AWARD WINNERS
Jonathan Bailey - 2006 Runner Up
Age: 22
University: University of Oxford
Degree: History
During his time studying, Jonathan has thrown himself into all sorts of activities in particular debating, drama and journalism. "I'm passionate about encouraging debate through the education system and believe that learning to listen and debate an issue is just as important as essay writing," he says.
This passion has taken him around the world: few people can say they have debated at the top of the Kuala Lumpur Tower in front of government ministers and on national television. But Jonathan experienced both when he and a fellow debater became the youngest team to reach the grand final of the World Universities Debating Championships, competing with 1,000 pupils from countries and finishing as runners-up.
He has also used these skills to teach debating to schoolchildren in Thailand, Romania and inner-city London, and has organised debating for 1,500 Oxford Union Society members.
Jonathan says his approach is to seize opportunities that are open to him and to create them when they are not. This is reflected in the number of activities and organisations he has been involved in, from re-founding his college's croquet club to working his way up to the position of news editor at the student newspaper, Cherwell.
His advice to students is to do things that they love doing, not just because they want something to put on their CV. "If you really want to be involved in something and you enjoy it then you are much more likely to be a success and get something out of it," he says.