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Welcome to our weekly in Focus update...... |
Past Issues << | Issue 93: Fri 14 March 2008 |
This week's update on the National Student Survey response rates shows that 19% of eligible students have so far completed the National Student Survey 2008. At the same time last year 27% of our eligible students had completed the survey - so we really must try harder. We need to have 50% of completions to have our data published nationally - which also feeds into the Times and Guardian university league tables.
The average response rate for institutions starting the survey at the same time as us (4 February) currently stands at 39%, and the highest response rate for a single institution is 71%.
We would like you to:
- Send emails to your final year undergraduate students recommending they complete the survey. We have a 'ready-to-go' email prepared, which details the ten prizes on offer, namely 5 European flights to the value of £120 and five Amazon vouchers.
- Discuss the National Student Survey with your final-year students, and encourage them to complete it if they have not already done so.
The survey is open until the end of April. During this period,The National Student Survey Team based in Ipsos MORI will continue to contact eligible students by email, post and telephone to complete the survey. We have also sent reminder emails to the eligible students and we have ambient media on the plasma screens and screensavers, but we need to do much more if we are to achieve the 50 per cent.
For a copy of the 'ready-to-go' email contact Karen O'Connor on infocus@uel.ac.uk. Eligible students can complete the survey at any time at: www.thestudentsurvey.com
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks came to our Docklands Campus this week (Monday 10 March), to launch a pioneering renewable energy initiative.
We haves teamed up with leading solar energy company Solarcentury to install solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbine technology at our Docklands campus, as part of the government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme.
130 high-efficiency solar photovoltaic (pv) Sharp panels have been installed on the roof of our Business School and Library. The installation has the potential to generate 17,430 kWh of electricity, enough to power the 800 computers and workstations in the building, or equivalent to the amount of electricity that the average student would use to watch TV or surf the Internet continuously for nearly 10 years!
The system also monitors the level of electricity being produced, and links to a screen display in our Knowledge Dock café which shows the current and total levels of energy generated and carbon saved.
Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Energy, said: "Our Government has targeted a demanding reduction of at least 60% in CO2 levels by 2050. Such a high target requires a wide-ranging strategy, which will certainly incorporate renewable energy.
“Many of the solutions to global warming involve big ideas, big projects, and big institutions, but I think it’s very important that we engage and inspire our citizens. Smaller-scale micro-generation projects like the one here at the University of East London will play a highly significant role in the fight against climate change.
"I’m particularly keen to see such projects established in educational institutions, and am pleased that the Government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme has been able to provide funding. There is still money available, and we're inviting applications from homeowners, charities and the public sector to help more organisations go green."
Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Everett, said: “Sustainability is a vital part of our agenda and increasingly important aspect of all university operations. This project is a fantastic launch-pad for our carbon reduction strategy; as well as the real carbon and cost savings it will generate, it also serves as a visible and tangible platform to communicate the importance of sustainability, and promote responsible practice among our students, staff, partners and visitors."
Kenny Tang, one of our Governors, who has been described as "Asia's Al Gore" by Strategic Direction magazine, said: "The University of East London is a beacon of innovation and regeneration in East London. It is my hope that the UK education sector, with its undoubted array of scientific, social, architectural, financial and business expertise, will turn to the issue of climate change with such vigour and energy to bring us the solutions, the technologies, the concepts to address the challenges we face – not just for the UK but for the many countries around the world."
Over forty invited guests attended the launch, including Samantha Heath, Director of the London Sustainability Exchange and Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, a former Energy Minister and current Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform.
Jeremy Leggett, Executive Chairman of Solarcentury, said: “It is always wonderful to come to any installation of solar panels, perhaps particularly so at educational establishments. The weather’s pretty terrible today, but it actually offers a tremendous example of how solar energy still works well even on the most horrible days.
“At Solarcentury, we refer to the ‘seeing is believing’ effect; we realize that people need to see solar energy in action in order to understand the potential of renewable technology. I very much hope that this installation will inspire generations of students at the University of East London.”
Darryl Newport, Director of UEL’s Sustainability Research Institute, said: “Renewable energy is a vital element of our sustainable development strategy, not only for our university, but for Thames Gateway as a whole. Solarcentury have done an excellent job, working with our team on-site to design the system and manage installation.
“Today’s launch gives a massive boost to our Carbon Management programme, and together with other projects, will enable us to conduct ongoing research and develop innovative eco-efficient technologies not only for our own campuses, but developments throughout our region.”
Pictured: (Left to right) Darryl Newport, Malcolm Wicks, Stephen Timms, Professor Martin Everett, Samantha Heath, Jeremy Leggett in the PV launch control room for the 'big switch-on' at Business School
Tuesday 1st April at 5pm-6.30pm in West Building WB2.05. The seminar will be led by Dr. Christine Goodall from Staffordshire University.
If you would like to attend this seminar e-mail Richard Bottoms in our Business School on r.i.bottoms@uel.ac.uk
This seminar focuses on the findings of doctoral research undertaken between 2004 and 2006 in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England. The main aim of the study was to propose a model of improved community relations between host communities and new arrivals, against the background of the UK government’s asylum seeker dispersal policy. The thesis used a framework built from the trust literature to examine the experience of the host community, in order to understand tensions between them and new arrivals, and difficulties of dealing with difference more generally.
An examination of literature from different disciplines provides a clue to how this might be achieved. It is a common theme that organisations and communities form their identities and the scripts by which they routinise and institutionalise behaviour through the view they hold of their past, which many authors conceptualise as their “story” or “tale”. Harre (2001) argues that “all that is holding us back is our stories, and we can make a better set of tales available” (Harre, 2001 p38). This seminar will examine how leaders can help communities write these new stories, drawing on a variety of literature from different disciplines, including that of organisation and management, to show how leaders can help communities build new identities, incorporating what was best from the past into a new and positive future.
The seminar will also explain the implications of the research for trust theory more generally, and how the findings of this study are also important for leadership and community cohesion in the broader national environment, and in organisations. Additionally, and of particular interest to academics and researchers in Business Schools, the seminar will show how research in the fields of management and organisation studies can contribute to a better understanding of community relations and local and national political leadership.
Dr Christine Goodall recently completed her doctorate at Staffordshire University, where she teaches Management of Advice Services. She is also the National Development Officer for the Disability Law Service, based in East London, a national charity providing legal advice and representation in thefields of social welfare law and disability discrimination. She is a member of the First International Network on Trust (FINT), and a recent contributor to the ESRC Seminar Series " Building, Repairing and Maintaining Trust Across Cultures", jointly organised by the Business Schools of Durham, Warwick and Oxford Brookes Universities.
Pictured: Dockside view of Business School and Library building
Tuesday 1st April 2008 Room EB.2.49. Docklands Campus 1pm - 2pm. Please contact Pat Berwick, P.Berwick@uel.ac.uk, if you wish to attend.
You are warmly invited to a number of lunchtime seminars, led by our Schools. The aim is to share and disseminate good practice which will support and enhance our student experience . The areas chosen by the Schools have been commended in this year's VSRC Report.
The lunchtime seminars offer an excellent opportunity for you to learn about areas of good practice and be involved in wider discussion on how this could be taken forward in your own areas/schools.
Reference Development Points Scheme: Managing Cultural Change and Expectation amongst UEL students.
This is the first of the lunchtime seminars is to be offered by the School of Law. The seminar will look at the current 'skills agenda' where employers and post-graduate institutions are increasingly placing a higher emphasis on non-academic, transferable skills that underpin graduate knowledge (Degrees/Certificates).
Given the competitive graduate employment market, there's an urgent need to encourage student extra-curricular participation to develop these skills.
All staff welcome and this will be of particular interest to Heads of Schools, those involved with careers, careers-related programmes, alumni and mentoring schemes, plus student representatives, students and employers..
Wednesday 2nd April 2008 Stratford Campus 1pm - 4pm
You are cordially invited to attend the next seminar in our series:
Access, Participation & Achievement: showcasing good practice to support disabled students in Higher Education
by Eleanor Girt, Head of the Disability Dyslexia Access Centre (pictured far left with the Disability and Dyslexia Team), Heather Serdar, Disability Coordinator, School of Education, Speaker from the Disabled Student Voice, and Gurmit Lard, Postgraduate Student
The seminar will cover:
- Inclusive practice in student recruitment, participation & achievement
- Using assistive technology to support active participation
- Designing user-friendly materials for Virtual Learning Environments
- Achieving the 1st Charter Mark for student services
This seminar will aim to engage all participants so come prepared to contribute and play an active part!
There are 80 free places available for this seminar, and these will be allocated on a strictly first-come-first served basis. You should await confirmation of a place before attending.
To reserve your place, please email inclusion@heacademy.ac.uk by 12.00 on Wednesday 26 March. Please indicate if you have any accessibility or dietary requirements at the time of booking. Presentation material will be made available to delegates in advance of the seminar.
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Wednesday 2nd April 2008 Forest Gate Youth Zone, 1 Woodford Road, from 11am to 3pm.
On Wednesday 2 April, women from Newham’s diverse communities will get together for a day of inspiration, information and guidance on educational opportunities and community services in and around the borough.
The fair has been organized by the University of East London (UEL) in collaboration with Newham Council and Newham Asian Women’s Project.
Activities will include start-up business advice and the opportunity to browse exhibitions and information stalls. A wide variety of fun and informative workshops will be available, covering topics including healthy eating, dance exercise, CV writing and accessing educational opportunities.
Jasbir Panesar, Community Development Co-ordinator at the University of East London, has successfully organised a series of Education and Training Fairs over the past few years, and has been impressed by growing interest in the community.
Jasbir said: "We are looking forward to an exciting day, especially after the success we had last year. Access to educational and employment opportunities are vital to enable people of all ages to achieve their full potential.”
Free vegetarian buffet snack lunch will be served. For full details and a multi-lingual programme, contact Jasbir Panesar on 020 8223 4356 or Fatima Seedat on 020 8536 1397.
Pictured: Asian Women's Fair March 2007
Thursday 3 April, 6-9pm, Docklands Campus, Lecture Theatre West Building and Oscars café bar. This event is FREE.
Please register your place by emailing alumni@uel.ac.uk
We welcome all our alumni to an evening of lectures, information and networking. This careers event will feature 2 key note presentations from successful, creative and innovative alumni who will be talking about their road to success and giving you tips and advice about your future career.
Our guest speakers are:
Honorary graduate Iqbal Wahhab – businessman, entrepreneur and award winning restaurateur and graduate James Kavanagh MRICS C.Geog MinstCES CEnv Director Land Group (Environment, Geomatics, Minerals & Waste, Planning & Development, Rural) at RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors)
The evening will also feature Elizabeth Brown, Founder and Director of McKenzie Recruitment Consultants who will be advising alumni on what recruitment consultants are looking for and recruiting for her company.
We will also be providing information about UEL LIFE (London Investment Fund East) - our new UEL Investment Fund.
Food, drink and networking will be available after the presentations. Staff and students also welcome. If you think this is relevant to your students, please forward the details to them and ask them to register their place.
Pictured: Honorary Graduate - Iqbal Wahhab, receiving his award form Lord Rix at the Barbican last year.
Wednesday 7 May, 12 - 8 pm. All welcome.
Are you nurturing a burgeoning talent which could really take flight at Mayfest 2008 - our FREE arts and cultural extravaganza? If so we want to hear from YOU! Can you sing, dance, act, perform...Are you in a band......Are you a performance poet, dramatist, writer or stand-up comedian? Could you organise and run workshops for others who want to experiment with their creative potential?
Now in its third year Mayfest incorporates an exciting programme of events, which include: art fairs, exhibitions, public lectures, music, dance, poetry and theatrical performances. Mayfest brings together the work of highly respected creative arts professionals, many of whom are our staff and students. School and community groups also participate in our exciting celebration of culture and creativity.
The Mayfest 2008 programme will soon be live. To sample the events that took place last year visit: www.uel.ac.uk/mayfest
Contactt Mark O'Thomas, Director for our Institute of Performing Arts (IPAD) NOW with your ideas and proposals on Email: m.othomas@uel.ac.uk
Pictured: Solid Harmony Mayfest 2007
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
School of Social Sciences Media and Cultural Studies conferences and research seminars:
http://www.uel.ac.uk/ssmcs/upcomingevents.htm
Date: Saturday 5 April
Time: 7.30pm
Ticket Prices: Ticket Prices: £15 / £13
Box Office 020 8507 5607 or visit www.thebroadwaybarking.com
‘‘Get thee to a performance!’ Whatsonstage.com
Following a sell out run in the West End, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) comes to theBROADWAY, Barking for one night only on Saturday 5 April at 7.30pm.
The Shakespeare boys are back in town with their irreverent, fast paced romp through all of the Bard’s plays in just 97 minutes. So loosen your doublets, sort out your singlets, clutch your codpieces and join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one terrific rollercoaster ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter!
Shakespeare may well be turning in his grave, but the show that’s become a cult classic transforms his entire works into one of the funniest evenings on the planet. Take a look at ‘Hamlet’ performed forwards, backwards and sideways, ‘Titus Andronicus’ as a TV cookery programme and a rap ‘Othello’. And as the comedies aren’t anywhere near as funny as the tragedies, all 16 are condensed into ‘Four Weddings and a Transvestite’.
The West End’s longest-running comedy - 10 years at the Criterion Theatre – has since conquered the entire globe. This perfect summer treat for kids was praised by the Los Angeles Times as ‘wildly funny’ and by the Montreal Gazette as ‘the funniest show you are likely to see in your entire lifetime’.
Warning! This show is not recommended for people with heart ailments, bladder problems, inner-ear disorders and/or people inclined to motion sickness.
Be sure to book as early as possible for the best seats in the house through the box office on 020 8507 5607 or online at www.thebroadwaybarking.com.
To WIN a pair of FREE tickets to see this hilarious production send your answers to the following question to infocus@uel.ac.uk:
Question:
Which of Shakespeare's plays is performed as a rap in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Aqua East is the new Students' Union cafe bar situated in our Student Village on the Royal Albert Dock. The soothing interior design, using swathes of fabric in aqua-marine and vibrant mid-blues will have you believing you're no longer on our Dockside, but instead have been transported to an exciting, exotic ocean environment. The exterior seating catches the midday sun with all the feel of a vibrant pavement cafe.
Let's hope the weather improves soon - but well worth a visit anyway!
Pictured: Aqua East launch in February.
This 50-hour short course is designed for members of staff teaching or supporting students online (e.g. in WebCT or UEL Plus) and will cover the following topics:
• An overview of online and blended pedagogy
• New technologies for learning and teaching
• Guided investigation of learning technologies
This is the first of five short courses in the Applications of Learning Technologies suite, and provides a short course route to completing the full module and becoming an Associate of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). All course activities happen online are facilitated within UEL Plus, the UEL Virtual Learning Environment.
Applications of Learning Technologies is the first module in the MA in Online and Blended Learning, and forms part of the UEL Professional Standards
Framework.
For further information and an application form please go to http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/staff_development/courses/accredited_courses.htmustice.
First Aid at Work: 4 Days Tue– Fri 2008, 22 – 25 April, 10– 13 June, 9– 12 Sept, 18– 21 Nov. Fee: £185
Re-qualify course: 2 Days Thurs and Fri 2008 13 and 14 Mar, 22 and 23 May, 10 and 11 July, 16 and 17 Oct. Fee: £110.00
Venue: Docklands Campus
December dates can be added if required. For further information or to book a course: Please contact: Frances Bronzite, 020 8223 4368 or Email: f.s.bronzite@uel.ac.uk
To see which Staff Development Course and their dates are available for February and March 2008, visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/staff-development/index.htm
To book on a course contactl Nina Harding Email: n.harding@uel.ac.uk
To find out more about the wide range of E-Learning applications available to us in our everyday work, visit:
E-Learning Resources: http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/e_learning/resources.htm
SDEL staff development: http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/staff_development/index.htm
UEL Plus info: http://www.uel.ac.uk/uelplus/index.htm
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
Acclaimed actor David Harewood visited our Docklands campus, in February, for a photographic shoot, with first-year photography student Ken Kamara. You may have seen David in any number of top rated TV dramas, such as: The Palace (ITV), David plays Major Sam Brooks, Kavanagh QC, the Bill, Babyfather, Cold Feet and Hollywood film production Blood Diamond .
Ken's photography assignment , from lecturer Ralph Hall, was "to find someone famous and 'shoot' them." Ralph told us: "this assignment will make you heart race and your blood boil!"
Ken trawled many agencies for both actors and sports personalities: "You name it I contacted everyone I could think of from well respected photographers to actors and sports stars. I got a lot of rejections but was finally delighted when David agreed to do it."
Ken got through to David's agency and sent them some sample shots. He was thrilled when the agent got back and said: "David will be giving you a call!" David not only called but spent four hours on campus posing for 250 shots. Ken edited them to the best 75 and David made a further selection of his favourite 25, which he'll use for publicity. Ken will be fully credited for his work.
Ken said: "For me it was a privilege to work with someone like David. He's a really nice guy. I can't emphasise that enough. He's a really honest guy and it's a huge compliment that he's using my shots for publicity. Thanks to Ralph for coming up with such an exciting assignment - my heart's still racing!"
Ken also has some exceptional shots of Mark Selby, World Masters Snooker Champion 2008 and next week starts a work placement assisting iconic UK photographer Rankin.
Children of all ages joined their families and teachers for an action-packed day of academic and social activities at our Docklands campus on Saturday 8 March.
Global Dimensions of Science Education, a family science day, was held to mark the start of National Science & Engineering Week. Around sixty visitors took part in a wide range of activities, including musical performances, Ray Ruocco and John Burr led an electrical engineering workshop looking at sound waves with electrical guitars, and experiments with liquid nitrogen (pictured).
Andrew Lowing, School Partnerships Officer, said: “It’s been a really fun day, which linked in well with the STEM initiative, an ongoing drive to promote interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics among young people. There were lots of different activities to suit children of all ages, and everyone was really engaged.”
Global Dimensions of Science Education was organised by the Association for Science Education in collaboration with our Schools of Education, Computing and Technology and our Education and Community Partnerships team. Student ambassadors were on hand to assist with the activities.
Our Education and Community Partnerships team hosts a range of summer schools, master-classes, exhibitions and events with local schools and community groups throughout the year. For details, call 020 8223 2598.
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.
© 2007
