Latest news with #alumni
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
Egyptian-American economist vying to be next Chancellor of Cambridge
Dr Mohamed El-Erian describes the University of Cambridge as his 'happy place'. The Egyptian-American economist, known to millions as a globe-trotting economist who has shaped thinking about historic twists in the world's fortunes, graduated from Queens' College in 1980. After a successful career – working at the International Monetary Fund, as a bond trader, adviser to US President Barack Obama, author and columnist – he returned to his alma mater as president in 2020. He's genuinely one of the kindest people that I've ever met Georgia Box He now hopes to be elected chancellor of the university, an 800-year-old role that has been held by princes and prime ministers. In a ballot of alumni, he is pitted against two lords, a TV presenter, an anti-Brexit campaigner and several academics and business leaders, with the result due to announced by July 23. Dr El-Erian, who was named in the Top 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine and made Worth magazine's list of 100 Most Powerful People in Finance, he has endorsements from former UK prime minister Gordon Brown, Google DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis and businesswoman Arianna Huffington. He was born in New York to Egyptian parents, and his father worked as an ambassador, judge and at the United Nations. He grew up in the US and Egypt, as well as being educated at boarding school in England. He won the economics category of the Great Arab Minds awards in 2023. He has run a vigourous social media campaign, mixing his serious message about the transformation he believes is needed at Cambridge with light-hearted interviews gently ribbing rival university Oxford. Dr El-Erian has been seen wearing a Queens football shirt and also gave a tour of his home office which features a giant poster of Cambridge. 'I am happiest here, just ask my daughters,' he says in that video. He sets out his proposals for how the chancellor's role should change: making it less ceremonial and more practical, ensuring the university is on a sound financial footing and open to the international community. As co-chairman of the Cambridge Capital Campaign he has helped bring in £2.2 billion of investment to Queens. 'Cambridge must redouble its efforts to attract funding and donations,' he said in his campaign statement. 'I've seen first-hand how innovation and philanthropy help to support vital research, expand opportunities, and better secure our future. 'If elected chancellor, I'll intensify these efforts by helping to tap into global philanthropic opportunities and to attract the investment Cambridge needs.' He has also spoken about the need to understand how Cambridge can give students a foundation for life. 'Throughout my time here it's been about identifying what the problem is and fix[ing] it,' he said in a video discussing the need for flexible scholarships. In footage filmed on the grassy bank of the River Cam as punts glide past, Georgia Box, an associate at Deutsche Bank, was interviewed about why she was supporting Dr El-Erian. He explained how she was under pressure to start earning, using her new degree, but not continue her studies at a higher level. He helped to design a scholarship that would not just pay for fees and living accommodation, but also 'something extra'. Ms Box said: 'He cares a lot about each and every student. He's genuinely one of the kindest people that I've ever met. I think he's just an excellent leader and I can't think of anyone else that's better for the job.' In her submission to be chancellor, broadcaster Sandi Toksvig points out: 'The first known chancellor of Cambridge was Richard of Wetheringsett who served sometime between 1215 and 1232. After that we have had a plethora of other Richards, many Johns and an awful lot of Stephens. 'After 800 years I wonder if it isn't time for a change,' she asks. Dr El-Erian will be hoping to add the name Mohamed to that list.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Norfolk gardening school celebrates student graduation
If you have children or grandchildren in their early twenties you won't have failed to notice that it has been graduation week for many across the country. And our diploma students may not be quite as young, but they – and we – are just as proud of their achievements. We celebrated in style this week, with an end of year show of their amazing work and a graduation ceremony, attended by their family and friends as well as graduates from previous years. They have worked so hard and come so far. This time last year they were nervous hopefuls, planning to change their careers and life paths from a RAF officer, jewellery designer, maintenance gardeners, marketing managers, and software sales representatives to garden designer - and now they have done it! Diploma in Garden Design graduation 2025 Pete Forrest (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening) Two of them have won a gold medal at Hampton Court and several of them have already had their first commission to create gardens for clients. Now they are all launched on their new career. It was wonderful to celebrate this milestone with them. One of the best things about the school is that students, alumni and graduates become part of our family network. They stay in touch with each other and with us and there is a growing band of garden lovers and professionals across the region and beyond, which has roots running deep and wide. Diploma in Garden Design graduation 2025 (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening) As well as preparing for the graduation ceremony we have been busy in the garden. There has been a little less watering to do of plants already in the ground, but we still have countless pots which dry out in this weather - even with the bit of rain we have had. It is rare for rainfall alone to be enough for plants in any size pot. And of course the plants in the greenhouses are still just as thirsty. The recent Hampton Court garden was dug up a couple of weeks ago, and the plan was always to relocate the plants to the school's garden. We've not been involved in a show garden before, so we didn't appreciate that in order to create a stunning display you need to have at least three times (yes really) the number of plants you will actually use. So it's safe to say that we were a little astonished at the dozens and dozens of plants which arrived here. Hampton Court arrives at Bixley (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening) We have been very busy getting them into the ground and watered! These are some of the first courses next term which have spaces available. Let us know if you'd like to join us: · Introduction to Garden Design – September 11 · Certificate in Practical Horticulture – September 12 · Advanced Practical Gardening – September 17 · Plants for Free – September 24 · Border Renovation – October 1 echinacea purpurea (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening) PLANT OF THE WEEK Echinacea purpurea, also known as purple coneflower, has pink flowers and a large, orange-brown cone in the centre. It's perfect for growing in drifts towards the middle or back of a cottage-style or herbaceous border, or among grasses and rudbeckias in a prairie-style planting scheme. It is easy to grow - resistant to adverse weather, doesn't need staking and will come back, year after year. Echinacea purpurea flowers for months on end and the flowers are long-lived, excellent for cutting and extremely attractive to pollinators. Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. Deadhead the flowers as they fade to encourage more to form, but in autumn leave the seedheads for the birds. Cut them back the following spring, when the new foliage emerges. There are many cultivars available, ranging in height, flower colour and size of cone. For more information, contact us via or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The bad girls (and boys) of Sydney's elite private schools: LUCY MANLY chases down the rich kids who prove money doesn't buy sense - and reveals what no-nonsense magistrates REALLY think of them
The reputations of some of Sydney 's most prestigious private schools are being tarnished by pampered alumni finding themselves on the wrong side of the law. The same golden boys and girls who once celebrated top marks and elite university offers with Dom Pérignon are now showing up in courtrooms a decade later, trading champagne for drug tests and defence lawyers.
South China Morning Post
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Jimmy O. Yang and John Lee bonded over their time at Hong Kong's Wah Yan College
City leader John Lee Ka-chiu and renowned Hong Kong-American stand-up comedian Jimmy O. Yang met to discuss their time at Wah Yan College and the future of local showbusiness, it has been revealed. Advertisement Lee graduated from Wah Yan College, Kowloon, while O. Yang attended Wah Yan College, Hong Kong. Joining the duo at the gathering was Commissioner for Belt and Road Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, who was O. Yang's classmate. The recent meetup was revealed in a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo by O. Yang's management company CAA on Saturday. The three men shared 'campus memories and interesting stories', according to the post. Advertisement Accompanying photos showed the three toasting with commemorative water cups from the 'Wah Yan One Family' alumni organisation. It did not mention when or where the gathering took place or how long it lasted.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
U of M grads reunite for 80th birthdays
Winnipeg Watch A group of University of Manitoba graduates from 1963 are reuniting in Winnipeg to celebrate their 80th birthdays.
