17 May 07

Oxford alumni from across the globe can secure their places for the first ever University and colleges Alumni Weekend (www.alumniweekend.ox.ac.uk) anytime, any place, anywhere after online booking went live this week.

Former students worldwide have the opportunity to participate in 'Meeting Minds' between 14 and 16 September 2007 - the first time that the University and colleges have collaborated to stage a major alumni event in the city.

The Vice-Chancellor, Dr John Hood, said: 'The three-day event will combine aspects of the well-established tradition of college reunions with something quite new: a University-wide programme of more than 100 lectures, seminars, conversations, performances, sporting contests, visits, tours and Oxford hospitality with many of the University's leading academics and some of our best-known graduates. We hope that many hundreds of alumni will join us to revisit former haunts, renew old friendships and make fresh ones.'

The Oxford Alumni Weekend 2007 has been organised in direct response to calls by graduates around the world who expressed a desire to return to their University for a mix of social and educational events.

Nancy Kenny, Secretary of the Oxford University Society, said: 'Since alumni first heard about the event through Oxford Today, with its accompanying letter from the Vice-Chancellor, we have had many expressions of interest in joining us.

'We now have a robust online booking system in place, so alumni can now look through the staggering array of lectures, panel discussions, tours, performances and visits we have lined up and take their pick.'

The programme includes lectures on the challenges of global health by the Regius Professor of Medicine, John Bell; Lady Antonia Fraser giving her insight on the art of biography writing; BBC Director General Mark Thompson on the future of broadcasting; and Oxford mathematician Marcus du Sautoy on the mystery of prime numbers. Other highlights include: a panel discussion on Oxford's contribution to the history of thought chaired by Melvyn Bragg; Oxford stroke experts Professors Alistair Buchan and Peter Rothwell talking about the University's contribution to researching one of the top three leading causes of death; a panel on cancer and the postcode lottery by Professor David Kerr; and a panel of experts led by Sheila Cassidy discussing torture and human rights issues.

Among the many tours and workshops on offer will be the chance for alumni to see behind the scenes at old haunts from their student days - including the museums and the underground workings of the Bodleian Library - as well as to trips to see the work of the WildCRU wildlife conservation group and the University's world-famous publishing house, OUP. Sir Roger Bannister will be firing the starter's gun for a mile fun run around the Iffley Road athletics track which was named in his honour on 10 May.

After booking closes on 31 July, University staff members will be able to request tickets online for individual events in the weekend programme, subject to availability. More information on this will be available at a later date.