London Connection magazine - University of London International ...

18 downloads 324 Views 2MB Size Report
Issue 14 › December 2012 .... Alumni events 18. 2 London Connection › December 2012 ..... tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam is the most prominent thing that can be.
Issue 14 › December 2012

www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

ine z a ag m ni m alu

Four seasons, one world Celebrating creativity in our community

From the Dean

News bites

Welcome to the winter edition of London Connection alumni magazine. With the change of season for us in the UK, we highlight the four seasons in our cover story. The photography competition imagenation3 gave our students and alumni the opportunity to highlight their creative talents - and they did not disappoint! Bangladeshi alumnus Mohammad Sarfaraz Hyder (LLB 2006) won the judges over and scooped first prize with his image ‘Fun in the Sun’. We hope you enjoy the other winning images that collectively make up Four seasons, one world. The Alumni Office catches up with alumni Matt Swarbrick, Sonali Wanigabaduge and Richard Sandland. All of their stories highlight how studying one of our programmes can lead you into a creative field with great success. We are also pleased to include an interview with the

best-selling author Sebastian Faulks, who talks one to one with Peter Quinn. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the Festive Season which many of us will be celebrating soon. I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013 and look forward to meeting you at the London Graduation or an alumni event soon.

Professor Jonathan Kydd

‘A most inspirational evening’ Offering a series of six quick-fire, thought-provoking taster lectures, our September Undergraduate Open Evening, ‘Insights, Inspiration and Information’ proved a hugely enjoyable – not to say enlightening – evening. You might think that teasing out the differences between country, nation and state in a 15-minute talk would be impossible. Yet that’s exactly what Richard Campanaro, a current doctoral student in LSE’s Department of International Relations, achieved in a virtuosic, notes-free romp through the subject. In ‘Gift of fire: why computer scientists need philosophers’, Dr Sarah Rauchas (Department of Computing, Goldsmiths) first explored some of the links between computing and philosophy in an intriguing tour of symbolic logic, truth tables and Boolean algebra, which – as we were to discover – forms the basis of the circuitry in modern computers. Taking to the stage again for her second lecture later on in the evening, ‘Alan Turing – philosopher, mathematician, computer scientist’, Dr Rauchas examined two important questions that Turing

posed: firstly, what is computation? Secondly, what is intelligence? Professor Ken Gemes (Department of Philosophy, Birkbeck) used the madman’s proclamation of the death of God from Nietzsche’s The Gay Science as a springboard for his lecture, ‘Nihilism and the death of God’. In ‘Frankenstein on the couch: how literary critics help us explore our dreams, secrets and fears’, Dr Sarah Barnsley (Department of English & Comparative Literature, Goldsmiths) noted how developments in related subjects such as psychology, philosophy, sociology, politics and anthropology have fed into our understanding of what literary texts do for us as human beings. For the final lecture, Dr Sarah Ansari (Department of History, Royal Holloway) posed the question, ‘Gandhi: Saint or politician?’ Dr Ansari noted that Gandhi’s struggle against colonial rule, founded on his philosophy of satyagraha and his Non-Cooperation Movement, placed him at the very centre of twentieth century history. For videos of all of our taster lectures, visit bit.ly/UOLInspiration.

Dean, University of London International Programmes

London Connection is the magazine for alumni and friends of the University of London International Programmes. It is published twice a year by the Alumni Relations Office.

EDITORIAL

Lisa Pierre

lisa.pierre@ london.ac.uk

Peter Quinn

peter.quinn@ london.ac.uk

Suraya Saleh DESIGN

Julia Nickerson

[email protected]

suraya.saleh@ london.ac.uk

This issue Q&A: Sonali Wanigabaduge

London Connection › December 2012

4

Four seasons, one world

6

New courses 11 Q&A: Richard Sandland

12

Creativity on the cutting edge Interview: Sebastian Faulks In photos: Alumni events 18

2

We’re online with Coursera

14 16

The University of London International Programmes is joining Coursera to deliver free short courses worldwide. Coursera is one of the new “Massively Open Online Course” (MOOC) providers that are reaching millions of new students. To begin with, we will offer five free courses through the Coursera platform, each lasting for about five weeks: < ‘Why We Need Psychology’ < ‘Malicious Software and its Underground Economy: Two Sides to Every Story’

< ‘English Common Law: An Introduction’ < ‘The camera never lies: Film, images & historical interpretation in the C20th - An introduction’ < ‘Creative Computing’ These five courses are currently being developed specifically for Coursera by academics from the corresponding programme at each Lead College. Our courses are expected to be available over the next several months, with each course being made available online when it is ready.



While participants will not be students of the University or receive any formal credit, we do expect that Coursera will help many people to re-awaken an interest in learning while building an awareness of the full degree programmes available from the University of London. To learn more, visit www.coursera.org/london.

www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

3

Q&A

‘Journalism has always been my first passion’ Lisa Pierre talks to LLB graduate Sonali Wanigabaduge of Sri Lanka about adrenaline rushes, keeping one’s emotions in check, and her hunger to uphold the truth.

T

ell us why you chose the University of London International Programmes.

The University of London is one of the most revered educational institutions in the UK, with a vibrant history. Three months after completing school I opted to study the LLB through the University of London International Programmes (at the Royal Institute, Colombo), as I was confident of the University’s name in upholding its international reputation of academic distinction. You did a law degree, so how did you end up reading the news?

Well, journalism has always been my first passion. I joined MTV right after

4

London Connection › December 2012

leaving school. Having had to juggle with lectures, exams, newsreading for more than six years sounds easier said than done! But I’ve enjoyed the journey from day one. I’m on my eighth year in media now and it has been a fantastic experience. And once you get used to that adrenaline rush, there’s no life without it. Law was always on the cards for me, because as clichéd as it sounds, it’s been on my Dad’s Bucket List - and I didn’t mind. Now I thank the Universe (and my Dad) that I did law! So here I am. But in all seriousness, I have serial Samaritan instincts and I am a strong believer in rights-awareness, protection of human rights, and enacting effective legislation – thus being a lawyer certainly helps in going about the process.

Tell us about a typical day at work?

On days I do the morning shift at MTV, I’m at the office by 4.30am. Read up on the latest stories, coordinate with the rest of the team on the lead stories for the news, getting voice cuts, arranging for visuals and editing stories which are to be aired on TV, translating certain local stories, voicing scripts, rushing for makeup, and the news is on air at 7am. After a quick breakfast, I’d be off to Courts. Usually Supreme Court convenes at 10am and concludes by around 1.30pm. After the day’s cases are done, I’d have a chilled out lunch, go back home, maybe catch a movie, or meet up for coffee with friends, and at 5pm rush back to the law chambers for client consultations. The day would end at about, well, midnight. On a good day.

Do you think you would like to continue on the journalistic path?

I would love nothing more. However, my main focus is to establish myself as a human rights lawyer in Sri Lanka, as I am a strong proponent of rights-awareness which is currently at a dangerously low level. Reading the news you are at the forefront of seeing your country change after the end of the civil war. What do you think are some of the biggest changes you are seeing in Sri Lanka?

Some of the biggest changes I personally see are the notable development efforts being made to rebuild a country that has been at the brunt of a three-decade war, which is a Herculean task in itself. We can also witness the greater voice of the international community, such as the UN, which seems to be closely monitoring activities taking place in Sri Lanka. However, it is my humble opinion that unifying a country post-war, also urgently requires mental conditioning, intellectual development and emotional rehabilitation of a wounded citizenry. What are your hopes for Sri Lanka in the future?

I love this country! My dream is for Sri Lanka to continue as a sovereign state, self-sufficient, with a people that are aware of their rights as well as corresponding responsibilities, that are empowered, literate, and are given the opportunity to reach their fullest potential regardless of social status or wealth. My hope for Sri Lanka is that its people will, against all odds, come together as one nation, united, and reach the world.

as we can. I believe that one’s credibility is something that goes in tandem with one’s professionalism. Thus, if you overtly emote with the story (positive or negative), it directly impacts both your professionalism (or lack of it) as well as your credibility in turn. It takes a great deal of mental conditioning, but it’s possible.

I definitely agree. We’re living in a day and age of sound bites and social media addiction. Statements are taken out of context, they go viral on social media with millions of ‘hits’, resulting in violence not just locally but across countries. ‘Good’ journalism is almost a Utopian ideal – but it is this that we must strive towards. It requires professionalism, conscience, objectivity and an insatiable hunger to protect and uphold the truth - quite a feat to achieve. But we start when we try.

If you could have interviewed anyone or reported on any story who and what would it have been?

A couple of years ago I had the privilege of listening to a speech by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian medical doctor who authored the book I Shall Not Hate, written in the aftermath of losing three daughters to a brutal shelling in Gaza. The sheer conviction with which he spoke, despite having gone through an unspeakable tragedy, moved the entire audience to tears. I would like to have interviewed Dr. Abuelaish, as he epitomises the qualities of a present day messenger of peace, as he speaks about the need to work towards bridging the divide between people in conflict all over the world through compassion, dignity, tolerance and interconnectedness.

Who is your biggest influence?

I would have to say my biggest influence is my mom. She’s truly been the Silent Saviour and is the most important person in my life. What does it mean to you to be a graduate of the University of London International Programmes?

The University of London is a

With social media playing such a prestigious and time-tested institution huge part in people’s lives today do with superior quality education. It you think televised news is still a feels great to have been part of this. viable medium for reaching people? Although social media is rather a What is the one thing or place you would like to see in your lifetime? powerful media source, especially in

the Western world, Sri Lankans still love television. Televised news still plays a prominent role in being an informer, educator and opinion-former, and the nightly news is a routine dinner How do you cope with your emotions activity at the majority of homes. or prejudices when reporting a story you do not agree with?

Interesting question! One of the primary cornerstones of a journalist is to be unbiased. At MTV we always strive to report and present the facts as they are, and try to eliminate prejudices as much

If there’s one thing I’d want to see happen in my lifetime, it would be the discovery for a cure for cancer. A cancer diagnosis can have the most devastating and heartbreaking consequences. Sadly, we only realise its impact when someone dear to us is affected by the disease. It’s time we reconsidered spending billions on defence budgets everywhere the world over, while millions fall prey to this disease. Time is of the essence in the war against cancer. It’s about time we got started.

“And I believe that good journalism, good television, can make our world a better place”. Do you agree with CNN’s chief international correspondent, Christiane Amanpour?



www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

5

First place

Fun in the Sun!

Mohammad Sarfaraz Hyder | LLB (Hons) graduate, 2006 | Bangladesh (Category: Summer) Football is one of the most popular sports in Bangladesh and people of all ages and backgrounds love to play, especially during the long summer days. The photograph depicts a number of village children enjoying themselves playing football during the late afternoon. I took this photograph at Rajshahi, on the banks of the river Padma, while on a photo-safari with a group of photography enthusiasts. I was trying to capture the dynamism and the motion of the game by taking the shot from a very low angle. In fact, I was actually lying flat on the ground at the time I took this shot (just milliseconds before the young kids rushed by me, covering me in dust and nearly crushing my camera!).

6

London Connection › December 2012

Four seasons, one world

L

ast September saw the launch of the University of London's third official photo competition, imagenation3. This year the rules were changed to encourage current students and alumni of the International Programmes to unite in a creative spirit. The competition proved to be the largest ever, with 780 entries and a total of 1,535 photos from around the globe! We are proud to showcase the winners and highly commended

work of our students and alumni by giving them a platform to get their work recognised. The theme of seasons allowed for the photographer to highlight their own interpretation of a season through their eyes. Countless emails flooded in from students and alumni showing us how they see spring, summer autumn and winter in their home country or on their travels. We talk to the current students and alumni about their images and the stories behind them united to showcase four seasons, one world.



www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

7

Highly Commended

Second place

Spring Dance

Third place

Desmond Natangwe Nikanor | MSc in International Business student | Namibia (Category: Spring)

Another Sunny Morning

The photo was taken on the eve of my wedding in northern Namibia so it represents the change of season in my life as well as in the hot and dusty Ovamboland. It shows the traditional women dancing in celebration of the wedding as well as the new spring season in which temperatures starts to rise and rain becomes scarce. These are usually young women who dress in traditional attire and paint their bodies a pinkish colour and dance by jumping up and towards the bride and groom. It is captured against the backdrop of a typical African sunset which is dusty and lingers for quite some time.

In the middle of summer on a warm morning, as the sun rays strike the tomb, its astonishing glow was captured by my camera. Multan, the city of Sufis, famous for its mangos, is one of the hottest cities in Pakistan and from whichever side the city is approached, the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam is the most prominent thing that can be seen from miles all around. The Mausoleum is always surrounded by the pigeons which signify peace and harmony. Thus the dome of Shah Rukn-e-Alam is considered as the glory of Multan.

Faqiha Zahra | LLB (Hons) student | Pakistan (Category: Summer)

Finding a Way

Fountain

The photo was taken in early spring, on the 12th of April 2011, in the city of Stip, Republic of Macedonia. The location was a very old train station which was almost abandoned (only one train goes through it daily). I found this flower standing there boldly between two rusty rails and thought this actually shows how nature finds a way in spring time no matter how rough the environment is.

In a torrid afternoon, the outdoor kinetic fountain located in Tung Chung, Hong Kong (outside Citygate outlets) can easily attract the children and brings them lots of happiness and delight. This photo was taken on such a day. In order to capture and bring out the movement of the little child as well as the fountain, I have shot from a lower angle by considering the huge light contrast of the background.

Highly Commended

Highly Commended

Ivan Stojmirov | BSc Computing and Information Systems graduate, 2011 | Macedonia (Category: Spring)

exceptional rendering of a classic view which enhanced my memories of this wonderful site.” Professor Jonathan Kydd

Dean, University of London International Programmes

8

London Connection › December 2012

Dean’s Award

Cherry Blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial

Chan Ping Ping | BSc Management student | Hong Kong (Category: Summer)

Redness 2

Unexpected Winter

The photo relates to fall in Japan. The viewing of autumn leaves was a spectacular and leisurely sight. The beautiful rich colours of the fall on the roadside portrait as a vibrant carpet of reds, golds and oranges. Every moment was waiting to be captured.

Exit from central railway station in Gent, Belgium. It was a wonderful sunny December morning with quite an unexpected precipitation. There was no reason for the snow the evening before. Nevertheless, winter came very fast, gently and in its beauty.

Highly Commended

Highly Commended

Hiba Arif Suleman | BSc Business student | Pakistan (Category: Autumn)

“A quite

Highly Commended

Alexander Savelyev | BSc Banking and Finance graduate, 2010 | Russia (Category: Winter)

Bryn Elizabeth Davies | MSc Agricultural Economics student | USA/Kenya (Category: Spring) This photograph of the Cherry Blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial captures one of the most iconic images associated with spring in Washington, DC. Every year thousands of DC, Virginia, and Maryland residents converge on the tidal basin to stroll amongst the cherry blossoms with their families and friends. Although this year’s Cherry Blossoms came too early, I was fortunate enough to catch them early in the morning on Friday, March 23rd, the day before a storm blew all the blossoms away.

Fragrance

Nostalgy

Taken in Cabo Da Roca in Portugal, this photo was named Fragrance as it represents the beauty of blossom during spring moments.

The sun rays are barely creeping out of the clouds and the last autumn days seem to be gone. The photo is taken at Novi Han, Bulgaria.

Ling Lai Sum | LLB student | Hong Kong (Category: Spring)

Eli Emilova Velcheva | MBA student | Bulgaria (Category: Autumn)



www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

9

Coming in 2013

Undergraduate Psychology

Highly Commended

Highly Commended

One Winter’s Day

Autumn Harvest

The photo was taken in Singapore right outside where I live. I used an iPhone 4S with Camera+ application. Apparently there is no winter season in Singapore (how I wish there is!), however I managed to find a tree right outside the hostel I lived in. I purposely took the tree branches with the rather bright blue sky as the background with a cosy warm sunlight. Somehow it resembled a winter day to me which is why I decided to include the photo into the winter category.

This picture was taken in a rural village in South Korea. I came across this small farmhouse where the farmer was preparing for the autumn harvest as his ancestors did hundreds of years ago. For him, the law of harvest has always been to reap more than you sow. Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny.

Andy Alimin | BSc Banking and Finance student | Singapore (Category: Winter)

Dr. David Lai | MSc Global Health Policy student | Canada (Category: Autumn)

Why study this? This programme introduces you to the main areas of psychology, and explores the applications of psychological theory for example in the home, the community, at work and in a range of other settings such as education, health and law. You learn about the various ways that psychologists investigate human behaviour, from brain scanning to the study of rioting crowds. Central to the programme is practical training in how experiments are designed and conducted, and how you can use statistics and relevant statistical software to make sense of the processes that underpin human behaviour.

New courses

Qualifications available:

The University of London International introduced a range of new programmes in 2012 and more are planned for 2013. Suraya Saleh gives you the lowdown on the new courses.

BSc, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, and Graduate Diploma (for students who already have degrees) Mode of study: Distance learning with online support. Academic direction: A consortium of University of London Colleges jointly delivers the programme.

New in 2012

Hear from the judges “It was really great being a judge in the imagenation3 competition. I hoped that with photos being submitted from all over the world, we’d be inundated with both quality and diversity and I wasn’t disappointed. I’d just like to thank everyone who took part and say sorry that there couldn’t be more winners.”

Tom Curtis, Creative Director, MediaCom

Highly Commended

Sledding Down a Snowy Barn Hill

Pamela Dzifa Amedzro | LLB student | United Kingdom (Category: Winter)

My photograph represents the winter season in London, England. It shows a young child gliding down a slope on a sledge after snowfall. The location is Barn Hill, Fryent Country Park, London Borough of Brent, North West London. It is not uncommon to see recreational activities such as sledging on hilly parks when it snows. I captured the moment the happy boy whizzed down the snowy hill using a long exposure and a tripod. During post-processing, I applied a further motion blur effect in Photoshop.

“I was very excited that this was the first initiative offered solely for our students and graduates in a unifying way. I’m even happier that another alumnus was voted the winner. The photography has exceeded all my expectations and it was a joy to see so many beautiful images from across the globe.”

Lisa Pierre, Alumni Relations Manager

“There were many fantastic images that didn’t make the final cut, unfortunately, because there was a lot of competition especially in the summer and winter categories. The judging process went relatively swiftly and smoothly with only a couple of disagreements that set up a debate! But we were unanimous over the winner.”

Maria Vlotides, Photographer and Artist

10

London Connection › December 2012

Combined Degree Scheme

www.londoninternational.ac.uk/combined Why study this? The Combined Degree

Scheme is for those who want the flexibility to study two subjects in a major/minor combination. You gain subject knowledge in two areas, so you can explore subjects you are passionate about, broaden your intellectual capabilities, and potentially increase your career options as many employers value people with a breadth of subject knowledge. Qualifications available: BA, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education Subject combinations: English, Philosophy and Theology are available as both majors and minors, and Computing as a minor. There are plans to introduce Psychology next year, along with a Computing major. The degree comprises 75 per cent courses from your major, and 25 per cent courses from your minor. Mode of study: Distance learning with varying degrees of online support. Academic direction: Philosophy: Birkbeck, University of London; Theology: Heythrop, University of London; English and Computing: Goldsmiths, University of London Application deadline: 1 October 2013

MA Education

www.londoninternational.ac.uk/ courses/postgraduate/instituteeducation/education-ma Why study this? This Masters is ideal

if you work in teaching, education management or policy, and want to increase your understanding of current education issues and enhance your career. The programme takes a broad view of education, covering themes such as curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, the relationship between education and society, and the importance of education research. It is designed to suit students across the world, and explores the global forces that influence education, encouraging you to relate your learning to your context. Qualifications available:

MA and individual modules

Mode of study: Can be studied entirely by

distance learning or as a combination of distance learning and face-to-face in London, depending on modules chosen. You receive online support. Academic direction: Institute of Education (IOE) Application deadline:

1 May 2013 for July 2013 start



Application deadline:

1 October 2013

International Foundation Programme

Why study this? Developed by London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) academics, this programme has been designed for students who do not meet our GCE A level (or local equivalent) entry requirements. Successful completion of the programme provides access to the suite of LSE-led BSc degrees in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences. You take four Level 3 (A level standard) courses in total: one compulsory and three optional. Mode of study: Must be studied with support from a recognised teaching centre. Academic direction: LSE Application deadline:

Please apply directly to your local recognised teaching centre by its application deadline.

www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

11

T

he RSC is famously committed to using live music in all its productions. How many composers do you commission in a typical season?

I guess it’s something like eight or ten – each show has newly commissioned music. Where I get involved is in finding the players and finding the instruments. My boss does all of the composer negotiations and I usually react to their unusual requests. Our current Julius Caesar (pictured right) is set in modern Africa, so we have an African band on it, pieced together from people we already knew, people we researched, met, heard and booked, and people that we dropped on by chance and who proved to be just what we needed. This was great because it forced us to widen the pool of people that we know, and hopefully we can draw on them again in the future, not necessarily in an all–African band.

What’s the most unusual instrument you’ve had to source for an RSC production?

Q&A

Richard Sandland Peter Quinn talks to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) Music Coordinator, Richard Sandland, about sourcing strange instruments, what makes a great theatre score, and why taking the BA English degree gave him an organised mind. 12

London Connection › December 2012

How long is a piece of string? We have a show early in 2013 where the composer has asked for a Nickelharp player and hang drum player as two of his band. I had to surf to find out what both of them are! But with unusual instruments there’s usually a core body of enthusiasts who can point you the right way; but if there are only, say, three players in the country of a particular instrument, then I worry about what happens if they get ill. A few years ago we had to find a kobza, which is a sort of Ukrainian harp/guitar; we found a player, but then, fairly typically, the instrument was cut from the show. But if I need him again, I know where he lives! I remember driving to Ross-on-Wye to borrow a Hungarian cimbalom from a Hungarian restaurant, which came with a complimentary serving of paprika potatoes too. One of the perks! What do you think are the main ingredients that make a really great theatre score?

Largely, it’s a director who has the nerve to use music to its full potential. Many directors cut music (i.e. remove it from the show) if they think that it draws attention from the Stage. If there is a really musical director and a composer who’s on his wavelength, then that relationship generates special stuff – Greg Doran and Paul Englishby leap to mind. And, of course, the vital third element is an inspirational music director on the show who can make the band want to play for them.

In terms of the RSC’s box office takings and overall turnover, 2012 – the company’s 50th birthday – has been a record year. Given the current economic climate, what do you think has been the key to this extraordinary success?

What prompted you to study this degree?

I had gone through the Royal College of Music, Shakespeare is big enough to studying with It’s been the sheer variety of the John Jenkins of make you take the time to think shows this year, I think – we’ve the Philharmonia again, even after 400 years. been lucky enough to collaborate Orchestra, and in joint productions with a variety everything I had of companies as part of the World done was aimed Shakespeare Festival, which have at becoming an orchestral tuba or a line of reasoning. That was a thrown some really left-field player. Gradually it was evident, over surprise – I hadn’t written an essay productions out there; they’ve not the years, that I wasn’t quite good since O levels, in perhaps 1980. Also, all been to everyone’s taste, but enough, or quite lucky enough, English literature is a reasonably I think that’s what you get with or both, to become one. And so broad subject! The most astonishing variety. Shakespeare is big enough I had a reality check, when on a moment though, was turning over to make you take the time to think ‘Battle Prom’ in a Country House the Modern Literary Theory paper in again, even after 400 years. somewhere – one of those gigs the exam, and finding I could have where it’s at a Stately Home, in a answered any of the questions that The company is currently producing huge geodesic dome, and people had been set. I remember suppressing The World Shakespeare Festival come along and have picnics, and a giggle and delivering a snort! (April to November 2012) as part the show always ended with Land of London 2012 Festival. What of Hope and Glory and fireworks – it Did you find the degree content has it been like to be involved was raining, I was cold, I was playing useful for your professional work? in the biggest celebration of the Elgar for what felt like the 400th In the organisation of thought and Shakespeare ever staged? time, and I thought, I don’t want general will to absolutely see projects It’s been exhilarating, but it has been to do this when I’m 55. And what’s through, yes – the theory modules a whirlwind, with shows dropping more, the Performer’s Course at the that I did were invaluable for making in and out of the repertoire with RCM gave you a Dip RCM, not a me feel that I could transfer skills. I had alarming regularity – just keeping BMus, although the same course is been tuba playing for ages and I never track of things proved difficult. I awarded a BMus now. So I thought had to think about that – it’s still the finally found the tam tam that we I’d need to get a degree to perhaps thing I’m best at, but it never needed lent to a Russian company six weeks give myself some options. I was organised or consecutive thought, or ago just today; and who knows bitterly disappointed that I couldn’t planning, as far as I was concerned. where the bagpipes we lent to make it work, but it felt like time to I just did it. The degree content gave the same show have gone? And do something about the future. me what my grandmother used to call at one point I just simply ran out “an organised mind”. Also, within the of keyboards, something that’s not How did you balance your musical options, there is opportunity to show career with your studies? happened before. Fantastic, though a bit of flare, to go off on a tangent and to feel a link with colleagues at the With difficulty, although as a to wing it a bit, which is always fun. National and the Globe, and in other self-employed tuba player it was companies too, and to perceive sometimes pretty easy to find Finally, are there any composers (or musicians) that you would a tidal wave of Shakespeare. time to set aside. I was always particularly like to collaborate horribly busy eight weeks before with in the future? You were a member of the Fine exams though, and so always felt Arts Brass quintet from 1987 to underprepared in the exam room. I have no influence in this – but 2002, a group noted for straddling if I had, I’ve always admired the genres from the Renaissance to the What did you most enjoy music of Carl Vine, the Australian avant-garde. While you were still a about your study? composer. I’d love Peter Gabriel member of the quintet you took BA Finding out that I could do it. After to write an RSC score! And if English through the University of all that time, I could still construct Count Basie was alive, I’d be onto London International Programmes. and follow through an argument my boss to be onto his agent!



www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

13

I

was studying Systems Engineering at Loughborough University, which was good, but the course was not right for me. I knew I wanted

to study computer science with creative aspects, so at the end of my first year I decided to take a gap year to think about my future.

I found the BSc Creative Computing at Goldsmiths and it ticked every box in regards to my interests and passions. I then found out about

completing this degree through the International Programmes and that solidified my decision as it was the exact course I wanted to do. It was

extremely affordable and flexible, allowing me to hold a part-time job to pay all the fees, allowing me to leave uni without any debt. It allows you to study at your own pace and in the comfort of your home. You can complete a standard three-year degree within an eight-year time period. It is also very affordable as the total price is cheaper than one year as an internal student at any university. As well as this, it is a prestigious university and has already given me a boost in my career. The course offers a unique blend of creativity and technical know-how. The creativity for me

was expressed in solving complex problems which often involved

Profile

Creativity at the cutting edge

BSc Creative Computing graduate Matthew Swarbrick talks to Lisa Pierre about fuelling his creativity and technical know-how, his work in digital media, and why C.S. Lewis is one of his biggest inspirations. 14

London Connection › December 2012

presenting an artistic artefact. Working out how to use the technical knowledge learnt from the course forced me to tackle problems differently, being highly creative in the approaches I took. I’ve taken this with me to the workplace. My final year project was an investigation into creating 3D models from 2D images using feature finding algorithms.

I looked at how artists defined principles behind creating realistic representations such as perspective and looked at reversing that process to obtain 3D information. My project looks specifically at locating horizon lines in indoor environments by using various algorithms and perspective analysis. I then used the information calculated to produce an approximation for the horizon line location. This proved to be highly effective and is a good starting point for further development into building a complete 3D model.

and am excited about future projects we will be working on. One day I would like to run my own software company. My favourite animated film has got to be Toy Story. I was seven years old

when it came out and it’s awesome! It completely revolutionised the way animated films have been made. It put Pixar on the map and has since inspired a generation of computer animators.

My favourite character is 78-year-old Carl from Up.

What makes a film timeless is the story behind it. All the classic films have incredible stories. Using animation has provided a unique and artistic way to present these stories. Disney pioneered animated films and released countless movies that are loved by many generations, and children today are still enjoying films released in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Animated films are not only

loved by kids but adults alike and Pixar has proved that recently with Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Up and other hits. The original Disney films utilise traditional animation techniques such as a lead animator drawing key frames and a team of inbetweeners who draw up the frames between key frames. Films now are made entirely using computers. As technology evolves so must the way we tell stories. Stories have existed since humans have and will always remain. Films offer an artistic way of presenting these stories. The way we experience film is rapidly changing, for example we can now watch films in 3D. It will be interesting to see where technology takes us, but a good film is always about the story. Pixar completely pioneered film animation

A week after receiving my degree results I was offered a Junior Developer role at a company called Silver Curve, pioneers in the digital signage industry. I am currently

and are recognised globally as the founder of modern animation.

And it was all about their first feature film, Toy Story. This has led to countless animated films being produced in similar ways. If asked to think of an animated film people will more than likely think of a Pixar film. There are two people who have been my biggest inspiration: C.S. Lewis

is one of the greatest storytellers of all time and can vividly capture a scene in a single sentence. His stories are incredibly compelling and from a very young age I was deeply inspired by his work, Narnia.

Steve Jobs - he is a man who was highly technical but had a creative flare that I greatly admired. Not only this, he taught me to think big, to go after my dreams and never give up. It fed my creativity and taught me about virtues in life. The second person is Steve Jobs. He is a man who was highly technical but had a creative flare that I greatly admired. Not only this, he taught me to think big, to go after my dreams and never give up.

working on a project involving the Raspberry Pi as a digital signage device. I have already learnt huge amounts and the techniques and knowledge learnt on the course have helped me tremendously. I very much enjoy my job



www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

15

B

irdsong (1993) has become a classic of modern English literature. How important was your experience of reporting on the 70th anniversary of the Armistice – spending time with WWI veterans and seeing the battlefield cemeteries – in terms of galvanising you to write the novel?

That trip introduced me to men who had actually fought there. I met about six of them and talked to them about their experiences. It helped to bring the war out of an area marked ‘history’ and put it under the heading of life. Here we were in the actual field; and they were the same men. Over there, by that tree, was where his friend had died. As a fiction writer you are essentially telling lies and making things up; but if you are setting them in an historical reality you need to feel you have the authority to do so. This visit helped to give me confidence – though I still viewed the enterprise with trepidation. The triple biography The Fatal Englishman (1996) is your only foray into non-fiction to date. What are your reservations about biography?

Most biographies are too long and most of them presume too much. You cannot know what your subject thought or felt most of the time and it is false to pretend you can. Facts can be interesting. For instance, if you could find

16

London Connection › December 2012

letters written by a young Hitler to his mother in which he outlined his thoughts on war and family and violence. But the type of literary biography in which the author tries to relate every line of the subject’s imaginative work back to a real-life event or person seems to me pointless, or worse. There are exceptions, of course. I admire Claire Tomalin’s books. And biogs that just tell you what the person did. It is the pseudopsychology I don’t like. Charlotte Gray (1997) and On Green Dolphin Street (2001) both feature strong female lead characters. Do you find that there is any difference when writing using a woman’s voice or perspective?

interview

Sebastian Faulks The best-selling author talks to Peter Quinn about falling asleep in character, writing the perfect Bond novel and thinking like a symphonist.

The sex of the character is seldom the most important quality in a scene. Age, past experience, nationality, temperament and circumstance usually weigh more heavily. I believe there are small generalised differences between the sexes, but not many, and seldom dramatically interesting. However, if you are a woman writer it is worth stopping at the end of every scene told through the eyes of a male character and saying: Right, Joe’s done just what I want, but is there anything he has done or said that no man would ever do or say? Like a spell check: a bloke check. And of course the converse applies.

I do do that after a woman’s to find the voice. But I didn’t all the time. This is what point of view scene. want to get too close or takes it out of you a bit. it would have become a Human Traces (2005) took parody. I think a successful You have incorporated five years to research and filmic techniques in parody exaggerates the write. What fact about your writing. Are you characteristic bits and human consciousness ever influenced by other omits the rest; it is the most surprised you when subject plus 20 per cent. art forms – music or you were doing your painting, for example? With Bond, I tried to stop research for the book? at about 80 per cent. See above on A Possible Life. The single fact that most Almost everything I know surprised me was to Could you tell us a little bit about structure I learned discover that schizophrenic about your forthcoming from classical music. Most of novel, A Possible Life? patients don’t imagine what I know about narrative that they hear voices; they It is a novel in five parts. It is I took from cinema. I also do hear voices. Hard to composed like a symphony think of oil painting quite get your head round. But in separate movements. a lot, particularly when I much else besides. It is a The parts have different am trying to add layers, fascinating area and this is characters, settings and to thicken the texture. my favourite of my books. times. There are some circumstantial connections, How do you deal with the ‘judge’, that internal The eponymous main but mostly the parts are critic that gets in the character of Engleby bound by theme: they are way of writing? (2007) came to you in all, in their different ways, a dream. Have other about the same thing. Each I encourage him – or is it characters or plot lines part moves very fast, so it her? He/she does not get revealed themselves may be best to read it all in the way, s/he stops me in this way? twice. It’s not that long. writing rubbish, I hope. No. But when I am in mid-book I always Almost everything I know about fall asleep thinking structure I learned from classical of my characters, or music. Most of what I know about better still I fall asleep as one of them. I want narrative I took from cinema. them to live for eight hours in my unconscious Does the writing of a What was the last book novel get any easier when you read for pleasure, so that they develop and certain things – structural rather than research? grow and become more details, for example – fall autonomous when I return The Cleaner of Chartres by into place, or is it simply to them the next day. Salley Vickers; Cakes and Ale a question of luck? by Somerset Maugham. You took just six weeks Life is all luck, isn’t it? In the to write the one-off period of composition you For more information James Bond book, Devil have to be exceptionally about Sebastian Faulks, visit May Care (2008). How open. Anything might feed www.sebastianfaulks. easy was it to inhabit com. Our BA English in. The knack is knowing Ian Fleming’s particular the difference between a programme features a range journalistic style? disposable thought and a of new optional courses The style was quite easy robust idea. You have to live including ‘Introduction to get. I analysed it in in a rather vulnerable, open to Creative Writing’ and undergrad lit crit mode – state, while at the same time ‘Language and Gender’. number of concrete nouns, making hard decisions. You Find out more at www. active verbs etc. Then I did a are like a valve that switches londoninternational. sort of Rory Bremner, trying between active and passive ac.uk/humanities.



www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

17

Making an effort to take part in alumni events by University of London, helps me to stay connected to the institution that gave me a head start to get where I am. I relish the feeling of being part of something greater. Additionally the chance for reconnecting with old course mates is something I look forward to when attending functions.

In photos

Alumni events

Rajashree Suppiah | Kuala Lumpur

T

he 2012 alumni events calendar came to an end with our first ever event in Dubai – UAE. Alumni from all over the world attended the cocktail reception at The Address Downtown in Dubai. Events were also held over the summer in Malaysia and Hong Kong. Our alumni community continues to grow each year and we would like to thank all of you that have attended so many of our events since we launched the Alumni Association in 2006. Many of you have been first time attendees and many have attended every event in your home country. It is a pleasure to see so many of you turn out for these events. It is always a joy each year to hear how your lives are progressing. The new jobs, the weddings, the children, your further studies, your fond UoL memories, and much, much more. We hope that you have made new friends and found all the networking opportunities worthwhile and advantageous. These events are a celebration of your success, of the unique academic achievement that you all share and worked hard for! Be a proud graduate of the University of London International Programmes. We are proud of you! We look forward to seeing you at an event in 2013. And you are welcome to attend any event, not just the ones in your country.

18

London Connection › December 2012

It was a great evening with great people and a unique opportunity to renew old friendships as well as make new ones. Muhammad Owais Khan | Dubai Events are currently planned for the following countries in the first half of 2013:

< Munich, Germany, February 2013 < Colombo, Sri Lanka, February 2013 < London, UK, March 2013 < Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 2013 < Toronto, Canada, June 2013 < Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, June 2013



www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni

19

Contact us

We would welcome your feedback on the issue and your letters/comments for future publication. Please contact us on Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 4826 or email: [email protected] This issue (and back issues) of the magazine are available to download in the ‘Alumni’ area of our website:

www.londoninternational.ac.uk/alumni Follow us on: www.londoninternational.ac.uk/youtube www.facebook.com/londonualumni www.londoninternational.ac.uk/twitter http://linkd.in/alumniassociation www.flickr.com/photos/londoninternational Published by: University of London International Programmes (Design, Editorial and Production). Copyright © University of London, 2012.