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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 239: 12 April 2011 |
The first official impact report into preparations for a Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games has concluded that London 2012 is set to leave a sustainable legacy for the host city. Researchers from UEL assessed 56 key indicators including carbon emissions, housing, employment and public transport as part of the pre-Games report for the Olympic Games Impact (OGI) study. OGI is a study established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to be carried out for each host city of the Games. Research Leader at UEL, Professor Alan Brimicombe (pictured), said he was satisfied with the findings: “Clearly this is an important document for the 2012 Games, UEL, and East London as a whole.” For the full story see bit.ly/OGIstudy To view the full report follow this link
UEL has been named as joint-winners of the Sustain magazine Biodiversity Award. The University won the award in partnership with the Green Roof Consultancy, for their work on the roof at 55 Broadway, above St. James’ Park underground station. The University was involved in monitoring the roof as part of a project for Buglife, the only organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates, from bees to beetles. The design of the roof was based on over six years of study by UEL academic Dr Gyongyver Kadas; one of the world’s leading biodiversity and green roof experts. For the full story see bit.ly/buglife
Today at UEL is ‘Entrepreneurship Day’: a event that brings together the themes of entrepreneurship and overseas opportunities. There are live examples of students setting up and running their own student companies as part of their business studies programmes. ‘Entrepreneurship Day’ is taking place now in WB.G.02 (Docklands Campus), ending at 5pm. For more information see uel.ac.uk/entrepreneurshipday
UEL can also report that its unique business incubation unit, the ‘hot hatch’ based in the Knowledge Dock on Docklands Campus, is in excellent health. In fact, business is busier than ever in the centre which offers start-up businesses not just office space but enables entrepreneurs to make the right connections to start their business. The centre is the only European Business Network (EBN) accredited Business Innovation Centre (BIC) in London.
UEL student Karl Twomey is busy training to compete in the London Marathon next month along with thousands of other runners; the only difference is that he plans to complete the entire race backwards. Karl, who is currently studying for his PGCE in Physical Education, after completing a Sports Science degree at UEL last year, is running the marathon to raise money for Cancer Research UK. He explains: “Last year I lost my dad to cancer. I miss him hugely and really wish I had the power to turn back the clock.” Karl is not the first person to discover the joys of retro-running as the sport is officially known, but says it seemed like the perfect way of drawing attention towards his chosen charity. For the full story see bit.ly/backwards_marathon
UEL Student Health & Wellbeing team in Student Services has recently been awarded the Communities of Health (CoH) recognition by the NHS for their outstanding services in improving the health and wellbeing of local people. The CoH initiative enables community groups within the Borough to gain recognition for the work they carry out with their local communities and service users. Head of Student Health & Wellbeing, Rute Soares, said: “For the team this is an important achievement as it will allow us to have an improved relationship with NHS Newham, a strengthened infrastructure to deliver services for our UEL community, and will allow the service to have a better understanding of the impact our team makes in reducing health inequalities in the borough.” For more information on the Health & Wellbeing team visit bit.ly/health_wellbeing
UEL is launching a training package in association with the UN. The package will be launched by Siraj Sait from the School of Law at the UN-HABITAT Governing Council of States event on Land, Property and Housing Rights in the Muslim World, on Thursday 14 April. For more information log onto bit.ly/Law_UN
The Going Global bursary, a University scheme aimed at UK students studying at UEL, has funded a broad range of short overseas projects since its introduction. The bursary allows students to undertake foreign travel as part of their course (similar to a field trip or short work placement), with visits stretching from one or two days to a couple of weeks. Recent visits have included a group trip to La Manga, Spain, where four UEL students on sports-related courses observed the England Women’s Football team during a 5 day training camp, and HAB student Sarah May's trip to Turkey, where she
attended a conference on Forensics. Daniel Stevens, International Development Manager responsible for the Going Global bursary, said, "Experience of studying and working in an international setting is an increasingly desired attribute that employers look for in job applicants".
To read these students’ testimonials and more, see bit.ly/going_global
The second winner of the UEL £500 prize is Remi Omojogberun, a third year Education and Community Development with Health Promotion student. Remi received her prize for filling in the National Student Survey, a UK-wide survey which measures the satisfaction of university students. Remi met with Graham Curtis at the Cass School of Education to receive her prize. Remi commented, “I feel as happy as Larry…During the Easter holidays, I will be taking my children to Disneyland Paris with my winnings.” Graham Curtis (Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Experience) said, “I am absolutely delighted that Remi, a student from our Stratford Campus, has won the cash prize.” Please encourage all final-year undergraduates to complete the survey before 30 April, to be in the running to win the final UEL prize of £1000: www.thestudentsurvey.com
UEL was one of a 110 organisations represented at ‘The Big Bang’ fair, which took place between 10 – 12 March at the ExCel Centre. The event is the UK’s biggest single celebration of science and engineering and attracted over 29,000 people. UEL’s contribution, organised by Mike Hatherly (CITE) and Zara Ayres (ECP) with support from numerous staff and students, was an interactive stand dedicated to the fields of computing, electrical engineering, civil engineering, product design and surveying. The stand, which was designed by Product Design programme leader Paul Lighterness and built with the help of Product Design students, included line tracing robots and 3D scanners. Mike said, “Students were truly inspired, and asked probing questions on how things worked and advice on options selection at GCSE stage.” For further information see thebigbangfair.co.uk or contact z.mclean@uel.ac.uk
The People’s Republic Film Society – a Newham based organisation – has recently proposed to transform the old North Woolwich Station into a cultural venue and project space for young people who are starting careers in visual arts, film and radio broadcasting. The long-term project is to refurbish the existing building and to build new studios and site a 30m radio mast. A ‘Design Charrette’ is being held today and tomorrow in the Architecture Studio, AVA building with the requirement to produce a visualization of the facade and a strategy for materials and making. The submissions will be exhibited at Building 1000, Newham Council Offices, and a prize will be awarded by TPRFS to the best three entries. Please encourage students to attend. For more information contact leezac@tprfs.com or R.Tobe@uel.ac.uk
The results of the recent Students’ Union elections were announced on Friday (8 April), with Maria Kyriacou chosen as President. The new Sabbatical Officers will take up their positions on Friday 1 July. To view all of the newly elected Sabbatical Officers and NUS Delegates visit uelunion.org/representation
Senior executives from ‘The International Investment Promotion Agency of Shandong Province, Peoples Republic of China’ attended one of the Business School’s executive management programmes recently. The group, who came to UEL on 28 February, are one of 19 groups to visit the University in this academic year. These programmes, of which there are about 20 each year, are run for senior Chinese executives from both national and regional agencies. Pictured with the delegation are Dr. Gregor Eglin, Director of Executive Education, and Dr Andre Mostert, the tutor for this programme. For more information contact Gregor via g.j.eglin@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 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 |
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 and networking, with food and drinks. This event is free. Please RSVP to alumni@uel.ac.uk or call 0208 223 2222.
The Organization Studies Network (OSN) Annual Seminar: Thursday 14 April (Staffordshire University)
If you would be interested in attending this event or would like further information, please contact Dr. John Chandler (j.p.chandler@uel.ac.uk) or Professor Jim Barry (j.j.barry@uel.ac.uk) within the Royal Docks Business School.
Excel for Graphs and Databases course: Thursday 21 April, 9.30am – 12.30pm (Stratford Campus)
The course covers arange of database and graphical functions in Excel, such as BubbleGraphs and 2AxisGraphs. There are a few places remaining, which will be bookedon a first come, first served basis. This will be the last time this academic year the course will be running, so if you would like to book a place email Nina Harding via n.harding@uel.ac.uk
Digital Stages Festival: Friday 22 – Wednesday 27 April (east London venues)
Digital Stages is a new festival of performing arts and digital media, organised by multimedia company GLAZ, which takes place in a number of east London venues including Stratford Circus, Hoxton Hall, Queen Mary University of London and UEL’s Institute of Performing Arts Development dance lab, at Trinity Buoy Wharf. The festival presents performances, discussions, workshops and exhibitions. For more information see digitalstagesfestival.co.uk
Language and Linguistics Seminar: Thursday 28 April, 1 – 2pm (ED 2.02, Stratford Campus)
The seminar, entitled ‘Respelling and other linguistic strategies in the co-construction of identity through text messaging’, will be presented by Caroline Tagg from The Open University. Caroline says: “Texters’ spelling practices have certainly received a bad press. My argument is that ‘respellings’ are in fact used by texters to express interpersonal meaning and negotiate relationships”. For more information, or if you would like to attend, please contact Veronica Burton via v.a.burton@uel.ac.uk
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
Last week (Monday 4 April) the UEL Tigers team came to the NewVic sixth-form centre in Plaistow to challenge the sportsmen and women of Newham to a tournament of dodgeball and rounders. True to their name, the Tigers – a team comprising of both UEL staff and students – fought by tooth and claw to duck and dive their way through the quarter and semi finals, winning second place overall. Next up was rounders. Having trained in Stratford with their experienced coach, Liana Mathurin Brown, in the weeks preceding the tournament, the Tigers were on more familiar ground this time, getting through to the final.
The UEL Tigers won the tournament by a nose, with 6 and a half rounders in total to the opposing team's 6 rounders. The Tigers were presented with official Rounders England medals.
The UEL Tigers are (pictured left to right): Liana Mathurin Brown (coach), Liz Williams, Mike Parkes, Virali Patel, Holly Chabowski, Sophie Acarnley and Greg Lilley.
For the full story see bit.ly/ueltigers
UELSports is seeking a staff or student member to lead lunchtime jogging sessions on and around Docklands Campus during the working week. UELSports will pay for the Jog Leader qualification for your volunteer commitment each week.
If you are interested in applying, or would like further information, please email jogging@uel.ac.uk
There is still time to register your team for the UELSports annual staff five-a-side tournament. Registered teams so far include the following Schools and Services: Business, CITE, Education, HAB and UELconnect; ESDS, Facilities, Student Services and Security.
UELSports is keen for as many Schools and Services to take part as possible, and challenge the current trophy-holders – the Royal Docks Business School – for the title. The details are as follows:
– Monday 18 April
– 6 – 8pm
– Beckton Powerleague (Norwegian Playing fields, Jenkins Lane, IG11 0AD: see bit.ly/uel_powerleague for details)
Click here for a registration form. Once completed, please email your form to d.cosford@uel.ac.uk
For more information, contact David Cosford via d.cosford@uel.ac.uk
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
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
