As the new academic year gets into full swing, thousands of Kingston University students are set to become the first in the United Kingdom to benefit from the latest phase of its sector-leading Future Skills programme. Alongside their subject-specific learning, from September all second-year undergraduates will be taking part in Explore as part of the University's groundbreaking approach to preparing them for career success.
Keeping it in the Kingston Family
In July, we celebrated another successful cohort of graduates at Kingston University. We applauded and cheered as 3,000 students took to the stage at the Rose Theatre to receive their degree. We were thrilled to welcome students along with their friends and families, some of whom are familiar faces to Kingston University themselves.
A Kingston University forensic chemistry graduate, who secured a degree place through Clearing, still has vivid memories of making the call that set her on the path to a career that has recently seen her awarded an MBE. Little did Genevieve Bent imagine when she picked up the phone to call Kingston University's Clearing hotline 15 years ago she would one day receive an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours. That is exactly what has happened though, with the announcement of the award in June seeing her recognised for her services to education.
Director of V&A East Dr Gus Casely-Hayford awarded honorary degree from Kingston University
Dr Casely-Hayford, inaugural Director of V&A East, has been awarded Doctor of Art and Design in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Arts and Heritage, and advocacy of arts education.
A fresh batch of Kingston University students are set to cross the stage to complete their university journey and embark on the next step of their careers. The new graduates will be joined in the celebration of their achievements by proud family, friends, academic staff and special guests during the University's summer graduation ceremonies.
Over 1,400 Kingston alumni picked up their phones this spring to chat with students on our Inspire the Future Campaign. Our team of 28 enthusiastic student callers reached out to alumni to share updates about Kingston University, seek advice, and raise vital funds. Kingston alumni donors gave new gifts and recommitted their support. One group of alumni donors match-funded all new donations, together delivering over £87,000 to support students through our Hardship Fund, KU Cares programme, postgraduate scholarships and Opportunities Fund.
In a career spanning three decades – from lecturer to leadership roles including Faculty Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and, for a short spell, Acting Vice-Chancellor – it's fitting that Dr David Mackintosh has spent his final few years at Kingston in a role focused on shaping its future. As he retires as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Strategy this week, the father-of-three reflects on the huge change he has seen at the University during the past 36 years, as well as some of his proudest moments at Kingston.
The achievements of Kingston University's sector-leading Future Skills work to prepare graduates for career success have been celebrated during a special all-staff event at Town House. Staff from across the institution came together to hear from students, module tutors and senior leaders about how the innovative new model of education was transforming teaching across the institution. The skills most valued by employers are being embedded across every year of every course informed by the research of the University's award-winning Future Skills campaign.
If you have any Kingston-related news or have heard of an upcoming event that you think other alumni should know about, then please tell us.