters of the University. You will know better than me just what is so special about Westminster and what it is that makes us stand out from the crowd. We are incredibly proud of our talented students, and of what they go on to achieve after graduation – and we are delighted you too have chosen to support them to reach their full potential. From our very earliest days as the Royal Polytechnic Institution we have opened our doors to provide educational opportunities to people regardless of their background and supported them on their journey to develop their skills, knowledge and expertise. This passion and commitment to widening access and opportunity is something we are proud to have championed, long before it became a requirement for the rest of the sector.

W E S T M I N S T E R

258 584 £218,000 from generous donors has been awarded to 258 students through The 125 Fund to date

I N

The fact that so many of you continue to give your time, your expertise and your generosity to help the next generation of students succeed in your footsteps is another mark of what makes us so distinctive. Our students go on to make important changes – in their own lives, with their communities and across the wider society at large: your giving back to Westminster is part of that community of giving and transformation and it’s a community I am honoured to be part of and lead. This magazine is for you, our alumni and supporters, who are going above and beyond to create life-changing opportunities for our current students. I hope you find the stories in this issue of Impact exciting, inspiring and illustrative of the changes, great and small, that you are supporting at every level. I look forward to meeting you in the future as we continue to enhance the opportunities available to our current students. Thank you for your ongoing support. Dr Peter Bonfield OBE FREng Vice-Chancellor and President

N U M B E R S

584 students and young graduates were supported through the University’s Mentoring Scheme in the past year. Over 700 alumni and friends have provided valuable professional advice, developed confidence skills and enhanced job prospects for our students

20,000 Westminster is home to over 20,000 students of more than 169 different nationalities. We have been named as the most diverse university in the UK by the Hotcourses Diversity Index

Contents | IMPACT

Contents 4

Building the future

The inspiring story of one recipient of The 125 Fund and how he is now on the way to achieving his ambitions

IMPACT MAGAZINE

Mixing business with Bollywood

Issue No2 2018

Alumnus Joyanto Mukherjee gives us a glimpse into the fast-paced, cosmopolitan city of Mumbai, just one of the destinations of our Westminster Working Cultures trips

The fight against loneliness with Matinee Classics

One step at a time

Meet my mentor

One mentoring pair gives us an insight into the success of their partnership

Because we care

How we are supporting our students who have left care or are estranged from their families

A history of giving

A look back at the ways philanthropy has transformed the University

My life and legacy

Alumnus and environmentalist Nigel Winser on why he is leaving a legacy for future generations of students at Westminster

Editor Heather Ridal Contributors Development and Alumni Relations team Thanks to all staff, students and supporters who have contributed to this issue. Development and Alumni Relations Office University of Westminster, Cavendish House, 101 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6XH T: +44 (0)20 3506 6245 E: development@westminster.ac.uk A charity and a company limited by guarantee. Registration number: 977818. Registered office: 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2HW 8555/05.18/MS/GP

180,000

Our global professional network includes 180,000 alumni from over 180 countries. Our wellknown alumni include: Vivienne Westwood (fashion designer), Nick Mason, Richard Wright, Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones), and Julian Metcalfe and Sinclair Beecham (Pret a Manger)

The number of cities in which students can take part in the philanthropically-funded Westminster Working Cultures programme: Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Washington DC and London

Building the future | IMPACT

Building the future When Muhtasim was growing up he didn’t have anywhere that he could call home. He spent hours designing his dream house in the hope of a better future for him and his family. Now an aspiring architect, his ambition is to make revolutionary, climate-responsive buildings for people to live and work in. The 125 Fund has helped him on the way to achieving his ambitions.

orn in Bangladesh and brought to the UK a few months later, Muhtasim’s earliest memories are of moving from house to house to stay with different relatives while his father worked long hours to give the family a better future. It wasn’t until he was seven that they finally moved into their own home. “My dad was really struggling financially,” explains Muhtasim in the atrium of the Marylebone campus where he now studies. “We had bailiffs knocking at the door every morning; I would be terrified to go to school.

“And there were other issues with the house. We were doing an extension and my father had a friend who was a builder who said he could do it cheaply, but he went to Bangladesh and took all of the money my father gave him and didn’t come back. So we were stuck with a broken-down house for about five years. There were gaps in the windows; it was all a bit of a nightmare.” For most people, this would have been enough to put them off buildings for life, but for Muhtasim this was the catalyst that set him on his journey to becoming an architect. It instilled in him a sense of responsibility towards his

family and home, and the motivation to make things better. When he was in Year 11, his dad finally got the money to fix the extension, and Muhtasim saw this as his opportunity to help fix all of the problems with the house. “I was a creative person; I loved maths, I loved design. I would draw designs of the extension for my dad to show what we could do with it, how we could change it, and tell him, ‘We could have it like this.’ And my dad actually did a kitchen arrangement of one of my designs. So that was my first ever project!

IMPACT | Building the future

“I used to think it was a builder’s job to design a house, until one day I asked my tutor what an architect was. When she explained it to me, I felt that was my calling card. I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do. It was like a door opened for me.” Muhtasim applied to study Architecture at the University of Westminster, impressed by the cutting-edge resources available to students, and feeling immediately at home in the relaxed atmosphere of the campus. He found the course challenging and compelling, and the projects demanded that he think creatively and critically. It was when Muhtasim and his classmates had the opportunity to present their second-year projects to a guest critic, James Romero from Imperial College London, that he heard about The 125 Fund. A small group of students, including Muhtasim, were selected to exhibit at Imperial Festival – a high-profile celebration of research in science, engineering, health and business that attracts over 20,000 visitors each year. However, money was a barrier to taking part. They badly needed funds to improve their models and transport them to the festival in South Kensington. Determined not to miss out on the opportunity, Muhtasim decided to apply to The 125 Fund with his classmates. “We wanted to go for it as we thought it would be a great opportunity to develop our CVs, exhibit our work and put ourselves out there,” says Muhtasim. “But we didn’t have any funding to support us, so we applied for The 125 Fund as a group and we got it. I was pretty excited! It was like getting a gift from someone that you don’t expect. “The projects were all exciting, different and scientific. Our architectural projects explored a wealth of issues from the impact of flooding to the effects of the light spectrum on health and wellbeing. So we thought they would be the perfect match for the Imperial Festival.” With The 125 Fund grant, the students were able to build a striking exhibition stand complete with spotlights, produce their own catalogue, print business cards

I RECENTLY HAD AN INTERVIEW AT AN ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE AND THEY WERE IMPRESSED THAT I HAD BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE MY TIME IN MY SECOND SEMESTER WHILE DOING THE 125 FUND PROJECT and hire a van to take their models to the exhibition in South Kensington. This enabled Muhtasim and the group to learn valuable skills, such as working in a team, managing a budget, and explaining their designs to members of the public – all highly sought after by architectural practices. Muhtasim now

feels fully prepared for professional working life and the experience has helped to give him the edge in the competitive graduate job market. “I recently had an interview at an architectural practice and they were impressed that I had been able to manage my time in my second

Building the future | IMPACT

ONES TO WATCH Now in its second year, The 125 Fund has seen even more young people applying for grants. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends of the University, here are just a few of the students whose dreams have come true.

SATYA SHEKHAR

Accounting BSc, 2019 “I am very thankful to The 125 Fund for giving me a grant to go to New York for a United Nations conference this year. Not only am I going to learn about how the United Nations works, but I will also practice leadership and organisational skills. I am very grateful to the donors of The 125 Fund.”

MARTINA IVKOVIC

Business Management BA, 2018 “We take old vintage denim jackets, sterilise them and then use handcrafting techniques to remake them and sell them as green luxury projects. A massive, massive thank you to the donors of The 125 Fund. It’s so important to give back once you have succeeded.”

MARISTELA PAULO

semester while doing The 125 Fund project. It looks good on your CV. In terms of employability it makes you stand out.” With a little help from the University of Westminster and The 125 Fund, Muhtasim is well on his way to becoming a successful architect. From his first project designing the kitchen of his family home to his recent work experience with Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners – most famous for designing iconic London landmark “the Cheese Grater” – Muhtasim now has big ambitions for the future. “I’m interested in kinetic architecture; the fact that it’s modern and futuristic. These are buildings that are able to reform and reshape in reaction to the environment. That’s the future.

“To fix my past, I need to become an architect. So if I can’t find a firm, I will just have to create my own!” The 125 Fund awards grants to students for ambitious projects that help them to reach their full potential. This year £140,000 of funding was awarded to 168 students. However, we had 906 applications requesting just short of £1 million. Support The 125 Fund today and the Quintin Hogg Trust will match your gift pound for pound, ensuring we can support even more students like Muhtasim next year. westminster.ac.uk/the-125-fund

Law LLB, 2018 “I am creating a website called Law For All that connects law students with charities to help vulnerable people in their communities. Without the funding I wouldn’t be able to build the website and ensure there is proper data protection. I would like to thank the donors very much; I am sure that together we are going to help lots of people in need.”

JORDAN ROBERTSON

Marketing Management BA, 2018 “Mobifit is an app that provides personal trainers at any location and at any time. We wouldn’t have been able to do this project without The 125 Fund. The funding enabled us to launch our business and helped us with our personal and professional development, so thank you, we are very grateful.”

IMPACT | One step at a time

One step at a time

The Regent Street Cinema’s Matinee Classics programme for the over-55s is a community engagement project supported by numerous University of Westminster donors. Now in its third year, Matinee Classics isn’t just a film screening, it’s a regular community event that provides local residents with a vital opportunity to socialise in an effort to combat the ever increasing issue of loneliness in our society.

here is a buzz in and around the foyer of the Regent Street Cinema as the audience arrives on a cold February afternoon for a special screening of Finding Your Feet, a romantic comedy-drama directed by Richard Loncraine and adapted from an original screenplay by Nick Moorcroft and Meg Leonard. Two of the film’s stars, Imelda Staunton and Joanna Lumley, are due to arrive at any moment and the excitement is palpable. This audience of over-55s, mainly Westminster alumni, are looking forward not only to the film but also to an intimate Q&A session with the stars. This special screening, co-ordinated by the University’s Alumni Team and the Sir Simon Milton Foundation, is part of the Silver Sunday programme aimed at tackling loneliness and isolation among the elderly. The good news for the audience is that they can come back every week. This special event is just an added extra to the Matinee Classics programme run by the Regent Street Cinema for the over-55s. Every Wednesday, an old favourite is brought back to the screen. Films have included Casablanca, Blithe Spirit, Vertigo and The Big Sleep. The Matinee Classics programme doesn’t just show a film however. Starting with a theatre organ performance on the original 1936 Compton Theatre Pipe Organ by an organist provided by the

Theatre Organ Club, the film is followed by refreshments, a tea dance including free dance classes and most importantly, a much-needed opportunity for attendees to socialise. Upon meeting Joanna Lumley it is immediately evident that she is extremely passionate about the subject of loneliness. Talking about the Matinee Classics programme, she smiles broadly: “Tea dances are the thing to do, at any age! I think that’s a fabulous idea, I’m right behind it! I’ll bring my dancing shoes.” Joanna is just one champion among many whose goal is to halt the loneliness epidemic that appears to be gathering speed and severity. On 17 January 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Tracey Crouch to the head of a group that aims to tackle the problem – a so-called ‘Minister for Loneliness’. This act is a result of mounting evidence from numerous research studies carried out on the subject. Scientists are now recognising it as a serious public health issue. The HoltLunstad study in 2015 found that loneliness increases the likelihood of early mortality by 26% and is comparable to other high risk factors such as obesity and cigarette smoking. Other studies have concluded that loneliness increases the risk of cognitive decline and clinical dementia. The Compassionate Frome project,

launched in 2013 by GP Helen Kingston with the help of NHS group Health Connections Mendip and the town council, set up a directory of agencies and community groups to combat the problem in their area offering a variety of community support and activities to residents. Their provisional data, currently awaiting peer review, shows a fall in hospital admissions by 17% with The Guardian reporting the results, if they stand up, to be “one of the most dramatic medical breakthroughs of recent decades”.

One step at a time | IMPACT

Above: Actress Joanna Lumley (left) and The Lady Flight of the Sir Simon Milton Foundation, at the Finding Your Feet screening at Regent Street Cinema. Below: Matinee Classics guests enjoy a tea dance.

the loss of friends and relatives, the break-up of the family unit as well as the problems that come with reduced mobility and a smaller disposable income. Matinee Classics is set up to combat these factors. Priced at just £1.75 per ticket, it is affordable, close to transport links and most importantly gives attendees the opportunity to socialise in the beautiful surroundings of this refurbished 1920s theatre. The dance classes are no less important in helping to increase mobility as well as inducing a sense of youthfulness and fun. It is the highlight of the week for many and all 187 seats are usually filled. It has proved so popular that the programme is now being extended to two screenings every week. All the recent research merely backs up what is evident from speaking to everyone involved in the programme from the Box Office Assistant to the members themselves. All are committed to the event and recognise its extraordinary physical and mental health benefits. Attendees describe it as “pleasurable”, “a life-saver”, “uplifting”, “the best medicine”, a regular outing that “makes the world of difference”. The testimonies are many and heartwarming. This regular and large audience is appreciative and hugely grateful to be able to attend. Isolation has diminished, friendships and support networks have been made and regular attendees have had their creativity re-energised.

The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness is working with other organisations to shine a spotlight on the problem. The Campaign to End Loneliness, an international network of university academics and practitioners, are occupied in trying to increase the evidence base on the issue of loneliness specifically in older age. The Red Cross, Sense, Action for Children, Carers UK, Age UK and the Alzheimer’s Society, among others, have all published studies on loneliness. One such study by The Co-op and the British

Red Cross revealed that over 9 million people in the UK – more than the population of London – are either ‘always or often lonely’. Westminster residents are no exception. According to a report on ‘Social Needs in Westminster’ conducted by New Philanthropy Capital, Westminster has one of the highest proportions of older people living alone – one in two compared to one in four nationally. Loneliness in the elderly population is often linked to social isolation caused by

We would like to thank the following for their support in making this possible and improving the lives of so many Westminster residents. Open Age Age UK Opening Doors London Terrence Higgins Trust The Theatre Organ Club Westminster Foundation The Hobson Charity The Michael Marks Charitable Trust Hyde Park Place Estate Charity Westminster City Council Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation

Meet my mentor

This year over 450 students and young graduates were matched with mentors – the vast majority of them University of Westminster alumni – to guide them on their way to fulfilling careers. One of these students, Bowen, was offered the job of her dreams – a graduate placement at HSBC – with the help and support of her mentor Ben. We met Ben and Bowen to find out what makes a successful mentoring relationship.

IMPACT | Meet my mentor

hen Ben was approaching graduation in 2012, after three years of studying a BA in Journalism at the University of Westminster, he had no idea what he wanted to do. “I never really wanted to be a journalist,” Ben explained. “I studied journalism because it covered a large spectrum of subjects. While I was studying I got more into social psychology and thought I might want to go into advertising. So I was a bit lost. I didn’t really know how to apply for jobs and the advertising industry is really, really competitive. So I think I would have benefited from a mentor telling me where to focus my efforts.”

BEN’S CONFIDENCE IN ME BOOSTED MY CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF

It was this experience of lacking direction and guidance at a crucial point in his career that motivated Ben to become a mentor. Now happy in his profession as a Digital Consultant for a global technology and consulting service, Ben felt it was time to pass on his hard-won experience to a student in that make-or-break moment before they graduate. “I wanted the opportunity to be a mentor for others who are graduating, so I could help with their career: for example, how to deal with interviews. I wanted to pay it forward. I just wanted to help someone because I know how difficult it is.” Ben joined the mentoring scheme at the University of Westminster, a programme that connects students and recent graduates with professionals who can provide them with support, coaching and industry insights to help them on the way to their chosen career path. He was matched with Bowen, a Masters student from China studying Digital Interactive Storytelling, who joined the scheme to ensure that she made the best out of her time at Westminster. Ben’s expertise matched Bowen’s ambitions perfectly. As Bowen says, “I was quite clear about what it was that I was trying to get into. I wanted to use digital and creative tools to solve digital problems, so I was aiming to become something like a digital consultant.” It might seem like fate but behind the scenes, the Mentoring Team at the University puts a huge amount of time and effort into matching mentors and mentees as precisely as they can to ensure that both parties get the most from the programme. So when Bowen was invited to an assessment centre for a much-coveted graduate job at HSBC, Ben was able to exploit the lessons that he had learnt the hard way when trying to land his first job after graduation, and ensure that Bowen was fully prepared. “Before the assessment centre we met up and discussed how to react to certain questions and when to use examples,” says Ben. “Also I know

that in graduate schemes they often throw you a curveball question to put you on the spot, like asking you to stand up and say an interesting fact about yourself in front of 30 people you have never met before. So we spent a good hour and a half going through questions and finessing how to answer them. “We also talked about how to act confidently and come across well, as Bowen is confident, but she was also quite nervous.” The assessment centre itself was a long, gruelling day for Bowen. A group exercise was followed by several individual assessments on the technical aspects of the role, before a final individual interview that lasted for an hour. But with Ben’s coaching she

I JUST WANTED TO HELP SOMEONE BECAUSE I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS

Meet my mentor | IMPACT

COULD YOU BE A MENTOR? excelled and was offered a place on the scheme – a dream for many graduates. “I was really shocked,” laughs Bowen. “I never saw myself getting a job in banking. When I got the call it was nearly 11pm in China but I had to call my family! And then I called Ben. I stayed up until 5am the following morning because I just couldn’t sleep!” For Ben, this was an incredibly gratifying experience. “When Bowen got the job I was so happy. Obviously Bowen did all of the hard work, but I was able to help her. I didn’t realise how much I had learnt about interviews until I was passing all of my knowledge on.”

Now that Bowen has been offered the place, the mentoring has started to focus on tips and tricks for the job ahead, such as networking and advice about the digital industry, as well as working culture in the UK. Bowen explains, “For an international student, you don’t really know what is going to happen in a British workplace so having a mentor provides guidance. If there is something that you don’t know then there is always someone that you can ask questions to. “I was quite nervous as a foreigner – this is the first time I have been to the UK – but Ben’s confidence in me boosted my confidence in myself.”

Do you have five or more years of experience in a graduate level role? Can you commit to at least five hours over six months? Would you like to develop your coaching skills? Then we would like to hear from you. Email alumni@westminster.ac.uk So what words of advice would Ben have for anyone considering becoming a mentor? “I would definitely recommend becoming a mentor. It really helps you to reflect a lot on yourself. Some of the questions that Bowen asked I thought, ‘That’s a good question; I should ask myself that.’ It helps you to be more confident in your own career because it makes you realise how much you know. You can shock yourself!”

IMPACT | Because we care

Because we care Just 6% of care leavers go on to university. This is how Westminster is making higher education a reality for students who have left the care system or who are estranged from their families.

eaving the security of the family home or the familiarity of school is a daunting time for any new student. The financial commitments of a university education are also well documented, with most degrees now costing £27,750 and students in England leaving with an average debt of £32,220. But those who have been through local authority care – including public care, foster care, semi-independent living, or residential care – or have become estranged from their families, often face even greater financial and emotional pressures. And it is easy for these groups to fall through the gaps in the education system. While 43% of young people in the general population go on to university, just 6% of care leavers do – and according to the OFFA (Office for Fair Access) they are the most underrepresented group in higher education. This is not helped by the evidence that these students need to provide in order to receive the higher maintenance loan. While care leavers will have to go through a complicated process of obtaining and submitting documentation on their circumstances, for estranged students it can be very difficult to prove their independent status. After witnessing these complex issues first hand, Anne McGrath – the Student Adviser for Care Leavers and Estranged Students at the University of Westminster – recognised that there was a need for extra financial and pastoral support for both care leavers and estranged students at the University. Anne explains, “We have 90 care leavers at the University at the moment, and 42 estranged students who have come forward – we will have more that we have not yet been able to identify. And finance is a huge problem.

“These students often have to work more to make up for lack of parental income and cover their basic needs. This can have a huge knock-on effect on their student experience, with work hours preventing them from interacting socially and joining in with the student community. “Working long hours to pay for accommodation, food, transport and course materials inevitably reduces the time that a student can spend on their studies and it can take longer for care leavers and estranged students to complete their courses. Retention is also an issue, with a greater risk of students leaving university if they don’t receive the support they need. Fear of debt is a huge concern.” In the spirit of the University’s long history of promoting education for all, we now work in collaboration with two foundations to offer a unique package of support to ensure that talented students are able to meet their full potential. In 2017, we teamed up with the Unite Foundation – a charity which believes that every young person should have the opportunity to succeed whatever their background – to offer scholarships for three years of accommodation in Unite Students properties. This removes a huge financial burden from care leavers and estranged students, and gives these young people the freedom to focus on their studies and the university experience. Andre, a current student at the University of Westminster and a Unite Foundation scholar, told us: “I don’t have words to say how much the Unite Foundation scholarship means to me. I was so worried about accommodation. I didn’t know where I was going to live. I was on a train when I got the email and I couldn’t believe it! It gave me comfort and peace; the ability to start dreaming. “Having my accommodation paid for has given me time. Without it I would

Because we care | IMPACT

have had to work really hard to pay the rent as living in London is so expensive. Instead I’ve applied to be a guide for new students in September under the University’s FANS (Friends of Arriving New Students) programme.” Hand in hand with this, Sir John Cass’s Foundation has donated a generous grant of £30,000 over a three-year-period to the University so that we can provide completion bursaries to care leavers at the end of their studies; a time that can be particularly fraught. Emma Hale, Grants Manager at Sir John Cass’s Foundation, explains: “The Foundation is excited to collaborate with the University of Westminster on bursaries for care leavers and estranged students because it is a unique model with huge potential to impact on the young people it aims to support. “The proactive support team at the University of Westminster identified a transition time for students around finals and graduation that has previously not been supported. We hope these bursaries will offset the pressure care leavers and estranged students face to increase their paid work during a critical point in their studies. The bursaries can help to pay for their graduation ceremonies, new outfits for interviews and accommodation after their final exams when they will lose their supported accommodation.” Westminster is the first university to collaborate with Sir John Cass’s Foundation in providing the completion bursaries, and the Foundation is hopeful that there is potential for the learning to be shared with other higher education institutions and that eventually the scheme may be rolled out in more universities. If so, the University of Westminster will be proud to be continuing our history of pioneering opportunities for all people to reach their full potential. To find out more about our provision for care leavers and estranged students, and how you can support their journey at the University, please contact development@westminster.ac.uk

IMPACT | Mixing business with Bollywood

Mixing business with Bollywood In December, 14 of our students had the opportunity to travel to Mumbai to experience its fascinating work-life and culture. Joyanto Mukherjee (International, Social and Political Studies MA, 2008) was one of several alumni ‘hosts’ who gave our students an insight into this complex, chaotic and cosmopolitan city like no other.

peed. That is the first word that comes to mind when I describe Mumbai. We’re a fast, chaotic city. What other city can give you a traffic jam at 2am in the morning? It doesn’t sleep.” Mumbai is, as Joyanto puts it, “a city where worlds collide”. It is also a destination which, thanks to generous support from the Quintin Hogg Trust and our alumni in India, has now been opened to our students as part of the Westminster Working Cultures programme. This project gives groups of students the life-changing opportunity to travel to some of the world’s most extraordinary cities to experience their work-life and culture. Joyanto is one of our many alumni volunteers to be supporting the Mumbai programme. He is a true ‘Mumbaikar’ having lived in the city almost all his life, and therefore the perfect person to introduce our students to the major industries and cultural nuances which define the city. “There are so many parallel worlds within Mumbai. Take housing for instance. We have the most expensive

real estate in the world, yet this seems hardly possible when you also have entire families living in slums amongst the posh apartments.” For our students taking part in Westminster Working Cultures, this environment couldn’t be more at odds with life in the UK, especially studying in London. “I wanted the students to understand why there are such extremes in Mumbai”, explains Joyanto. “Millions of people come to the city each year to make a living for themselves and their families. If you can afford a house in Mumbai, then the next six generations of your family are set up for life. As such, there is huge demand for real estate; but with low supply, the costs are enormous. Even the slums are expensive. “Understandably, the students were questioning how these extremes are possible, and I was honoured to be able to educate them on our city, and to broaden their knowledge of the socio-economic politics which underpin Mumbai’s identity.” Of course, another aspect that is synonymous with Mumbai is Bollywood.

IMPACT | Mixing business with Bollywood

AND NOT FORGETTING LONDON Closer to home, a programme has been developed in London thanks to the generous support of Santander Universities. Westminster Working Cultures London is giving 30 students the chance to undertake a series of work insight days across a variety of top London employers, including Accenture and Cancer Research UK, as well as a visit to Santander. The programme is designed to specifically support students from less advantaged backgrounds, in order to help them grow their own networks, build confidence and gain an invaluable awareness of the huge range of career opportunities that London has to offer, both whilst studying and after graduation. The students taking part have an alumni mentor throughout the programme who helps them to get the best out of the insight days. Upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive a £500 bursary, made possible by Santander Universities.

As part of the December trip, our students were treated to a private film screening with alumnus and film director, Rikhil Bahadur (Directing: Film and TV MA, 2011), who helped our students get to grips with the importance of Bollywood to Mumbai. Joyanto was also able to explain: “Bollywood is a huge deal for Mumbai. It provides a massive employment opportunity for so many people: from make-up artists to security staff; from caterers to lighting technicians. And of course, there are the actors, drawn in by the lure of Bollywood glamour. “We sometimes call Mumbai the city of dreams. Lots of people come to Mumbai to get a lucky break. This is partly what brings millions in and what drives the economy.” Joyanto, who came to London in 2007 to study for his Masters at Westminster, draws his own parallels between work life in London and Mumbai: “When I studied in the UK, I began to understand the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to work. When I think of work life in India, it is not uncommon to work long hours, six or seven days a week. More emphasis is placed on the hours you put in, rather than the quality of that work. In the UK, I found it to be the opposite.”

It is this notion of ‘quality’ which underpins Joyanto’s business, Tutored and Trained – India’s first academic auditing firm: “I thought, why can’t we audit schools in terms of their performance – looking closer at the quality of teaching and the student experience for instance – and not on their financial status? I want to give students in India the same quality of experience that I had at Westminster.” Perhaps this is why Joyanto, who is also the University’s Alumni Ambassador for Mumbai, remains so committed to supporting students at Westminster today. As he puts it: “I, like many of my alumni peers in India, had a great time at the University, so when we are asked to help, we stand up. “I personally enjoyed welcoming Westminster students to a world they would otherwise not see. India is misunderstood still – there are some people who think we are a nation of

Mixing business with Bollywood | IMPACT

Previous page and far left: University of Westminster students in the heart of Mumbai. Right: Students, alumni and staff at the December 2017 Mumbai Alumni Reception.

I THINK THE UK HAS A LOT TO LEARN FROM INDIA IN TERMS OF ITS MOTIVATED, ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH TO WORK snake charmers! I was proud to educate students about our cultural landscape and industries, and to introduce them to a city that is anything but ‘vanilla’.” And what about the student perspective in all of this? Zhino Zargari, a final year student studying for his LLB, was one of the 14 students selected to take part in the trip. Zhino was struck by the entrepreneurial spirit of Mumbai: “One of the alumni we met on the programme introduced us to the concept of ‘jugaad’. A Hindi term which doesn’t directly translate to English, but roughly means to find efficient, quick solutions to

solving problems. This idea of jumping at opportunities to create a business really struck me. The working culture is so driven and motivated in India. “When I came back from Mumbai, I was motivated to ‘get my jugaad on’. I created a LinkedIn profile, I started applying for jobs. I am also still in touch with Joyanto. He inspired me so much – to me, he seems to embody the concept of jugaad: he has spotted a way to improve the education system in India and is throwing all his energy into Tutored and Trained. I think the UK has a lot to learn from India in terms of its motivated, entrepreneurial approach to work.”

Thelsa-Jana (TJ) Bouchada, who is studying for a BA in Marketing Management, agrees. Speaking of the group’s visit to the Dharavi Slums, she said: “I was struck by the level of selfsufficiency. Everyone had a job. There were small businesses, bakers and shops selling all sorts of items. It seemed to be a city where you either make it or break it in employment. “I was fascinated by Mumbai’s economy. I kept asking the alumni who I met: ‘Do you think India’s economy is sustainable given its growth?’.” TJ wasn’t met with a simple answer; perhaps unsurprising for a city characterised by its contrasts: “This question did make for interesting conversation with the alumni though! I learnt so much about all the political and socio-economic complexities that make Mumbai all the more fascinating.” Reflecting on her time in Mumbai, TJ said: “This was my first time abroad on a long-haul trip. I never would have had the confidence to travel so far away before, but now it’s all changed! I will graduate this summer and am planning on working abroad after my studies. I’ve got my eye on Australia, but if that doesn’t work out, I will happily work and live in Mumbai. I never would have had these aspirations for myself before; the Westminster Working Cultures programme has opened up new possibilities for me.” Westminster Working Cultures provides students with the opportunity to experience the professional environment and culture in cities across the globe. Trips currently run to Mumbai and Hong Kong, with the programme soon expanding to Shanghai and Washington DC. Thank you to all of our alumni and donors who are supporting the programme, either financially, or through volunteering time to host the students on the trips. If you are based, or have professional contacts, in any of these cities, please contact: alumni@westminster.ac.uk

IMPACT | A history of giving

A history of giving

1864

The University of Westminster has come a long way since its inception as The Polytechnic Institution in 1838. Without the generosity of our donors, the University of Westminster would not be the institution of academic excellence and cultural engagement that it is today. Here, we look back at some of the many ways that philanthropy has helped to transform and grow the University.

1999

Opening of the Polyclinic The University of Westminster’s Polyclinic was opened by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, on 14 May 1999, with the aim of providing low-cost treatments in acupuncture, herbal medicine and other complementary therapies. The Polyclinic has benefitted from numerous philanthropic donations to support projects since its opening, including research into complementary medicine and the creation of the farm at Highgrove, where endangered herbs are grown.

2002

Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship established In 2002, the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship was established with the aim of fully funding a student from a developing country to study a full-time undergraduate degree at the University, including not only tuition fees but accommodation, living expenses and flights. The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is still running today, offering a wonderful opportunity to study in London to an international student who demonstrates academic excellence and financial need.

Quintin Hogg opens York Place Ragged School and Mission The University of Westminster would not exist today if it weren’t for Quintin Hogg, who established the York Place Ragged School and Mission in 1864 in an effort to provide education for some of London’s poorest children. Throughout his lifetime, Hogg gave over £100,000 (over £6 million today) of his own money to the institution and in 1882 purchased 309 Regent Street, a building that is still in use today.

1964

A Celebration of Philanthropy In 1964, the Polytechnic celebrated 100 years of Quintin Hogg’s philanthropic activities. The event was a celebration of past achievements made possible thanks to philanthropy, and provided an opportunity to look towards the future of the institution, acknowledging that in order to help the University achieve its ambitions, the continued generosity of our closest friends and supporters is essential.

2006

Restoration of the Regent Street Cinema organ In 1936, a Compton Organ was installed in what is now the Regent Street Cinema. The organ was used regularly while the cinema was in operation, but following its closure in 1980 it unfortunately fell into disrepair. In 2006, following donations from the Mayor of Westminster and friends and alumni of the University, the beautiful organ was restored and is now back in use at Regent Street Cinema.

A history of giving | IMPACT

1903

1888

The Polytechnic’s Christmas Dinner Fund established This special fund provided poor families with parcels of food at Christmas time. During the First World War, around 2,500 families received a parcel each year and in 1935, 33 tons worth of food were donated. By 1939, it is estimated that the fund raised over £73,000 (over £2 million today).

The Robert Mitchell Trophy One of Quintin Hogg’s last wishes before he died was to establish the annual Robert Mitchell Trophy for Best Educational Achievement. Robert Mitchell came from a working-class background and attended the York Place Ragged School and Mission. Later, he became Director of Education at the Regent Street Polytechnic from 1891-1922 and was awarded a CBE in 1918. The award – now called the Robert Mitchell Medal – is still given today, and the Robert Mitchell Society recognises the support of our generous donors.

1914 – 1918

Poly War Fund In September 1914, The Polytechnic established a War Fund and raised £3,603 (over £155,000 today) through fundraising activities including concerts and sporting events. Students also knitted socks, hats and jumpers to send to the enlisted men. Over 5,500 Poly War Fund parcels were sent to soldiers during the war.

1910

Major rebuilding of 309 Regent Street In 1910, 309 Regent Street underwent a major rebuilding project. Lord Leith of Fyvie donated £30,000 to the Polytechnic Rebuilding Fund, and the new hall added to the building was named Fyvie Hall in his honour.

2015

Regent Street Cinema restoration project After shutting its doors to the public in 1980, the historic Regent Street Cinema reopened in May 2015 after a three-year fundraising campaign to have it restored. The campaign was launched by a £1million donation from the MBI Al Jaber Foundation to refurbish the adjoining entrance hall, now known as the MBI Al Jaber Grand Hall. The Quintin Hogg Trust then donated £2 million towards the restoration, and the project also received a £1.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. In total £6.1 million was secured, including through the ‘Name a Seat’ campaign, where those who donated have a personalised plaque attached to a cinema seat.

My life and legacy | IMPACT

MY LIFE AND LEGACY

Nigel Winser

LIFE SCIENCES BSC, 1976; HONORARY DOCTORATE, 2006

“How would you like to be remembered?” This is the first question we put to environmentalist Nigel Winser when we speak to him about his decision to leave a legacy to support future generations of students at Westminster.

’d like to be remembered as a good person for connecting people to make a difference: to do whatever they can to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. The University is a place of brilliant minds, and I want to do what I can to help them in the future.” Nigel, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University in 2006, is no stranger to bringing people together to make a difference: it is a practice he has dedicated his professional life to. After studying Life Sciences at the what was then Polytechnic of Central London in the mid-1970s – an experience he credits as a true ‘global awakening’ – he went on to become the Deputy Director of the Royal Geographical Society. More recently, Nigel was the Executive Vice President of Earthwatch, an environmental organisation devoted to connecting everyday people with the world’s top field scientists to secure a sustainable future. With a CV like this, it’s little surprise that protecting the planet has taken Nigel far and wide, to the unknown and unexplored. He cites one of his most memorable experiences as spending 15 months with a team of 100 scientists discovering new species in the Gunung Mulu National Park, a protected rainforest in Malaysian Borneo. A place which “holds a special place in my heart as I met my wife there”. He currently supports ecotourism projects in North Kenya and works closely with field scientists from the Sultanate of Oman, organising the annual Natural Heritage lectures. These talks are dedicated to exploring species such as Arabian leopards, humpback whales and, more recently, the hidden heritage of a rare species of antelope.

Yet for all Nigel has observed, preserved and learned through his environmental expeditions, his perspective on his own contributions to preserving our planet are surprisingly modest. Or, more accurately, offer an acute insight into the challenges our world is up against. “If I had to look back at my life and rate how much I achieved in saving our planet, I would give myself a three out of ten. If I had to do an audit of the environment today, we’re failing. We’re in a much worse state than when I started out my career. When you look at the world’s tropical forests, the figures are devastating. Our water resources are enormously precious, yet increasingly under threat. Carbon outputs continue to rise and our oceans are filling with plastic. It’s not all doom and gloom though, as Nigel explains: “Despite the challenges, I remain an optimist. We are now more connected than ever. We have technology that didn’t exist before to help us find solutions. Best of all, we have an emerging generation of activists fighting for change in policy based on sound

Left: Nigel, photographed by Martin Hartley Right: Nigel meeting local experts to discuss future research priorities in the Sharqiya Sands, Sultanate of Oman

science. Places like the University of Westminster bring together multidisciplinary teams and topics to share knowledge and bring about change. We might be facing huge challenges, but our future is better equipped to manage. This is partly why I want to do my bit in supporting future talented students at Westminster through leaving a legacy.” The notion of ‘leaving a gift in one’s will’ is a divisive discussion topic. Is it overtly intrusive? At odds with today’s ‘live in the moment’ ethos? We asked Nigel to share his perspective on this: “To the contrary, I’m a great believer that it’s a privilege to be asked. I’m very committed to helping future students, especially after the Polytechnic gave me so much. “Leaving a legacy to the University isn’t about raiding bank accounts, or reducing inheritance to your children; it’s about maximising your estate. It’s about contributing what we can, no matter how modest, to make a great difference. “Funding was very different when I went to University. I came on a grant. That’s why I am pleased to help the bright young minds there today.”

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Your Legacy A legacy gift to the University of Westminster offers an opportunity to contribute to the lives of future generations in a personal and thoughtful way. Please do let the University know your bequest wishes, so that we can thank you, keep you up to date with our future plans and send you invitations to our events. If you are thinking about leaving a bequest, we are always happy to provide more information. Find out more: W: westminster.ac.uk/giving-groups-membership E: development@westminster.ac.uk T: +44 (0)20 3506 6245