University of Reading Alumni and Supporters

02/10/2026

What skills will you need for a career you can't predict?

Resilience? Adaptability? Creativity?

What about knowing how to keep learning?

Whether fresh out of University seeking a first role or returning to the job market. Trying to decipher what is required in the current career sphere can be a real challenge.

Episode 2 of Reading Ahead explores the skills that could matter most in a rapidly changing world of work.

Chancellor Paul Lindley OBE is joined by Dr Naeema Pasha from Henley Business School and entrepreneur Martin Allen Morales.

100 years of education at Reading. Now we're asking what the next generation will need for the century ahead.

Episode 2: Future Skills is out now.
Watch on YouTube: https://rdg.ac/4ysb7FX
Listen on Spotify: https://rdg.ac/3VmGX8xand

01/10/2026

Throughout the month of October, the University of Reading comes together to celebrate Black History Month.

Whether you live locally or not, we invite you to join us for a series of sessions and events taking place throughout the month. Some are online and some are in-person, but all provide a space to reflect on the rich histories, cultures, achievements and contributions of Black communities in Reading and beyond.

The month's celebrations culminate in a Community Fete which will be held on the 31 October in central Reading. This flagship event will showcase the organisations, businesses and individuals who make a positive difference across our town.

To find out more, see our full programme of events for Black History Month: https://www.reading.ac.uk/black-history-month/events

29/09/2026

Happy Belated Birthday Norman! 🎈You don't look a day over 174 😉

And news of Norman's advancing years is the perfect excuse to remind our local alumni that the Cole Museum of Zoology, located at Whiteknights campus, is free to visit and is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 16:30.

25/09/2026

For many alumni, university is where they first planted roots, forging friendships, discovering passions and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Whether you've stayed in your university town or moved far beyond it, those roots often remain.

Now, you have the opportunity to plant roots in a whole new way.

Through charity scheme Trees for Streets, partnered with Reading Council, you can plant a tree in your university town and leave a living legacy that will flourish for years to come.

Make your mark, support the environment, grow something meaningful, and help future generations enjoy the town that played such an important part in your story.

For more information visit https://rdg.ac/46tVJfQ

Reading Borough Council has partnered with the charity - Trees for Streets - to make it easier for residents to sponsor new tree planting in their local streets and parks. You ...

25/09/2026

It's days like this one that fill you with hope for tomorrow.

Yesterday, we spent an awe-inspiring day at our Greenlands campus, where attendees gathered for the 'just IMAGINE if...' final. We watched as 10 students and alumni of the University shared their innovations and ideas designed to make the world a better place.

A huge congratulations to all the finalists, every single idea presented was fantastic and served to highlight the incredible talent and ingenuity we have within our community.

The three winning ideas will each receive £5000 worth of seed funding and 12 months of active one-to-one support from the University of Reading and business mentors.

So, without further ado, here are the winners of 'just IMAGINE if...' 2026:

Arnav Collaco – UoR alumnus (BEng Biomedical Engineering, 2026)
‘Abiliti’ - a device for providing gait analysis during recovery collecting data from the use of walking aids, giving better insight to physiotherapists and better outcomes for patients managing long-term mobility conditions.

Godfrey Dekera – Henley Business School MSc student
‘V-Vet’ - the delivery of an AI-powered platform for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, accessible by smartphone, that reduces animal loss, linking farmers to veterinary intelligence and advice.

Paula Garzon - Henley Business School MSc student
‘DUNA’ - a climate-smart luxury sleepwear brand, empowering women in vulnerable communities in Colombia by providing fair employment and supportive salaries while addressing the environmental challenges of fast fashion through durable, long-lasting products.

Congratulations to recent graduate and new alum, Arnav, and also to future alumni, Godfrey and Paula for this amazing achievement – we're sure that we will be hearing more from you and the other finalists very soon!

Read more about the 'just IMAGINE if...' final: https://rdg.ac/4yWDBaH

24/09/2026

We know our climate is changing, so what do we do about it?

The all-new Reading Ahead podcast has started off strong with two of our incredibly inspiring alum, broadcast meteorologist Laura Tobin (Good Morning Britain) and Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez OBE, sharing their wisdom on weather changes and how we turn climate knowledge into climate action.

Launched as part of our centenary celebrations and hosted by our Chancellor Paul Lindley OBE, this fascinating conversation is the first in a series of eight podcasts exploring the challenges that will shape the next 100 years.

Listen on Spotify: https://rdg.ac/4gZ0zGT
Or watch on YouTube: https://rdg.ac/46Eqmj0

23/09/2026

Did anyone catch Andi Peters reporting live from Whiteknights Campus on ITV's Good Morning Britain?

The visit was in honour of Good Morning Britain's Meteorologist and alumna, Laura Tobin and to mark the students return to university this week.

Andi stopped by various locations on campus, including Palmer Quad, Mojo's and the Atmospheric Observatory. Regius Professor Hannah Cloke, Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, Professor Keith Shine, and PhD students Maia Arama and Ana Arama were also interviewed.

If you missed it and fancy a trip down memory lane without leaving the sofa, you can catch up here: https://bit.ly/3Vcpb7M

21/09/2026

Wishing you a blessed and meaningful Yom Kippur. G’mar chatima tovah.🔯

18/09/2026

Last Saturday, a very special day was spent in Beijing celebrating 100 years of our history and looking ahead with alumni, partners and colleagues.

A number of University-focused exhibitions adorned the walls telling the story of our past, with so many exciting stories of the present and the future standing amongst us.

As Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort said in his address:

"A university isn't defined by its age, buildings or history alone. It's defined by its people and the relationships they build across generations and across borders."

So, to everyone who joined us for this very special event, we share our sincere thanks. We are so proud to have you as part of our history - and our future.

16/09/2026

Happy scenes from last Friday as the University of Reading and Henley Business School welcomed alumni for a very special Centenary celebration in Hong Kong.

As our guest of honour, former COO of Alibaba, Dr Savio Kwan talked about the importance of following your passions and how good fortune generally comes from doing good things. He also took the time to answer questions from our alumni.

A huge thank you to all our alumni who joined us in Hong Kong to celebrate this momentous occasion.

To stay connected and find out more about our future global events, be sure to update your details: https://rdg.ac/update-your-details