Making a difference - April 2016

How your support is making a difference

Thank You “I believe an education can open a world of possibilities and choices and anyone with the talent, ambition and perseverance to attend university should not be denied the opportunity. The recognition that some students need and deserve help to realise their potential is a fantastic concept and it is a pleasure to support the Student Fund which is making a real difference to people’s lives both now and in the future.”

Shaun Reddin, Hertfordshire; Business Studies, 1987

More Alumni Giving = More Students Supported

Mu'ath Tanash We would like to thank all our alumni who have generously supported the Ulster University Student Fund in response to a letter issued in March from Alison Rankin, fellow alum and Assistant Chief Finance & Information Officer at Ulster University. In the letter, Alison, who is a donor to the Student Fund, explained how the significant costs involved today in achieving a university qualification make it a huge achievement for many students who struggle financially in pursuit of their goals.

Alison demonstrated how Julie Steele, now in her final year of a BSc Marketing degree, showed true commitment and courage in changing her life around, as Julie herself explained:

“I left school with no qualifications…but I wanted more from life, so I went back to college with the goal of coming to university…The support from the Student Fund has transformed my time at Ulster University. I have never been more determined to change the path of my life."

100% of all gifts to the Student Fund go directly to supporting our students. To support this worthwhile cause please go to: https://daro.ulster.ac.uk/onlinedonationform

Students Learning from Alumni

Telethon In the coming months a group of students will be phoning some of our alumni to chat about how life at Ulster has changed and to discuss their career to date and if possible ask you for advice on how to fulfil their career aspirations upon graduation. If you receive a call from one of our students, we would really appreciate you taking a few minutes to chat to them and offer your advice. They will also let you know about how the Ulster University Student Fund is growing momentum, but still needs more support from our alumni in order to meet the needs of our current students.

The telethon in 2015 was a great success and students benefited hugely from the conversations with graduates. One student, Gavin Moriarty, who graduated in 2015 with an MSc in PR & Communications, had such a great chat with alumnus Conor McKernan, that Conor invited him to interview for an internship post at his company. Gavin was successful at the interview and has thoroughly enjoyed the hands on experience.

“I’m so grateful to Conor for offering me this great opportunity. Working at Firefly as an intern was an experience I would never have secured had I not been working on the telethon. I learned so much in my time there which will stand by me when I begin applying for jobs.”

For more information on the telethon and how you can become involved, please go to: https://daro.ulster.ac.uk/telethon

Santander Universitiessupport for students helping others across the globe

Thank You With support from Santander Universities, Jerusha Greer, an Occupational Therapy student, travelled to Kenya in early 2016 to help enhance employment opportunities among adults, young people and children by introducing new therapeutic activities and treatments and encouraging them to become involved in meaningful pursuits.

Support from Santander Universities includes mobility scholarships for both inward and outward travel from Ulster, internship funding and entrepreneurship support within all faculties and for both staff and students. Mobility support has had a huge impact this year, with more students than ever benefitting from the opportunity to travel and to make a difference to the lives of others.