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Welcome to our weekly in Focus update...... |
Past Issues << | Issue 35: Monday 15 January 2007
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Our new Vice-Chancellor Professor Everett, who joins us on 16 April, is delighted to be joining us.
Professor Everett said: “The University of East London is an integral part of the regeneration of this area of London and has established itself as a major force in higher education. It is innovative, responds to its local communities and is rightly proud of its diversity.
“I cannot think of a more exciting opportunity than leading UEL in the run up to 2012. I am really looking forward to being a member of this vibrant community, and to working with colleagues to build on the successesthe Universityhas achieved locally, nationally and internationally.”
Professor Everett, who is a mathematician by training, has a distinguished record of teaching and research and is a leading researcher in the field of social network analysis, which applies mathematical concepts to a broad range of disciplines
For the full report see http://www.uel.ac.uk/news/press_releases/releases/vc.htm
National Student Survey (NSS) 2007 is now underway, and this time it's serious! For the first time, the results of this year's survey will be published on the UCAS website - the first port of call for many prospective undergraduates - and used by the media, specifically the Times and Guardian, to create their league tables.
Funded by the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) and carried out by IPSOS MORI, the NSS is sent to almost all final-year students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The publicly available results show student satisfaction ratings within subject areas as well as for each higher education institution.
In the two years since the introduction of NSS, the scores from UEL have shown generally high levels of satisfaction across our university, although like many institutions, the response has not been high enough to produce officially published results.
This year, we are working to promote NSS among our final year students, to ensure a significant positive return. Students can complete their five minute online survey NOW by visiting http://www.thestudentsurvey.com/.
For more details contact Karen O'Connor
To help with this invaluable research please complete an anonymous online survey giving your opinion and suggestions regarding our E-Learning culture, infrastructure and expertise before 4 February, 2007.
Service staff survey (13 questions): http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/el_benchmarking_staff.htm
Academic staff survey (23 questions): http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/el_benchmarking_academics.htm
Student survey (19 questions): http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/el_benchmarking_student.htm
As student feedback is critical for E-Learning development, we request you forward a link to your students. For further information contact Dina Vyortkina on Tel 020 8223 2553 or Email: dina2@uel.ac.uk
Thurs-Fri 18 -19 January 10am to 4.30pm Docklands
Me! is a two day participatory conference organised by the Rix Centre focusing on inclusion for people with learning disabilities through the use of multimedia technology for information, advocacy and learning.
To register and find out more please visit our website at http://www.rixcentre.org/docs/research/meconference.htm
Takes place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Docklands Tuesday 23 January 2007.
For more information contact Roy Perryman on Tel: 020 8223 2365 Email: r.perryman@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.
AHRC: Collaborative Research Training
Deadline: expressions of interest 31 January; invited full applications 30 April 2007
The scheme supports institutions in establishing new, or enhancing existing, specialist research training provision for doctoral students in the arts and humanities, in collaboration with other institutions. In the national category, awards are worth up to £60,000 and and provide research training on a national or UK-wide scale in collaboration with a national organisation.
Deadline: 4pm, 20 February 2007
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is calling for proposals under the heading understanding of consumer attitudes and actual purchasing behaviour, with reference to local and regional foods. It is envisaged that the project will be at least one year long.
Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP) - Young Investigator and Program Grants
Pre-registration to obtain a password (compulsory!): March 22 2007
Submission of letter of intent: April 3 2007
HFSP Program Grants and Young Investigator Grants support international teams of scientists who are focussing on fundamental issues in the life sciences by combining expertise from different disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science or engineering together with biology. Applicants must first submit a letter of intent via the HFSP Extranet.
BBSRC - Industry Interchange Programme
Deadline: March 9 2007
The programme aims to support the interchange, in either direction, of researchers between the science base and industry. Interchanges should provide strategic advantage to the UK science base and industry arising from reciprocal access to facilities, expertise and/or knowledge, and an increased understanding of scientific issues of common concern and should lead to the development of long-term partnerships. Individual awards are likely to be in the range of £10,000 - £30,000 and unlikely to exceed £50,000. The planned project should fall within the remit of BBSRC.
Docklands Campus Friday 19 January 4pm – 6pm KD.2.20
Invited speakers from UK, Germany and Denmark with Professor Derek Robbins.
Stratford Campus, Tues 23 January 6.30pm - 7.30pm TL300
by Dr Geoff Webb, School of Health and Bioscience
All staff and students welcome. For more information visit www.uel.ac.uk/lectureseries
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
As a follow up piece to UEL and the New Years Honours list.…..one of our honorary graduates and an acclaimed sculptor, Rachel Whiteread, received a CBE. Rachel Whiteread’s style of sculpture consists of making casts of domestic items, such as beds and wardrobes, and the spaces around them. Her Untitled (House), (1993), which was a concrete cast of the interior of an entire house, made and exhibited in nearby Bow's Grove Road, was the culmination of this kind of idea. A house destined for demolition was filled with concrete which once the exterior was removed revealed the inside-out interior cast of the dwellings, wiring, light switches and fire-places. Rachel was awarded the Turner Prize in 1993 for this artwork, which generated huge interest and critical debate.
In 1997 Rachel became the first woman to represent Britain with a solo show at the Venice Biennale.
Just over 400 visitors travelled from far and wide to our new look Open Evening last Wednesday many hoping to apply for places on degree programmes starting in February.
Prospective students and local residents enjoyed guided tours of the campuses, received advice and guidance on degree programmes and all aspects of university life.
A dedicated ‘postgraduate lounge’ was set up to welcome visitors interested in postgraduate opportunities, including research degrees and a wide range of professionally recognised diplomas, doctorates and taught Masters programmes, on each campus.
Q: Why was the scarecrow entered for RAE 2008?
A: Because he was outstanding in his field.
Please send in your contibutions to joke of the week all of which will be both gratefully and anonymously received.
For a round-up of events see www.uel.ac.uk/events.
In Focus Update is issued each Monday morning. If you would like items included in In Focus Update please send them to me by Wednesday of the preceding week at infocus@uel.ac.uk
Please print off a copy of In Focus Update for those of your colleagues who may not have easy access to email.
© 2006
