The latest cohort of the groundbreaking course, which was launched six years ago, graduated in a ceremony at Wycombe Swan Theatre in High Wycombe on Tuesday 6 September.
The two-year foundation degree, run by the University in High Wycombe, is offered through distance learning with a mix of Internet-based virtual learning, two-day workshops and project-based work.
Buckinghamshire New University is also the base for the International Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies: its students on the foundation degree focus on a range of issues from crowd management planning through to research.
Teaching staff include Mark Hamilton (managing director of at G4S Events) and Tony Ball (the managing director of Show and Event Security) who were also awarded honorary degrees at the recent graduation ceremonies.
Indeed, more than 100 industry professionals have graduated from the course since it was launched.
Recent graduates: the Roll of Honour
This year’s graduates were Andrew Ball (British Transport Police), Andrew Fraser (Fraser Associates), Andrew Hollinson (Response Security Group), Andrew McQuillan (Select Security Group), Alan Tungate (Metropolitan Police Service), Alan Wise (British Transport Police), Cato Fjukstad (Professional Security Services AS), Colin Lish (Headline Security), David White (Protecttour), Glenn Robertson (Vespasian Security), Ian Hardcastle (Eclipse Security), Jorgen Aass (Movement Strategies, Norway), Kasper Sonderdahl (Vestas DK), Life Bjorn (Parken Stadium DK), Luca Nalewaj (Response Security Group), Niall Forde (Islington Borough Council), Oliver Gardiner (Vespasian Security), Paul Manson (G4S), Richard Douglas (Show and Event Security), Robbie Naish (Show and Event Security), Simon Coleman (Wembley National Stadium) and Tim Collins (Mission Impossible Management).
Mick Upton – head of the Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies and who devised the foundation degree in 2005 along with Professor Chris Kemp, pro vice chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University – told SMT Online he believes the course has had an influential role in the crowd management industry.
“The fact that more than 100 industry professionals have graduated from the programme over the last few years and have gone on to shape the modern crowd management industry speaks volumes for the desire to improve standards of safety.”
Owen Grainger-Jones, course leader of the foundation degree in Crowd and Safety Management, said: “We’re delighted to see so many industry practitioners successful in their studies with us. We’re building on the success of the foundation degree and launching a new BA Honours course in Crowd Safety Management, starting next month.”
For information on the foundation degree in Crowd and Safety Management or other event industry courses at Bucks New University telephone Owen Grainger-Jones on 01494 522141 (extension 4368) or send him an e-mail: Owen.Grainger-Jones@bucks.ac.uk
Further information about… Bucks New University
Buckinghamshire New University has enjoyed a long and successful history since it was founded in 1893. The University now offers an extensive portfolio of courses spanning the creative and cultural industries, the management and information management sectors and the public sector.
It also offers services to industry including contract research, consultancy and the opportunity to employ graduates.
The University has recently completed a major campus re-development programme which saw the opening of a state-of-the-art building in High Wycombe known as the Gateway which comprises a learning resource and technology centre, events hall, gym, sports science laboratory, dance, drama, music and video production studios, library and meeting rooms, new student accommodation in High Wycombe and a new base for nursing students and applied healthcare research in Uxbridge, West London.