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Inspire 2011

6465Once again, at University College Birmingham, the annual Inspire conference saw students share their inspiring stories with fellow students and staff. The event, now in its fourth year, gives students the chance to showcase the exciting things they have done whilst at University College Birmingham.

The conference this year was made extra special by guest speak ‘Blind Dave Heeley’ (pictured with UCB students) who opened the conference with a truly inspirational talk on his life and how his loss of sight hasn’t stopped him achieving his goals and realising his dreams. He also talked about the latest challenge he has set himself, to undertake 10 marathons in 10 days plus 1000 miles of cycling, find out more about his Top2Toe Challenge.

Displays from the students were created by them and showed their enthusiasm for their chosen activities which are as follows:

  • Cat Fleming, Monarch Airlines Steward who through part-time study is in the final stages of her BA (Hons) Tourism Business Management, despite also working full time flying daily across Europe.
  • Michael Keogh, BTEC National Diploma Travel and Tourism, chose to share his love of music and how he has continued to play the piano throughout his course.
  • Richard Wood, BA (Hons) Tourism Business Management, shared his perspective as a student who is blind and how that has and hasn’t affected his studies at UCB.
  • BSc (Hons)Sports Therapy students shared their adventures providing support to 650 cyclists on a John O’Groats to Lands End charity ride – read the full news story here.
  • BA (Hons) Events Management students showcased the work they do for the Professional Events Practice module which is an integral part of their course where they experience by working - on a paid or voluntary basis - for a range of organisations in the events sector.
  • For students studying the Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-Up it was an opportunity to demonstrate the special effect make up skills they have learnt on the programme and sharing their placement and competition success.
  • BA (Hons)Adventure Tourism Management final year students gave a taste of their expeditions with flavours of trekking in Nepal,  snowboarding in The Himalayas, experimental tourism in Turkey, setting up a football league in The Gambia and travelling from north to south in Vietnam.
  • Maarja Nomme went on an amazing journey took her from her BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management on a 4 month exchange visit to Guilin Institute of Tourism in China where she took classes, learnt Mandarin, walked part of the Great Wall of China and immersed herself in Chinese culture and way of life.
  • Sam Roth’s year long placement as part of his BA (Hons) Hospitality Business Management taught him how important going that extra mile is and he now uses that philosophy in all aspects of his life.
  • Haddon Pratt is following his dreams of a career in fashion whilst still making use of his FdA Hospitality Food Management in his day job which is currently supporting his ambitions.
  • UCB’s Student Guild celebrated the success of their sporting teams in the last year and look forward to students continued achievements in all of the fields they represent.

Take a look at our photo gallery of the day.

We look forward to more inspiring stories next year!