|
|
Welcome to our weekly in Focus update...... |
Past Issues << | Issue 26: Friday 27 October 2006
|
Carolyn Watts, SCoT Registrar responsible for the Student Helpdesk and the helpdesk team are working on a range of initiatives to strengthen the level of customer care their students can expect.
Carolyn explains: “We will tell our students directly about the red comments boxes and feedback forms, and encourage them to fill them in to let us know how things are going.” One new improvement to communication between students and academic staff is to introduce a contact log, in which the student notes his or her enquiry to a member of staff and a record is kept. While students can already email, phone and meet with academic staff during allocated time periods, the need for an additional method of communication was identified. As Carolyn explained: “The contact log will help us to analyse the types of enquiries coming up to see if there are any patterns emerging as well as to monitor the successful resolution of issues raised.”
A member of Carolyn’s team will attend each ScoT Programme Committee, also attended by tutors and student representatives, to gauge both staff and student feedback for the School. Carolyn will also be inviting a range of staff, especially from Student Services, to the helpdesk team meetings to talk about their role and the services they provide to students.
As Carolyn says: “Our vision is to resolve a student enquiry directly. If we need to refer someone on we want to ensure it’s to the right place and there’s appropriate follow up, so that we know that issue was taken care of. Our aim is to identify and eliminate any gaps in our provision and provide a constant and continuous service - so that we can get it right first time!”
For more information about Charter Mark and to read our self-assessment visit http://www.uel.ac.uk/chartermark/
You can now top up your Oyster card at the John Smith’s bookshop off the Atrium at our Docklands campus. The following types of tickets are now available:
Oyster card issue and top-ups (please note John Smith’s cannot issue concessionary student Oyster photo cards)
daily, weekly and monthly travel cards.
bus passes.
John Smith’s is delighted to add this additional service for the benefit of all it’s customers.
Cedrick Nosa, ECDL Manager has let us know that we’ve passed our first ECDL Audit report from the British Computer Society (BCS) with an A grade in all categories as well as being awarded an A grade overall – the highest score possible. The auditor commended our excellent set-up and co-ordination of ECDL for both and students and staff.
For more information contact Cedrick Nosa on Tel:020 8223 4316 Email: c.nosa@uel.ac.uk
To conduct your own search of current funding opportunities, or to set up email alerts specific to your interests, visit www.researchresearch.com.
If you intend to submit an application for funding please contact Becky Whitham in the Graduate School as soon as possible Tel: 020 8223 2731 or Email: b.whitham@uel.ac.uk
Medical Research Council: New Investigator Grant Deadline: 4pm - January 2007
The New Investigator Research Grant is aimed at researchers who are capable of becoming principal investigators, and who are now ready to take the next step towards that goal. New Research Investigator Grants provide funding for three years. Applicants must hold a PhD, D Phil or an MD. They should be at the start of their first academic appointment, or have 3 to 10 years of research experience in a senior post-doctoral position.
Visit: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/ApplyingforaGrant/AvailableGrants/NewInvestigatorAwards/index.htm
The Nuffield Foundation: Social Science Small Grants Deadline: None
This Scheme makes small grants for social science research expenses. Awards are normally up to £7,500, although in exceptional circumstances awards may be made of up to a maximum of £12,000. The Scheme has no closing date. Applicants must be resident and working at a UK institution, although the research may be undertaken outside the UK.
Visit: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/go/grants/smallgrants/page_123.html
Natural Environment Research Council: Standard Research Grants Deadline: 1 December 2006
Grants are for a minimum of £25000 for directly incurred costs. The competition is intended for curiosity-motivated basic, strategic or applied research in the natural and environmental sciences.
Visit: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/researchgrants/typesofaward/standards.asp
Economic and Social Research Council: First Grants Scheme Deadline: 4pm on 11 January 2007
The scheme is intended to assist researchers at the start of their careers gain experience of managing and leading research projects. It is open to all staff who have not previously been Principal Investigators on Research Council awards, and who are within 6 years of completion of their PhD, or equivalent professional standing. Applications may be up to three years in length, and up to £400,000 at 100% of full economic costs (FEC).
Monday 30 October, 5pm - 7pm, Reading group (Room WB.2.01) - Phil Cohen introduces discussion of the new book by Robert Breugmann Sprawl: a Compact History of Chicago, Chicago University Press 2006.
The Occupational Health and Safety Unit are inviting you to attend their health, safety and wellbeing awareness event. There are prizes to be won and competitions to enter, with over twenty exhibitors, demonstrations and practical advice, health screenings and geared generally towards being a fun event.
So go along, have fun, get some useful information and advice, enjoy the competitions and take home a goody bag. All staff and students are welcome.
For more information visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/hs/events.htm
Salsa classes with Shirley every Wednesday 1.15 - 2.15pm Rm: EBG14
'Salsa with Shirley' is open to both staff and students of all abilities. Get away from your desk, get active, socialise and have fun. Students £2, Staff £2.50, Public £3.
Wednesday 8 November On Bourdieu, Education and Society Knowledge Dock Centre KD.2.18, Docklands campus 4 - 6 pm
Professor Derek Robbins will introduce his new book 'Bourdieu, Education and Society' (Oxford, Bardwell Press, 2006) followed by a discussion with John Myles and Maria Tamboukou, chaired by Jeremy Gilbert.
Wednesday 8 November Land Governance and Human Rights Main Lecture Theatre 101, Duncan House 6.30 - 8 pm
Dr Clarissa Augustinus, Chief of the Land andTenure Section, Shelter Branch at UN-HABITAT, with Dr Hilary Lim and Siraj Sait.
Meditation can be a tool to self-awareness, change, relaxation as well as providing the opportunity to experience ourselves more deeply. Why not try it yourself?
The hour will be led by Anthony Wall, one of our mature students. Anthony has been teaching meditation and Buddhism for over 20 years in evening classes and on retreats. The evening will introduce meditation from a Buddhist perspective which can be applied by everyone regardless of religious background or interest.
For more information contact Anthony at anthonywall@hotmail.co.uk
Terry Jennings has got through to the semi-finals of 'The Big Idea' which goes out on air this Saturday 28 October at 9pm on Sky One and then follows on Sky Three after the main programme.
If you can watch and like Terry’s idea you could help him get into the final as a ‘Wild Card’ by voting for him.
Terry says; “The people who need my idea are those who have trouble bending to get to their feet. Of the UK’s population these people are likely to include some of the 1.8 million diabetics, elderly people, people with disabilities, tens of thousands of people a year who have hip and knee replacements, people who are obese, those suffering with back problems and pregnant women.”
If Terry continues on to the final the slots, all for 9pm, are:
Programme 3 - Saturday 28 October
Programme 4 - Saturday 4th November
Programme 5 - Saturday 11 November
Programme 6 - Saturday 18 November
Programme 7 - The LIVE Final - Sunday 26 November, date to be confirmed
For details visit http://www.uel.ac.uk/staff-development/documents/ForthcomingStaffDevelopmentCoursesl-Sept-Novt2006.doc
Brush up your IT skills and get an internationally recognised qualification online. Contact Greg Price, Organisational Development Manager on ext 4361 or email g.price@uel.ac.uk
The first meeting of the new Academic board took place last week. For information minutes of meetings and information about the Board visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/committees/acaboard.htm
If you have a story or some information for In Focus update email them to me Karen O'Connor at infocus@uel.ac.uk.
Please print off copies of In Focus update for colleagues who may not have easy access to email.
© 2006
