|
|
Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 230: 08 February 2011 |
Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee will be holding staff meetings at the beginning of the new semester to discuss progress made against Transformation for Excellence objectives and the next steps in the university strategy. The meeting at Stratford Campus will be held on Wednesday 16 February at 12.30pm in CC.1.01. The meeting at Docklands Campus will be held on Friday 18 February at 1pm in EB.2.44. For further information please contact Richard Pyle via r.pyle@uel.ac.uk There is no need to RSVP.
The National Student Survey (an online survey which measures teaching, development and overall satisfaction amongst students UK wide) opened to UEL final-year UG students yesterday (7 February). The initiative, which will continue until the end of April, is currently being promoted across Docklands and Stratford Campuses, as well as in Duncan House, through use of banners, posters and flyers. There will also be a number of special NSS days at both campuses where students can come and use an iPad to complete the survey. There are some big cash prizes this year which should increase participation but we ask that, where possible, you encourage your students to take part and support UEL. The NSS is incredibly important and we welcome your support. To find out more about the NSS visit thestudentsurvey.com or uel.ac.uk/nss
The first issue of ‘your universe’ for the new semester will be released this Thursday (10 February). This new edition of the online magazine for UEL students will be jam-packed with student news, success stories, events and editorials, as well as competitions and opportunities.
Where possible, please inform students of the next ‘your universe’ edition, out on Thursday. See uel.ac.uk/universe
Staff are reminded that the closing date for nominating individuals of their choice for a UEL honorary award is Monday 14 February at 5pm. Nominations from all staff are positively welcomed. To submit a nomination, please email your completed nomination form to Sunny Sharma via s.sharma@uel.ac.uk To download a nomination form click here
Our university strategy, Transformation for Excellence, identifies nine key objectives to be realised by 2015. Central to these is the delivery of an outstanding student experience. The Student Experience Programme Board has developed the Student Experience Plan which identifies the key projects and actions which will be commissioned to transform the student experience. The consultation draft of the Student Experience Plan is available at uel.ac.uk/planning/internal/studentexperience.htm Please take this opportunity to view the draft plan and provide your comments through the link on the webpage by Monday 7 March.
As part of the drive to give UEL students the best possible opportunities after graduation, the Royal Docks Business School staged the highly popular ‘Getting Down to Business week’ last week, where over 150 students attended the various sessions. Students were put through their paces by assessors from City Airport, ISG InteriorExterior plc and the Canary Wharf Group (pictured). Activities included a networking event, tours of the Bank of England and of the ExCel Centre, an entrepreneur workshop, a host of guest orations and two Mock Assessment Centres which were held at the new UEL SkillsDock based in Heron Quays. For more information contact Mark Watson via m.watson@uel.ac.uk
The Children’s Garden Early Years Centre, UEL’s workplace nursery for children of staff and students, has been praised in a recent inspection by Ofsted officials. The report found the Children’s Garden to be ‘outstanding' in all areas. The delighted nursery staff would like to invite all UEL colleagues to join them in a small celebration, with refreshments, on Thursday 24 March, 3 – 5pm, at the Children’s Garden on Docklands Campus. In order to organise catering, please RSVP to Thais Bishop (t.m.bishop@uel.ac.uk) by the end of Friday 18 February.
In response to the changing needs of students who require support at different times of the day, different study locations and individual study patterns, the library in collaboration with UELconnect have produced a self-help guide called 'Info skills'. Funded by Academic Practice & Student Experience, the online guide assists students through the preliminary stages of their assignments. The four major areas look at: identifying, finding, evaluating and referencing information. The new site gives students step-by-step help online, whenever and wherever it’s needed, using videos, help-guides, links, demos and quizzes. 'Info skills' will be launched to all students and staff across UEL from the end of February. For more information please contact Ella Mitchell via e.mitchell@uel.ac.uk or 020 8223 2961.
Podium and UEL will be hosting an international conference at Stratford Campus tomorrow, Wednesday 9 February. Delegates from the Krasnador region of Russia, hosts of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and Canada, the hosts of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, will speak about the role of Higher and Further Education institutions in the delivery of Olympic events and Olympic legacy. Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee will open proceedings, and John Lock, Director of UEL’s 2012 Office, will talk about the role that UEL is playing in 2012, and our relationship with the United States Olympic Committee. For further information see podium.ac.uk/events/view/221/international-learning-legacies-conference
Over 80 students and academics from leading universities across Europe gathered at the University of Applied Sciences in Erfurt, Germany, for the ‘IT Security in a Connected World ' conference in January. Among papers selected to be presented to the conference were those by three students from the CITE School. The three students, Alireza Ghadrdanizadi, Mohammad Monsef and Imran Askerniya, were supported by Associate Dean, Professor Hamid Jahankhani, and senior lecturer Dr Ameer Al-Nemrat (pictured). Professor Jahankhani commented, “This is a great experience for the students because they have an opportunity to present their work to a major employer and to network and discuss research opportunities with their peers and leaders in the security community.” For the full story see http://bit.ly/ggfW0f
As part of National Student Money Week the SMART team at UEL will be holding a Money Awareness Week between Monday 7 and Friday 11 March. There will be various activities available at both Docklands and Stratford Campuses, including stalls on various aspects of finance and budgeting, finance MOT's conducted by SMART advisers, advice from the Health and Wellbeing team on how to eat healthily on a budget, as well as food tasting. Please mark this week in your diaries and get involved by helping to raise awareness of money issues for students. For further details see the events section of the SMART webpage, http://bit.ly/fkNfrg
The UEL Buddhist Chaplaincy is now holding regular, weekly meditation sessions at both Stratford and Docklands Campuses. Both staff and students can attend the drop-in sessions, with no requirement to attend every week. Newcomers are taught a simple secular, scientific method of calming the body and mind, facilitating greater concentration, less stress and a more present awareness of daily living. Sessions are held on Docklands Campus every Tuesday, 12.05 – 12.50pm and 1.05 – 1.50pm (in NB1.01a), and at Stratford Campus every Wednesday, 12.05 – 12.50pm and 1.05 – 1.50pm (in RB1.09). For more information please contact Matthew Jee via m.g.jee@uel.ac.uk or 020 8223 7078.
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
Open Day dates in 2011
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 |
Go Green Week: Monday 7 – Friday 11 February (Docklands and Stratford Campuses)
Get involved in our week of environmental events! The aim is to have fun, provoke debate and find out about alternatives for a more sustainable future for everyone. Plant some vegetables in our new allotment, try your hand at knitting and paper making, and come to lectures by UEL academics on environmental justice, transport, ecology, food and water. You will also get the chance to win a bike in our free prize draw. Check out the timetable at uel.ac.uk/greenthing/events.htm For more information contact Jon Emmett via j.emmett@uel.ac.uk
Managing Your Career Workshop, ‘From Application to Interview’: Thursday 10 February,
12.30 – 5pm
(KD.2.13, Docklands Campus)
This workshop, originally due to take place in December, has been rescheduled for 10 February. This workshop will provide participants with an insight into how recruitment and selection processes are conducted within the public and private sectors and how to ensure that applications have a unique selling point. To attend contact either Farhat Sadeeq (farhat@uel.ac.uk) or Sonia Harding (s.harding@uel.ac.uk) within the Mentor and Equalities Unit by 9 February.
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: Wednesday 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.
Women, Work, Equality: From Dagenham to the Coalition Cuts: Wednesday 16 February, 2 – 4pm (EB.G.10, Docklands Campus)
The idea of job creation and job cuts, working and what to do with those who aren't working, lies at the heart of the coalition government's reform programme. Responding to the measures, which hit women disproportionately, the Centre for Cultural Studies Research is hosting a discussion that will focus on the feminist struggle for equality. The event is the third in CCSR's ‘Debt, Pain, Work’ series that interrogates the discourses and policies of the coalition government. Please contact Maggie Humm via M.Humm@uel.ac.uk for more information.
Murder, Madness, and Masculinity in Christopher Marlowe's Edward II: Wednesday 16 February, 7.30pm (Rose Theatre, Bankside)All are welcome to attend a special after-show panel, following the performance of Peter Darney's production of ‘Edward II’ by Christopher Marlowe at the historic Elizabethan theatre. See rosetheatre.org.uk for further details.
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.
Cass School of Education Postgraduate Talk: Monday 21 February, 1 – 2pm (LT.03, Stratford Campus); Wednesday 23 February, 1 – 2pm (Main Lecture Theatre, Docklands Campus)
Find out more about postgraduate opportunities, with information on teacher training and PG courses in Education, Youth and Community Studies and teaching English as a foreign language. For further details and to book a place contact p.shah2@uel.ac.uk or 0208 223 4137.
'Psychoanalysis and Popular Culture': Saturday 26 February, 10am – 6pm (5th Floor, Tavistock Clinic)
Staff are invited to the day symposium on 'Psychoanalysis and Popular Culture' which will mark the end of the current grant period of the AHRC funded research network, Media and the Inner World. Speakers will include former England cricket captain Michael Brearley and Channel 4 news-caster Krishnan Guru-Murthy. See miwnet.org for more information or contact Candida Yates via C.Yates@uel.ac.uk
Social Work Alumni Event:
Tuesday 1 March, 5 – 7pm (CSWP, Tavistock Centre, 5th Floor Lecture Theatre, 120 Belsize Lane NW3 5BA)
Staff are invited to a meeting of the London Regional CSWP Group. The event will begin with a talk by Andrew Cooper on 'Professional confidence: How we lost it, how to find it, how to keep it'.
Refreshments will follow the talk with opportunities for group discussion and reflection. This is a free event. Please RSVP to
alumni@uel.ac.uk or 020 8223 2222 by Monday 21 February.
Money Awareness Week: Monday 7 – Friday 11 March (Docklands and Stratford Campuses)
As part of National Student Money Week the SMART team will be holding a Money Awareness Week between Monday 7 and Friday 11 March. Activities at both campuses will include stalls on various aspects of finance and budgeting, finance MOT's conducted by SMART advisers and advice from the Health and Wellbeing team on how to eat healthily on a budget. For further details see the events section of the SMART webpage, http://bit.ly/fkNfrg
The life of Brian (the Brain!): Wednesday 16 March, 6 – 9pm (CC.1.01, Stratford Campus)
As part of International Brain Awareness Week, Dr Ashok Jansari will be hosting a Brain Awareness Day at the School of Psychology. The event will include a public lecture entitled ‘The Life of Brian (the Brain)’ giving a tour of the history of our understanding of the brain. This is a free event, and all are welcome. For more information please contact Dr Jansari via
a.jansari@uel.ac.uk
Ofsted Celebration Event: Thursday 24 March, 3 – 5pm (Children’s Garden Early Years Centre, Docklands Campus)
A recent report from Ofstead found the Children’s Garden to be 'outstanding' in all areas. Join the nursey staff in a small celebration at the Children's Garden on 24 March. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Thais Bishop via t.m.bishop@uel.ac.uk by Friday 18 February.
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
Six UEL Clubs go into the BUCS Conference Cup Quarter Finals on Wednesday 16 February with every chance of booking semi-final places, and getting one step closer to cup success.
Our Basketball and Football teams have already gone on giant-killing cup-runs, and they look set to build on their impressive form in their quarter-final showdowns.
Our clubs need you, students and staff, to get out and support them in their bid for cup glory. The clubs in action are:
– Tennis 1st Vs. Kent 1st
– Men’s Volleyball Vs. Reading 1st
– Women’s Volleyball Vs. Chichester 1st
– Men’s Basketball 1st team
– Women’s Basketball Men’s
– Men’s football 1st team
All matches are being played in the afternoon and early evening of Wednesday 16 February.
Contact UELSports to find out more: uel.ac.uk/sports/contactus/details.htm#infocus
For more information on any of the above please contact uelsports@uel.ac.uk
To view the UELSports webpages visit uel.ac.uk/sports
To view the UELSports blog visit
uelsportsblog.wordpress.com and to contribute your own sports stories to the blog see
uelsportsblog.wordpress.com/contribute-to-the-uelsports-blog
UEL Sports – ‘Get involved, Join, Learn, Participate, Train, Motivate, Compete, Enjoy’
For further information on any of the seminars listed below please contact Veronica Burton via v.a.burton@uel.ac.uk
| 10 February, 5pm | The Racial Division of Feminity in Western Culture | Mary Igenoza (Sheffield University) | ED2.02 |
| 16 February, 5.15pm | On Learning from the Research Successful or How do Busy Academics Ever Gain their Doctorates? | Jean Murray (UEL) | TBC |
| 17 February, 5pm | What Human Resource Management (HRM) means for race: a critical race theory perspective | Gil Robinson (UEL) | ED2.02 |
| 28 February | ESCalate Showcase event: working with diverse groups of learners in the digital age | ESCalate | ED4.02 |
| 10 March, 5pm | Young people's counter narratives on 'disaffection' from education | Mohamed Moustakim (UEL) | RB1.15 |
| 10 March, 5pm | Buried Alive: cultural absence in civil defence preparedness | Namita Chakrabarty (UEL) | RB1.15 |
| 16 March, 10am – 4pm | ESCalate event: becoming a Teacher Educator | ESCalate Workshop | ED201 |
| 22 March, 5pm | Patterns of teacher engagement in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities | Dr Amelia Roberts | ED2.01 |
| 3 May, 1 – 3pm | Diversity and Equality in Early Childhood: transforming practices and policies at local, national and European level | Colette Murray (Coordinator éist project/Equality and Diversity Early Childhood National Network, Dublin) | TBC |
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.
To contribute a UEL event please supply a headline (c. 10 words), date, time, location, short description, with call to action (email / web link or phone)
© 2011
