Creative energy to the fore at Bayes Alumni Forum
Alumni met up with old friends and mixed with students and academics at the first Bayes Alumni Forum event.
Around 200 people attended the inaugural Bayes Alumni Forum to catch up with old friends, learn more about the School’s current objectives and hear insights from successful business leaders.
Executive Dean Professor Andre Spicer outlined the School’s strong performance in the last Research Excellence Framework round and in the various rankings tables.
He also outlined how the School and wider university are embracing the future: “We've launched new courses in areas like FinTech and also in areas like ESG. Our undergraduate programme continues to grow and remains amongst the best in the country. We have a fantastic new building in Finsbury Square – which includes an Alumni Lounge. The university itself is merging with St. George's medical school from September and that will create opportunities to explore the intersection between business and healthcare.”
Bruce Daisley, former Twitter Vice President (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and an Honorary Bayes Visiting Professor, kicked the day off with a keynote talk on how the pandemic has permanently changed workplace culture.
Professor Spicer emphasised the value that alumni can bring to the School through providing mentorship, networking opportunities and – in some cases – scholarships.
“You can really help shape the next generation of professionals and the impact it can have on the institution’s reputation and success. Graduates sometimes ask me how they can engage as alumni. Some of our alumni come back and give guest lectures which our students love."
"The students are always looking for opportunities to apply the latest knowledge and insight so a placement with your business could be really valuable – and you might welcome a bit of free consultancy as well.”
After a day of networking, talks and workshops, the event was capped by an evening function in the Barbican.
Helen Nicholson, Head of Alumni Relations at Bayes’ said the forum and evening function had proved popular.
She said: “It was great to see so many alumni renewing friendships and forging new relationships. We have tens of thousands of alumni around the globe and that provides both graduates and students with an invaluable network of expertise.”
