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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 234: 08 March 2011 |
Last week saw the start of 'Fairtrade Fortnight', fourteen days of nationwide events to highlight the work of the Fairtrade Foundation and to encourage people across the UK to continue or to start using Fairtrade products. The annual event is extremely timely for UEL as it has recently been awarded Fairtrade status. In addition to special offers on Fairtrade food and drink in all Stratford Campus catering outlets, there will be a World record attempt for the longest, fairest piece of bunting in the SU Dome at Stratford Campus. All students and staff are welcome to pop along at anytime during Fairtrade Fortnight and decorate Fairtrade cotton flags to show their support. For further information, see bit.ly/FTevent or email greenthing@uel.ac.uk
To kick off International Women’s Day (8 March), UEL’s Education and Community Partnership organised the ‘Progressive Women, Information and Education Fair’. London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold opened the event along with Lorna Lee, the Head of Libraries for the Borough of Waltham Forest, and Waltham Forest Councillor Geraldine Reardon, portfolio holder for libraries and cultural services. Workshops on the day included: ‘The career itch – taking control of what you do’, ‘Women and health’, ‘Valuing your children’ and ‘Developing television ideas from concept to pitch’. There were also activities such as complimentary therapy and flower arranging, while stalls provided information and advice on education, careers, local services and entrepreneurship. UEL is committed to promoting women in business with the aim of becoming the number one university for women’s entrepreneurship by the end of the decade.
UEL will host this year’s UK Synaesthesia Association annual conference. Delegates from across the world will attend the event, including renowned psychologist and world synaesthesia expert Edward M Hubbard from the Vanderbilt University, USA. It is the first time the University has been selected as the venue to host this event (which takes place between Friday 25 and Sunday 27 March) and represents a real coup given the prominence this psychological condition has received in the media. UEL Psychology lecturer Dr Mary Spiller describes the condition: “Stimulation of one sense results in an experience in another. For example, when some people hear music they also see colours, or for others words can trigger tastes.” For more information email synaesthesia@uel.ac.uk or see bit.ly/syn_uel
We are exactly one month on from when the National Student Survey opened at UEL and so far the participation rates are looking positive with Health & Bioscience and Education leading on student responses. The survey is for final-year undergraduates. Currently our response rate is 23.5%, compared with 16.1% at the same stage of the campaign last year. However we still have a long way to go until the end of the campaign on 30 April and we ask that staff continue to support the NSS and encourage students to take part. The first £500 prize draw has been made – the winner (Ikechukwu Nwobodo, a Combined Honours student in CITE) will be presented with his prize later this week, and there'll be more publicity to come ahead of the next prize draw at the end of this month. Thank you to all the Schools and Services for your support so far.
The Employability and Enterprise Team has launched a range of services and events to help UEL students and graduates who are thinking of setting up their own businesses. The first ‘Entrepreneur Talk’ with guest speaker Lionel Fairweather from Psylutions, was a great success. Esin Eminue, a third year Health and Bioscience student, said, “It was a really insightful session…it wasn’t just theoretical, Lionel was able to talk about his own experiences.” EET has also recruited two accredited business start-up advisers to help students get on the path to success, as well as running the successful E-Factor and Xing Game competitions and offering marketing and market research and social enterprise masterclasses. For more information please see bit.ly/uel_eet or contact Laura Barkaway via l.barkaway@uel.ac.uk
As a result of feedback from students, a new assignment front-sheet has been produced which should be used in addition to the existing documentation required by Schools. From Monday 14 March students will be able to download a form from UEL Direct to attach to their coursework submissions. This form will automatically be populated with the student number, module code and coursework component number. It has a barcode which will be used to scan the submission details directly onto the student database. There is also an additional barcode facility to scan work back to students if Schools elect to use it. Further details about implementation can be obtained from School Registrars.
UEL's strategy 'Transformation for Excellence' set out nine strategic objectives for 2015. The Best in London for Sport Programme Board is one of nine programme boards which have been set up to achieve these strategic objectives. Four projects have been commissioned by the board:
–Student Athlete Scholarship Scheme: developing a centrally coordinated 'Student Athlete Scholarship Scheme' to help attract and support talented and elite athletes while they study at UEL.
– SportsDock, opening and programme launch: opening the brand new £20million sports facility on Docklands Campus, and developing and delivering a comprehensive programme of activity.
–Olympic Park, stadium and access to facilities: ensuring our students and staff can access the sporting infrastructure across east London post the Olympic and Paralympics Games.
–Sports consultancy, research and knowledge exchange: developing and delivering a variety of research, consultancy and knowledge exchange projects and initiatives to increase the income generated from sport related activities.
Further information about the Best in London for Sport programme board can be found on the Strategic Planning website uel.ac.uk/planning/internal/programmeboards.htm
Selena Bolingbroke
Pro Vice-Chancellor Strategic Planning and External Development
Chair of Best in London for Sport programme board
We are pleased to announce that UEL has been awarded the Frank Buttle Trust Quality Mark by Buttle UK which recognises UEL's positive approach to engagement with care leavers in higher education. Driven by the Education and Community Partnerships team within ESDS, the Quality Mark covers the care leaver student experience in the areas of pre-entry activity, admissions, finance, accommodation and student services. To find out more about this initiative visit buttletrust.org or email m.mclinden@uel.ac.uk
And if they do, what will it or should it look like? Writer and activist Michael Edwards posed this question to over 70 UG and PG students on programmes in international development within HSS last Tuesday (1 March). Edwards projected a future where NGOs working in the field of international development would have two choices. The first, depicted as the safest option, would see NGOs become global brands competing with each other and continuing to rely on government funding. The second was a future in which NGOs retreated from high profile branding to concentrate on supporting the initiatives of civil society groups. They have a future but whether it is one in which they grow closer to the powerful or the powerless is in their hands. Find out more about NGOs in Michael's publication 'Small Change' by visiting futurepositive.org For the next in the International Development Guest Lecture Series, see the 'What's Happening' section below.
In a climate of severe cuts to youth and community services, practitioners are having to justify the value of Youth Work to policy makers by calling upon evidence-based practice that shows its positive impact. However, such examples arguably promote a view of Youth Work as the antidote to youth deviance, with marginalizing effects on young people. Meanwhile, young people have to negotiate unprecedented obstacles to access HE and the labour market. We hope that the BERA Youth Studies SIG Seminar (being held at the Cass School of Education on Monday 11 July, between 10am – 4pm) will provide a forum for academics, students and practitioners to critically debate youth policy and practice. We are calling for papers, panels or posters relating to the challenges and opportunities facing young people in the current austere climate. Please send suggestions for panels, outline of papers or posters and a brief biography to m.moustakim@uel.ac.uk by Monday 16 May. For more information about the seminar, contact Mohamed on 020 8223 6345.
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 |
Fairtrade Fortnight – World record attempt for the longest, fairest piece of bunting: 28 February – 13 March (Students’ Union Dome, Stratford Campus)
All students and staff are welcome to pop along at anytime during the fortnight and decorate Fairtrade cotton flags to show their support. For more information contact Sara via s.kassam@uel.ac.uk
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 7 – 11 March. Activities at both campuses will include stalls on various aspects of finance and budgeting, finance MOTs 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: bit.ly/fkNfrg
Progressive Women, Information and Education Fair: Tuesday 8 March, 10am – 4pm (Walthamstow Central Library)
In conjunction with International Women’s Week, UEL’s Education and Community Partnership is organising the ‘Progressive Women, Information and Education Fair’. The event will include such workshops as: The Career Itch – taking control of what you do; Women and Health; Valuing Your Children; and developing television ideas from concept to pitch. There will also be activities such as face painting, complementary therapy and flower arranging, as well as an exhibition on black visual artists' work. Stalls will provide information and advice on education, careers, local services and entrepreneurship. For more information please contact Jonathan Bell via Wf.libs@lbwf.gov.uk or Jasbir Panesar via j.k.panesar@uel.ac.uk
International Women's Day – UELSU events: Tuesday 8 March (Stratford Campus)
International Women's Day is a day to honour women around the world, a time to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and an opportunity for women to promote their rights globally. To celebrate, UELSU has programmed a day of activities at Stratford Campus. Details of the activities can be found at bit.ly/uel_women For further details contact Shahida on 07872 600 992 or Shahida@uel.ac.uk
Cass School of Education Seminar Series – Young people's counter narratives on 'disaffection' from education / Buried Alive: cultural absence in civil defence preparedness: Thursday 10 March, 5pm (RB.1.15, Stratford Campus)
The speakers will include Mohamed Moustakim and Namita Chakrabarty. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to c.chadderton@uel.ac.uk
Olympic Cities: Social Legacies Symposium: Thursday 10 – Friday 11 March (Toynbee Hall and Docklands Campus)
A two day event examining the potential for sustainable social legacies of sports mega events. Day 1 is designed for policy makers, public/private sector professionals and researchers: 9am – 5.15pm (Toynbee Hall, E1 6LS). Day 2 focuses on opportunities to develop academic research and knowledge exchange programmes: 10am – 5pm (Knowledge Dock, Docklands Campus).
See bit.ly/londoneast
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
International Development Guest Lecture Series – Fighting Poverty Around the World and Just Around the Corner: Tuesday 22 March, 5pm (EB.3.19, Docklands Campus)
The guest speaker will be Kate Wareing, UK Poverty Programme Director at Oxfam. For more information contact Susannah Pickering-Saqqa (Lecturer in International Development and NGO Management) via s.pickering-saqqa@uel.ac.uk
Patterns of teacher engagement in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities: Tuesday 22 March, 5pm (ED.2.01, Stratford Campus)
The presenter will be Dr Amelia Roberts. Everyone is welcome to attend. For further information contact Veronica Burton via v.a.burton@uel.ac.uk
What is UEL doing about Olympics and Paralympics? Wednesday 23 March, 1 – 2pm (CC.1.01, Stratford Campus); Thursday 24 March, 1 – 2pm (EB.G.08, Docklands Campus)
John Lock, Director of UEL's 2012 Office, will give a talk followed by a Q&A session. This free event is open to all students, staff and friends.
Ofsted Celebration Event: Thursday 24 March, 3 – 5pm (Children’s Garden Early Years Centre, Docklands Campus)
A recent report from Ofsted 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
‘Synaesthesia as a window into human nature’, by Edward Hubbard: Friday 25 March, 6pm (CC.1.01, Stratford Campus)
What do David Hockney, Stephen Fry, Vladimir Nabokov, Olivier Messiaen and Stevie Wonder all have in common? They all have (or had) synaesthesia, a 'union of the senses'. For some synaesthetes, listening to a piece of music may also cause them to see specific colours, while for others letters or numbers are always tinged a certain colour. This talk will discuss recent research, showing what synaesthetes already know: synaesthesia is real. For more information see bit.ly/hubbard, email synaesthesia@uel.ac.uk or contact Mary Spiller on 020 8223 4004. For information about synaesthesia see bit.ly/uel_syn
UK Synaesthesia Association Annual Conference: Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 March (CC.1.01, Stratford Campus)
The School of Psychology's Mary Spiller and Ashok Jansari are pleased to be hosting the annual conference of the UK Synaesthesia Association. This annual event includes presentations from scientists, synaesthetes and artists from the UK and abroad. They will be discussing the latest cutting-edge research as well as the fascinating experiences of individual synaesthetes. The keynote speaker will be the world-leading expert Edward Hubbard, from Vanderbilt University, USA. See uksynaesthesia.com or email synaesthesia@uel.ac.uk for further information.
Science and Football conference: Sunday 27 March, 9.30am – 5.30pm (Docklands Campus)
What does it take to work in professional football? Presenters from leading professional football teams and technology and sports brands will be discussing sports science, medicine and marketing as well as careers advice. All are welcome. Book you place online at scienceandfootball.com or telephone 0844 809 4911.
International Development Guest Lecture Series – Faith-based Response to the Pakistan Floods: Tuesday 29 March, 5pm (EB.3.19, Docklands Campus)
The guest speaker will be Saleh Saeed, Chief Executive Officer at Islamic Relief Worldwide. For more information contact Susannah Pickering-Saqqa (Lecturer in International Development and NGO Management) via s.pickering-saqqa@uel.ac.uk
How to make a real success as an entrepreneur?: Wednesday 13 April, 6 – 9.30pm (Docklands Campus)
The Alumni Development Office and Royal Docks Business School invite UEL students, staff and graduates to an alumni evening of presentations and discussions about successful entrepreneurship, networking, and food and drinks. This event is free. Please RSVP to alumni@uel.ac.uk or call 0208 223 2222 by Friday 25 March.
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
The UELSports third annual staff five-a-side tournament is fast approaching on Monday 4 April. Last year’s winners from the Business School will be looking forward to retaining the trophy. Get your school or service team together ASAP. The top two sides will then represent UEL in the Royal Docks five-a-side tournament on Wednesday 18 May, won last year by Team Excel. Register via d.cosford@uel.ac.uk and for further details see uel.ac.uk/sports/notices.htm
The UEL men's rugby first team recently secured a dramatic win with a try in the last minute of a tough game against main title rivals Anglia Ruskin, and are now within a whisker of promotion and one win away from the league title. Read the match report on the UELSports Blog here: bit.ly/gcvDMo
With the UEL men’s football second team claiming a league title last week (on Wednesday 2 March), UELSports is still challenging for nine club honours as the BUCS season counts down to a dramatic end. Five UELSports clubs are within touching distance of league honours with men’s basketball first, men’s football first, women’s football, men’s rugby, and men’s badminton all involved in title challenges.
For the full story, see the UELSports Blog via bit.ly/gqFd5G or for more information visit the sports pages via bit.ly/hzYSDr
UELSports men’s badminton team beat Royal Free and University College Medical School to ensure that the league title goes down to the final match of the season. Read the match report on the UELSports Blog here: bit.ly/gGdnZ8
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’
Please send comments or contributions for in Focus Update to: infocus@uel.ac.uk
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© 2011
