2007 was the fifth anniversary of the International Student Awards. As part of the celebrations, we produced an exhibition looking at the history of the UK’s relationship with international students, from those first non-UK nationals to travel to the UK to follow their studies, right up to the modern day.
The exhibition focuses on the students themselves – individuals who have made a real contribution, whether large or small, either to the UK, their home country, or on the world stage – relating the history through their own individual stories. The exhibition was premiered at the International Student Awards ceremony in April 2007, and is now being developed into toolkit form so that it can be made available globally.
Here are some of the UK alumni spotlighted in the exhibition:
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a leading campaigner against the policy of white supremacy in South Africa, Apartheid, and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He went on to chair South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Here he remembers his time at King’s College London
'I was deeply touched and honoured when the student pub was named after me. I hope that it will long be a hub of student life, laughter and a place of vigorous debate and freedom of expression.'
Chinese author Jung Chang came to the UK as an international student in 1978. As she explains, the experience encouraged her to begin a career as a writer that has seen her top the bestseller lists around the world
'I have realised my dream of becoming a full-time writer, and while I visit China every year, my home is still in the UK. It’s a wonderful place.'
Rodolfo Neri-Vela, the only Mexican to have rocketed into space, explains how his UK education got him on to the launch pad
'My MSc In Telecommunications from and my proficiency in English language were the two fundamental ingredients in my being given the opportunity to go into space.'
Dato’ Professor Jimmy Choo OBE has designed shoes for some of the world’s most stylish feet, including those of Diana, Princess of Wales, Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, Katie Holmes and Liz Hurley. Here, Jimmy explains how a holiday to the UK was the start of something big
‘The course at Cordwainers encouraged me to design for myself, and gave me a sense of the buzz in the UK fashion industry'
In 2001, at the age of 33, Sir Stelios Haji-loannou made nearly £800 million by floating
his UK-based budget airline easyJet on the stock market.
'I feel my time has come to start giving back to society and giving back on education is the best means of empowering people to change their lives, the businesses and sometimes their countries.'
A fine all-round cricketer and an inspirational captain, Imran’s crowning achievement was leading Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup. He now serves as Chairman of the Board of Shaukat Khanum Hospital, and is also a philanthropist, humanitarian, Member of Parliament and leader of the political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf
'The opportunities offered for overall personality growth through arguments, debates and logical thinking makes UK education a very different and enriching experience.'
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