First class students set the standard for others to follow
Press release issued: 3 December 2008
Public housing expert Chan Abraham wins
Anglia Ruskin University has presented its annual Alumni Success in Business Award to a man who has created a company that works for the benefit of local people who need to access affordable housing.The winner of the 2008 Alumni Success in Business Award, sponsored by Fitzwilliam Construction Ltd, has been announced as Chan Abraham, who graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2001 with an MSc in Leadership in Management, and is now Group Chief Executive of the Cambridgeshire-based Luminus Group.
The idea for the business came to him when he was at a local government conference in 1997 where he learned that much-needed investment in public housing services was unlikely to be forthcoming.
In 1998 Chan initiated his vision for change - one that would generate extensive community engagement, the creation of new hope for deteriorating public housing services, and generate substantial financial resources for the benefit of local people.
The result was the creation of a company called Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership (HHP) and a wide-ranging consultation exercise to explain to 10,000 tenants the possibilities if HHP acquired their homes. Simultaneously, he persuaded the government that housing stock acquisition was in the best interests of the whole community.
The idea was for Chan Abraham to raise substantial new money through private finance specifically for Huntingdonshire District Council to invest in improving the quality of life for local people: in community areas such as safety, health, development, leisure, education and in supporting HHP to build new homes. His vision was that the focused investment of such resources, supplementing the work of mainstream agencies, could make a huge impact for the long-term benefit of the local community.
In 1999 the tenants voted overwhelmingly to support the acquisition of their homes by HHP and in March 2000 Chan, as its first Chief Executive, authorised payment of £65m to Huntingdonshire District Council and the work got under way to make that future hope a present reality. However, this was only the beginning and although the core aim was to focus on the needs of existing tenants, the rapidly changing environment meant that means would have to be found to build new homes for rent.
Since that time Chan has received awards too numerous to mention from organisations as diverse as RoSPA, the BBC, National Business Awards, Housing Excellence Awards and Luminus has been recognised this year at 16th place in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For.
The Luminus Group is now widely regarded as one of the most socially responsible businesses within the east of England.
"Chan Abraham's success in business, combined with a strong social awareness, is inspirational and the reason why he is a worthy winner of the 2008 Alumni Success in Business Award. We applaud his excellent work."
Gavin is a first class radiographer with winning appeal
Gavin Cain, who is 28 and from Colchester, has just graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with a first class honours degree and a University prize for the hard work and determination he put into his recent degree studies.His efforts saw him receive a BSc (Hons) in Radiography and Anglia Ruskin University's Faculty of Health and Social Care prize for his achievement within both academic and clinical work. He collected both awards at a recent ceremony at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge.
Talking about his experience of Higher Education study and working within the healthcare sector, he said:
"I became interested in diagnostic radiography while working in orthopaedic theatres as a health care assistant (HCA). Although I enjoyed working as a HCA my position had limitations in terms of scope of practice and career progression. I felt I had more to offer clinically and academically. Pursuing a career in radiography was ideal. I could combine my interest in the sciences such as, anatomy, physiology and physics with direct patient contact and working as part of a professional team.
"Working as a radiographer at my local hospital is extremely rewarding. I am in a position where the examinations I undertake will alter the clinical management or help in the diagnosis of many patients. Further, I get to perform some of these examinations using the very latest technology.
"Graduating as a diagnostic radiographer is a passport for career progression in a wide range of specialisms. For instance, several of my colleagues have successfully undertaken radiographer reporting courses. I have always enjoyed image interpretation during my training and would be very interested in such role extension in the future. In addition to the many varied career pathways is the opportunity to travel abroad. Most foreign countries recruit from the UK. To have the option to practice abroad was a great incentive to become a radiographer.
"I am extremely proud to have graduated as a radiographer. I would like to thank the team at Anglia Ruskin University for all their help and support during my training. My thanks also go to the radiographers at Colchester General Hospital who I have worked with and learned from over the years."
Sarah beats dyslexia to achieve teaching dream
A mature student from Hornchurch, Essex, who has just graduated with a first class degree began her studies not knowing that she had dyslexia.Sarah Fryatt, a 35 year old mother of two children, had embarked on a BA (Hons) in Primary Education to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher when she finally discovered the challenge that she faced. Struggling to keep up with the study schedule and, after discussions with her University lecturers, she sought advice and realised that support was needed.
In fact, her dyslexia was confirmed and she had to learn to teach herself the true meaning behind text before she could proceed with her studies. Incredibly, she did this at the same time as she was studying for her degree. The group of mature students she was studying with were incredibly supportive of her newly increased workload and took notes on her behalf to cover the coursework that she missed while she was attending special tutorials.
"Learning to interpret text while studying the coursework was the biggest challenge. There were times when I thought I wouldn't be able to make it through but my fellow students were absolutely brilliant. They were determined that I would succeed and graduate with them."
Her accumulated qualifications combined with her direct work experience, earned her a place on the degree course. It was only on her last assignment that she was able to benefit from using a new assessment process called Patchwork Text, where students can record their findings in 3D work rather than written text, if preferred. She created a 3D camera, a 3D concept map and devised a new game, and as a result of perseverance over the three year course, she was awarded a 'first'.
"I have to thank my fellow students at Anglia Ruskin University and the people who work within Student Support Services who helped me to obtain everything I needed, including a laptop computer, to enable me to complete the course. Special thanks also go to my tutor Karen Gladwin, who helped to make my success a reality.
"I would like to encourage anyone who is dyslexic, children or adults, to carry on applying themselves to their work even if they do have problems with reading or writing. A variety of methods of teaching and learning will open up many new options for them in the future. So my message is never give up.
"My family encouraged and supported me throughout my studies. They were brilliant and I have to thank them for being there. In fact, my children are now both looking at higher education options because they have seen what benefits a degree can bring."
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Last updated 23 April 2010
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