Celebrity Speakers Look who's talking There is a long tradition of UK universities and colleges welcoming prominent international figures to lecture, debate or judge competitions. As Matt Mcallister discovers, your time at university can offer an unparalleled opportunity to come face-to-face with your idols.

Guest speakers don’t have to be famous to be inspiring. It’s just as likely that somebody you’ve never heard of could stimulate you into examining your future in a different light. But there’s no doubt that witnessing your personal hero on-stage, giving advice, regaling you with anecdotes and answering your questions, holds a power quite unlike anything else. So it’s always worth keeping an eye on your university or college notice boards – you never know who might be scheduled to give a lecture or take part in the next debate.

Guests can range from figures at the top of their chosen profession to some of the great names from sport, politics, business and the arts. Perhaps the most celebrated forum for world-famous faces is the Oxford Union at The University of Oxford, which has attracted icons such as Ronald Reagan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa and Malcolm X. More recent examples, including actor and director Clint Eastwood, Hollywood star Ben Affleck, Grammy award-winning producer/songwriter Pharrell Williams and former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, show the eclecticism of the guest list.Witnessing speakers like these in the flesh is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

When the person giving the lecture is part of a Mercury-Prize-Winning success story, it’s probably fair to say that he knows what he’s talking about

Cultural heroes For music fans, the Students’ Union is a unique chance to check out new bands and see bigger names live. You might also find out what your musical heroes have to say on topical issues. Following Franz Ferdinand’s chart success, frontman Alex Kapranos gave a muchpublicised lecture at The University of Edinburgh as part of its prestigious Edinburgh Lectures series. Kapranos’ speech, ‘Sounds of Society: Scotland’s role in making the music of the 21st Century’ enthralled a 300-strong crowd as he called for greater government funding for the music industry.When the person giving the lecture is part of a Mercury-prize-winning success story, it’s probably fair to say that he knows what he’s talking about.

Leading lights from the world of cinema also find time to visit UK universities to deliver advice to movie buffs and budding film-makers. For example, Ken Loach, director of such classics as Kes and Carla’s Song, has lectured on British culture and the decline of the community at The University of Central England in Birmingham. Like others who have distinct, personalised approaches to film-making, Loach can offer practical advice to young filmmakers and is guaranteed to leave the audience with plenty to think about afterwards.

Famous faces from stage and screen are often keen to entertain young and appreciative audiences with their unique experiences. Emma Thompson recently returned to Newnham College, The University of Cambridge, where she herself studied English as an undergraduate some years ago. More a down-to-earth graduate than a lofty film star, Thompson combined stories of her acting career with reminiscences from her time at Cambridge and no doubt inspired her audience to think about their own potential and future ambitions.

Steve Cram has maintained links with Sheffield Hallam University
Photographer: Tracey Welsh

Sporting legends Many colleges and universities place a strong emphasis on sport, and sporting legends are often asked to give motivational talks or open new sport centres. Britain’s recent success in securing the 2012 Olympic Games is likely to mean an even greater focus on the celebration of sporting excellence across the country. Sheffield Hallam University has already launched a ‘Lighting the Flame’ campaign, supported by medal winners Steve Cram and Matthew Pinsent. Cram is no stranger to the University: he opened its Centre for Sport and Exercise in 2000 and has been awarded an honorary doctorate. The middledistance runner’s recollections of winning an Olympic silver medal no doubt encouraged listeners who aspire to similar achievements. Meanwhile, Pinsent, the British rowing champion and four-time Olympic gold medal winner, met with sporting hopefuls to assure them that competing in the Olympics was within their grasp and to describe how it has changed his life.

Sir Alan gave a lively question and answer session at Brunel University as part of its hsbc series of lectures
Photographer: Sally Trussler

Top entrepreneurs The popularity of business degrees and growing interest in entrepreneurship has brought top names from business into colleges and universities to give talks and judge competitions. Jack Welch, the highly successful (and sometimes controversial) former CEO of General Electric, recently lectured on ‘The Art of Management’ at The London School of Economics (LSE). Mr Welch gave the assembled group of future business leaders his advice on how to succeed in business by combining risk-taking, innovation, and customer and employee satisfaction. For those more interested in entrepreneurship and brand development, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of the easyGroup companies and an LSE alumnus, gave a lecture on ‘The Pros and Cons of Serial Entrepreneurship and Brand Extension’.

When you know that a speaker has reached the top through hard work and determination, their views can be particularly inspiring, and this is certainly true of Sir Alan Sugar. Founder of Amstrad and more recently star of reality television show The Apprentice, Sir Alan gave a lively question-andanswer session at Brunel University as part of its HSBC series of lectures. His advice, backed up by first-hand accounts of his own remarkable success, was made all the more relevant by the fact that the audience was able to ask the questions for which they really wanted answers, and no subject was off limits.

Advice from people like Jack Welch, Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Sir Alan Sugar could be just what is needed to spur you towards that idea for a business venture that has been floating at the back of your mind. Who knows – one day it could be you returning to university to deliver a lecture on the secret of your own success.