It’s been yet another big year at Regent’s University London in 2018. From launching two new scholarships, recognition in the UK's best breakthroughs list and accolades for staff and students alike, we take a look back at some of the highlights.
Back in February, Sofia Mellander a 2017 graduate of BA (Hons) Film, TV & Digital Media Production won a Royal Television Society (RTS) for her graduation film, Without Christina. Course Leader, Tristan Tull, believes it's the first in a long line of awards for Regent's graduates.
“This is the first time Regent’s University London has been engraved on an RTS award, we are confident it will not be the last."
Without Christina Trailer from Sofia Mellander on Vimeo.
Still in February, Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney, gave an inspiring speech to students at Regent’s, discussing the importance of good leaders developing the right people, catalysing action and setting priorities.
Mr Carney used the opportunity to share his thoughts on the four essential attributes of leadership: ambition, purpose, clarity and humility. Ambition however is not personal ambition, “but ambition for your organisation."
In early March, following an invitation from ESCP Europe, London, three teams from Regent’s battled it out for top spot in the Energy Trading Challenge, and secured a highly impressive third overall position, ahead of some of Europe's finest business schools.
Days later, Regent's and OK! Pakistan launched an exclusive new fashion journalism scholarship. One lucky student on the MA Fashion Journalism programme will receive an invaluable industry internship with the leading glossy magazine at their Karachi office during the summer, with mentoring from a senior member of the magazine’s staff.
In April, Regent's formed a scholarship agreement with the Federation of International Polo (FIP), launching the newly re-named Filippo Corsini Polo Scholarship, in association with the Federation of International Polo.
Originally launched in 2016, the scholarship was the first of its kind in the UK, and links well with FIP’s desire to both enhance the image and status of the game, and broaden the scope of international polo. Two successful scholars were appointed for 2018/19 in November; Clara Forstner and Georgie Pask.
Regent's was home to the third International Peace Summit, hosted in partnership with the Tutu Foundation, in late April. A resounding success, expert mediators and activists relayed their experiences of bringing justice and mediating international and domestic conflicts, including former State President and Nobel Prize Winner, FW de Klerk.
FW de Klerk, former State President of South Africa
An enthusiastic crowd filled the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane on Thursday 10 May, lining the catwalk of Regent’s University London’s final year fashion show.
The Fashion Building 2018 event featured work from students graduating across three programmes from Regent’s School of Creative and Liberal Arts: BA (Hons) Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Marketing and BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing, in an evening which culminated in the spectacular fashion show.
Shortly after, Regent’s final year BA (Hons) Interior Design and BA (Hons) Communication Design students showcased their final project work to the design world, in a special private viewing of the exhibition.
The end of year extravaganza was held at the Department Store in Brixton – a location which had actually inspired the theme of the Communication Design show, Revealed. Parallels were drawn between the structure, confidence and raw layers of the building, with the students, and how they had developed over the course of the three year programmes.
The result of a live industry project between Hurlingham Polo 1875 and Regent's, students on MA International Fashion Marketing co-designed the on-field kit to be worn by England Polo for the 2018 season. The striking shirt made its debut at the Beaufort Test Match against Ireland on Saturday 9 June.
L to R: England Polo's George Meyrick, Mark Tomlinson (Captain), Josh Cork, Henry Porter
The Regent's University London class of 2018 graduated over two days in July; Thursday 5 and Friday 6, joining the family of over 19,500 Regent's alumni living and working in over 161 countries worldwide. Joining them, were the 2018 Honorary Senior Fellows:
- Professor Vicky Pryce
- Dr Nicholas Bowen
- The Rt. Hon. Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QC
- Professor Stephen Newstead
August was another busy month for the University - Regent's climbed 56 places in the National Student Survey (NSS), recording an overall satisfaction rate of 86 per cent, a 2.5 per cent increase from 2017, and placing Regent's at joint 36th in the overall ranking, and joint seventh out of London universities.
Only the second year that Regent’s has taken part in the survey, two programmes recorded particularly high results in overall satisfaction: 100% in BA Film, TV & Media Production, and 91.67 per cent in BSc Psychology. The high levels of satisfaction in BA Film, TV & Media Production are indisputable, with the programme performing above average on almost every question and recording high results across the board.
Luis Garcia was announced as the inaugural winner of the Robert McKee International Screenwriting Scholarship in October.
"Being the recipient of the Robert McKee International Screenwriting Scholarship is an unbelievable honour. Having my name attached to a true titan of the industry shows the world that I have the necessary tools to take the next steps in my writing career with Regent’s,” commented Garcia.
Robert McKee brings his Story Seminar to Regent's University London
Throughout November and December, both students and staff were treated to a varied and fascinating range of events featuring industry professionals, Michael Ward, MD of Harrods captivated staff and students, a former FBI agent explored disinformation in the age of social media, leading experts in the field of human rights spoke at Regent's on the 70th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, and four renowned panellists from the Middle East both discussed and celebrated the aspiration of Arab women in building their societies.
Michael Ward, MD of Harrods
Last but certainly not least, the work of Doctor Reem Al-Sulaiman, a PhD graduate in Counselling and Psychotherapy, was honoured in the UK’s Best Breakthroughs list of the last century, for her pioneering work as a board certified cancer genetic counsellor, working at the National Centre of Cancer Care and Research at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar.
Doctor Reem Al-Sulaiman
As another successful academic year comes to a close for the University, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all a restful and enjoyable break and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!