Honorary graduate Sir David Attenborough said: “The whole of life is coming to terms with yourself and the natural world. Why are you here? How do you fit in? What’s it all about?”

University is a great time to consider life’s big questions. But taking the next step requires courage and, more often than not, a little financial support.

Placement grants

The Alumni Fund makes placement grants to students who want to push the limits of their experience, like for Helen Mylne, who secured a placement with the African Lion and Environmental Trust in Zimbabwe. Now she has graduated with a degree in Natural Sciences and is working as an elephant researcher for the same organisation, addressing the conflict between people and wildlife in Africa.

Helen says:

“Without the Alumni Fund supporting me through some of the costs of an unpaid placement on the other side of the world, I can say for certain that I would not be here now.”

“It was the Alumni Fund grant that made this all possible"

Jack Rossiter shares Helen’s, and Sir David’s, drive to discover and protect the world we all share. His placement grant enabled him to go to Nepal in 2013, where he set up cameras along a forest corridor to monitor tiger populations. “The data collected was essential to discover whether current conservation initiatives are successful or not. Our research showed that they’re working – tiger numbers are stable and on the increase."

“It was the Alumni Fund grant that made this all possible. I was able to increase my scientific knowledge, experience the wonder of a different culture and network with international organisations. Thank you very much!”

Biology graduate Jack now works for the UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre. We think Sir David would be proud.