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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 222: 24 November 2010 |
Welcome to what will be the first in a regular contribution to In focus. My intention is to communicate directly to colleagues to give insight into my thinking as we continue to advance our university strategy, Transformation for Excellence. This month I wanted to reflect on our recent VC awards. This event took place on Monday night in Stratford and was attended by 100 or so students and their supporters, a number of which of course are UEL staff. It is a source of immense satisfaction for me to see students publicly rewarded for their efforts, for excelling in their field of study, as sports people, as entrepreneurs, and as volunteers. I expect this event to build and grow over time and for it to become a major date in the student calendar. For me it is useful in two key ways. Firstly, it serves to remind students and potential students, especially those who are worried about the cost of their education, of the importance placed at UEL on excellence in all its forms, that this university is committed to providing academically innovative and demanding courses from which our graduates will benefit throughout their lives. Secondly, that success, although hard-won, is rewarded. For me this is an important part of our message and something that many of our students will increasingly worry about. Will my academic success be rewarded by a fulfilling and profitable career? Statistically we know the truth, that a degree gives you more opportunities throughout your life. We must make sure, as the cost of a degree increases, that we are always promoting this idea, especially in East London, and that we give our students role models and tangible examples to hold on to and inspire them. I'm always interested to hear the stories of student success that many of you send my way. I look forward to hearing more and more.
Best wishes, Professor Patrick McGhee (Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive)
All staff are invited to the Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee’s address: “The University strategy to address the financial challenges ahead”. Patrick's material will be made available to staff who are unable to attend these events due to teaching arrangements or other commitments.
Friday 26 November:
Stratford Campus: 10am (CC1.01)
Docklands Campus: 3pm (Main Lecture Theatre)
If you require further information, please contact Richard Pyle (Head of Vice-Chancellor’s Office) via r.pyle@uel.ac.uk
Monday evening saw the first of a planned annual event at the Stratford Campus, the Vice-Chancellor’s Reception for Student Prize Winners. A select number of students from each school were awarded certificates celebrating their academic excellence together with some extra curriculum prizes such as sports and volunteering achievements. Each student posed for a photo with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick McGhee, in front of a packed room of fellow students, guests, academics and University staff. Patrick closed proceedings by saying, “This was something that was needed and the hope is that the event will grow bigger and better over the years. I am very proud of this institution and the achievements of its students”. A special mention was given to Dwayne Fields who attended the reception, a student in Psychology with Third World Development who recently became the first black British man to reach the North Pole. After the ceremony, students and their guests were treated to a food and drink reception where students and academics mixed and shared stories about their achievements. One prize winner from the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, Rebekah Peter said of her prize, “I am elated and very proud, it really feels like UEL has recognised my hard work and all the studying has paid off.” Speaking at the reception, Graham Curtis, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning, Teaching and Student Experience, said, “I am delighted to do this, it is of the utmost importance to recognise the success of our students, not only at graduation or when they leave, but whilst they are still studying with us. Our students achieve great things and I am proud that we have celebrated them this evening.”
Graduates from the Schools of Architecture & the Visual Arts and Health & Bioscience have become the latest UEL students to celebrate academic success. Approximately 650 students attended the Barbican Centre in central London on Tuesday (23 November) where they were each personally congratulated by Lord Rix, Chancellor of the University. The event, which was streamed live online, also saw a number of dignitaries conferred with honorary degrees and doctorates from the University. The popular artistic duo Gilbert and George were each awarded Doctor of Arts (pictured), as were Richard Wilson (one of the country’s pre-eminent sculptors and pioneer of large-scale installation art), the acclaimed artist Gavin Turk and the multimedia artist and fashion designer Lady Tina Gifford. UK Paralympian and popular television personality Ade Adepitan MBE was also awarded Doctor of the University of East London. The vote of thanks was given by BA (Hons) Fashion Design graduate (and recent Young Entrepreneur of the Year awardee) Bunmi Olaye. The next ceremony to take place is for Schools of Law & Psychology, on 2 December. For more information, please see uel.ac.uk/graduation
At an event held last week at City Hall, the University of East London demonstrated its unwavering commitment to women’s entrepreneurship and was supported in this vision by Baroness Judith Wilcox (pictured), Under-Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills, who said that she was completely behind the University’s initiatives, urging businesses in the area to do their bit as well. The event, which coincided with Global Entrepreneurship Week, was hosted by inspirational businesswoman and former London Docklands Development Corporation Director, Sunny Crouch OBE, and attended by a host of women entrepreneurs from across all sectors including Carrie Longton, founder of Mumsnet, Lady Judy Moody-Stuart, of the Asian University for Women, and fashion designer Bunmi Olaye. For the full story, please visit uel.ac.uk/news/press_releases/Womenentreps.htm and for further information about the Centre of Excellence for Women Entreprenuers, contact Project Manager Linsey Cole via l.cole@uel.ac.uk
After an unforeseeable cancellation of her appearance at the University earlier this month, In Focus is pleased to announce that Martina Cole has rescheduled her appearance at UEL on Tuesday 30 November. A hugely successful and widely acclaimed author of East London crime novels, Cole is Britain’s most successful female novelist after JK Rowling, selling more than £40m worth of copies worldwide. Described by the Guardian as “intensely readable”, Martina’s recent release The Family will be available for purchase on the day at John Smiths Bookshop (East Building Atrium, Docklands Campus), where Martina will be signing copies of her books from 2.45pm. Both staff and students can attend Martina’s informal lecture in Lecture Theatre EBG.06 from 4.15pm, which will be followed by a question and answer session. To register for this free event, please email your name and department to events@uel.ac.uk quoting ‘MARTINA’ in the subject. Book your place ASAP as places are limited! Refreshments will be provided at the talk.
The start of December will see an exciting new lecture take place which will explore the extent to which the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games can act as a catalyst for the transformation of East London. This event will explore how the sporting legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games might transform the East End of London. It will draw on the economic lessons of previous urban sporting regeneration initiatives and explore London-wide ambitions for sporting participation.
Attendance is free but registration is essential. To register please go to legacycompany.co.uk/news-events/whats-on/?event_id=9. For further details, see the events section below or please contact Victoria Stonebridge via 020 3288 1800 or info@legacycompany.co.uk.
Students and staff, past and present, from UEL’s School of Law gathered to celebrate its 35th anniversary in style this week, with a prestigious ceremony at the Law Society on last Thursday evening. Among the guests were Law School secretary Pat Berwick, who has worked at the University’s School of Law for all of its 35 years, renowned human rights lawyer, and UEL Chair of the Board of Governors, Mark Stephens,
and Ray Bohringer, the School’s first ever law graduate (pictured).
For the full news story, please visit uel.ac.uk/news/press_releases/LawSociety.htm
UEL has beaten off stiff competition from other universities from across the UK to be awarded £1,000 to help improve the health and fitness of Newham residents. With the support of funders, Podium, Sports Force and Research Councils UK, plans are being made to run a public engagement event at the Stratford Campus early in the year. UEL is calling on individuals and participants from local sports clubs who would like to improve their health and well-being to attend a public meeting where they can hear expert advice and take part in a range of activities. There will be an opportunity to find out more about fitness testing, body fat indexing, sports performance enhancement and the work of the UEL sports injuries clinic. For more information, please contact 020 8223 3322 or email partnerships@uel.ac.uk
During the end of September and beginning of October, students took part in a ‘Construction Week’ programme organised by the School of Arts and Digital Industries. The workshops were the opening projects of the fourth year Diploma in Architecture, and formed a portion of the students’ technical submissions for the year. Most importantly, however, the team-building exercises provided fruitful opportunities for students to engage with real clients, and manage real budgets and expectations. The students’ growing confidence in their craft was further emphasised by the reduced role staff played in the projects. One project, a red food-growing planter (pictured), which was fully funded by Design for London and commissioned through Modern Urban Fabric, was constructed in a public park in North Woolwich. For more information, please contact Czes Bany via c.w.bany@uel.ac.uk
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
Open Day dates 2010/11
Following consultation with schools and services the open days dates for the 2010/11 academic year have now been set. The Student Recruitment & Marketing Team will be reviewing the format of these events with colleagues and prospective students over the next few months to ensure we maximise our recruitment this year. If you are planning any school recruitment events over the coming year please contact your account manager in the Student Recruitment & Marketing Team who will be able to provide you with advice and support. You can find details of all account managers by visiting uel.ac.uk/marketing/srm/accountmanagers.htm
Date |
Event |
Time of event |
Times staff required to work |
Campus |
Saturday 22 January |
Application drop-in event |
12-4pm |
9-5pm |
Docklands and Stratford |
Saturday 25 June |
General (UG & PG) open day |
12-4pm |
9-5pm |
Docklands and Stratford |
Saturday 20 August |
Clearing application drop-in day |
12-4pm |
9-5pm |
Docklands |
My story: whose story is it anyway?: 26 November, 2.30pm Docklands Campus
As part of interfaith week UEL Students' Union and Chaplaincy would like to invite you to an intimate gathering of storytelling by UEL students and members of the public from diverse faith backgrounds. Admission is free but places are limited. Please RSVP by emailing your name, telephone number and choice of campus to suv@uel.ac.uk. For
more events taking place during interfaith week, please visit uelunion.org/volunteers/content/588703/interfaith_week_21st_nov_-_27th_nov_/
As part of UEL Awards Week: Volunteering Awards: Wednesday 24 November, 6.30 – 8pm (Docklands Campus)
A celebration of UEL students' commitment to volunteering over the past year. Refreshments and canapés will be served at 6pm. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to Danielle Bailey at volunteering@uel.ac.uk
Jump 4 London: 25 November (Stratford Campus), 30 November and 2 December (Docklands Campus)
Get snapped mid-jump for the world’s largest photograph, to be exhibited at ExCel Centre! To participate, turn up at the Computer Conference Centre at Stratford Campus on 25 November at 11.30am or outside Oscar’s Bistro at Docklands campus on 30 November or 2 December and get ready to jump your way into the Guinness Book of World Records. For more information contact Shahida on 020 8223 2345, 07872 600992 or suv@uel.ac.uk, or visit jump4london.co.uk
Martina Cole special appearance: Tuesday 30 November, 2.45pm booksigning (John Smiths bookshop), 4.15pm lecture (EBG06, Docklands Campus)
Martina’s recent release The Family will be available for purchase on the day at John Smiths Bookshop (East Building Atrium), outside of which Martina will be signing copies of her books from 2.45pm. Both staff and students can attend Martina’s informal lecture in EBG.06 from 4.15pm, which will be followed by a question and answer session. To register for this free event, please email your name and department to events@uel.ac.uk quoting ‘MARTINA’ in the subject. Book your place ASAP as places are limited!
‘How can the sporting legacy of the London 2012 Games deliver lasting change to the East End of London?’: Thursday 2 December, 6 – 8pm, Drinks reception, 8 – 9pm (Docklands Campus)
This event will explore how the sporting legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games might transform the East End of London. It will draw on the economic lessons of previous urban sporting regeneration initiatives and explore London-wide ambitions for sporting participation. The event will include guest speakers, as well as an introduction by Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee. Attendance is free but registration is essential. To register please go to legacycompany.co.uk/news-events/whats-on/?event_id=9 For more information please contact Victoria Stonebridge via info@legacycompany.co.uk or 020 3288 1800.
Improving Progression to Higher Education: Thursday 2 December, 9am – 4pm (Mayfair Conference Centre, London, W2 2ES)
Professor John Storan, Director of the Centre for Widening Participation at UEL, will be one of six guest speakers to appear at a one-day conference, which will address the areas of understanding policy, clarifying funding structures and identifying ways to work more effectively in partnership. To register, please visit emapeducation.com/progression For more information email educationconferences@emap.com or call 020 7554 5800. Please note this is not a University event.
International Day of People with Disabilities: Thursday 2 December, 10am
–
3pm (East Building Atrium, Docklands Campus)
The day promotes awareness of disability issues, the rights of people with disabilities, and their integration in to the mainstream of the social, political, economic and cultural aspects of their communities. Find out about life coaching, mental and physical well-being, employment advice, assistive technologies and how UEL can support staff and students with disabilities and lots more. For more information visit uel.ac.uk/equality/enable.htm or contact Seta Perez (Equality and Diversity Administrator) via seta@uel.ac.uk or 020 8223 6361.
Managing Your Career Workshop: ‘From Application to Interview’: Thursday 2 December, 1 – 5pm (Docklands Campus)
Organised by
the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Staff Network, the aim of this workshop is to provide participants with an insight into how recruitment and selection processes are conducted within the public and private sectors, and the skills and qualities required in order to ensure that their applications have a unique selling point (USP). The session covers completing applications and CVs, delivering presentations and psychometric assessments. It is open to all staff, but places are limited.
If you would like to attend, please contact Seta Perez (Equality and Diversity Administrator) via seta@uel.ac.uk by 26 November.
Christmas Market: Wednesday 8 December, 12 noon – 3pm (Docklands Campus,
Children’s Garden Early Years Centre)
The Children’s Garden Early Years Centre is delighted to announce their forthcoming Christmas Fair. All goods-donations are welcome, however large or small! Food items should be brought to the Children’s Garden by Monday 6 December. Raffle tickets will shortly be available. For further information, please contact Annette James at the Children's Garden via a.james@uel.ac.uk or 020 8223 2663.
Alumni Christmas Party: Thursday 16 December, 6.30pm 'til late (West Ham United Football Club)
The programme for the evening includes a DJ and disco, quizzes, raffles and live music. A festive buffet and your first drink are included in your ticket. Tickets are £10 purchased before, and £15 after, 3 December. To attend, please send a cheque made payable to ‘UEL Development Trust’and send it to Development and Alumni Office, UEL Docklands Campus, University Way, London E16 2RD, and write 'Christmas 2010' on the back. Please include a note with your name, your guest(s’) name(s), contact address, phone number and email address. A formal ticket will be sent to you closer to the event. For more information, please contact alumni@uel.ac.uk or call 020 8223 6443.
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
Do you enjoy badminton? Do you want to play for fun and fitness? If the answer is "yes", then the No Strings Badminton session exclusively for UEL staff and students is for you. Starting on Tuesday 30 November, this weekly session is a sociable, fun and relaxed opportunity to play badminton. Run as a pay-as-you-go class, there is no booking or membership required. A qualified coach (Frank Foo) from Badminton England will be on hand to ensure that participants rotate and play different people during the session, and to give guidance where requested.
Even better, the session takes place right opposite our Stratford Campus at Sarah Bonnell School, providing convenient and excellent facilities!
Details of the sessions are:
– Tuesdays at 5.30 to 7pm (from 30 November)
– Sarah Bonnell School (opposite Stratford Campus)
– £4 staff, £3 students (payable directly to the coach every session)
– Bring your own racket, otherwise there are some available for loan.
For more details and queries, please contact David Cosford on 020 8223 6398 or d.cosford@uel.ac.uk
UEL have sponsored Newham and Essex Beagles Athletics Club this year, and are hosting their annual presentation evening on Friday 26 November at our Docklands Campus.
David Cosford states, "This sponsorship really cements our core ambition to become the leading University for sport in London. Newham and Essex Beagles are the number 1 club in the UK, and their top athletes include the likes of Mo Farah, Christine Ohureugo and Chris Tomlinson. We wish to be part of their club development both now and in the future, with the ultimate ambition of ensuring several highly talented athletes come to study at UEL long term". It is anticipated that the awards evening will be attended by one of their Olympic stars, however the club are keeping their identity under wraps.
For more information, please contact David Cosford on 020 8223 6398 or d.cosford@uel.ac.uk
UEL Sports – ‘Get involved, Join, Learn, Participate, Train, Motivate, Compete, Enjoy’
Society for In Vitro Biology (USA), Philip White Memorial Award. Deadline: 31 January 2011. The aim of this award is to supplement expenses for a student to further study plant tissue culture by acquiring specialized training in a plant tissue-related technique not available at their home institution, by traveling to another laboratory. A stipend of $650 is awarded for travel to, and training at, an institution of the awardee's choice. Visit sivb.org/awards_student_Phillip.asp for more information.
Glasgow Caledonian University, Visiting International Fellowships in Social Justice. Deadline: 31 January 2011. Fellowships aim to foster the development of research in the area of social justice. An honorarium of £3,000 will be paid to fellows who stay at the school for one semester. Please see gcu.ac.uk/lss/research/visitinginternationalfellowships/ for more information.
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), New Investigator Awards. Deadline: 1 February 2011. This competition is for investigators at the outset of their scientific career and who are within three years of first becoming eligible to apply for NERC funding as a principal investigator. Grants are worth up to £100,000 at 80 per cent full economic cost. See nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/researchgrants/typesofaward/newinvestigators.asp for more information.
British Association for Canadian Studies (GB), Travel Awards to Visit Canada. Deadline: 1 February, 1 May, 1 October 2011.These awards are intended to enable suitably qualified British scholars to make academic visits to Canada. The grants are worth up to £500, and are awarded to full-time academic staff or postgraduate students from the UK. See canadian-studies.info/main/content/view/32/43/ for more information.
European Science Foundation (ESF), Conference attendance or travel grants:
– ESF-EMBO Symposium on B Cells and Protection: Back to Basics (12-17 June 2011). Grants are available to cover the conference fee and possibly part of the travel costs for students and early stage researchers. Deadline: 10 March 2010. Visit esf.org/activities/esf-conferences/details/2011/confdetail366.html?conf=366&year=2011 for more information.
– ESF-LiU Conference: Religion, Gender and Human Rights: Challenges for Multicultural and Democratic Societies The conference will examine the nexus of religion, gender, identity, human rights and politics with a particular focus on Europe and the EU. Grants are available to cover the conference fee and possibly part of the travel costs. Deadline: 29 March 2011. Visit esf.org/activities/esf-conferences/details/2011/confdetail352.html for information.
Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe. Call for proposals: Preparatory access. No closing dates, applications accepted all year round.
PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe) Research Infrastructure (RI) allows researchers from across Europe to apply for time on high-end, high-performance computers via a peer review process. Preparatory access allows researchers to apply for code scalability testing and also support for code development and optimisation from PRACE RI members software experts. Preparatory access allows researchers to optimise their codes before responding to project calls. Machine(s) available: IBM Blue Gene/P “JUGENE” (GCS@Jülich, Germany) and, after 1st of January 2011, BULL Bullx cluster “CURIE” (GENCI/CEA, Bruyères-Le-Châtel, France). Please see this Adobe Reader file (prace-project.eu/hpc-access/prace_preparatory_access_call.pdf) for further information on the Call and guidelines.
Missed an Update? All previously advertised funding opportunities are archived until their date of expiry at uel.ac.uk/gradschool/research/ResearchUpdate.htm or uel.ac.uk/gradschool/research/euroupdate.htm
Across the University, the upper lips of men continue to proudly keep the torch (or moustache) aloft for ‘Movember’. Throughout the month of November, the moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for cancers that affect men. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days. The funds raised through Movember’s UK campaign benefit the The Prostate Cancer Charity (TPCC). Whether sporting a handlebar or merely a pencil tash, many UEL staff members are collecting for charity throughout the month. For more information on the scheme, or to get involved, visit uk.movemberfoundation.com
HSS Senior Lecturer Olive Stubbs will be presenting her 25th annual production of medieval plays in St Clement Eastcheap Church, Clements Lane, EC4 next week. The performances (at 6.30 and 8.30pm, Monday 22 to Friday 26 November) will feature her adaptation of scenes from 15th Century texts from cities around the country. Scenes this year include the deadly sins, Abraham and Isaac, the Christmas story and the Last Judgement. Olive comments, “The Players of St Peter are a great group to work with and the plays are enjoyable on many levels giving a glimpse into medieval England with themes and characters relevant today”. For further details, contact Olive via o.m.stubbs@uel.ac.uk or theplayersofstpeter.org.uk
Please send comments or contributions for in Focus Update to: infocus@uel.ac.uk
To contribute a UEL news item please supply a headline (c. 10 words), short paragraph (c. 50-100 words) with a call to action (email / web link or phone) together with a photo.
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© 2010
