University enews

Ruler of Sharjah makes Forum visit
The Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Shaikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, PhD, Hon DLitt received a tour of University’s new Forum project, ahead of its official opening by Her Majesty The Queen. His Highness, who completed his PhD at Exeter, is a valued supporter of the project.

Alumni couple to fund additional scholarships
Alumni couple Claire and Les Halpin have made a further generous gift to the University, taking their support for Exeter’s Halpin Scholarship programme, Biosciences and the Business School to over £1 million. Les also has also given in excess of 140 hours of his time working with staff, students and fellow alumni.

Annual Fund announces support for 31 University projects
More than £195,000 donated by alumni and supporters is set to fund a range of projects across Exeter. Projects range from linking English students with a number of care homes in the community to develop a reading scheme, to the purchase of art equipment for student members of the Art Society.

Alumni Olympic Torchbearers
Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie (Hon LLD 2005) and Ashley Petrons (International Relations 2007) are living up to the University’s motto ‘Lucem sequimur’ (‘We follow the light’) as Olympic Torch bearers. Ben has the honour of being the first person in the UK to carry the torch when it arrives in Cornwall tomorrow, and Ashley will carry it in Devon on Sunday. We talked to Ashley ahead of the big day.  Are you involved in this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games?  If so, we would love to hear from you.  Contact alumni@exeter.ac.uk or +44 (0)1392 723411

One Vision - Queen's guitarist on his life's passions
Honorary graduate Brian May recently gave an interview to The Witness, the Exeter University Politics Journal, and explains why animals are just as important to him as music.

Reality of global success for Fantasy Shopper
A company which offers a social network for shoppers will move into the American market within the next few weeks. Fantasy Shopper, which was the brainchild of Exeter graduate Chris Prescott has already secured over $3 million of investment and won a number of prestigious and lucrative awards.

Artist to work with academics
Artist Jeanni Grant-Nelson (B.Ed 1978) is to work with neuroscientists from the University of Oxford to investigate how art can break established habits and patterns of behaviour, helping people reassess aspects of their lives.

Brown and Exeter agree to closer ties
Brown University President Ruth J Simmons and University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith signed two memoranda of understanding, partnering for faculty exchanges under the Brown Global Forums initiative and further strengthening ties between the two universities.

Royal visit legacy lives on through scholarships
The visit of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to the University will have a lasting legacy through new scholarships announced for overseas study. The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Scholarships will grant five £2,000 scholarships to Exeter students each year.

University granted bronze Athena SWAN award
Following the University’s membership of the Athena SWAN Charter which began in 2011, it received the Bronze university award this year, recognising it has a solid foundation for eliminating gender bias, and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff.

International students contribute £88 million to Exeter's economy
The University of Exeter’s international students contribute over £88 million a year to Exeter’s economy and support 2,880 jobs, equivalent to 2.8% of all employment in the city.

Exeter Guild wins gold for Olympics support
The Students’ Guild has been awarded Gold accreditation for its work supporting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Exeter is one of just five Students’ Unions across the country to have been awarded the prestigious Gold award under the National Union of Students (NUS) 'Be A Champion Initiative'.

Washington DC event held with British Council
The University has hosted a prestigious Reception in the United States’ capital in conjunction with the British Council. The Reception was hosted by Philip Barton, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy.
Students spending a year in the US and offer holders hoping to attend Exeter had a unique opportunity to network with our alumni community.

Green-glowing fish provides new insights into health impacts of pollution
Understanding the damage that pollution causes to both wildlife and human health is set to become much easier thanks to a new green-glowing zebrafish. Created by a team from Exeter, the fish makes it easier to see where in the body environmental chemicals act, and how they affect health.

New alumni sports report
Exeter has a long tradition of sporting excellence continued by our current students. To keep our alumni sports fans up-to-date with the latest developments, the first University of Exeter Alumni Sports Report is now available online. We hope you enjoy it and welcome any feedback via sportsalumni@exeter.ac.uk. Please also use this email address if you would like to receive future editions direct via email, putting 'Sports Report' in the subject line.

Featured Event: Saturday 30 June: Reunion Day
Curious about the Forum, and if your old haunts still exist?  Would you like to catch up with your old class, house or team mates, or show your family around campus?  If so, you and your friends are invited back to Exeter for a day in the Devon sunshine, with campus tours, the odd lecture and a spot of hospitality.  Make a weekend of it and take time out to explore Devon's beaches and countryside. Reserve your place now.

21 May: Exeter Convocation: Tour and Lunch at University of Exeter
Tour of the INTO building followed by lunch at Reed Hall

24 May: Exeter recent alumni social
RAM Bar, Streatham Campus, Exeter

2 June: New Delhi Alumni Event
Geoffrey's, S-21 and 22, 2nd Floor, Select Citywalk Mall. Saket, New Delhi, India

12 June: Exeter Convocation: Lunch and tour of Topsham
Lunch at 12 noon

16 June: Convocation Annual Outing
Open to all convocation members, Waddesdon Manor (National Trust), Buckinghamshire

21 June: Exeter recent alumni Summer Social
Liberty Lounge, 1a Bell Lane, London

30 June: Exeter Alumni Reunion Day
Streatham Campus, Exeter

30 June: Andrew Stratton Convocation Lecture: Dartmoor’s Wildlife – a Photographic Exploration
Alumni Auditorium, University of Exeter, Streatham Campus

20 July: Additional Alumni Golfers Event
St. George's Hill Golf Club, Weybridge