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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 244: 17 May 2011 |
The Olympic Park Legacy Company signed an agreement with UEL last Thursday (12 May) to work together to explore a range of community, education and enterprise activities. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Margaret Ford, Legacy Company Chair and Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee with the aim of offering new opportunities for local residents and businesses after the London 2012 Games. For the full story see bit.ly/oplc_mou
It’s been a record-breaking NSS survey year for UEL. The University’s final response rate, 58%, is the highest-ever despite this being it’s shortest-ever campaign. More departments than ever before achieved 50%+ response rates, UEL’s web page received a record number of hits, and there was an 11% rise in the proportion of students completing the survey online, in response to UEL’s publicity. This record response was the result of hard work and co-operation by many people across Schools, Services and UELSU, so congratulations and thank you to everyone who contributed. The results will be published in August when we hope to see another record high for our satisfaction rating. We’re currently reviewing this year’s NSS campaign, to see how we can take our response rate beyond 60%, and would welcome feedback, ideas and suggestions. If you would like to give us your views on any aspect of the campaign or would like to get involved next year, please email nss@uel.ac.uk or come along to our drop-in NSS forum tomorrow at Docklands Campus from 3 – 5pm in EB.1.03. Congratulations to Fotios Savva, a BA (Hons) Film and Video student, who won the April prize. Fotios is pictured receiving his prize from Vice-Chancellor Patrick McGhee.
A superb performance by four UEL scholarship students at the recent British Universities & Colleges Sport, (BUCS) rowing regatta, has boosted their chances of taking part in this summer’s European University Rowing Championships in Moscow. In what were extremely tough conditions, the team collected an impressive haul of three gold medals and one silver medal for their efforts in a range of individual and team events at the regatta in Nottingham. For the full story see bit.ly/rowmoscow
UEL honorary graduate and former BBC ‘dragon’ James Caan has released a new smartphone application, or ‘app’, for budding entrepreneurs and new-starters in business. The app, entitled ‘James Caan: Business Secrets’ provides a detailed how-to guide on how to build and manage your own business, from managing finances to marketing and overseas expansion. The app is free to download for a limited period; simply search ‘Business Secrets’ in your phone’s app store. James will also be appearing at the Apple flagship store in Covent Garden, central London, on Thursday 16 June at 6pm to answer questions on running a successful small business.
The last issue for the semester of the online student magazine ‘your universe’ will be released next Wednesday, 25 May. If you would like to submit a student-related item – whether need-to-know information, a news story or student event – then please email your copy and image to Sarah (s.pallett@uel.ac.uk) no later than Friday 20 May.
Esteemed academic and critically acclaimed author, Jacqueline Rose, (pictured) will be speaking at UEL’s Centre for Cultural Studies Research next month. The lecture, to be held on the Docklands Campus, will be entitled Total Belief Delirium in the West and will address issues of truth and falsehood, belief and disbelief in the ideological order of the Third Reich. The event is free to all and takes place in the Ground Floor Lecture Theatre in the West Building from 5.30pm on Wednesday 1 June. For more information email j.hakim@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 |
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
Centre for Narrative Research: To Think is to Experiment: Celebrating Ten Years of CNR Doctoral Research: Wednesday 18 May (BS.3.22, Docklands Campus)
Centre for Narrative Research celebrates the 10th anniversary of its formation this year. To commemorate ten years of CNR doctoral research, this year’s ‘To think is To Experiment Research Day’ is dedicated to CNR’s current and past PhD students. Dr Linda Sandino will give the Siyanda Ndlovu Memorial Lecture who was one of CNR’s PhD students. Siyanda passed away in South Africa in April 2010. CNR has initiated a memorial lecture in his name as part of the ‘To Think is to Experiment’ Research Day to honour Siyanda, and the critical and creative spirit of his work. All welcome. Contact Cigdem Esin via esin@uel.ac.uk for further details.
ECDL certificate ceremony: Thursday 19 May, 2 – 4pm (Main Lecture Theatre, Docklands Campus)
As part of the Learning and Library Service’s contribution to UEL’s student experience, an annual ECDL (European Computer Driving License) certificate presentation ceremony to UEL students is being held. For further information please contact ECDL manager Cedrick Nosa via c.nosa@uel.ac.uk
MERL Annual Lecture – A Boatload of Wild Irishmen: The Cinema of Robert Flaherty: Thursday 19 May, 5.30pm (EB.1.37, Docklands Campus)
All are welcome to the annual public lecture organised by Matrix East Research Lab. The lecture and film screening will be presented by Professor Brian Winston. For further details contact Haim via h.bresheeth@uel.ac.uk Please RSVP to this event by clicking here
What Kind of Innovation Produces Political Change?: Thursday 19 May, 3 – 6pm (EB.1.45, Docklands Campus)
In this seminar,a PhD student and a PhD supervisor will present two research projects dealing with socio-technical dynamics on- and off-line that can trigger political change, both at national level and internationally. Refreshments provided, all welcome.
Where next for teacher education: Wednesday 25 May, 5pm (ED.2.01, Cass School of Education, Stratford Campus)
The Secondary Research Group is delighted to invite you to a seminar given by Professor Meg Maguire from King’s College London. In this seminar Meg raises some questions and engages in some musings based on a consideration of the current proposals for reforming teacher education as outlined in the School’s White Paper (2010) entitled, ‘The Importance of Teaching’. All are welcome. Please RSVP to Gerry Czerniawski via g.czerniawski@uel.ac.uk
Creaturely Lives: A Symposium in Animal Studies: Wednesday 25 May, 6 – 8pm (The University of Notre Dame’s London Centre)
To mark the publication of Anat Pick’s Creaturely Poetics: Animality and Vulnerability in Literature and Film, the Centre for Cultural Studies Research (CCSR) at UEL and the University of Notre Dame in London are holding a symposium to discuss new developments within the field of animal studies. Contact j.hakim@uel.ac.uk or see bit.ly/mGrKHS for further details.
Green Impact Awards Ceremony: Friday 27 May, 4.30pm (Oscars Bar terrace, Docklands Campus)
To all our keen, green Environmental Champions, thank you for your enthusiasm and hard work this year in helping to make UEL green! To celebrate the Environment Team will be holding a reception and Green Impact awards ceremony, with Pro-Vice Chancellor Nirmal Borkhataria presenting prizes to all participating Green Impact teams. For more information contact j.emmett@uel.ac.uk
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
Creative Futures? Exploring the Creative & Media Arts in the University and Beyond: Thursday 2 June, 9.30am – 5pm (Docklands Campus)
Creative arts and media have been one of higher education’s biggest success stories over the last decade. Student numbers have increased, the range of programmes on offer has expanded, while employment in the sector has grown at a faster rate than in the wider economy. As we prepare for radical change in the funding environment, this conference brings together academics, students, policy makers and practitioners to critically consider the future for media and creative arts education. For further details contact Stephen Maddison via s.maddison@uel.ac.uk
The Artist in the Library: Friday 3 June, 1 – 5pm (WB.G.02, Docklands Campus)
A free half-day symposium organised by the Institute for Performing Arts Development (IPAD) and Library and Learning Services. The symposium reflects on the relationships between artists and libraries; how their spaces, systems and structures provide inspirational possibilities. With speakers including artists, librarians and researchers, the afternoon will present a range of projects that intervene in, respond to, or collaborate with a range of libraries both public and academic. Refreshments provided. The event is free but spaces are limited. Please contact Judith Preece via j.a.preece@uel.ac.uk or 020 8223 7400 if you wish to attend.
Applying to University – the facts (a workshop to demystify the application process): Tuesday 7 June, 12 noon – 1pm (Stratford Campus)
The pre-entry Information, Advice & Guidance team at UEL work with prospective students from the local and wider community who are mainly non-traditional students interested in gaining entry onto a UEL programme but not sure about the application process. A workshop has been designed and offered by Leila Baker (Advisor based at Stratford Campus) for anyone considering making an application to university this year Call 020 8223 4354 or email advisors@uel.ac.uk for further details.
Volunteering: Not just good for the soul, good for your career too: Wednesday 8 June, 6 – 9.30pm (Conference and Computing Centre, Stratford Campus)
UEL Alumni Network and the School of Psychology have pleasure in inviting our students, staff and graduates to an alumni evening of presentations and workshops about volunteering in the UK and overseas, and how it can improve your career and enhance your soul. This event is free. Please RSVP to alumni@uel.ac.uk or call 0208 223 2222 by Friday 27 May.
CCSR presents: Mica Nava – Feminism, Consumption, Cosmopolitanism: Wednesday 22 June, 3.30pm – 7pm (EB.G.18, Docklands Campus)
Staff are invited to a retirement event for Mica Nava. A seminar with former and current colleagues, as well as former PhD students, will be held between 3.30 and 5.30pm. Drinks and live music will take place from 5.30pm – 7pm. Please contact Maggie Humm (m.humm@uel.ac.uk) if you would like to join the party for dinner at Yi-Ban Docklands restaurant after the event, or for any other queries.
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
Badminton England will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the largest sports lesson at the O2, in North Greenwich, to showcase just how easy and fun it is to play badminton. They need over 900 people, and you could be one of them. If you want to Get Involved, then you can register at volunteersweek.org.uk and become a record breaker. Full terms and conditions are available on the volunteers’ week website. If you do get involved, then let us know how you get on by emailing p.darigan@uel.ac.uk
To get in some practice before the world record attempt, staff and students are welcome to take part in our recreational badminton sessions. ‘No-Strings Badminton’ is held on Tuesday evenings, 5.30 – 7pm at Sarah Bonnell School, Water Lane (opposite Stratford Campus). Any standard of play is welcome, as coaching is provided if desired. Call Frank Foo on 07963 580385 to book a slot. Cost per session is £4 for staff, and £3 for students.
Join our rounders sessions on Friday at 5.30pm in West Ham/Stratford. Fun, sociable and lively, UEL’s rounders sessions are free of charge for staff and students. For more information, or if you would like to take part, email Liana via Liana.Mathurin-Brown@newham.ac.uk
Welcome to Do the Green Thing, a regular section full of info on environmental projects, tips and ideas for staff at UEL. Visit our website uel.ac.uk/greenthing or get in touch via greenthing@uel.ac.uk We’d love to hear from you!
Environment Team, Facilities
Battery recycling points are available at each campus Post Room (in East Building at Docklands, and University House at Stratford). Batteries contain various hazardous metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc, manganese and lithium. It can be damaging to the environment to dispose of them through landfill and burning batteries also causes atmospheric pollution. Also, the resources that can be gained from the batteries are the very same materials being mined (at great cost) in other parts of the world. By helping to recycle batteries not only are you helping the environment but also helping to keep down the cost of new batteries.
If you’d like to set up a collection point in your school or service, email Sara via s.kassam@uel.ac.uk
The Post Rooms also have collection boxes for desktop printer cartridges and toners that need recycling. Simply drop them off and save extra waste from going to landfill.
For more information on recycling visit uel.ac.uk/greenthing/recycling.htm
…a staggering £10 billion worth of food is thrown away in Britain annually. If we stopped wasting good food we could avoid 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents being emitted each year – the same as taking 1 in 5 cars off of UK roads. For easy tips on reducing the amount of food you waste visit lovefoodhatewaste.com, where you’ll find useful information on ideal portion sizes, ready-made meal plan recipes and handy shopping lists plus much more to help you reduce the amount of food you throw away!
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
