Aberdeen Students Set For Taste Of Chinese Real Estate Market

Two University of Aberdeen business students will travel to the Far East this summer after being chosen to take part in a prestigious real estate programme.

Emma Byrne, a third year property student and Ian Austin, a second year, are set to spend several weeks getting to grips with the Chinese Real Estate market – the fastest growing in the world.

The Aberdeen pair have both been selected for the UK/China Exchange Programme run by major international real estate company CB Richard Ellis and the UK’s Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – beating off competition from across the country. Only six students from the whole of UK will make the summer-long trip.

Emma has been assigned to CB Richard Ellis’s Beijing office and Ian to its Shanghai HQ. Each will spend six to twelve weeks in general practice work experience, after which they will submit a short research paper. Their flights, accommodation and living costs are all covered by the programme.

Ian (19), who has just completed the 2^nd year of a degree in Property and Finance, said he was “thrilled” to have been selected to go China.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenges and the doors that will be opened for me,” he said. “China’s real estate industry is developing at an incredible rate and the programme will allow me to gain priceless experience that will be invaluable when I graduate and look to secure a job in a big property firm like CB Richard Ellis.”

He added, “By having a successful career I hope to fund my main ambition - owning and piloting a light aircraft!”

Dr Deborah Roberts, Property Programme Director at the University of Aberdeen Business School, said both students were in for a “fantastic” experience.

“The Chinese Real Estate Market is the fastest growing in the world and Emma and Ian will be thrust into the thick of it over the summer,” she said. “It’s hugely exciting for them, and it’s also wonderful for the Business School to have two of our students winning places on the CB Richard Ellis/RICS programme.”

This is the first year that the scheme has operated. It is hoped it will run for five consecutive years giving eligible students the chance of general practice work experience in CB Richard Ellis offices within Greater China, with a view towards permanent recruitment of overseas educated graduates.

June Creative Café At The University of Northampton Welcomes Leading Brand

Book a date in your diary this Friday, 8 June, when the Portfolio Innovation Centre’s popular Creative Café welcomes Mike Skidmore, a leading brand and business strategy consultant to talk on ‘Promoting and selling creative services’.

Mike has a background in marketing and brand communications, running his own London based consultancies with roles such as creative, managing & strategic director, supporting clients in the creative and professional service sectors. A Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers and at one time on the national council with responsibility for developing and training design best practice, Mike will cover:

• Positioning and differentiation – standing out in the market ‘noise’.
• Understanding the client buying cycle – building relationships and knowledge in preparation for ‘the sale’.
• Presentation strategy – effective presentations that differentiate and build empathy.

Running from 10:30am, the Café is based at Avenue Campus’s Portfolio Innovation Centre, the successful base for new start up creative businesses in Northamptonshire and surrounding counties. There are currently 14 tenants based in the Portfolio Innovation Centre in a range of creative industries including fashion design, photography, product design and IT development.

To register for the Creative Café, please email: sasha.findlay@northampton.ac.uk

The University of Northampton’s Portfolio Innovation Centre has been part-funded by the European Social Fund and is also supported by the Northamptonshire Partnership and Arts Council England.

Computer gamer blasts out a new future - University Of Wolverhampton

The first female student to complete a course in computer games design at the University of Wolverhampton will be among those showcasing their work at a Degree Show.

The BA Degree Show at the School of Art & Design will take place from Monday, June 11 until Thursday, June 14.

The event is an opportunity for members of the public to see displays of animation, ceramics, glass, furniture, digital media, photography, fine art, textile design and others created by students as part of their degrees. It also allows people interested in studying a course at the School to see the kind of work they could produce if they were to join the University.

Among those set to display their hard work is Naheed Akther, 20, who is in her final year of a BA (Hons) Computer Games Design at the University of Wolverhampton.

Her computer game, Arabian Star’s Revenge, is a 2-dimensional asteroid type game where the player has to avoid the fast bouncing zombie cowboy asteroids in a space environment. The player only has a limited amount of time to blast the zombie cowboy asteroids out of the galaxy.

Naheed, who came into art and design by chance while making her choices for higher education courses, said: “I enjoyed the three years of this course and I learned many things about the industry and the different software used for certain areas of game production.

“Many people associate computer games as a predominately ‘male’ hobby. However this is not true and is only a stereotype. But this male dominance was seen on the course with the ratio of boys overtaking the girls. Now that I am in the final year, I am the only female student left.

“However this didn’t turn me off from progressing in the course, rather it encouraged me and was a way of motivation for myself to succeed and become the first female graduate on my course.”

The show is open to the public from 10am to 4pm, from June 11 to 14, at the School of Art and Design next to the Molienuex Stadium on the Ring Road, Wolverhampton.

Students who have completed courses in 3D Design, Graphic Communication, Journalism and Editorial Design, Interior Design and Video and Film Production will also exhibit their work at the Degree Show.

University Of Northampton - Discover your potential at June Open Day

If you have always thought you would like a career working with children, want to go into graphic design or see yourself as a future midwife or engineer, The University of Northampton’s Open Day this weekend could be the first step to achieving your goal.

The University opens its doors on Sunday, June 10, giving potential students the chance to find out more about the hundreds of courses on offer.

Visitors will be able to speak to tutors, see demonstrations of typical lecture activities and hear about student finance, as well as take a look inside the University’s Halls of Residence.

They will also be able to see the top quality equipment and talk to staff in the University’s brand new Sports Gym, which opens later this month.

Studying at University is not just a three-year course option, living away from home – many students study part-time and carry on working whilst living at home and there’s also the option to do a degree in two, or even four, years.

So there’s plenty on offer and University staff will be on hand to help visitors enjoy the day, while getting all the information they need.

Registration takes place at both Avenue Campus in St George’s Avenue and at Park Campus in Boughton Green Road, 10-11am and the Open Day is on until 3pm. A free bus service between Campuses is available to everyone who wants to visit both Campuses.

Potential students can register for the Open Day in advance, please contact 0800 358 2232

Conference tackles issue of non medical prescribing

Over 90 delegates from healthcare from across the UK are attending a conference at The University of Northampton next week which explores issues around the practice of non medical prescribing, an area of nursing which has seen rapid development over the last decade.

From June 2006, appropriately educated and experienced nurses have been able to prescribe all licensed drugs and a range of controlled drugs from the British National Formulary following successful completion of the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) approved Nurse Independent & Supplementary Prescribing (NISP) Course.

The NISP course offered by the School of Health at the University enjoys an established reputation for providing a quality programme for experienced nurse practitioners working in the Northamptonshire catchment area. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is now very much high on the agenda in healthcare for continuing excellence in this area of practice.

The University will welcome some prestigious keynote speakers to Park Campus next Wednesday, 6 June, including Liz Plastow, Prescribing Lead from Nursing & Midwifery Council, Professor Molly Courtenay, RCN Joint Prescribing Adviser and Professor Matt Griffiths, Visiting Professor for The School of Health, RCN Prescribing Adviser. The conference will be jointly opened by Dr Sue Allen, Dean, School of Health and Louise Proctor, Managing Director of the Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust, as a partnership initiative.

Geoff White, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader, Teaching for Non- Medical Prescribing, School of Health, The University of Northampton, commented:

“Our NISP course is extremely challenging. On completion of this course nurses are qualified to prescribe medicines within their professional scope of practice to complement the care they deliver. The initial evidence suggests that nurses who successfully complete this course demonstrate improved nursing outcomes for the patients they serve, whilst gaining additional knowledge, skills and competencies as part of their personal and professional development.

“Non medical prescribing is very topical and we are pleased to host this conference in partnership with NTPCT aiming to support future continuing professional development here at The University of Northampton”.

Bath Spa Graduates “Hatch Out” at the Egg

Bath Spa University’s Department of Drama prepares to launch its Class of 2007 with a showcase of graduate work at the Egg, Theatre Royal Bath, (June 4 -8), and a special one-off performance at the Battersea Arts Centre in London (June 1).

Following their three years of training, many performing arts graduates are choosing to remain in Bath and benefit from the growing opportunities for artists in the region.

Emma Gersch, Senior Lecturer in Drama says “We have chosen to showcase the strength and range of their work by bringing this selection of work to the Egg. In all cases, the students have found their own voices and breathed new life into classic material. We hope this showcase will launch the careers of this vibrant new group of performers.”

The graduation season features three shows: Agamemnon: Stripped. Re-loaded. Re-told, a radically reinvented version of Aeschylus’ classic, brought to life with original music, text and ritual movement; Wonderland, Club of Hearts, set in a nightclub, giving Lewis Carroll’s’ tales of Alice a thoroughly modern context; and Tennessee William’s classic play A Streetcar Named Desire, oozing with heat and passion.

Gunduz Kalic, Head of Department says “Our 30 Performing Arts graduates have enjoyed an intensive three year training on the BA (Hons) Performing Arts programme, developing a portfolio of performance skills. Ensemble is at the heart of our work here at Bath Spa, and our students have been nurtured to be playful and generous in all areas of their practise. The class of 2007 is a particularly talented, vibrant and dynamic group.”

Under the banner of the Department’s resident Full Tilt Theatre Company the students have had exciting and valuable opportunities to work in a professional context, and have toured work to the Bristol Old Vic and the Minack Theatre in Cornwall.

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Show information

Egg Theatre: all shows play at 7.30pm, and are suitable for ages 12+

- Agamemnon – Stripped, Re-loaded, Re-told plays on Monday 4 June

- Wonderland, Club of Hearts plays on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 June.

- A Streetcar Named Desire plays Thursday 7 and Friday 8 June

Battersea Arts Centre, Friday 1 June

Agamemnon plays at 1pm and 8pm, information and tickets from Emma Gersch

For tickets, Egg Theatre Box Office, 01225 823 409

Poetry Slamming from Bath Spa University

Staff and students from Bath Spa University are taking the performance poetry slamming scene by storm.

Creative Writing lecturer Lucy English has gained a place in the semi finals in the coveted BBC Radio 4 National Slam, after slamming against 16 other poets and finally winning a place in a heated and dramatic tie break showdown.

She will be one of two poets from the South West going to the semi finals in London on Sunday 1 July. The semi finals, at the Drill Hall, Bloomsbury, will be broadcast live by BBC Radio 4 - the first time a UK slam has been broadcast on Radio 4. The finals will take place at the Arnolfini, Bristol, on Saturday 8 September during the Bristol Poetry Festival.

Not to be outdone, five students collectively forming the Bath Spa Poets will be performing at the Battersea Arts Centre in London at the invitation of Apples & Snakes, the UK's leading performance poetry agency. Gordon Egginton, Tracy Wall, Emerson Leese, Ed Parshotham and Jason Curley will be performing a set at a showcase evening on Friday 29 June alongside some big names in the poetry world.

Head of the School of English and Creative Studies, Professor Tim Middleton commented: “Bath Spa University is the only UK university to run a performance poetry module as part of its curriculum. Lucy English is one of the country’s leading performance poets and her success at the Radio 4 competition is well deserved. And I’m sure that our student poets will impress the audience with their energy and talent in their first performance on a London stage.”

University’s renewable energy expertise to be showcased

Experts from the University of Aberdeen and the Robert Gordon University will be highlighting their renewable energy expertise at this year’s annual renewable energy exhibition and conference, All-Energy, which begins tomorrow (Wednesday, May 23) at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

All-Energy 07 will be the focus of attention for the whole of the renewable energy industry and the two-day event is measuring up to its reputation of being bigger and better each year. Following the success of last year’s event, which attracted 2,850 attendees and 220 exhibiting companies, the 2007 show - the seventh in the annual series - will be the largest all-renewable energy exhibition ever held in the UK, with a stunning multi-stream conference for you to attend free of charge, an exciting Giant Networking Evening and much more.

The University of Aberdeen is joining The Robert Gordon University on the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) pavilion at this year's All-Energy event. The stand will display information on current energy research activities such as the new Energy Futures Research Centre, which is an international centre of excellence in renewable energy and a joint initiative between the University of Aberdeen, The Robert Gordon University and Aberdeen City Council. We will also highlight ways in which industry and academia can work together to develop energy research and display details of our Energy related teaching programmes.

The Universities will be highlighting their significant research capabilities in renewable energy as well as in the oil and gas sector, much of which is directed at renewables. The institution welcomed the news that Aberdeen is in the running to host the hub of the £1 billion energy centre to the Granite City. Last week (May 14), bids from five outstanding university organisations were short-listed to house the UK’s new Energy Technologies Institute (ETI). The announcement by Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling, confirmed that a consortium, which includes the University of Aberdeen, is on a shortlist of five to host the hub of the UK’s proposed Energy Technologies Institute (ETI). This is an important time and signals the distinctive energy strengths Aberdeen city has and our enthusiasm we share within the consortium for hosting one of the most important energy initiatives in decades – one that will help us to underpin Aberdeen’s future as a City of energy

.

Aberdeen conducts research relevant to the energy industries and current energy research is dominated by the needs of the oil industry. At least 100 staff from 15 Departments are involved in energy-related research. There is a close interaction with the international oil and gas industry, including sponsored research and studentships, consultancy, and student sponsorship, much of which is facilitated through the University’s Institute for Energy Technologies.

The Robert Gordon University has an international reputation in marine renewables and its research team is now collaborating with local authorities, developing sustainable solutions to fuel poverty, and with Chap Homes Ltd for new eco-housing developments that will supply most of their energy from local sources, reduce their water consumption and minimise their environmental impact, both long and short term.

Delegates to All Energy 07 will hear about the latest developments in the renewable energy industry and will have the opportunity to attend keynote presentations by leading lights in the renewables field. The exhibition and conference will again provide a topical update on all renewables – wind (onshore and offshore); hydro, wave, tidal, biofuels, solar and hydrogen/fuel cells – as well as such essential subjects as grid and transmission issues and funding.

The University’s Institute of Energy technologies will be showcasing the institution’s wide range of expertise in energy related R&D, consultancy services, CPD events for the energy industries and our portfolio of taught masters programmes targeted at meeting the needs of the energy industries.

Professor Paul Mitchell, Director of Energy Technologies welcomes the return of this year’s All-Energy Conference and Exhibition and said: “The All-Energy conference and exhibition is growing in its size and reputation year on year and is an excellent opportunity for the University to let the renewable energy industry know about the strength and breadth of our R&D capability and how our research findings feed into our consultancy, CPD and post graduate teaching activities.

“The University has a huge level of expertise in the area of renewable energy both from within the institution and across the region and we are committed in our support of the renewable energy business.

“Participating in major events such as All-Energy is very important to us in providing an opportunity for our academics to meet companies and key players and exchange ideas in this rapidly changing industry.”

The College of Physical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen has a number of taught Masters programmes in Future Energy Technologies significantly expanding its existing portfolio. The MSc programmes connect students with experts in the technical, social and management issues that determine the provision of society’s future energy needs.

The College has a clear vision to provide academically challenging programmes of study for undergraduate and postgraduate students and to lead the field in cutting edge research activities. The innovative postgraduate programmes will provide key skills for graduates entering an area of vital importance to the future of the UK and global economy.

The future of our energy supplies has become an increasingly high-profile topic in recent years and we are at a time of unprecedented interest in this area. These are truly challenging times, and one of the reasons why the University has decided to introduce new programmes that will give graduates wishing to contribute to the future of the energy sector an excellent head start.

ESIB Releases a Report on the Implementation of Bologna in Europe

ESIB’s Bologna Process Committee spent much of the last year collecting data from across Europe on the implementation of the Bologna Process.

This has led to some very interesting results which have been compiled into the third edition of ‘Bologna With Student Eyes’. The report will be presented to European Ministers of Education by ESIB Chairperson Koen Geven on Thursday at their Bologna Follow-Up summit in London. It highlights that many European governments are picking those commitments which fit their national agenda, and neglect others at the same time: "All countries are implementing the common Bachelor/Master structure, but only
few take really care about the social situation of students in their country, although the Social Dimension has been marked as a priority of the Bologna Process for two years", says Koen "This à la carte approach endangers Bologna's success, it can only work as a package."

Covering 36 European countries, the report analyses how the commitments made in the Bologna Process are implemented in practice at national level. The authors deduce that many reforms are carried out only superficially: "The European credit system ECTS should facilitate mobility and put the learner in the center, but countries are not implementing it properly. Credits are not fully comparable within Europe", says Bruno Carapinha, of the Bologna Process Committee.

Mobility of students, although one of the key Bologna objectives, remains connected to many obstacles. "Student grants and loans are not fully portable for studies abroad yet, and additional financial support is missing. Not all students can afford to be mobile", says Bruno.

The report also reveals the unequal treatment of foreign students in many countries. Problems related to visa regulations and work permits are a major hurdle for non-EU students.

Students Aim To Be Kings of 'The Hill'

A striking design for a unique building being planned for the heart of London forms the centrepiece of the Degree Show exhibit from three students at the University of Dundee this week.

Fifth-year students Lesley McIntyre and Michael Williams, together with third-year Sarah Brown, have all worked on the latest project from acclaimed architect Kathryn Findlay, who is a Professor of Architecture and the Environment at the University.

`The Hill’ is a new public building focusing on sensory experiences which is planned for a site at Potters Field, next door to Tower Bridge. Created for a client, theatre expert Simon Elliot, the plans for the building include a zero gravity room, a mutating maze and slow food restaurant.

Professor Findlay’s new practice, Fieldwork, has a unique position within the University’s School of Architecture. When the practice was commissioned to work on the design for The Hill, Professor Findlay didn’t hesitate to involve her students, who have responded to the challenge in brilliant fashion.

“This has been a fantastic experience for us as students,” said Lesley McIntyre (24), from Portstewart in Northern Ireland. “This is not just a piece of theory we are working on, it is a real project which may well come to fruition, which adds an extra edge to it.”

Michael Williams (23), from Ballymoney in Northern Ireland, added, “The plans we have worked on are for a very complex, pioneering building which offers all sorts of new challenges for us as architects. It has been great for us to be able to bring our ideas to the table for a major project right in the heart of London.”

Professor Findlay said the students were benefitting from the unique positioning of the Fieldwork practice within the University.

“Our set-up here is very unusual in that we have a full working architect’s practice inside the University’s School of Architecture,” said Professor Findlay.

“The work we do as a practice throws up great opportunities for research and teaching, so it makes sense to involve the students in what are real, live projects.”

Sarah Brown (26) from Dundee has visited London and New York on scholarship programmes developing specialist skills in `smart geometry’ through her work on the project, which she has carried out on a year-out from her course.

Professor Findlay said `The Hill’ could be used as a park on the outside and an arts space on the inside. “We’re trying to create free-floating spaces, a very permeable relationship between inside and out,” she said.

Plans for The Hill are on display at the University of Dundee School of Architecture Degree Show 2007 this week.

Degree Show 2007 takes place at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and the University of Dundee School of Architecture from May 19th to 26th. Opening times are 9.30 am to 8.30 pm Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm at the weekend (closes 2 pm Saturday May 26th). Entrance is free and all are welcome to attend. www.dundee.ac.uk/pressoffice/degreeshow07

Kriss Wows University of Wolverhampton with Inspirational Talk

Olympic medallist Kriss Akabusi gave an inspiring and highly entertaining talk to more than 100 delegates at a leadership seminar at the University of Wolverhampton.

The former international athlete and television presenter spoke in his characteristically enthusiastic and expressive style about his achievements, the people who had inspired him and what drove him to success during his career.

He also showed a clip of his gold medal-winning race with the 4x400 relay team at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, which received applause from the delighted delegates.

Kriss was the guest speaker at the final seminar of the year of the Inspirational Leadership Programme, which is part of the University’s Leadership and Development programme (LEAD). The seminar, organised in partnership with KPMG, took place at Wolverhampton Science Park today. (Wednesday, May 16)

Speaking without notes, Kriss said the secret to good leadership was, “passion, pride and a can-do attitude”. He added: “I define success as the life you lead, the lessons you learn and the legacy you leave.”

Kriss was introduced by Dean of Legal Studies Brian Mitchell, who later described the athlete’s talk as “awe inspiring”.

Ann Kimbley, on behalf of the LEAD team, said: “The Leadership and Development Department of the University, LEAD, is delighted to provide opportunities for our staff and staff in all our partner organisations to experience inspirational leadership.”

As well as talking about his athletics career, Kriss spoke about his upbringing in a children’s home, his days in the Army Physical Training Corps and his television career on the Big Breakfast and Record Breakers.

Kriss won a Gold Medal in the 1990 European Championships, where he also beat David Hemery’s 22-year-old British Record. He also won medals at the World, Commonwealth and Olympic championships and was awarded the MBE in 1992 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

For more details about LEAD visit www.wlv.ac.uk/lead

University Of Dundee Art Degree Show 2007

The University of Dundee will become one of the busiest gallery spaces in the UK tomorrow night (Friday May 18th) with the opening of Degree Show 2007, the annual showcase for the work of art, design, media and architecture students.

Around 8000 people were estimated to have attended the opening night of last year's Degree Show and the University is braced for another huge influx of visitors to what is one of the showpiece events of the arts calendar.

"Every year our Degree Show seems to become more popular and it is testament to the constently high quality of work which our students produce that so many people regard it as the MUST see show of the year," said Professor Georgina Follett, Deputy Principal of the University and Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.

"Degree Show is one of the most exciting times of the University year and adds a real buzz not just to the campus but to the city as a whole. This year's Show is dynamic, innovative, exciting and bursting with creativity with a show for every taste, where else are you going to see the raw talent, of new creative's placing their work in public view for the first time, it is a fascinating exhibition by more than 200 artists and designers showcasing thousands of new works."

Visitors to the Degree Show tomorrow night will be welcomed by the sounds of Scotland and Brazil. The Scottish band MacUmba will be playing outside the main venue at Duncan of Jordanstone College, showcasing their unique sound which mixes the traditional sounds of Scottish bagpipes with the infectious rhythms of Brazilian percussion.

The Degree Show is hosted by the University's School of Architecture and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, which incorporates the Schools of Fine Art, Media Arts & Imaging, and Design.

Tomorrow's preview opening is open to invites only. After the preview Degree Show 2007 runs from Saturday May 19th to Saturday May 26th. Opening times are 9.30 am to 8.30 pm Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm at the weekend (closes 2 pm Saturday May 26th). Entrance is free and all are welcome to attend.
www.dundee.ac.uk/pressoffice/degreeshow07/

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design is part of the University of Dundee.

UXL To Support Legendary Rockers

An emerging band featuring three brothers who are studying at the University of Wolverhampton is set to support a legendary rock band on theirUK tour. PJ, John and Paul Tierney are in the band UXL, along with their friend Dan Clark from Wolverhampton, and have already achieved national acclaim for their brand of melodic rock. Now they are set to support rockers Magnum on the UK leg of their European Princess Alice &The Broken Arrow Tour.

The brothers, who are all in their 2nd year of a BA (Hons) Popular Music course at the University, are also set to release their debut album Can I Dream Again? in July and have a packed summer of festivals booked. PJ, 21, Paul, 17, and John, 18, met Magnum while recording their album at Mad Hat Studios in Wolverhampton.

The rockers really liked UXL’s music and were keen to get them to support their tour, which includes a gig at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton on May 24. The Birmingham brothers are on the University’s Speed Business Initiative, which is funding their album and the tour. Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in EDucation (SPEED) gives students the opportunity to develop business skills through the development of a business idea in a supportive environment during or as part of their degree courses.

Manager Sally Gibbins said: “We are very grateful to the Speed initiative. Without this funding it would have been very difficult to go ahead with the tour or release the album because of the costs involved in promotion and production of the CD. “They have given the guys a great opportunity to further their music career.”

She added: “They're so excited to be given such a great opportunity to join Magnum on the road. “ The specialist BA (Hons) Popular Music course is based at the Walsall campus and is intended specifically for pop musicians. It boosts music skills while covering many other aspects of the industry.

For further details about UXL, including upcoming gig dates, visit www.myspace.com/uxlofficial and www.uxlofficial.com For information about Speed, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/iie

Related Links

University of Wolverhampton News
Student News
University News

Puccini, Pearl Fishers and all the Prom favourites!

The University of Kent will present its ever-popular Opera Gala Prom on Saturday 2 June, as part of the ArtsFest on the Canterbury campus. The concert takes place in Eliot College Hall at 8pm and will feature operatic lollipops and all the prom favourites, performed by the University's Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Director of Music, Susan Wanless. They will be joined by two soloists, tenor Bradley Daley and baritone Peter Cox. The programme will include the famous duet from The Pearl Fishers, Puccini's Nessun dorma and Borodin's Polovtsian Dances, and will conclude with rousing renditions of Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory - complete with balloons! The audience will then be treated to a spectacular firework display overlooking the Cathedral.

Tickets £10 (adults), £6 (students and children) are available from: Canterbury Bookings Box Office, 12/13 Sun Street, The Buttermarket, Canterbury, Tel. 01227 378188; and the University Music Office, Eliot College, Tel. 01227 827335 (credit/debit card payment available).

If you would like further information about any music events or activities at the University contact Susan Wanless, Director of Music, on 01227 823305, S.J.Wanless@kent.ac.uk.

Careers Openings In Nursing And Midwifery

The wide variety of career opportunities in nursing and midwifery will
be the focus of an Open Day to be held in the Clinical Skill Centre,
Ninewells Hospital this Saturday (May 19th).

Those attending the event, hosted by the University of Dundee, School
of Nursing and Midwifery, will have a unique opportunity to get 'hands
on' experience using some of the specialised equipment utilised in the
nursing and midwifery education programmes on offer at the University.

Experienced lecturers and clinical staff will be available to give
advice on the various academic and career pathways open to those with an
interest in nursing or midwifery.

"The career opportunities for nurses and midwives are greater now than
ever before," said Heather Marr, Acting Dean of the School of Nursing
and Midwifery.

"Nursing is a very attractive option for people of all ages and appeals
to many seeking a change of career."

The School of Nursing and Midwifery has campuses in both Dundee and
Kirkcaldy and offers a wide variety of flexible programmes to assist
students in achieving their goal.

The Open Day takes place in the Clinical Skills Centre at Ninewells
Hospital on Saturday 19th May 2007 from 11 am to 3 pm. It is open to
anyone keen to find out about careers in nursing and midwifery.

Licensed Practical Nurses
Registered Nurses
Nursing Aides and Psychiatric Aides

Book Now! - Leicestershire Student and Graduate Fair 2007

Leicestershire Student and Graduate Fair 2007

Wednesday 7th November 2007 11.00am – 3.30pm

http://www.le.ac.uk/careers/lsgf.html

We are pleased to announce that the University of Leicester and De Montfort University will be jointly running the Leicestershire Student and Graduate Fair again this year on Wednesday 7^th November 2007 from 11.00am – 3.30pm in the purpose built conference centre at Leicester City Football Club. We would like to invite you to apply for a stand at the event.

“Whole event v. well organised. Good venue, good to have Leicester and DMU together” College of Law “Very well organised” Baker Tilly “Very good. Going to be hard to improve further.” NHS 90 % of the employers who attended last years fair rated it as Excellent.

The Leicestershire Student and Graduate Fair is one of the largest graduate fairs outside of London and the biggest recruitment event in the East Midlands. Over a half of the employers attending last year spoke to over 150 visitors each. The fair is a very economical and efficient way of recruiting staff and raising your company profile amongst the student and graduate population. This will be a widely publicised event, reaching students from De Montfort University, the University of Leicester, associate colleges and other universities. There will be publicity on the web, in the local, regional and national press and through the universities’ networks. In total we anticipate over 100 employers will participate and more than 3,000 students and graduates will attend. http://www.le.ac.uk/careers/lsgf.html

Students who attended last year’s Leicestershire Student and Graduate Fair commented:

"I now have a more solid idea of how to go about getting started"

“Very friendly and professional." “Highly excellent and brilliant work”

There are ample opportunities to sponsor the event publicity through having your logo on the brochure, flyers, posters or Finalist email. You can also sponsor an A4 advert in the fair brochure.

To reserve your exhibition space and notify us of your sponsorship requirements, please fill out the online booking form which can be found at http://www.le.ac.uk/careers/lsgfbookingform.html by 28th May 2007. Please note that your booking is not confirmed until you receive a booking confirmation from the Leicestershire Student and Graduate Fair management team. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please note, priority will be give to those organisations offering paid graduate employment or paid work experience opportunities. Both Universities host their own community and voluntary fairs later in the academic year.

New Martial Arts Festival at The University of Wolverhampton

International martial arts experts will be putting youngsters through their paces and searching for the next generation of champions at a new festival at the University of Wolverhampton.

Children from across Wolverhampton and Walsall have been invited to join top specialists and instructors in martial arts including Karate, Judo, Tae kwon do, Ju Jitsu and Aikido. It is the first time the Martial Arts Festival has been held and the organisers are hoping it will be a big success.

The event is for children aged nine and above and will take place at the University’s Walsall Campus Sports Hall on Sunday, May 13. The children can be complete beginners or have some experience of martial arts.

Participants will be able to watch demonstrations from the different martial arts styles and take part in workshops aimed at honing their skills.

Dr. Josh Johnson, 7th Dan, national karate coach, chief instructor and University governor, said: “It is great that so many first class specialists, top fighters and international instructors have come together for the benefit of the wider community.
“This event is a real and unique learning experience for youngsters which can start to develop the next generation of champions, coaches and super stars."

He said: “National reputations in the martial arts are not common but the Black Country has a strong and enviable tradition of producing some of the very best national fighters, competitors and world class champions.
“Events like this will ensure that history is repeated. The link up between the University and the different schools of martial arts is an exciting partnership.”

The event is sponsored by the Active Volunteers programme, which allows University staff and students to gain new skills and valuable experience by undertaking voluntary work with the local community.

The festival will run from 10.30am until 4pm. There are still places available, for further details contact Nico Kolokythas on 0784 5572694 or turn up on the day with a parent/guardian for registration.

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Dundee Literary Festival Is Launched

Literary stars Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson will headline the first Dundee Literary Festival, held at the University of Dundee.

David Profumo, Kirsty Gunn and John Fardell will also give readings and take questions at the two day event which is being held at the University of Dundee. Local author Bill Duncan will make an appearance and two of the rising stars of the literary scene, Peter Hobbs and Ben Markovits will read and debate. Tickets are on sale from today.

The festival will also see a group of the most important people in publishing hold a unique discussion on how to get your book printed where attendees will be able to ask about their own work, as well as question the experts generally. The panel will include David Graham, Managing Director of Granta and Will Atkinson, Managing Director of Faber.

The festival will take place on the 21st and 22nd June in the University of Dundee Tower Building, Perth Road, Dundee and is sponsored by the Apex Hotel, Dundee.

The festival takes place during Graduation time in the city when thousands of visitors descend on Dundee - this will be an extra attraction to encourage them to stay a little longer.

Anna Day, Festival Director, says, “Dundee has such a rich literary heritage that it seemed a natural progression for the city to have a literary festival. We’ve got an excellent array of new and exciting writers, as well as some of the most established names in the business, so there really should be somebody that appeals to everybody.

“With writers such as Jacqueline Wilson attending, who created the Tracy Beaker series on TV, we hope that people who rarely read a book will be tempted to attend and then, just maybe, they will be inspired to read more in future.

“Dundee is starting to establish itself as a culture centre for Scotland and this festival will continue its progression to being the complete package for tourists looking for their cultural fix as well as locals who deserve a prestigious festival such as this.

“The University is already a partner in the Dundee Book Prize, which is the most important award for new writing in the country, so this seemed like a great step for them to take.”

The Dundee Literary Festival is sponsored by the Apex and held in partnership with Borders, Dundee.

Tickets will be available from today. They can be purchased at Borders or online at www.dundeeliteraryfest.org where the entire programme can be found. They are also available by calling 01382 384768 or in person, 5th Floor, Tower Building, Perth Road, Dundee.

For more details, please contact Anna Day on 01382 384768

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IT Careers Fair

STUDENTS GIVEN CAREER BOOST

More than 200 IT students, graduates and business leaders attended a careers event at the University of Wolverhampton.

The IT Careers Fair gave major businesses the opportunity to promote their job vacancies and allowed students and graduates to attend workshops led by the exhibitors.

Regional, national and international companies at the event included Halifax, E.ON, Capgemini, EDS UK Plc, ADECS Ltd and Games Media Ltd.

University departments such as the School of Computing, the Innovation Centre and IT Futures were also present at the event.

Students and graduates were able to liaise with the firms and find out what their recruitment needs were and exhibitors benefited from promoting their company.

Kam Atwal, Employer Liaison Officer at The Workplace, said: "Feedback from clients has been excellent and companies have stated that the event was beneficial. A lot of graduates have applied and been short-listed for jobs as a result of the IT Fair so we are hoping that this will lead to graduates gaining successful employment."

The event was organised by The Workplace, Careers and Employment Services and the Employability and Placements Unit, which is part of the School of Computing and IT. The IT Careers Fair took place in April in the University's Millennium City Building.

The Workplace is a recruitment shop at the University's City Campus site to help graduates and students find work.

Oxford University Professor of Politics Gives Lecture at University of Aberdeen

The man who helped persuade Margaret Thatcher that Mikhail Gorbachev was a man Britain 'could do business with' will give a keynote lecture in the Granite City later this week. Professor Archie Brown, Emeritus Professor of Politics at University of Oxford, will give the City of Aberdeen Gorbachev lecture on Wednesday, May 9 as part of a three-day Cold War conference being held at the University of Aberdeen. Gorbachev was awarded the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen in December 1993, and it is hoped the lecture, entitled 'Perestroika and the End of the Cold War', will help reaffirm the link between the City and one of the major figures of the late 20th century. A former academic adviser to Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, Professor Brown was probably the first to mark Gorbachev out as someone different. It was he – at an important Chequers seminar in 1983 - who drew the then Prime Minister's attention to the likely emergence of a reformist Soviet leader, prompting the Iron Lady to famously comment that Gorbachev was "a man she could do business with." Professor Paul Dukes, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Aberdeen was responsible for organising the conference and lecture, the latter of which received funding from the Aberdeen City Council Common Good fund. He said, "Archie Brown continues to make a huge contribution towards understanding the seismic event that was the end of the Cold War and post-Soviet Russia. His scholarship on the subject is without question and he remains a frequent traveller to both Russia and the United States. We are delighted he has agreed to give the City of Aberdeen Gorbachev lecture." In the Queen's Birthday Honours List of June 2005 Professor Brown was awarded the CMG 'For Services to UK-Russian relations and to the study of political science and international affairs'. And last year he attended Mikhail Gorbachev's 75th birthday celebrations in Moscow on March 2. His book, The Gorbachev Factor has won several awards, while his most recent book, Seven Years that Changed the World: Perestroika in perspective, was published in April 2007. His public lecture, entitled 'Perestroika and the End of the Cold War', will take place at 5.15pm in the Regent Lecture Theatre, King's College Campus, on Wednesday, May 9 Related Links University of Aberdeen News Student News University News