|
|
Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 279: 7 February 2012 |
The National Student Survey is now live for final-year undergraduate students. This is an independent annual survey commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to find out about students’ experiences studying at university. It is a really important survey for us so please encourage all your final-year undergraduates to complete it – they can also potentially win £200 in a UEL prize-draw so it’s win-win all round!
Read more at uel.ac.uk/nss and view a presentation about the NSS at bit.ly/NSSprezi (click on ‘more’, then ‘full screen’ and use the forward and backward keyboard buttons to view)
UEL has produced a set of Frequently Asked Questions to answer students’ queries about the effect the Olympic and Paralympic Games will have on the University this summer, and about the many job and volunteering opportunities that are available. Please encourage students to read the FAQs at uel.ac.uk/2012faqs
UEL has further raised its international profile following a visit by students to the the elite Management University of Africa. For the full story see bit.ly/kenyanelite
The UK Border Agency is introducing changes to the way that students can remain in the UK to work after they have finished their studies.
• The Tier 1 (Post Study Work) route, popular with UEL students, is due to close in April 2012
• The UKBA propose to make changes to the Tier 2 (General) route to make it more accessible for graduates from UK universities
Go to the information for staff page from UEL's International Student Advice team to find out more.
Do you work in the creative industry? Fabpad are running a creative career master class for students and are looking for willing volunteers to talk about their experiences working in the industry during a networking event. The idea is to inspire students and help broaden preconceptions around what a creative career might entail.
When? Wednesday 7 March from 7.30pm.
To take part, please sign up at creativecareermasterclass.eventbrite.co.uk
In the year when athletes from all over the World will descend on Newham to compete in the London 2012 Games, UEL has forged an exciting partnership with Newham Council to help identify and develop the talents of future Olympians and sporting stars in the borough. For the full story see bit.ly/zCp8Cd
WRITE NOW is a literary evening of readings, performances, and discussion on contemporary writing practice. The event, which is being held on Thursday 16 February at Stratford Circus, has been organised by UEL’s Writing Centre and IPAD, and features award-winning authors as well as UEL writers. Tickets are priced at £4, or £2 for concessions. For more information email t.a.mcwatt@uel.ac.uk or call 0844 357 2625 to buy your ticket.
UELSU has launched an online Programme Representative training module on UEL Plus, giving all registered Programme Representatives automatic access to an introduction and other information relevant to their role. It also acts as a refresher course for returning representatives. UELSU has also revamped the Programme Reps pages on uelunion.org/reps which includes a new events calendar for semester B. Please encourage all Representatives to make the most of these tools on UEL Plus and at uelunion.org/reps
On 12 and 13 January, the School of Psychology hosted a project meeting for European partners from the Network for Innovation of Guidance and Counselling in Europe (NICE) network, an Erasmus funded project (2010-12). Visitors came from Austria, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Iceland, Finland and Slovakia, as well as Scottish colleagues taking part via Skype. Professor Rachel Mulvey, Nelica La Gro and Dr Kendra Gilbert are working with NICE to develop training guidelines for career guidance and counselling professionals. Rachel, Nelica and Kendra are looking forward to continuing their work at the next conference in Finland. For further details see nice-network.eu
Academic Practice and Student Experience is very pleased to announce that four colleagues have been awarded UEL Teaching Fellowships this year: Lynn Ang and Gerry Czerniawski from the Cass School of Education and Communities; Helen Powell from ADI and Ian Wells from the School of Psychology. APSE are delighted to be able to recognise and reward these colleagues for their excellence in teaching and learning support and to be able to congratulate them on this achievement.
Irvine Gersh, Professor of Educational and Child Psychology at UEL, is set to launch his new book Dramatherapy with Children, Young People and Schools: Enabling Creativity, Sociability, Communication and Learning next Monday. The launch of the book, which was co-written by Irvine, Ann Dix, Deborah Haythorne and Lauraine Laugh, takes place at Stratford Campus from 4pm – 6pm. If you would like to attend please email i.gersch@uel.ac.uk as places are limited.
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
Mini Musical Makers
Monday mornings (The Hartley Centre, East Ham); Wednesday afternoons (Discover, Stratford)
• Newham Music Trust is offering free music and story-building sessions to parents with nursery-aged children who live in Newham.
• Sessions run weekly for 30 minutes during term-time.
• To book phone Discover on 020 8536 5555, or The Hartley Centre on 020 7540 6923.
Knit for Peace
Tuesday 7 February, 12 noon – 1.30pm, East Building Atrium, Docklands Campus
Tuesday 14 February, 12 noon – 1.30pm, The Dome, Students’ Union, Stratford Campus
Tuesday 21 February, 12 noon – 1.30pm, The Dome, Students’ Union, Stratford Campus
• Make the world a warmer place, one stitch at a time, by coming together to knit items for charity.
• Whether you are an absolute beginner or a knitting expert you are very welcome.
• Needles and yarn will be available for use, and experienced knitters will be on hand to help you out.
• For information come along on the day or contact shahida@uel.ac.uk
Advancing with Excel for statistics and finance
Monday 27 February, 9.30am – 12.30pm, Docklands Campus
• To enhance your skills using a range of statistical functions in Excel, including: frequency, scenarios, data analysis tool pack and ‘what is’ analysis using solver.
• Book a place by emailing Nina Harding
on n.harding@uel.ac.uk by Monday 20 February.
Lunchtime discussion forum: module improvement plans and action planning
Wednesday 15 February, 12 noon – 2pm, EB.2.46, Docklands Campus
• Facilitated by Solomon Alexis, from the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, this forum looks at how to ensure modules are constantly improving using a case study.
• Booking not necessary. Buffet lunch provided (first-come, first-served).
• See the full Lunchtime Learning and Teaching Series schedule at uel.ac.uk/ltse/events/LDFSchedule201112.htm
The importance of teacher education: past, present and future
Thursday 1 March, 5pm (for 5.30pm start), ED.2.03, Stratford Campus
• Run by the Cass School of Education and Communities, this professorial lecture held by Professor Jean Murray will be followed by a short drinks reception.
• RVSP to Veronica Burton on 020 8223 2834 or email v.a.burton@uel.ac.uk by Friday 17 February.
Norovirus infection in health and social care
Wednesday 2 – Thursday 3 May, 9.30am – 4.50pm, 28 Portland Place, London, W1B 1LY
• This two-day conference is run by the Royal Society for Public Health and will explore how health and social care professionals can deal effectively with a norovirus outbreak.
• Please complete the application form if interested. Early bird discount of 10% closes on 10 February.
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
UELSports has secured a 20% discount for all UEL staff and students at the Sweatshop in Westfield Stratford City until Tuesday 14 February. This is a good opportunity to get a new pair of heavily discounted trainers, or a sporty valentine's present for your loved one. Though Sweatshop focuses on running, they do have some stock which can be used for general fitness and other sports. To obtain this discount, just show your UEL ID card in store before the end of 14 February.
Welcome to the Green Thing, a regular section full of information on environmental projects, tips and ideas for staff at UEL. Visit our website www.uel.ac.uk/greenthing, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/uel_greenthing or get in touch at greenthing@uel.ac.uk
We’d love to hear from you!
Environment Team, Facilities
As part of UEL’s Go Green Week from 20 – 24 February, UEL will be launching a series of sustainability-themed talks and seminars presented by staff at UEL and other London universities. The inaugural talk will be given by Richard Lindsay, Head of Environmental Research Group at UEL on Nature Deficit Disorder in cities on Thursday 23 February from 4.30 – 6pm in EB.2.88. Refreshments will be provided. For catering purposes, please RSVP to Sarah Ettlinger (s.ettlinger@uel.ac.uk) by Monday 20 February. For the full list of Go Green Week events, visit uel.ac.uk/greenthing/events.htm
How much did we recycle (and how much did we waste) in the run-up to Christmas? How many trees did we save as a result of UEL offices recycling white paper, and how many return flights to China do the CO2 savings from white paper and confidential document recycling this academic year so far equate to? You can now read the latest UEL Recycling and Waste Report to see our impressive December recycling rate and check out all the facts and figures relating to UEL’s recycling and waste performance on the Green Thing website at uel.ac.uk/greenthing/wastereport.htm
… that TfL has produced initial designs for potential improvements for cyclists and pedestrians at Bow Roundabout, following two cyclist deaths in late 2011? If you are a cycling enthusiast, see the designs and send in your comments on the TfL website: tfl.gov.uk/bowroundabout
Location: Docklands Campus
Salary: £30,871 – £35,241
Deadline: 19 February 2012
Link to full advert: jobs.uel.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=018S2012
Details: 20 hours per week; fixed-term for 9 months
Salary: £27,104 – £30,072
Deadline: 19 February 2012
Link to full advert: jobs.uel.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=019S2012
For Learning and Development Course dates see: www.uel.ac.uk/staff-development/handbook
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
