Tree-mendous response to FSE’s festive Global Gathering event

Around 100 international students from the Faculty of Science and Engineering filled a Christmas tree with messages of gratitude, hope and love as part of a special festive Global Gathering event. A student from FSE created this heart warming video which captures the joyous event. 

The Student Voice Tree mixer event in the University’s MI Building brought together students and staff from the faculty to toast the coming festivities.

Students and staff enjoyed mince pies and mulled wine as they penned heartfelt messages on decorations to bring the tree to life.

The event on Monday 20 November saw Lecturer Dr Andrew Gascoyne showcase his talents on the piano to accompany students as they sang carols. Assistant Faculty Registrar Kate Faulkner, who organised the event, said: "I must personally thank Dr Gascoyne for his star turn on the piano – he was amazing  – and for all the staff and students who helped to make the event such a success."

Kate summarised the event as: “The Global Gathering initiative has really captured the imagination of our international students, and is helping to cement their relationship with the University and with their peers. The Student Voice Tree is covered with such lovely messages."

Elvis Enyiaka, MSc Data Science student said: “It was great fun interacting with other students and the lecturers and I really enjoyed the Christmas song renditions. Being able to decorate the tree and get into the Christmas spirit was really enjoyable.”

Dr Gascoyne said: “It was great to see the students embracing the festive season and getting involved in all of the Christmassy activities. ‘Props’ to the students with the fantastic choir voices; they really stole the show and were amazing! And thank you to Kate and her team for putting on such a brilliant event.”

The FSE gathering coincided with a new intake of MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) students joining the faculty, with current and new students later moving from the MI Building to continue the festivities with social games in the Student Union bar.

Dr Liam Naughton, Programme Lead for MSc Data Science and AI, said: “It was wonderful to see new students mingling with current students over a mince pie and forming friendships which will support them into the future.”

For more information please contact Assistant Faculty Registrar Kate Faulkner at kate.faulkner@wlv.ac.uk.