For the second time in the show’s history, a team from Robert Gordon University will compete in University Challenge.
The team of students from RGU will appear on the BBC show on Monday at 8.30pm to face the University of Roehampton.
At 60 years old, University Challenge is the UK’s longest-running TV quiz programme and is hosted by Jeremy Paxman, who plans to step down next year after 28 years at the helm.
This is the second time RGU will take part in the quiz show since the institution’s first appearance in 1994.
The team practiced for the show by watching episodes together on Zoom, meaning the first time they all met in person was for filming the show.
Emily Cullen, team captain, studied pharmacy at the university and is now a trainee pharmacist at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
She said: “I was obsessed with going on University Challenge, and all a person thinks about while the participation is still embryonic is how you, the team, the match will appear on telly.
“But I can say hand on heart that the relationships we formed as a team made these concerns seem insignificant.”
A chance to represent RGU
Team member Samuel Fregene studied a master’s in analytical science, specialising in drug analysis and toxicology. He is the first international student from Nigeria on University Challenge.
Mr Fregene took part in many competitions in Nigeria to represent his school, and is looking forward to representing RGU.
He said: “Most of the questions on the show were generally related to things that are happening in Europe and in the UK especially.
“Coming from Nigeria and being able to audition for the show and answer those questions made me really proud. But everyone in the team did a good job and really inspired me as well.”
Faye Cooke is now two months into her legal traineeship with a law firm in Edinburgh after studying for a diploma in professional legal practice and completing the accelerated LLB in 2021.
She said: “I have a two-year-old son, so studies, work and Zoom quiz practice had to fit in and around his schedule.
“It’s funny to think he might watch it back in years to come and be filled with pride, embarrassment, or, most likely, indifference.”
‘No expectation of auditioning, never mind actually getting on the show’
Donald Anderson studied accounting and finance at RGU and is now working as an auditor at KPMG.
Mr Anderson recalled getting in touch with the student union on a “whim” while watching the programme without ever expecting to audition for the show.
He said: “I kind of forgot about it for a while until I heard back and got in touch with Emily, so I had no expectation of auditioning for the show, never mind actually getting on it.
“It goes to show the importance of giving things a go. I’m really glad I did, not just because we made it on the show but also because I wouldn’t have got to know such great people otherwise.”
Finally, third-year applied biomedical science student Ingrid Taylor is the reserve team member for the group.
She watches the Alumni University Challenge with her parents every Christmas and was keen to be involved with the team.
Tune in to watch the RGU team on Monday November 28 at 8.30pm on BBC 2 or watch it later on iPlayer.
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