Official Launch Of Suffolk College Reunited - 5 May 2004

This month saw the official launch of a new service for Suffolk and the wider community when Suffolk College Principal, Professor Dave Müller, installed Ugur Vata (pictured below), a former Suffolk College student and well-known and respected restaurateur, as the first President of Suffolk College Reunited.

In presenting Mr Vata with a framed certificate to mark the appointment, Professor Müller said, “The founding of Suffolk College Reunited creates a thread that runs right from the opening of the then Civic College in the 1960s through the history of the staff and students who have contributed to college life. It is this sense of continuity and community that has been one of the drivers in our strategy for a new Further Education College and University Campus Suffolk. Our exciting plans provide the opportunity to build an academic future that draws on many years of further and higher education provision whilst addressing the needs of the 21st century. In this way we are planning for Suffolk College Reunited to give support and pleasure for many years to come.”

In his response Mr Vata commented: “I am delighted to be the first President of Suffolk College Reunited. Suffolk College was part of my new life in the UK. It was here that I learnt to speak English. So it is nice to be in at the start of this new initiative. I’m really looking forward to working with the members. It’s another way for me to give something back to the community.”

Suffolk College Reunited has been established to offer students and staff the opportunity to keep in touch not only with each other but also to have a continuing relationship with the College. It is part of the vision that its members draw on the advice and guidance services available as part of their life long learning plan.

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The group will be run very much by and for the members. There is a discussion forum on the website where members can have their say as to the kinds of services and events they would like to see on offer, and the composition of the steering committee represents current and former cross-College interests.

Although the website has only been live for a short time there are already over a hundred members. The Suffolk College Reunited website provides the chance to catch up with old friends using new technology. Registration is free, easy and on-line at www.suffolk.ac.uk/reunited .

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For further information please contact:

Tracey Bailey, Promotions and Information Centre Manager

Tel: 01473 296520

E-mail: tracey.bailey@suffolk.ac.uk

Issued by Promotions

5 May 2004