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STUDENT VS STAFF QUIZ SHOW
8 International Experience Conference News
Sara Mattar | Head of Photography
As International part-time officer I had an opportunity to attend a conference run by UKCISA in London.
Sara Mattar
ference was that students are isolated, anxious, have language barriers and are lonely when coming to the UK.
FEBRUARY 2020 BBC Radio 4’s ‘The 3rd Degree’ at Minghella Studios
Adam Snook | Part 3 History and International Relations
The Minghella Studios on campus came alive with quiz action as BBC Radio 4 rolled into Reading, hosting a recording of The 3rd Degree, a show that sets a team of three students against three professors, all from the University.
Comedian Steve Punt presents the show and asks the questions, maintaining a chirpy commentary full of jokes and witticisms, while doing his best to help the teams locate answers hidden in the depths of their brains.
Round 1 tested the team’s general knowledge with a diverse set of questions ranging from weightlifting and crabs to WD40 and Czechoslovakian revolutions.
Several answers were more straightforward than the wording of the question might suggest.
Specialist knowledge was required for rounds 2 (language and linguistics), 4 (law) and 6 (film), with one student and professor answering questions drawn from their field of study.
Professor Jane Setter displayed impressive understanding of language and linguistics, treating the audience to a brief lecture on ‘dark L’s’ and the intricacies of the international phonetic alphabet.
Round 3 saw time pressure as the teams listed as many answers in a given category as they could think of in 30 seconds, while round 5 featured the shows signature ‘highbrow/lowbrow round. Described as being a choice between Shakespeare or Love Island, the contestants can pick to answer on traditional cultural topics such as painting and opera, or modern pop culture such as films or social media.
The show concluded with a quickfire round, with teams having to buzz or bell to answer.
An enjoyable mix of facts and fun, The 3rd Degree manages to inform and entertain, the student vs professor competition bringing a unique dynamic.
Tune in to BBC Radio 4 in the coming months to find out if youth or experience triumphed!
This event had only one representative from each university across the UK where I had the privilege to represent University of Reading.
This event was run to mainly discuss the challenges that are faced by the Internationals in the United Kingdom where there were many topics introduced such as mental health and graduate job.
One of the main issues faced in mental health that was found in this conThis problem has been faced in many universities where many unions provide international events and great support for non-UK students. This could be supported by academic staff and colleagues.
I would encourage students to take part whether it is part-time officer or in this conference. If any of you do have any questions about any of these or would like to hear more, please do email me.
Pozzitive Television Ltd
An update from RAG
Cait Pilkington | Challenges Officer
After a successful first term with our triumphant RAG Bingo back in November, RAG is hoping to build on this success and continue with two big events to raise money for our two charities; Mind and New Beginnings – a homelessness charity in Reading.
Coming up on Tuesday 25th February we will be hosting our infamous Student Auction, providing opportunities for any nominees for the RUSU elections, and any sports teams or societies to offer up anything ranging from a training session, to a three-course meal for the winning bidder.
It’s a great opportunity to raise money and raise your profile, and you don’t have to be a member of a sports team or society to offer up something to be bid on.
You can contact us on our Instagram, Facebook or email (rag@reading. ac.uk) if you would like to participate.
Later on, in May, we will be holding a Sleep-Out on the University campus.
With homelessness being one of the top issues the committee this year were concerned with, and with one of our charities being a café for homeless people, we thought there would be no better way to raise money and awareness than through this activity. Our 2020 Naked Calendars are still on sale, so head online to the RUSU website to order yours to pick up from Student Activities. One calendar is £12, or you can buy two for £20.
Finally, we spent the National Student Volunteering Week supporting many other groups and their activities to help celebrate the invaluable efforts and benefits that come from student volunteering.
If you would like to join RAG, you can get a free membership from the RUSU website. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with all our events and goings-on.
Taz Usher| Print Editor
From Monday, January 20 to Sunday, January 26 societies across the university hosted taster sessions for students considering taking up a new hobby or sport.
The Give it a Go sessions included key skills workshops, student media showcases and coffee mornings which gave prospective members a taste of what to expect post-signing up.
LIT AND LANG SHOW
Kia Mackenzie| Print News Designer
On Wednesday 29th Jan, I hosted a careers event as School Rep for Lit, Lang and Linguistics called the Lit and Lang show, where we had speakers from journalism, travel writing and video editing.
Many students struggle with understanding career opportunities after University, especially within this department and how to avoid the stereotypical jobs associated with it
Funded by the Alumni Supporter Awards, catering was provided along with freebies including personalised notebooks, pens and stickers. With a great turnout and some amazing speakers all the hard work paid off.
Kia Mackenzie
DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX STEP DOWN FROM DUTIES IN BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY
Jo Hawkins | English Literature
After months of hinting at struggling to adapt to life in the spotlight, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced on Wednesday January, 8th that they will be taking a step back from their royal duties.
The couple will split their time between the UK and Canada in order to live a more private life and focus more on the matters that mean the most to them.
Over the past few weeks alleged details as to the nature of the big move have circled in the media.
Many have shown support for Meghan after the actress best known for her role as Rachel Zane in Suits was forced to give up her career for royal duties.
She has openly admitted to struggling to adapt to the English culture whilst being under such an intense spotlight. The Duchess has further suffered continual racist abuse in the media.
However, the couple have faced great backlash over the shock effect their announcement has had; it was thought they gave royal aides no more than a ten-minute warning before issuing their announcement to step down on social media.
The Queen issued an initial statement announcing that she was “disappointed” at the lack of forewarning the royal family had and a meeting within the week was dubbed an emergency “Sandringham summit”. Royal courtiers were demanded to find solutions with great haste and key royal family members gathered.
However, the Queen spoke positively after the summit of how “pleased” she was “that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family”.
She emphasised that “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family”.
The Queen has agreed to a “period of transition” and details of the change have emerged.
The agreement included a promise to repay £2.4million of taxpayer’s money for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, no more public funds for royal duties and the couple will drop their royal and HRH titles.
Keen royalists are likely to be disappointed in Harry and Meghan’s decision to step down, whilst others are likely to support Harry’s long-term desire to escape media attention.
Their determination to become financially independent is admirable and will surely sway those who dislike the taxpayer’s funding of the royal family.
After many months and recent daily attention in the media, Canada will hopefully provide the young family with the privacy they have wanted for so long.
THE LABOUR LEADERSHIP CONTEST
The search for Jeremy Corbyn’s replacement is well underway and with the 4th of April fast approaching the Unions are picking their candidates. Kathryn Parker | Part 2 Law
Following the worst electoral defeat since 1935, who Labour party members pick is hugely important for the future of the party and arguably will show whether they have listened to what their traditional voting base said at the ballot box back in December.
