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Welcome to our new compact weekly in Focus update...... |
Past Issues << | Issue 98: Thursday 24 April 2008 |
Wednesday 7 May 12pm - 8pm, our third annual free arts and cultural festival on the waterfront, Docklands campus.
The exciting programme features free performances and fresh artistic productions, which include: an art and sculpture fair, music, dance, poetry and theatrical performance, bringing together the work of professionals, students, as well as schools and community groups, in a seasonal celebration of creativity.
Highlights include performances from Samba and Calypso bands, Urban dance crews, Bollywood divas, Jazz bands, Gospel choirs, singer song-writers and poets, and a mystery headline act to be confirmed.
There will be innovative performance arts, unique guided walking trails, exhibitions of recycled sculpture, fashion and textiles, and an art fair. The 'Cine-fest' programme includes student work and a screening of Zina Saro-Wiwa's new film This is my Africa. Visitors can take part in music and dance workshops, and a climactic carnival parade along the waterfront of the Royal Docks.
Please be aware that there will be restricted parking and movement of cars on the day. We advise colleagues to avoid parking in the AVA car park and roads around Knowledge Dock. Instead, please use the the main car park and car parks by the student residences. Please also remember that vehicles should travel at a maximum speed of 5mph on campus.
For full details, visit www.uel.ac.uk/mayfest
Pictured: Mayfest 08 poster.
Come on! This week's update on the National Student Survey response rates shows that 48.7% of eligible students have so far completed the National Student Survey 2008. This is a 0.7% increase on last week's 48% but to reach the required 50%, which means our results will published nationally, we need around 45 more students to complete the survey.
The nationally published data also feed into the Times and Guardian university league tables - potentially raising the profile of our degree programmes and institution.
The survey is open until the 30 April, so we only have just under a week to achieve the last few completions.
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, which details the ten prizes on offer, namely five 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.
- Invite UELSU President Caston Matewu, to your third year classes to talk about the survey.
For a copy of the 'ready-to-go' email or to invite Caston to your class, contact Karen O'Connor on infocus@uel.ac.uk. Eligible students can complete the survey at any time at: www.thestudentsurvey.com
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It is now time to register your place for UEL’s 3rd Annual, Learning, Teaching and Assessment Conference, which is to be held on Thursday 26th June 2008, in the Business School, Docklands Campus.
This one-day Conference is free and open to all full-time and part-time staff of UEL and collaborative partners.This year the Conference will celebrate and share good practice in Learning, Teaching and Assessment. A number of themed sessions will run during the morning and afternoon of the Conference, themes include Supporting Student Success and Creativity and Innovation in Learning,
Teaching and AssessmentAlso, the call for abstracts is now OPEN please consider how you might contribute to the programme as part of your academic research and scholarship A range of formats suitable for showcasing your practice and ideas are available. Abstracts (250 words maximum) must be submitted by Monday 28th April 2008 via the on line booking form.
We are pleased to announce that Professor Bernard Longden, from Liverpool Hope University will give one of the keynote addresses. Bernard Longden is Professor of Higher Education Policy at Liverpool Hope University where he has held a number of research, teaching and administrative positions. The main focus of his research interest rests in the area of student experience, student success and retention. In 2005 the Higher Education Academy funded a research project co directed by Bernard Longden and Professor Mantz Yorke which explored the first year student experience of higher education. The report of that research was published by the HE Academy in December 2007. Professor Longden will base his keynote address around this work. A link to this work is available below;
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/publications/researchreports For further information and to reserve your place, please complete the on-line booking form or contact Dinaz Trudeau, the Conference Organiser d.trudeau@uel.ac.uk
Academic Board met yesterday (Wednesday 23 April) afternoon at our Docklands campus for the second meeting of this calendar year. Professor Martin Everett presented our Strategic Plan 2008-2013 (http://www.uel.ac.uk/vcg/internal/strategic_plan140408.htm). Discussion focused on our revised vision statement and core values, as well as our three key strategic themes, which are: academically led; outwardly engaged; offering innovative learning and teaching.
The strategic plan was commended for its concise and easy to assimilate presentation. Professor Everett encouraged Deans of School and Directors of Service to consult with colleagues in their teams and to send feedback to him, so that the plan can be finalised.
Head of Modular Programmes, Graham Curtis, presented an overview paper on our Review and Enhancement Process (REP). Each School provides an overview REP report of its activities drawn from the individual REP reports of fields and programmes in the School. The School overview REPS are collected to provide an institutional review and this is considered by Academic Board. Action points are then forwarded to the relevant Dean or Director.
Graham also presented reports on formal complaints and academic appeals . Although, the number of formal complaints we received in 2006 - 07 was low, they were nevertheless time-consuming to resolve, and there was some discussion of the merits of having an Ombudsperson to deal with them, as suggested by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. Graham pointed out that, wherever possible, we encourage complaint resolution to take place locally and as speedily as possible. We also recognise that there is a value in receiving complaints because they help us to improve our processes and provision. In relation to academic appeals, it was noted that they had diminished over the last two academic sessions. The introduction of an extenuating circumstance process had led to a reduction of the number of appeals previously based on mitigating circumstances. Other agenda items included: approving a European Doctorate, amendments to some of the regulations and responsibilities relating to students, and a consultation document on the higher education credit framework for England.
For more information about Academic Board, please visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/workinggroups/index.htm
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From the 30 April - 2 May our International Office is hosting a three-day training programme for our worldwide Education Advisors. Our Education Advisors are our key partners in international student recruitment and enhancing their skills, knowledge and ability is fundamental to our international strategy. We also believe that education is a two-way process and that the experience and knowledge that our Education Advisors bring, enhances our own understanding of the international education market.
The overall programme consists of six interrelated modules and the underlying theme of this training conference – “The UEL Experience – Working in Partnership with our Professional Education Advisors” – runs through the fabric of this specially developed programme.
This is our commitment to their professional development and is one of a range of innovative approaches that we believe can help us in realising our full potential so that all our stakeholders benefit: students, Education Advisors, and staff.
The aims and objectives of this 3-day multidisciplinary programme are:
- enhance their understanding of UK Higher education and how UEL fits into the overall picture
- update their knowledge of UK international student immigration policies and their impact on enrolment trends
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provide them with an insight into UEL resources and how these are used in support of our international students and advisors
The intended learning outcomes are to:
- be in a better position to counsel, advise and recruit aspiring students to benefit from the UEL learning experience
- acquire a deeper understanding of British Higher education enabling they to increase UEL’s recruitment potential for our existing and new course offerings
- have a keener appreciation of key immigration issues impacting upon international students and be better equipped to provide an enhanced professional and customer-focussed service
- gain a better understanding of the key UEL resources and how these are mobilised in support of their activities, and that of our international students
For more information about the programme, and to find out how you can get involved in working with or International Office, contact Rajendra Sampat on r.sampat@uel.ac.uk
Pictured: Members of our International Office. Rajendra Sampat is second from left.
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Second Slavonic Symposium
28 April 2008
East Building, ground floor, Atrium room no 8.
9.30am – 9.00pm
The aim of this symposium is to explore the construction of myths and mythologies across Slavic nations, as well as Slavic minority groups and their host cultures. We are particularly interested in discussing the role of myths in forging stereotypes which lead to the creation of different forms of ethnic and national identity. We invite papers which analyse the proliferation of such myths in private and public rituals, political discourses, media representations, literature, historical sources, private narratives, institutional structures and other areas of societal and political life.
In the common perception the term “Slavic” or “Slavonic” does not evoke any unified meaning. Used as a linguistic cliché, it implies uncivilised and slothful behaviour, which was allegedly typical of Slavic peoples (called also Slavs).In the past, the Slavic peoples, all speaking the same language derived from the common Indo-European origin, gained significant recognition in Europe and Asia. Slavs grew in strength in the 6th century AD, and then further as part of a large Slavic empire under the leadership of Moravia in the 9th century. The Pan-Slavic Romantic movement, fuelled by an anti-German sentiment, developed between the 17th and the 19th centuries. It aroused nationalistic ambitions among those who saw the Slavic ethnicity as a potential weapon against the West. The movement was considerably weakened around the time of the First World War. Its aspirations were ultimately abandoned after the fall of communism in 1989.
For more information visit www.uel.ac.uk/lectureseries. To submit an abstract or book a place, please contact Marta Rabikowska: m.rabikowska@uel.ac.uk mobile: 07759612066
30 April 2008, 4.30pm to 8.30pm Stratford Campus, Room GN116
For more information visit http://www.uel.ac.uk/openday/documents/psychologyprogramme.pdf
One day conference: Friday, 9 May, Stratford Campus, (Duncan House, E15 2JB)
The two general themes are: the current terrorist threat and what implications this has for London 2012, and secondly, major (sporting) event security and lessons learned. Within this framework we're hoping to cover a number of issues (ie. countering suicide terrorism, transport security, vetting, the role of surveillance, technology, public/private sector responsibilities and so on).
We are hosting a number of leading experts in the field of terrorism studies, from the security sector and in major (sporting) event security (including Professor Paul Wilkinson, University of St Andrews, Professor Frank Gregory, University of Southampton, Professor Andrew Silke, University of East London, DAC Richard Bryan, Olympic Security Directorate and Keith Weston, former head of the Police International Counter-Terrorism Unit). The conference will conclude with a discussion panel to discuss some of the major issues (and perhaps raise new ones).
To register for the conference please visit the conference website at http://www.uel.ac.uk/olympicsecurity .
For more information contact: Dr Anthony Richards Senior Lecturer in Terrorism Studies a.richards@uel.ac.uk or visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/2012/events/index.htm
Wednesday 14 May 2008, 5pm East Building, EB.G.08, Docklands Campus, University Way, London E16 2RD
by Professor Andrew Blake, author of The Irresistible Rise of Harry Potter
The Harry Potter phenomenon remains unquenchable. The last four books were each the top seller on internet book dealer Amazon well before their release. There have been translations into over 50 languages. In January 2001, translated Harry Potter books were the no.1 bestseller in all the countries of Latin America. The films have been so successful that Warner Brothers don’t want to stop making them – they are proposing to make two films of the last book.
So why all this interest (from kids and adults alike) in an apprentice wizard who doubles up as a not very articulate, but very angry, teenager? The lecture will propose four related answers. Firstly, the stories concern education at a time when classroom standards, even the very uses and purposes of education, are subject to massive anxiety. Secondly, the economy is now treated as magical; and the Potter books and films play with that fantasy. Thirdly, through Harry’s constant thoughts about his parents and his relation to Voldemort, the books and to a lesser extent the films deal with an identity in crisis, while twisting its snakelike way around this problem and everything else is the fourth answer: the stories’ exploration of good and evil in our time of global confrontation.
All welcome, admission FREE.
For further details visit: www.uel.ac.uk/lectureseries or, contact Franc Gooding on 020 8223 2884. To register please email events@uel.ac.uk.
For travel information to our Docklands campus see: www.uel.ac.uk/about_uel/why_uel/docklands.htm
Docklands Campus – Friday 27 June 2008.
Whilst the concept of celebrity has traditionally been perceived as a phenomenon of the twentieth century, this conference seeks to reconsider its production and consumption across a broader historical timeframe. Centuries of Celebrity is an interdisciplinary conference which opens up a dialogue between participants in relation to the meaning and value of fame across the centuries and in so doing re-examines what it means to be famous.
Places are limited to 100. For the programme email Janet Riddle at J.Riddle@uel.ac.uk To reserve a place please follow the link below and complete the on-line form.
http://www.uel.ac.uk/gradschool/fame-booking.asp
Foundation for the Canadian Studies in the UK
Canada-UK University Partnership Programme (CUUUPP)
Deadlines: 31 January, 31 May and 31 October each year.
The purpose of the CUUPP is to facilitate collaboration between universities in the two countries. It aims to enable the institutions to share their experiences in common fields of interest and endeavour and to share complementary expertise and facilities. It is also hoped that they may take advantage of similar democratic and university structures to combine their human and financial resources in addressing common problems, and in facing the challenges of the twenty-first century. Through these partnerships, the Foundation hopes to encourage and support the initiation, development and diversification of partnerships between British and Canadian universities, in association with government, the private sector and NGOs in both Britain and Canada. The grants will usually be less than £1000 and will be developmental rather than sustaining. Please visit http://www.canadian-studies-uk.org/
European Central Bank, DE - Wim Duisenberg Research Fellowships
Deadline: 01 June 2008
The European Central Bank (ECB) is seeking applications from leading senior professionals in academia, central banks and research institutions for the Duisenberg Research Fellowship. Successful candidates will be offered an assignment for a period of between three and eleven months during the 2009 calendar year and will conduct economic research on issues of relevance to the ECB in the Directorate General Research (DG-R). Please visit https://gs6.globalsuccessor.com/fe/tpl_ecb01SSL.asp?s=ZYbMeKYqTyOFtA&key=14022698&c=782383584856&pagestamp=senilajueqlbhzjmnu
Royal Economic Society - Conference Grants
Deadline: 31 May and 31 September 2008
The Society's Conference Grant Fund is available to members who are presenting a paper, or acting as a principal discussant at a conference; support of up to £500 is available. Please visit http://www.res.org.uk/society/grants_fellowships.asp
IMPORTANT REMINDER for RESEARCH BIDDING PROCEDURES at UEL
Our academics are kindly reminded that for applications of £ 1,000 or more, it is essential they follow the UEL Research Bidding Procedures (“RGA route”) as outlined at http://www.uel.ac.uk/gradschool/research/getfund.htm . If the bid is less than £ 1,000, you only need to follow the “RGM route”, which removes the institutional approval stages, but you still should inform the Graduate School to help us record UEL's bidding activity. All bidders are asked to inform the Graduate School as soon as they hear the result of their applications, whether successful or not. If you need help or advice with a research proposal, please contact Research Support Manager Dr. Tim Brooks (t.brooks@uel.ac.uk) or Research Support Officer Aygen Kurt (a.s.kurt@uel.ac.uk).
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
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Staff in External Strategic and Development Services (ESDS) and their close friends are taking part in the Race for Life on Wednesday 7 May 2008.
Would you be able to sponsor them? Cancer Research is a fantastic charity and has saved the lives of 1,000s and its our chance to give something back. This is the link to their sponsorship page website: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/esdsangelsandfriends with many thanks from Jackie Leach and the ESDS Angels and Friends
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On Saturday 17 May in Eltham SE9, East London Chorus (ELC) is performing Fauré's Requiem, Cantique de Jean Racine and Pavane, along with Shakespeare-inspired songs by George Shearing and John Rutter.
We think you'll find the contrasting 19th and 20th century music delightful to hear. For full details visit www.eastlondonchorus.org.uk/concerts.htm
You can book tickets by phone, reserve them by email, or buy online. East London Chorus enjoys the support of UEL, and rehearses at UEL Docklands every Tuesday.
For full details visit www.eastlondonchorus.org.uk/concerts.htm
Sunday 18 May, 10am - 3pm Rotary Club of Canary Whary Dragon Boat Race Festival
Would you like to help defend the UEL Dragons title? We won last year and you can read all about it at the link below:
http://www.uel.ac.uk/news/latest_news/stories/dragonboat.htm
As well as the opportunity to take part in the dragon boat race you'll also have a great day out with lots of fun activities and prizes. So come along even if you don't plan to paddle.
This is the Rotary Club of Canary Wharf's 11th annual Dragon Boat Race and takes place at the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre, 235a Westferry Road. Over the past ten years over £250,000 has been raised for local charities such as Richard House, Little Havens, The Wheelchair Foundation, Mercy Ships and more.
Pictured: UEL Dragons pictured far left in the final race at last year's festival
To join the UEL team contact Kim Hastings - GTA Applied Sports Science AE.4.09 Tel: 020 8223 4515 Email: k.hastings@uel.ac.uk
First Aid at Work: 4 Days Tue– Fri 2008, 10– 13 June, 9– 12 Sept, 18– 21 Nov. Fee: £185
Re-qualify course: 2 Days Thurs and Fri 2008, 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, 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
Lawyers can help right wrongs, campaign for justice, make a difference in the community and even make a decent living, according to our law graduates Imran Khan and Elpha LeCointe.
On Tuesday 15 April, over 100 students and staff in our School of Law attended an event entitled ‘Can lawyers make a difference?’, with a panel of speakers including former students who have gone on to distinguished careers in law.
Imran Khan, lead solicitor in landmark cases including the Stephen Lawrence murder, and Elpha LeCointe, an experienced family law barrister, recounted their experiences as students and young lawyers, and made a powerful plea that lawyers really can and do make a difference in changing society for the better.
Imran Khan, who grew up in Upton Park and studied his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at UEL (then North East London Polytechnic) in the 1980s, said: “When I was growing up, there was only one Asian shop on Green Street and a lot of racism. My parents wanted me to be a doctor but I studied law because I wanted to challenge injustice and help the community.
“During my studies and after graduating, I did a lot of voluntary legal work, for example with the Newham Ethnic Monitoring Project, and helping defend the ‘Newham 7’. I have always done what I do because I love the work – getting paid is a bonus!
“I never set out to take on high-profile cases, but I have been lucky to have been involved in cases such as Stephen Lawrence and more recently Zahid Mubarak, that have resulted in significant legal reforms and changed society for the better. Lawyers have never had a great press, but there are some really good lawyers who do make a difference.”
Elpha LeCointe, a barrister at Coram Chambers, is also a UEL graduate, who now specialises in family law. She frequently represents vulnerable and disadvantaged clients and also sits as a Deputy District Judge at the Principal Registry of the Family Division.
Elpha LeCointe said: “I studied law not because of the money, or to change the world, but just because I was fascinated by the subject. It was only when I started practising, representing women who were the victims of domestic violence, that I realised how much needed to change. Until recently it was very hard to prosecute the perpetrators, and the police weren’t interested. Bow County Court on a Friday was full of battered women applying for injunctions against abusive partners.
“Now, most of my work is with Child Protection, which can be very personal and emotional, especially when the social work system fails. I represent some of the most vulnerable people in society, and even though the cases are heard in private, what we do certainly makes a huge difference to the lives of these children and their families.
Fiona Fairweather, Dean of the School of Law, said: “It has been a fascinating evening. Our students are hoping to become the next generation of lawyers, and it is really inspiring to hear how their distinguished predecessors have been able to make a positive difference to people and communities. We are proud of our alumni, and delighted they are coming back to share the benefits of their experience.”
The event was organised by George Laurencin, Employability co-ordinator for ourSchool of Law, based at Duncan House, Stratford, and a number of students. Mark Stephens and District Judge Dawson are on a panel of judges at the UEL School of Law Mooting Finals at Stratford Magistrate's Court on Thursday 24 April. The winnning students will receive mini-pupillages at Tooks Chamber, set up by leading human rights barrister Mike Mansfield.Our School of Law is a leader in human rights education and research, and developing legal studies in an international and multicultural context.
Pictured: Law graduates Imran Khan and Elpha LeCointe (front row, second left and far right) with current Law students and Fiona Fairweather, Dean of the School of Law.
Chelmsford Media College (CMC) students visited the our Docklands campus (Wednesday 16 April) to sample life as an undergraduate media student.
The day, organised in collaboration with our Education and Community Partnership (ECP) team and School of Social Sciences, Meida and Cultural Studies, saw the students taking part in a variety of activities. These including looking at current students’ work and sitting in on a practically based session in order to see what it is really like to be a final year student.
CMC students had a chance to explore our campus and facilities, and Field Leader, Jonathan Hardy, gave a session on the variety of courses available, and provided valuable information on careers within the industry.
As well as looking at Media provision, CMC students also had the opportunity to find out about student finance and student life, with a tour of our Student Village and the chance to try out our outdoor gym!
Stacey Abraham, UEL Ambassador, concluded “The day was invaluable in giving students an insight into studying media at University and giving them the opportunity to hear first hand the careers and options available and to be made aware of the level of support that is also on hand.”
Pictured: Chelmsford Media College Students at the Media Day.
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.
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