A former University of Nottingham lecturer has established a student prize fund at the Malaysia Campus in honour of his wife who died from Alzheimer’s earlier this year.

Emeritus Professor Brian Atkin and his late wife Jan spent five years in South East Asia after Brian was appointed CEO and Vice-President of The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.

Jan embraced the opportunity, gave up teaching and moved to Malaysia where she became an honorary tour guide for the many visitors to the university, especially colleagues from Nottingham, as well as accompanying Brian to official functions.

Jan also helped students to improve their English and developed a strong interest in student welfare, particularly in relation to international students. Years earlier she had acted as a “substitute mother” to students at Ancaster Hall while Brian was warden there.

But in 2008, Jan’s health deteriorated and the couple returned to the UK. Brian briefly returned to University Park before retiring after 35 years’ service, to look after his wife.

Jan so enjoyed her time in Malaysia that after her death, Brian wanted to find a way that she could be remembered for years to come in a place where she had been so happy and had made so many staff and student friends.

“Jan never forgot about the good times in Malaysia, although through her illness she forgot many other things. Hopefully this prize fund will help Malaysia remember her for a little longer,” said Brian.

Jan and Brian’s son Ben has started fundraising; in September he completed a 100km run in 12.5 hours.

The first three prizes from the Jan Atkin Prize Fund will be awarded in Malaysia in 2013. Donations to the Jan Atkin Prize Fund can be made by sending a cheque payable to The University of Nottingham, marked on the reverse ‘for the Jan Atkin Prize Fund’, to the Campaign and Alumni Relations Office, Ground Floor, Pope Building, University Park. Alternatively you can make a donation over the phone — call Jo Crossley on: 0115 846 7310.

Professor Ian Pashby, Provost at UNMC, said: “We are delighted to receive this very generous donation from Brian. Jan is sadly missed, but the Jan Atkin Prize Fund is a most appropriate way to commemorate the life of someone who always took a very keen interest in helping students during her time in Malaysia.”

Professor David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor, said: “Jan is fondly remembered by all who knew her, both in Nottingham and at the Malaysia Campus, and it is entirely fitting she should be celebrated in this way. We are very grateful to Brian for this generous legacy.”