From left to right: Frank Gardner, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Smith and Director of IAIS, Professor Gareth Stansfield.
Frank Gardner returns to Exeter
BBC Security Correspondent and alumnus Frank Gardner OBE returned to Exeter to give a talk about his travels to a packed audience.
The former graduate of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS) spoke at the Exeter Northcott Theatre, where he recounted stories about his visits to unusual places, both whilst at University and subsequently.
Frank spoke fondly about his time as a student at Exeter and the influence it has had on his life. More than 150 current students were among the sold-out crowd there to hear him speak.
Frank worked all over the Gulf before becoming the BBC’s Middle East Correspondent in Cairo. He has reported first hand on terrorism and security around the Middle East.
In 2004 while on an assignment, he was shot six times by al-Qaeda militants. He survived with major injuries but his cameraman colleague was killed in the attack.
Frank has a passion for travel and after his talk spent 45 minutes answering questions. He later signed copies of his book “Far Horizons” for audience members.
“Frank was incredibly generous with his time here at the University. As well as the talk which everyone found fascinating, he spent a long time afterwards signing books and chatting to the students and alumni who had come to hear him speak," said Holly Peterson, Head of Alumni Relations at the University of Exeter.
“We would like to thank him for such an enjoyable and informative event. Nobody went away disappointed and that is a testament to his skills as a speaker and his thoughtful engagement with the audience."
Frank also spent time meeting with senior University staff including the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Steve Smith and the Director of IAIS, Professor Gareth Stansfield.
Date: 1 June 2011
