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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 228: 26 January 2011 |
I would like to wish our Indian staff and students a very happy Indian Republic Day (Wednesday 26 January 2011). UEL is proud of our long-standing ties to India and we continue to develop them. This year, in a special ceremony, we bestowed Honorary Degrees on three outstanding Indians, Preity Zinta, Lord Parekh and Lord Dholakia. During their acceptance speeches they noted how refreshing it was for them to receive awards in front of so many Indian students. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to India this academic year, and I learnt a great deal about how India is developing during my meetings with university leaders and students in Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai and Baroda. We have further plans to develop our ties in the other states. As we venture forward into 2011 we will continue to build on our ties with India in all of our work but particularly in the areas of joint courses, research, women's entrepreneurship and of course sport. We will also engage with the Indian Diaspora in London through our outreach and business engagement programmes. It is through these activities, by building on the valuable contributions of Indian students and staff, that we can build UEL into a truly global institution that offers opportunities to Indian and UK students alike as well as those from elsewhere around the world. I hope you enjoy your day of celebration.
Professor Patrick McGhee
Vice-Chancellor
All staff are invited to nominate individuals that are felt to be worthy recipients of an honorary award. In the past, awards have been conferred on distinguished individuals who are outstanding in their field of endeavour and who deserve recognition for their achievements. In selecting individuals, UEL always looks for a reason which goes beyond the personal distinction of the individual concerned. For example, east London may have been the area in which the individual was born, or in which they have lived or worked. They may have strong connections to UEL, be they former students or staff, public figures who have shown a commitment to the institution or persons with whom one or more members of staff have enjoyed a particularly fruitful academic collaboration. Work within the Global Reach initiative sometimes means that honoraries may have no direct east London connection but champion the values which have long been associated with the University and its predecessor institutions. All the people we select must be proud of their association with UEL and be inspirational, positive role models for our students and staff. If you would like to make one or more nominations, please send your nomination form to Sunny Sharma via s.sharma@uel.ac.uk before 5pm, Monday 14 February. To download a nomination form click here
The UELSports blog is welcoming submissions from staff and students – we want you to get involved. If you’re conducting Olympic or sports-related research, or if you’re taking part in sporting activities at UEL, then we would like you to contribute to our new sports blog. If you are a lecturer who has students who are engaging in sport, either as competitors or reporters, then we would like you to tell your students about the blog and invite them to contribute. Find out how to contribute by visiting uelsportsblog.wordpress.com/contribute-to-the-uelsports-blog
Catch sports journalism student Dominique Hume's latest blog posts on the progress of the England women's football team in La Manga, Spain by visiting uelsportsblog.wordpress.com The student expedition to La Manga would not have been possible without the support of funding from UEL's new Going Global Bursary, which offers students a great opportunity to combine an overseas study experience with their UEL programme. For more information about the bursary, please see uel.ac.uk/international/study/going-global-bursary.htm
A unique event staged by UEL will give people with an interest in sport and next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games the chance to meet London 2012 hopefuls and learn more about cutting-edge sports science.
The free event will provide information about the increasing importance of a more scientific approach towards sport, while visitors will also have the chance to take part in various interactive workshops which will assess their fitness, nutrition and strength and conditioning. There will also be presentations from young athletes in line for a place in Team GB at next summer’s Games. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view UEL’s state-of-the-art fitness and health, sport and exercise science, sports development and sports coaching facilities.
'Knowing Sport' is free to attend for staff (as well as members of the public) and takes place at Stratford Campus on Thursday 3 February, 4 – 6pm.
To book a place at the event please email partnerships@uel.ac.uk with your name and contact details.
For further information about the event visit podium.ac.uk/events
UEL has passed its ‘First Year Assessment’ for Customer Service Excellence and has been awarded continued accreditation for another year. UEL was first awarded the Charter Mark standard in 2006, which was succeeded by the Customer Service Excellence government standard in 2008/09. Elaine Davis, who led the Customer Service Excellence working group, would like to thank everyone in the group for all their hard work and efforts throughout the last year, as well as the staff who assisted in compiling documentary evidence to support our submission, and all those involved in the visit from the CSE Assessor. The assessment was very much focused around the quality and timeliness of customer service delivery, primarily the functions managed by Schools’ and Services’ helpdesks. Congratulations to all University helpdesk staff for the second year running for contributing to the successful outcome of this visit. For more information visit uel.ac.uk/cse
UEL's strategy Transformation for Excellence set out nine strategic objectives for 2015. Nine programme boards have been set up which are tasked with achieving these objectives and all staff are actively encouraged to be engaged in the strategy. The boards have now made their first formal progress report to Governors, and published their initial plans. These have been published so that colleagues can see what is going on, and contribute where they wish. Please see uel.ac.uk/planning/internal/programmeboards.htm
UEL and the students' union have officially gained Fairtrade status. Fairtrade products such as hot drinks, chocolate bars, cakes and fruit juices are available in the catering outlets across Docklands and Stratford Campuses as well as Duncan House. Celia Masse, Fairtrade Campaigns Officer, said of the University’s dedication to the scheme, “We are delighted to award University of East London with official Fairtrade University Status. Thank you for all your hard work and commitment to Fairtrade: we wish you every success in upholding these standards and developing your campaign.” Find out more about UEL’s involvement with the scheme by visiting the University’s Fairtrade webpage uel.ac.uk/greenthing/fairtrade
A delegation of UEL staff and alumni recently attended a conference addressing the sustainability of geotechnical and transportation engineering in Malaysia. Over 250 people participated in the eighth international conference, dubbed ‘Geotropika 2010’, which took place in early December 2010, with staff and alumni from the School of Computing, IT and Engineering presenting nine specialist papers between them. Papers included ‘Sediment Transport with a Hydrodynamic Perspective’ by Ravindra Jayaratne, Sarik Salim and Chitral Wijeyesekera, and ‘Field Study of Urban Heat Island Effects from Asphalt Pavements’ by Chitral Wijeyesekera, John Walsh, Robert Allen and Helen Bailey.
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
Open Day dates in 2011
Following consultation with Schools and Services the open day dates for January – August 2011 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 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 |
UEL – Runnymede conference: 'Secularism, Racism and the Politics of Belonging': Thursday 27 January, 9.30am – 6pm (Docklands Campus)
The event will bring together academics and researchers, community activists, race equality groups, and leading figures from secular, Christian, Muslim and Jewish organisations. It examines how matters of faith are constructed in relation to old and new forms of racism and to other contemporary political projects of belonging. It considers the implications for citizenship and social solidarity in the context of the 'Big Society'. For further details visit uel.ac.uk/cmrb/news.htm To register please contact Steve Thorpe via s.thorpe@uel.ac.uk
Brandenburg Spring Choral Festival: Jazz Mass: Friday 28 January, 7.30pm (King’s College London Chapel WC2R 2LS)
The East London Chorus will perform a concert featuring Bob Chilcot's A Little Jazz Mass and Byrd's Mass for Four Voices. View the full programme at http://bit.ly/eTSUGq To book tickets see smitf.org or contact 020 7766 1100.
UEL – Oxford seminars: Wednesday 2 February, 5pm (EBG.08 Docklands Campus)
UEL has joined with Oxford University to jointly run a seminar series on pressing issues in Refugee Studies. UEL’s Centre for Research on Migration, Refugees & Belonging and Oxford’s Refugee Studies Centre (RSC) will host discussions on the theme 'Conceptual Problems in Forced Migration'. The next seminar at UEL will be held on 2 February. For full details of speakers and venues see uel.ac.uk/cmrb/seminars.htm If you wish to join UEL colleagues for sessions in Oxford contact Philip Marfleet via p.marfleet@uel.ac.uk
Catholic Mass on Stratford Campus: Thursday 3 February, 1pm (RB.1.09, Stratford Campus)
All students and staff are welcome to participate in the first Catholic Mass to take place on Stratford Campus on Thursday 3 February. Catholic Mass also takes place twice a week in NB1.01 on Docklands Campus, on Sunday at 10am and Wednesday at 1pm. For further information, or to be put on the Catholic Society emailing list, please contact the Catholic Chaplain Father Thomas via Br.Thomas@uel.ac.uk
Knowing Sport: Thursday 3 February, 4 – 6pm (Stratford Campus)
If you are interested in sports and the 2012 Games, come along to the 'Knowing Sport' event and meet Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. You will get the opportunity to take part in interactive workshops, providing the latest information on fitness assessment, sports nutrition and strength & conditioning, and be given the chance to find out more about UEL’s facilities and sports related programmes. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to partnerships@uel.ac.uk with your name and contact details. For further information visit podium.ac.uk/events
'Towards Sustainable Transport?':
Thursday 10 February, 5pm (EBG.16, Docklands Campus)
A talk as part of UEL Go Green Week with Rachel Aldred (UEL Sustainable Mobilities Group),
Richard George (Campaign for Better Transport) and Justin Spinney (UEL Sustainable Mobilities Group). For full details or to confirm your attendance please email R.E.Aldred@uel.ac.uk
Creative Arts Industries Event: Made in East London: Tuesday 16 February, 6 – 11pm (Islington, Metal Works
EC1V 1NQ)
A showcase and networking event for our creative students, alumni and industry partners. Please join the Alumni Office for an enjoyable and stimulating evening showcasing the latest creative talent from UEL. Meet fellow students, staff, alumni and industry partners for networking and refreshments.
This event is free. Please RSVP to alumni@uel.ac.uk or call 020 8223 2222 by Wednesday 9 February.
'Write Now': Thursday 17 February, 7pm (Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford E15 1BX)
The Writing Centre at UEL presents an evening of readings and performances by staff and students in creative writing. Admission is free. Please contact Tessa McWatt via t.a.mcwatt@uel.ac.uk for further information.
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
UELSports RoundupStaff and students can now pay as they go to attend the weekly tennis sessions organised by UELSports and Nurudeen Isa, the Tennis Coordinator. Session fees are £4 (staff) and £3 (students), and taken by the coach before each session begins.
Session times:
– Mondays and Thursdays at New Beckton Park (close to Docklands Campus) and Tuesdays and Fridays at West Ham Park (close to Stratford Campus)
– Times: 12.15 – 1.15pm
Contact Nurudeen via n.isa@uel.ac.uk for more information.
UELSports have a range of sports coaching courses currently available at discounted rates. The level 1 basketball and cricket qualifications will link to delivering some voluntary work across Newham and UEL. The courses which normally cost around £200, will be available for approx £50. Contact David Cosford via d.cosford@uel.ac.uk for more information. There are also a number of additional courses currently available at http://bit.ly/h6EOJc
If you would like to get some work experience in sport alongside UELSports, please contact David Cosford via d.cosford@uel.ac.uk There is also a meeting for students being held on Wednesday 26 January at 12.30pm in RB.2.06 (Stratford Campus). Please encourage students to register attendance with David.
The UELSports clubs restart their competitive season this Wednesday (26 January). Many of the clubs are in action, and many of them are aiming to win their respective leagues and cups this year. Our football and basketball teams remain unbeaten, and our badminton and netball teams are also having a successful time. Contact uelsports@uel.ac.uk to get involved. UEL cricket team are also gearing up for the cricket season, so please contact them if you wish to get involved via cricket@uel.ac.uk.
UELSports is looking for someone to come forward to assist in the leading of our weekly jogging classes from Docklands Campus. The sessions that take place on a Tuesday and Thursday already have two jog leaders, but we need additional cover. UELSports will fund a place on a jog leaders course for any willing candidate. It's a great way to keep in shape, and assist in the provision of healthy activity on campus.
For more information on any of the above please contact uelsports@uel.ac.uk
To view the UELSports webpages visit uel.ac.uk/sports
As part of International Brain Awareness Week, Dr Ashok Jansari will be hosting a Brain Awareness Day at the School of Psychology at Stratford Campus. The event will start with a public lecture entitled ‘The Life of Brian (the Brain)’ giving a tour of the history of our understanding of the brain. By using examples from his own work, Dr Ashok Jansari will demonstrate how we can understand the devastating consequences of some forms of brain damage but also about the preserved abilities following trauma. This information can then be used to help understand how the healthy brain functions and then this information can be used to develop rehabilitation to help the lives of the patients. After the public lecture, there will be a reception between 7 and 8pm with information displays by organisations that work with individuals with brain-related issues, posters about research at the School of Psychology and even models of the brain that the audience can take apart. The evening will conclude with Dr Jansari chairing a panel discussion about ‘living with brain damage’ where two of his research patients will discuss both what it means to live with this terrible life-changing event but also that it certainly is not the end of the world. This free event will take place on Wednesday 16 March, 6 – 9pm, in CC.1.01 (Stratford Campus). All are welcome. For more information please contact Dr Jansari via a.jansari@uel.ac.uk
Please send comments or contributions for in Focus Update to: infocus@uel.ac.uk
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© 2011
