Update on Moodle and migration from UEL Plus

E-Learning are approaching the final stages of preparation for the move to Moodle, the new Virtual Learning Environment at UEL. Moodle will be available in a read-only mode for the period from today, 2pm Friday 18 January to the afternoon of Monday 21 Jan 2013.Please click here for more details...

Library planning day and inter-semester break update

UEL Libraries will be staffed from 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday only from 19 January-4 February. All sites will remain open for 24 hours during the break. Full details can be found here....

Student service extended hours – Please note that Student Services helpdesks are now open until 7pm on Tuesdays at our Docklands campus (NB 2.06) and Thursdays at Stratford (RB.G04). Students will also be able to access evening provision (5pm-7pm) from other teams as below…

Quality Assurance and Enhancement (QAE)– reminder to all academic staff involved in the supervision of postgraduate research students of the requirements of the PGR Attendance Policy. The policy’s principle aim is to ensure that ongoing engagement and attendance is effectively recorded through the course of our students’ supervisory meetings. As part of the policy, all PGR students will make use of a web-based reporting form to help keep track of their progress and continuing research development. The form is easily accessible and for any queries on the policy, please contact Merlin Harries in ESDS.

UEL wins award for best student prospectuses 2012 – The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) awarded UEL for the category of best Student Prospectuses 2012 for on-line self-selection prospectuses.

The judges’ report comments on the strength of the entry:
“Congratulations, your achievement was in a particularly strong category. The entry aligns with the modern student management system; hence showing a high technological creativity that other universities throughout the Commonwealth and beyond should emulate. Extremely imaginative and user friendly.”

Also your universe student magazine was awarded an ‘honourable mention’ in the PR, Marketing and Communications Awards described as a “praiseworthy initiative. Visually very attractive and easy to navigate”.

Valerie Viehoff, research fellow wins research grant from IOC – Congratulations to Dr. Valerie Viehoff, research fellow at UEL who won the research grant from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Studies Centre to undertake a comparative study of the Olympic legacies from Munich 1972 and London 2012. Dr. Valerie said: “The main focus will be on the long-term use of the Olympic Park and the Olympic Village. Since these are two aspects playing an important role in London's legacy promises, we are interested in investigating whether there might be any positive lessons to be learned from Munich"...

Production of place conference huge success– The conference was opened by Vice Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee and Keynote speakers included Tony Fretton, the author Iain Sinclair, Alberto Molletto and the Vice-President of research at the US Green Building Council and Chris Pyke. Delegates from all five continents of the world presented 38 papers, selected from 120 submissions.

The papers reflected on the three themes of the conference from their different contexts. Sixteen discussion forums debated the ideas to reveal a strong consensus amongst the speakers that the topic of the conference was unique, relevant to their work and provided an international platform for academic development...

Showcase of selected UEL students artwork at Rich mix– Art students are to stage an exciting new exhibition at Rich Mix galleries in February, entitled: To Each Their Own.
The show is inspired by the question: What does it mean to be a practicing student of art in an international city such as London? Hedley Roberts, Head of Art and Design said: “The high quality work these students have created candidly articulates what it is to be a practicing artist studying in the capital. It is inspiring to see them representing their practice so competently.” The exhibition runs from 7- 28 February, with the private view on Thursday, 7 February at 6.00pm. Must RSVP for private view, contact: jessica.loveless@richmix.org.uk

UEL passes First Year of 14001 Surveillance Audits – Happy Birthday to UEL’s Environmental Management System! After a nail biting few days of external audits, the Sustainability Team were told that UEL has successfully passed its first round of surveillance audits for our ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, since the system was put place in January 2012.

The external audits identified that UEL’s Environmental Management System is working well to raise awareness and helping to embed change throughout the institution. Well done to all the Schools and Services which were audited and thank you for your continued support. Please go the greenthing website to find out more about our EMS.

Mapping Education for Sustainability – The Sustainability Team, part of Facilities Services, working in partnership with the Cass School of Education and Communities, will take on a Research Intern as part of UEL’s undergraduate Research Internship programme. The project involves the development of an understanding of the range of sustainability-related education taking place in UEL and other HEIs.

The study will use a mixed methods approach including semi-structured interviews, documentary analysis and an online survey using Survey Monkey to gather data. This partnership is unique within UEL as Facilities Services is the only service participating in the scheme. Preparation work has already begun so the successful intern will have a flying start. In addition the intern will receive regular research mentoring from a member of the research team.

Grow Your Own
– has started back on Thursdays. This week's session was a planning meeting to decide what is grown in the Stratford Allotment beds.

The UEL ReDS team is pleased to host the British Academy visit– The British Academy visit at UEL- Funding workshop will be delivered by Kate Kenyon and Ken Emond from the British Academy. The British Academy is the UK's national body for the humanities and social sciences. This workshop will give an overview of BA funding opportunities and hints on what makes a successful BA application...

Calls: Wellcome Trust announce two calls – The trust has announced two calls: research fellowships and University awards in ethics and society. The first scheme is for individuals not yet in established academic posts who wish to undertake a period of postdoctoral research. The second, University awards scheme allows universities to attract or retain outstanding research staff at an early to mid-stage point in their careers by providing support for up to five years, after which time the applicant takes up a guaranteed permanent post at the university...

Call: 2013 call launched for Youth in Action Programme– This programme was launched on 22 December 2012.Non-profit or non-governmental organisations are eligible to apply, as well as, local or regional public bodies, informal groups of young people, organisations active at the European level in the field of youth, international non-profit organisations and profit-making organisations organising an event in the area of youth, sport or culture...

E-Factor, UEL’s premier business ideas competition, is now open – Do you know of any entrepreneurial students and graduates in your school? E-Factor, UEL’s premier business ideas competition, is now open! Encourage your students to apply now to be in with the chance to win £6000 grant funding and a start up business package.
A member of EET would be delighted to answer any of your students’ questions, please email enterprise@uel.ac.uk to book a member of staff to talk during your lecture. The closing date of the competition is 11pm Friday 15 February.

Staff and students don't miss your chance to be involved in Glasgow 2014– Applications are being accepted now for volunteering during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and you could be amongst the first to apply! After London 2012, if you are keen to be involved with the UK's next big sporting event, click here...

Jogging's back! – On Thursdays, from 5.15-6.15pm (meet outside SportsDock under the DLR bridge). A great way to start the new year! Get fit, have fun for free.

Drop in Table tennis– Every Friday SportsDock has drop in table tennis sessions from 8.30 – 9.30 pm. Only £1.50 for SportsDock members and £2.50 for non- members, the sessions do not need to be booked. All levels of table tennis players are welcome, all equipment is provided, all you need is yourself!

Badders in the City is coming to SportsDock – Starting on Friday 8 February, a six week beginners badminton course- Badders in the City begins. A sociable and exciting badminton playing opportunity with a twist - far more fun than pounding the pavements on your own. All for just £25! Every Friday from 6.20pm- 7.40pm to book your place visit here...

New year, new clothing? – If you have resolved to do more exercise or become fit in 2013, you can make sure you look good whilst doing so by ordering some UELSports branded clothing. Kukri, the official clothing range of UELSports has created a bespoke line for UELSports. From polo shirts, smock tops and tracksuit bottoms, there is everything there to make sure you look good when exercising. To browse or to place your order visit here...