Thousands of people all over the world have passed through ARU’s doors in the past, and many have gone on to achieve great success or have become pioneers in their respective fields.
Now the university is calling on members of the public to nominate former students in one of five different categories:
- Alumni Service to Society
- Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year
- Alumni Contribution to Culture
- Young Alumni of the Year
- Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award
The awards are also open for those who attended ARU’s predecessor institutions, including Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridgeshire College of Art and Technology, Essex Institute of Higher Education, Chelmer Institute and Mid-Essex Technical College.
Winner of last year’s Alumni Service to Society Award, Kirsty Shakespeare, has spent years teaching Environmental and Sustainable Education all over the world, most recently in Bangkok. She said: “To be recognised and receive the ARU Service to Society Alumni Award, for educating and sharing with others what I love about the natural world was a great honour.
“It’s also a reminder to me on those early mornings, when it's already 35 degrees and 98% humidity and I'm itching all over from mosquito bites, about to hike out into the forest with a group of students that I'm not totally mad and that I'm doing the right thing!”
Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of ARU, said: “It gives us great pleasure to celebrate the success of our former students at this annual event.
“There are outstanding individuals in all fields and in all walks of life who have received an education from ARU and we’re calling on members of the public to come forward with suggestions of ARU alumni who are making notable contributions to our society. Please get in touch, and help us to recognise their achievements.”
The award ceremony will take place in April 2020. To nominate someone for one of the awards, please visit aru.ac.uk/alumniawards