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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 61: Monday 17 July 2007 |
A delegation of 12 top university leaders from Nigeria visited our Docklands campus on Friday 13 July.
The distinguished party, which included the Vice Chancellors of the Universities of Lagos, Ibadan, Uyo and Port Harcourt, came to discover how UK universities operate, focusing particularly on provision of student services, and research and consultancy services. The study tour was organised by Global Education Counselling.
Professor Alan Sibbald, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Outreach and Infrastructure, welcomed the visitors, and introduced presentations by Graham Curtis, Head of Combined Studies and Dr Alan White, Director of the Graduate School.
After lunch, the delegation toured our Docklands campus visiting Knowledge Dock and our new Student Village. Delegates also enjoyed dinner with some of our many Nigerian students, met with Femi Bola, Head of Employability and the Docklands Student Centre, Abiola Ogunsola, Senior Lecturer in Education, and Niru Williams, Head of International Student Advice.
Professor Tolu Odugbemi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos said: “Today we have had some very fruitful meetings, and have been able to exchange ideas and share our learning and good practice, which is vital in today’s rapidly globalising Higher Education sector. I hope we can build on these contacts and work together more closely in future.”
For the full story visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/news/latest_news/stories/nigerianvisitors.htm
Two new Library staff, Gurdish Sandhu and Cathy Walsh joined us last week (pictured L-R Cathy and Gurdish).
As our Head of Systems, Gurdish has responsibility for the strategic direction, policy development and operational effectiveness of the Library systems and information resources.
Gurdish' postgraduate qualifications include an MSc in Information Studies, a diploma in Software Engineering Management and an MBA from the Open University. Before joining us Gurdish worked at Salford and Derby universities and prior to that in India and Nigeria.
Gurdish says of her new role: "I'm excited about working with colleagues to provide responsive information and learning support to our clients."
As Head of Services, Cathy is responsible for strategic direction, policy development and operational effectiveness for our three campus libraries, as well as academic and customer services and information and skills work.
Cathy's last job was at London Metropolitan University where she worked as the Commercial Road Learning Resources Manager and before that Cathy worked at the London School of Economics Library as User Services Manager.
Cathy says: " I'm very much looking forward to working with the Library and Learning Services team to continue to develop our library services."
A unique new performance using innovative digital media technology has been staged by researchers at the SMARTlab Digital Media Institute.
The InterFACES research team, led by Professor Lizbeth Goodman and Dr Mick Donegan at our SMARTlab Digital Media Institute, has developed a new creative technology application which allows disabled people to express themselves by writing and playing music with their eyes.
Dr Donegan and his team designed a new set of communication grids and a ‘soundboard’ or ‘eye harp’ designed for use on the Mytobii eye scanning system and devised a musical interface with member of Irish band KILA.
At the premiere showcase event for the project, Mr James Brosnan – a core researcher and ‘alpha user’ of the system, who has severe Cerebral Palsy and is therefore usually limited to interfaces using his controllable physical movements via a neck switch - was for the first time able to play music using eye control.
Performing a live jam with local musician Maciej Hrybowicz, Brosnan amazed his audience with the unique tune he created by selecting different sampled melodies from the digital panel in front of his eyes.
The next show is scheduled for Prague, where the team has been invited to present two major research papers at the Leonardo journal special anniversary event, to be held in Prague this November. Some of Mr Brosnan’s poetry will be shared along with a full musical jam for that event, where the SMARTlab’s TRUST Project team will also introduce their work on haptics and robotics for young people with disabilities.
For the full story visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/news/press_releases/releases/InterFACES.htm
FACE 2007
Organised by Continuum the Centre for Widening Participation Policy Research: The Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE) Annual Conference was held at Docklands 2-4 July.
The hugely successful conference attracted more than 200 international and UK-based delegates.
FACE 2007 involved academics and practitioners from around the world taking part in workshops, roundtable discussions and listening to keynote addresses from leading experts in their fields.
Social events included the FACE annual Gala Dinner held at the Marriott Hotel, West India Quay.
If you would like any more information on the work of FACE please visit their website: www.f-a-c-e.org.uk
UEL Dragons placed ninth in Anthony Nolan Challenge
Fifteen staff, students and friends paddled for the UEL Dragons and took part in the Anthony Nolan Challenge Dragon Boat Racing tournament last Thursday.
The team included: Bernie Inglefield, Kathryn O'Mahoney, James Shillito, Adam Beechey, Chris Kelly, Patrick Wilson, Karen O'Connor, Sharon Sams, Aron Sams, Marshall Bradstock, Aga Wojcik, Dina Bavisi, Vicki Moreton, Miriam Watt and Kim Hastings - many of whom were paddling for the first time.
Friends and colleagues turned out to watch Sharon heroically pound the drum for the team in each of our three races. The UEL Dragons finished ninth place (out of 21 teams) overall with a best time of 1min 10 seconds. First place went to Connect Commandoes who were able to complete the 200m distance in 1min 1 second!
In total the UEL Dragons raised £552 and overall the event race night raised £17,500 for the Trust!
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
Barking Learning Centre Open Day
Wednesday, 18 July
10am - 6 pm
Barking Learning Centre 2 Town Square Barking IG11 7NB
The Barking Learning Centre is a brand new partnership learning facility providing a range of tasters, short courses and other part-time study opportunities. Much of our UEL Extra and part-time degree provision will be based at the Barking Learning Centre.
The Barking Learning Centre, which was launched in June, also includes a library with free public internet access, the Council's first One Stop Shop, conference and meeting space, a gallery and a café. Many of our UEL Extra courses will be based at the Barking Learning Centre.
For more information about Barking Learning Centre visit: http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/blc/blc-menu.html
Cultural Studies NOW - only FOUR days to go
Cultural Studies Now (19 - 22 July 2007) will be the largest, international conference of its kind to have been held in the UK for many years.
Explicitly addressing the present, past and future fate of the discipline conceived as a radical intellectual project, the conference will feature over 90 panels on a wide range of topics, with contributors from every continent.
Keynote addresses will come from Ien Ang, Rosi Braidotti, Kuan-Hsing Chen, Jeremy Gilbert, Alan Grossman, Judith Halberstam, Stuart Hall, Dick Hebdige, Doreen Massey, Áine O'Brien, Michael Rustin and Horace Ové.
Registration (including food by Leon Lewis): Full conference £200 (students and concessions £140) day rate £60 (students and concessions £45)
Only two weeks left to book your place!
Please see our website for full details and registration:
http://www.uel.ac.uk/culturalstudiesnow
Steven Brown Q-methodology Giant coming to speak
Steven Brown Q-methodology Giant is coming to speak at 3pm on 19 July GN101, Stratford Campus afternoon time to be confirmed.
For more information visit: http://www.lrz-muenchen.de/~schmolck/qmethod/
If you're interested in attending please contact Sharon Cahill on Email: s.cahill@uel.ac.uk
David Woodhouse has provided a series of links so that we can access information and news from our Academic Board, Governing Body and Corporate Management Team.
Please see the following links:
Academic Board: http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/committees/acaboard.htm
Board of Governors: http://www.uel.ac.uk/governors/board.htm
Good news from the CMT: http://www.uel.ac.uk/vcg/news/index.htm
To conduct a search of current funding opportunities , including all the major competitions , 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 Tim Brooks (Acting Research Funding Officer) in the Graduate School. Tim is retaining his other responsibilities within the Graduate School so the more notice you can give, the better!
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
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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
Click here for details of Staff Development courses
For Learning and Development Course dates see: www.uel.ac.uk/staff-development/handbook
28 and 29 July 2007
The London Air Race will take place on the River Thames against the backdrop of The O2 (previously called the Millennium Dome) in the East of the capital.
There will be two viewing areas on the London site, each equipped with all necessary amenities. We have one viewing area on the south side of the River Thames (around The O2) and another on the North side of the river in front of West Silvertown DLR station (Peruvian Wharf).
For more information about the Red Bull Air Race visit: http://www.redbullairrace.com/2007/calendar.php?id=7
Please send comments or contributions for in Focus Update to: infocus@uel.ac.uk
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