News
Friday 16 May 2008
It's never too late to learn
A 57 year old zoo keeper has won an award for returning to education 35 years after he left it. Studying part-time for a BSc (Hons) in Zoo Biology at Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences, Bob Lawrence has been awarded a National Learning Works Award by the National Institute of Continuing Education (NIACE).
As the Director of Wildlife at West Midlands Safari Park, there’s not much Bob doesn’t know about caring for newborn lions or coping with a foot and mouth outbreak, but Bob admits that going back into education after 35 years was a real challenge.
“The students were a bit wary of me at first,” he said. “So were the lecturers. I’ve been doing this job since before some of them were born!”
Despite this vast experience Bob feels that he still has a lot to learn. “Your learning curve never levels out,” he said. “It has been a real eye-opener. It has helped me to see my vocation in an entirely new perspective and opened up new horizons. I wish I could study the course full-time.”
Bob was nominated for the National Learning Works Award, part of Adult Learners Week, by programme leader for the BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology course, Sarah Bottom. Zoo Biology is a unique course focussing on the biology of exotic species, both captive and non-captive. The course has a range of modules covering anatomy and physiology, behaviour, nutrition and ecology, while relating them to the management and conservation of zoo species.
“Bob’s an inspiration to us all at Nottingham Trent University,” said Sarah. “His years of experience and approachable nature are a real asset for his fellow students as well. He’s an impressive ambassador in a time of increasing conservation awareness and accelerating extinction rates.”
Rachel Thomson, Senior Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said, "In spite of the fact that this is the 17th annual Adult Learners' Week, we continue to be amazed by the quality of the nominations we have received. Bob's story is an indication of how learning can transform lives completely.”
ENDS
Notes for editors:
Adult Learners’ Week is the largest annual celebration of adult learning in the UK. It is supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the European Social Fund, learndirect, the National Learning and Skills Council, Ofcom - the Office of Communications, the Quality Improvement Agency, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and City and Guilds. More details at: www.alw.org.uk
Press enquiries please contact: Matt Wallace, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 8785, or via email: matthew.wallace@ntu.ac.uk; or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk
