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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 240: 19 April 2011 |
Following a decision of its board of governors on a new fees framework, UEL plans to charge tuition fees of £9,000 for all full-time undergraduate courses from September 2012, subject to the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) approving UEL’s access agreement in July 2011. For the full news article see bit.ly/feesannouncement For Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee's letter to staff click here
UEL PGCE student, Karl Twomey, has succeeded in his bid to run backwards for the entire distance of this year’s London Marathon, raising more than £4,000 for Cancer Research UK in doing so. In Sunday’s gruelling race around 26 miles of the capital’s streets, Karl endured Sunday’s unusually warm temperatures to finish the race in just under four and a half hours. Speaking after his gutsy performance, Karl said: “The race was really tough going and I certainly knew about it when I work up this morning. I’m just delighted to have completed the London Marathon – especially backwards – and to have taken part in such a fabulous occasion.” For the full story see bit.ly/karltwomey
The graduation ceremonies for 2011 will be held on Tuesday 8 November and Monday 14 – Thursday 17 November at IndigO2, in the O2 at North Greenwich. The ceremony schedule can be found on the UEL graduation webpage: uel.ac.uk/graduation For further information about graduation please email graduation@uel.ac.uk
UEL is launching a distance version of its long-established post-graduate diploma in Careers Guidance. From September 2011 professionals interested in training to be a careers adviser can complete much of the course from home, making it far easier to combine with full-time work and other commitments. This will be the first course of its kind in England. Graduates from this 2-year course will be able to find work in schools and colleges, universities and the private sector. For the full story see bit.ly/careers_advice
UEL can report that business is booming in its Knowledge Dock business centre. Start-ups and SMEs are queuing up to establish themselves at the centre; the only European Business Network (EBN) accredited Business Innovation Centre (BIC) in London. The centre has expanded dramatically to keep up with demand since it first opened, with 43 units currently available plus hot desks, meeting rooms, conference spaces and event facilities. It’s not surprising that so many businesses are hoping to secure space in the centre as those that are already based there seem to do being so well, despite the current economic climate.
Jackie Chandler, Business Centre Manager, said, "Business is booming". For the full story see bit.ly/knowledgedock
Demand for high quality career coaching in the UK looks set to increase dramatically with the government’s announcement of an all-age guidance service to be implemented in April 2012 and predictions of 1.6m job losses over the next 3 years. UEL has responded to this by launching a new post-graduate Diploma in Career Coaching due to start in September 2011. The course will offer students the chance to develop practical skills supported by a strong theoretical basis that will equip them to provide an effective and credible service to clients. For the full story see bit.ly/career_coaching
Graduating from UEL’s Rix Centre on Tuesday 22 March were fourteen east Londoners who have used their new web skills to make the NHS more accessible to local people. Over the last three months the graduates worked within their community groups, who represent over 1.5 million people across east London, to develop websites that give health information and reflect the needs of local community groups. Host for the Awards, Director of the Rix Centre Andy Minnions, said, “This is groundbreaking work. We have been saying that the messages we have been developing with people who have learning difficulties are just as valid for other members of the community. The dedication, commitment and enthusiasm of the graduates has been inspiring to us all.” For more information on the Rix Centre visit rixcentre.org
80 enthusiastic alumni came to the Shangri-La hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last week (on Monday 11 April) to join Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee, Pro Vice-Chancellor, International Professor John Shaw, as well as Catherine Downes and Adrienne Clarke, directors of Corporate Marketing and the International Office respectively. Professor Patrick McGhee spoke about UEL's new vision and 2010 – 2020 strategy 'Transformation for Excellence'. In addition, Catherine Downes and Adrienne Clarke informed guests of how they can engage more closely with UEL in the future.
Catherine and Adrienne also stopped by in Beijing to meet with a small group of our Chinese alumni on Thursday 14 April.
Over 130 guests attended the event last Wednesday (13 April), which aimed to inspire and inform of the benefits and issues surrounding modern entrepreneurship. The event was chaired by UEL Governor and Honorary Award Holder Sunny Crouch OBE, who was able to provide an experienced hand in guiding discussions. The main topics were the importance of both thorough market research, and reflection upon one’s own business methods through the successes and mistakes of others. After some interesting questions were posed to the panel, our attendees stayed to take part in a networking session, where many exciting business ideas were shared.
The Graduate School is continuing to raise UEL’s profile on the researcher development scene. Last week the School ran a half-day workshop entitled “Ensuring PGR Students Complete on Time” at Stratford Campus, where UEL colleagues were joined by PhD supervisors from five other institutions. The event was organised by the UEL Researcher Development Manager, Dr Caroline Dunmore, who is keen to build on her collaborations with Queen Mary and other London-based universities to provide a wide range of development opportunities for research staff and students at UEL. For more information about the national researcher development scene see vitae.ac.uk For more information about the UEL Researcher Development Programme see uel.ac.uk/gradschool/training.htm
For the past two years, Student Services have been running an Office Fruit Box scheme. Each month staff pay a small amount (£6) and each week they get a box of fresh fruit delivered to their office. The fruit is supplied and delivered by a local Stratford based company. If you want to know more, or to arrange a delivery to your office, contact Kirstie Adam via k.adam@uel.ac.uk
Raymonde Sneddon from the Cass School of Education was invited to Tirana, Albania, to take part in a two hour debate on the needs of the Albanian Community in the UK. This had a particular focus on improving opportunities for young people to learn the Albanian language. The panel included the Deputy Minister of Education, the Ambassador for the Albanian diaspora, a political journalist, a representative from the Albanian community in London and the director of the east London based Shpresa Programme. Raymonde (pictured) was invited as a specialist in biliteracy in Albanian children and an evaluator of Shpresa's work. The programme was broadcast by the Tirana-based Top Channel. For further information email r.m.sneddon@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 |
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
Improving health in Newham seminar series: Tuesday 26 April, 4.15 – 5.30pm (Common Room, Education Centre, NUHT)
The seminar series continues with a talk from HIV Consultant Dr Heather Noble (NUHT) on ‘Working with African communities in Newham - lessons from the TOPAN project’. Please register your attendance with Emil Kazounis via Emil.Kazounis@newhamhealth.nhs.uk Future seminars will focus on a wide range of topics including barriers to research participation, access to healthcare and urban regeneration and health. If you would like to suggest a topic or a speaker please email Angela Harden via a.harden@newhamhealth.nhs.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
CCSR: New Research In Cultural Studies 3: Wednesday 4 May, 2 – 5pm (EB.G.09, Docklands Campus)
All are welcome to the Centre for Cultural Studies Research seminar showcasing the latest in UEL's early career and postgraduate research. Speakers will include Nicola Samson, Susan Allen and Madeline Clements. The event will be followed by a wine reception. For more information email j.hakim@uel.ac.uk
MIDAS Public Launch: Monday 16 May, 9.30am – 5pm (MIDAS Lab: EB.1.37, Docklands Campus)
The Matrix East Research Lab at UEL invites all to the public launch of ‘The MIDAS Project: Creating the Museum Integrated Digital Archiving System’. The project creates an integrated Mobile facility for the scanning of artefacts, and the programming and exhibition of digital content. Refreshments will be served at a post event reception at 5.30pm. Please RSVP by clicking here
Digitisation Summer School: Tuesday 17 May, 9.30am – 5pm; Wednesday 18 May, 10am – 5pm (MIDAS Lab: EB.1.37, Docklands Campus)
In connection with the public launch of MIDAS, the Matrix East Research Lab are offering a unique summer school over two days with a variety of topics specially prepared for the museum and archive professional with interest and involvement in the process of digitalisation and scanning in the Cultural Heritage context. Participation is free but places are limited. Please RSVP by clicking here
CCSR 2011 Annual Lecture: Total Belief Delirium in the West: Wednesday 1 June, 5.30pm (WB.G.02, Docklands Campus)
In this lecture, Jacqueline Rose will return to Hannah Arendt’s analysis of totalitarianism as mental control and ask ‘what form of belief and passion does such subjection entail?’ All welcome, admission free. For more information email j.hakim@uel.ac.uk
UEL’s 6th Learning, Teaching and Assessment Conference 2011: Thursday 30 June (Stratford Campus)
This one day conference, entitled ‘Research Informed Teaching & Teaching Informed Research’, is free and open to all UEL staff and collaborative partners. The Conference has now become established as an annual event, offering opportunities for active debate, discussion and reflection regarding current issues in learning, teaching and assessment. For further details – or to reserve your place – see bit.ly/6thconference For further information contact Conference Organiser Dinaz Trudeau via d.trudeau@uel.ac.uk
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
The winners of the 2011 UEL staff football tournament are the Royal Docks Business School. In a final against Facilities, the Business School retained the trophy for a second year running (pictured with captain Mark Watson) with a final score of 2 – 0.
They will both go through to represent UEL in the Royal Docks Corporate Tournament on Wednesday 18 May, where the current holders Excel will look to hold on to their cup.
Third place was awarded to Outsiders and fourth place was held by the School of Computing, IT & Engineering.
Well done to all other teams for taking part – UEL Connect, Corporate Lions, Cass School of Education, Security, Student Services and the School of Health & Bioscience.
To view more photos from the night see the UELSports blog: bit.ly/footballtournament
Take advantage of the sunny weather and make sure you get outside at lunchtime! The Docklands Campus lunchtime jogging group is looking for new members – students and staff – from beginners who have never run before to marathon pros, we cater for all abilities.
We jog twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday from 12.30 – 1.30pm. There are showers and lockers available too, so no need to worry about sweaty afternoon meetings! For more information contact Kirstie via jogging@uel.ac.uk
We are also looking for a staff or student volunteer to lead 1 of our jogging sessions. UELSports will pay for the Jog Leader qualification for their volunteer commitment each week. Email jogging@uel.ac.uk if you are interested in getting involved.
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
