Business degree comes of age.

TEESSIDE University is hosting a special anniversary event for Master of Business Administration graduates and current MBA students.

This year the MBA at Teesside celebrates 21 years and to mark the occasion, a champagne reception will be held by the University at mima, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, from 6pm-8pm on Thursday June 11.

Guest speaker will be David Bowles, pictured, originally from Sussex, who graduated from Teesside with an MBA in 1995.

Mr Bowles, currently non-executive chairman of Northern Defence Industries Ltd, Tyne & Wear Enterprise Trust Ltd (Entrust) and Argonautics

Ltd, was awarded the OBE for services to the defence industry.

He said: "I would advise anyone who is contemplating a course of study to take the plunge because it does broaden the horizon and provides a basis for success in both career and life." Mr Bowles, 67, is a former sales and marketing director of Flymo Ltd, operations director of Northern Development Company and managing director of North Defence Industries Ltd.

He said: "I enjoyed the course and also the fact that it was grounded in the problems of the day, there was a good mix of academic and practical study on issues and projects which were current at the time.

"I was a good deal older than most of my fellow students and I really enjoyed the perspective of working with younger people who provided a different perspective." Sarah Irving, alumni officer, said: "The event will offer a great opportunity to catch up with former classmates and reminisce about your time spent studying at Teesside." Everyone who registers will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to one of next season's Middlesbrough FC home matches.

Book a place by emailing [e-mail]