Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) marked seven years of employability programmes with the WWC Annual Reunion, where former participants were invited to come together to reminisce about their time on the programme and grow their network.
WWC is a University-wide initiative designed to give students the unique chance to hear from a diverse range of alumni speakers and partner organisations from across the globe and be guided by them in their journey to become work-ready, confident and successful graduates.
The WWC Annual Reunion saw a big turnout, with 170 former WWC participants in attendance. During the event they had the opportunity to discuss their experiences on the programme, network with each other and celebrate the programme’s success.
WWC is made possible by the funding support from the Quintin Hogg Trust and is organised by the Westminster Working Cultures team within the Alumni Relations Office. Liz Duff, Chair of the Grants Committee for the Trust, was in attendance and got to see first-hand how the students are impacted through the programme.
WWC is designed to support Westminster students' professional skills development and global outlook. It is comprised of WWC International and WWC UK, which features a range of successful alumni and partner organisations with over 1000 Westminster students and recent graduates participating. WWC International has hosted 33 trips worldwide since its launch in 2017 and WWC UK has hosted 15 programmes and numerous events since its launch in 2020.
Speaking about his experience with WWC and the WWC Annual Reunion, Digital Media and Journalism BA Honours student Bailey Hawsey said: “Westminster Working Cultures was a programme that truly changed my entire university experience. It created lifelong bonds, developed my professional skills and pushed me out of my comfort zone to help me grow and learn about myself in ways I never thought possible in just a single week.
“Attending the WWC Annual Reunion was a lovely opportunity to rekindle the bonds I created on the programme and further network with the vast array of like-minded and diversely talented individuals across the WWC community. WWC is not simply a programme but has become a family to me.”
Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability, said: “To put our vision of being a global university into practice and to support our students from diverse backgrounds to succeed in life, it is important to maximise opportunities for learning, networking and work-preparedness. The students who engage with our Westminster Working Cultures programme benefit immensely. For instance, the atmosphere in the room during the recent reunion was electrifying and a reminder of the difference this programme makes to our amazingly talented students.”
Upcoming WWC programmes will occur in Istanbul in April 2025 and the UK and Singapore in June 2025.
WWC directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education and 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Westminster Working Cultures or email the Westminster Working Cultures team.
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