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.

Basketball Team Are National Champions

A basketball team featuring University of Wolverhampton students is celebrating after being named league champions.

The Black Country University of Wolverhampton Men’s team are National League Division 3 champions.

They beat London Towers in the final 79 – 75. The team is a mixture of University students and players from the local community.

The team were runners up in the Division three (North) regular season. They overcame Brixton Topcats 90 – 78 in the quarter finals and beat Cardiff Celts in the semi finals 88 – 82 to set up the final against the Towers.

The team rose from the ashes of the Walsall Wizards who played in National League Division 3. At the suggestion of Nick O’Leary, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in PE and England Basketball Senior Coach, the Wizards joined forces with the University. In the next two seasons, coached by Nick, the team made good progress in Division 3, reaching the play offs last season.

Nick O’Leary said: “This season coached by Tony Simms, an ex England international and current PE student, the team has gone from strength to strength culminating in the honour of being crowned National Champions. We expect the team to play in National League Division 2 next season.”

Meanwhile, Black Country basketball club also has a women’s National League team who play in Division 2. The ladies also made the play offs this season but were defeated in the semi finals by UWIC Stealers 74 – 55. It is hoped the Athletic Union can support this team in the future and provide a stable financial footing to allow it to develop still further.

And in other news, the Wolverhampton Rhinos, who play National League Division 1 wheelchair basketball, are playing at the University next year and will become part of the Black Country Club. The team also plays European Super League basketball and contains several international players.

Nick O’Leary said: “I am in discussion to bring some of these players to the University to study various degrees and assist with their playing careers.”

The Black Country Club is hosting a summer basketball camp at the University’s Walsall campus for 11 – 18 year olds to improve basketball in the area and further develop the relationship between the local community and the University. The event will take place between Tuesday, August 28 and Saturday, September 1. For details contact Nick O’Leary on 01922 692115.

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

Unique China visit for Wolverhampton students

The University of Wolverhampton is increasing opportunities for students to visit other countries – as part of a drive to promote outward student mobility.

15 students will be visiting Shenzhen Polytechnic in China, which the University has excellent links with, for a two-week language and cultural experience later this year.

It is the first time the University has offered this kind of trip and it is hoped that by giving the students a positive experience, more students will be encouraged to take up opportunities in the long-term.

The new initiative will then be rolled out to other parts of China, and also India, in conjunction with other partners as part of the University’s international collaborative strategy.

The visit has been organised by the University’s International Office in conjunction with Shenzhen Polytechnic. The International Office organised a week of talks to raise awareness of the benefits of going overseas, highlighting the Shenzhen visit, Erasmus schemes and opportunities to study in America.

International Officer Robbie Roberts said: “We wanted to give all students the chance to find out more about what is available to them.

“The Shenzhen trip was a unique opportunity for them as it is different to a student exchange and gives them a chance to experience another culture and improve their language skills, whatever subject they’re studying.”

The students visiting Shenzhen in September will receive 30 hours of language learning and seminars on history, food and economy in China, as well as a weekend in Hong Kong.

They will be encouraged to share their experiences among home students on their return and may also have the chance to go back to Shenzhen and teach English for nine months as assistant language teachers after they graduate.

Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, recently wrote to Vice Chancellors about encouraging students to go abroad as part of their higher education courses. He said it was important to help them compete for jobs in the global market place.

Director of International at the University of Wolverhampton, Jo Gittens, said: “The Shenzhen visit is part of our internationalisation agenda, broadening students’ horizons and cultural awareness. We are actively encouraging domestic students to venture overseas, which is helping to make them more employable in this increasing global environment.

“We already offer many opportunities for students to go abroad but this is a more targeted approach which we feel will be of great benefit and look forward to expanding.”

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

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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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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.