Edge Hill University's free interview clothing scheme recognised in sustainability 'Oscars'

AN Edge Hill University scheme to give students access to free clothes for job interviews has been recognised by judges of a major sustainability award in UK and Ireland.

The Interview Clothing Collection initiative was launched in 2022 and kits out students with free, interview-ready clothes donated by other students, staff and the local community.

To date, 109 students have engaged with the project resulting in the repurposing of 207 items of clothing and saving around 50kg of waste from landfills.

Edge Hill's Corporate Sustainability Manager Keziah Stott said it was:- "breaking down barriers to success and ensuring no student goes to an interview feeling under prepared."

Emilia McRobie, a student who benefitted from the scheme, said:- "Going to interviews, I wasn't sure what to wear. There were so many things to consider. The interview clothing collection is a great opportunity for students like myself who may not know where to start when looking for clothes, and also may not have the opportunity to buy brand new clothes."

The scheme is among 3 aspects of Edge Hill's sustainability work to be shortlisted for a Green Gown Award; the equivalent of the Oscars for eco-friendly colleges and Universities.

Facilities Management Procurement Manager Dave Fendle has also been shortlisted for Staff Sustainability Champion. Keziah said:- "To have Dave recognised for his continued championing of sustainability is so well deserved. Dave has been 1 of the biggest supporters on so many sustainability projects and his approach to sustainable procurement is so inspirational."

A short listing in the:- 'Reporting with Influence' category recognises the University's ongoing efforts to chart its sustainability journey and use the information to impact and influence within the institution.

Winners and highly commended entries will be announced at the Green Gown Awards Ceremony in Edinburgh, on:- 13 November 2024.

Edge Hill is committed to improving the environmental performance of the University and was highly commended in the 2011 Green Gown Awards for Sustainable Construction and Refurbishment in respect of the £4.2million Durning Centre.

The University was recently awarded the Green Flag award for being 1 of the UK's best green spaces for the 13th successive year and in 2023 it was graded in the Platinum Tier as a:- "top committed green University" by Uswitch.

Find out more about Edge Hill's commitment to sustainability at:- EdgeHill.AC.UK.

Nigerian Masters graduate sets her sights on becoming a leading female voice in cyber security

CYBER security masters graduate Racheal Babarinde aims to be a leading voice in the traditionally male dominated tech industry.

The 26 year old from Nigeria, currently living in Liverpool, did her undergraduate degree in Ghana but was keen to study cyber security in the UK, where the industry is more advanced. Racheal was impressed with Edge Hill right from the start:- "Edge Hill helped me secure my student visa, and that support continued. Everyone from lecturers to the wider computer science department has been there for me, helping me settle in and adapt. I'm also grateful to the University's financial team, which offered me more time to pay my tuition fees when I was struggling. While I've been working part time to pay my way, my family, who had committed to helping me, were hit by the impact of Nigeria's economic crisis and rocketing inflation."

As well as the great British weather being a culture shock for Racheal, she found studying at a UK University a very different experience from Africa. But her:- "grit and determination" have seen her pass with flying colours:- "My 1st degree was all exams. There was little critical thinking and analysis which I needed to develop to be successful at Edge Hill. I took feedback on my assignments seriously, participated in the computer science research club and used the University's learning service, which helped me with research methods, academic writing, and how to reference and critically present ideas. The sessions and online resources were so helpful."

Her Masters complete, Racheal now has the skills, confidence and ambition to make it in an industry that safeguards all our futures:- "I'm looking in the UK for a role as a server security engineer or analyst, which is more about monitoring networks to stop incidents occurring.  These would put me on the route to my dream job of becoming an ethical hacker or penetration tester. Cyber security is a global issue, and South Asia is at the cutting edge, so in the longer term, I could see myself in Japan; it's a country that's always fascinated me. Ultimately, I want to make an impact by becoming a leading female voice in an industry saturated with men. I follow several women in the industry, and I'd love to be someone younger women can look up to."

Racheal thanks God and her invaluable support network for helping her through her challenges. It's included her dear Uncle, who sadly passed during her studies, her family in Nigeria, her sister in Sheffield (who she's also been supporting after the birth of her baby), Mencap colleagues, and church and University communities. She advises any prospective students to seek help when they need it:- "It's going to be challenging, but you can get through it when you have a support system around you. People want to help, but they can't unless they know what you're struggling with. Don't be afraid to speak to your tutors, University support services or people in the wider network you've built."

Find out more about studying cyber security, the wider Department of Computer Science and postgraduate courses at Edge Hill University.