In this issue:
news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER STAFF MAGAZINE
HEFCE Chief Executive tours new laboratories p.5
UCAS Convention 5,000 potential students on campus p.8
New library & history centre unveiled
April 2009
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NEWS
WELCOME TO THE APRIL 2009 ISSUE
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elcome to the April 2009 edition of News & Views. We have some particularly exciting stories this issue, including news of the winning contractor for the new Worcester Library and History Centre, a substantial rise in HEFCE funding, student sporting successes and much more. We’ve also got reports from the University’s biggest ever UCAS Fair, the 2009 Annual QinetiQ Lecture and the inaugural lecture of the College of Fellows. Our next edition, available on May 1, will contain more details on the Library and History Centre, as well as comprehensive coverage of everything that happens at the University of Worcester during April. As always, we need your news, so please keep us informed of anything you think is interesting or newsworthy by sending it to newsandviews@worc.ac.uk by April 24.
Schoolchildren explore sustainability
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upils from two Redditch schools have been carrying out a sustainability survey of the University as part of a widening participation programme. Gifted and talented pupils from Ipsley Middle and Church Hill Middle schools interviewed staff and suggested sustainability improvements. The project is being run by Stephen Pickering, senior lecturer in primary education, with support from Worcestershire County Council. Stephen said: “This has been a great way of engaging schoolchildren in the University. Our trainee teachers have also been involved in the project, by visiting schools and helping them to compile the survey, which has been very good practice for them.”
Double victory for slam dunking Worcester The University of Worcester’s reputation as the UK’s premier university for basketball has been cemented by national victories for the men’s and women’s teams. Worcester’s men reclaimed the British Universities and Colleges Sports Championship Men’s title by beating London Southbank 91-86 on March 15. After an emotionally draining game, Worcester gained revenge over the team that defeated them in last year’s final. It was a tough and testing match for the team, but Worcester’s desire, motivation and hard work surged them to regain control and put in an outstanding performance. Matt Lloyd, Head Coach for Worcester, said: “I cannot begin to describe how amazing this feels. After so much hard work we can reap our rewards. The boys have put everything into achieving the title this year and they are truly deserving of the victory. The desire was there from everyone, whether they were freshers, second or third year students.” Two weeks later the women’s team
The winning team included students from a variety of different courses and varying years of study, with highly contrasting levels of experience throughout the squad. Indeed, some of the players were experiencing their first season of competitive basketball. The victory was a testament to the character of our student body, and the ability of the students to rally behind a group of hard working individuals who have become a team. Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, witnessed every second of their Championship weekend in Sheffield and commented: “Whilst it is always a thrill to win major tournaments, it is also significant that we have built a sustainable program that continues to meet the challenges presented by established and emerging competitors from throughout the UK. We have developed a sporting model that encourages opportunities to study, play and coach whilst at University and we will continue to look at ways of improving the program and increasing participation.”
Substantial funding boost from HEFCE THE University has won an 8.4% increase – more than double the national average – in its grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). In cash terms, the University will gain an additional £1.25 million a year, to leave its annual HEFCE funding at almost £17.2 million – approximately one quarter of the University’s income. Professor David Green, said: “This allocation reflects the national recognition of our success in providing
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completed the double with a 58-39 victory over Bedfordshire in the final of the British Universities and Colleges Sports Cup.
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high quality education. We are delighted that, once again, we have been successful in gaining a much higher rate of increased funding than the national average. This is a tribute to the highly professional work of the members of staff at the University.” Funding for research has increased an astonishing 220%, attributed to the University’s work with research students and in fields as diverse as river management, psychology and allergy research.
COVER STORY
Library project given go ahead
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n exhibition showing how the pioneering joint Worcester Library and History Centre will look is to be on display at the University from Monday April 6.
Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet on Thursday April 2 agreed the developer for the unique project, after the University’s governors gave their blessing.
Anne Hannaford, the University’s Director of Information and Learning Services, said: “After many years talking about this project this is a very exciting step forward. People will be able to enjoy the riches of an integrated university and public library with university texts sitting side-by-side the public library collections. There will be access to information, advice and support; and digital technology throughout the building.”
“This has been an example of partnership working at its best, involving ourselves, the University of Worcester and Advantage West Midlands. The Library and History Centre will be a building that stands out for years to come. It’s the use of sustainable materials and systems that mark it out as a building that is sure to win awards.”
Cllr Stephen Clee Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Worcestershire County Council
The £60 million centre is a joint project between the University of Worcester and Worcestershire County “this is a very exciting time for a very Council with support from regional exciting project. the galliford try development agency Advantage West proposal stood out as exceptional.” Midlands and Worcester City Council. The combined facility, believed to be the first of its kind in Europe, will draw together The Worcester Library and History Centre will not the County Council’s library services for the City just provide first-rate learning and heritage facility, Centre with its History Centre, Record Office and it also plays a role in the regeneration of the City archaeologists, as well as library facilities provided Centre and will create a number of jobs. by the University. It will be open to all members of the public, as well It will be built on The Butts site through a Private as students at the University. Finance Initiative. A planning application will now be lodged with the The County Council’s Cabinet have appointed City Council and heard by committee within 13 Galliford Try as their approved contractor. Galliford weeks. If permission is granted, construction work Try’s bid was considered to meet all the design, could start in September this year with the project technical and facility-management requirements finished in late 2011 or early 2012. laid down as part of the tendering process, and should also be at the cutting edge of environmental performance, creating a comfortable, low-energy, naturally ventilated building.
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NEWS
Advice from the experts REPRESENTATIVES from Masaryck University in the Czech Republic have visited Worcester for advice on setting up a national blind football team.
in the world at the moment. Here at the University of Worcester we have excellent facilities and we were delighted to be able to show the Czech team how we do things.”
The University of Worcester was instrumental in the formation of the England Blind Football Team. Coach David Mycock, a former professional footballer, is a sports lecturer here, and seven of the team’s players either study or work at the University.
The England team is currently training for the European Championships in June as well as the 2010 World Cup.
“We have a very good reputation for blind football,” said Dave. “We are second in Europe and fifth
TAMAR APPOINTED
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niversity governor Professor Tamar Thompson has been appointed to the Government’s new Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery. Professor Thompson will work with the country’s leading health professionals on the body. The Commission explicitly aims to help put nurses in control of services and the direction of policy. It is recognition of the Government’s belief that nursing is the most ‘forward thinking’ group of healthcare professionals. Professor Thompson said: “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed
to this Commission. It is a privilege to be working with such eminent fellow commissioners.” Currently an Independent Healthcare Consultant, Professor Thompson is also Senior Advisor for External Relationships/ Lead Nurse for the National, NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement. She joined the University of Worcester’s Board of Governors in August 2005 as an independent governor and is now a member of the Finance & Development Committee and Personnel Committee and one of the two Vice Chairs.
Sports lecturer visit Russia SENIOR sport management lecturer Donna de Haan has been learning about Russia’s preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Donna was among a delegation of West Midlands representatives on a trip to the nation, organised by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.
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Donna took part in the Black Sea International Student Recruitment Fair and a conference focusing on International Education in the Olympic region of Krasnodar, before taking trips to a Russian football match, and to the sites of the 2014 Winter Olympics. “We met with representatives from the Olympic Organising Committee and visited the two proposed Olympic sites,” Donna said. “I took lots of photographs to show my students, and I will use this experience to develop lecture resources.”
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Regional Minister visits the University
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he Regional Minister for the West Midlands, Ian Austin MP, visited Worcester on March 13 to talk about how the University is working with partners to tackle the current recession. Professor David Green spoke with the Minister about ways in which the University and the Government could work together to bring forward some of the University’s development projects, to help create much-needed construction jobs now. HEFCE has already agreed for the University to bring forward almost £1 million of investment, which was earmarked for 2010/11. This will allow for the start of refurbishment works at the former Regency High Special School in Turnpike Close, Worcester, in September.
Biggest ever UCAS Convention
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lmost 5,000 students from schools and colleges throughout the Midlands gathered at the University on March 13 for the annual Hereford and Worcester UCAS Convention. Pupils from Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and West Midlands schools all visited the Convention. Representatives from 127 UK universities and colleges were also at the event, organised by UCAS in conjunction with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Connexions and the University of Worcester. “Choosing the right university or college can be daunting,” said Professor David Green. “Of course, each university and college has something special to offer. We hope that this event has helped inspire more young people to go on to higher education and made their decision a little easier.”
FEATURE
Professor David Eastwood,
HEFCE Chief Executive,
tours new laboratories “Professor Eastwood is one of the most influential leaders of higher education in Britain. It is a pleasure to welcome him back to the University.”
Professor David Green Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive
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he Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Professor David Eastwood, took a tour of the University’s new science laboratories before giving a highly entertaining and informative lecture to regional leaders on March 19.
educational opportunity and high quality in higher education made him a natural choice for our inaugural lecture. The fellows are delighted that applications to the University of Worcester are rising at the fastest rate in the country and are happy that this lecture was a great success.”
Entitled ‘The Future of Higher Education’, Professor Eastwood’s presentation was the inaugural lecture of the University of Worcester’s College of Fellows. The lecture stimulated an interesting discussion around the future of Higher Education particularly given the backdrop of the global economic downturn. Professor Eastwood is a noted historian with a distinguished history of achievement in Higher Education. He is currently Vice Chancellor Designate at the University of Birmingham. During his visit Professor Eastwood was shown around the new £6.5 million science and allergy testing laboratories, which will be home to the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit. John Yelland, President of the University’ College of Fellows and principal of a highly successful Worcester-based accountancy practice, said: “Professor Eastwood’s passion for increasing
Worcester sports coaching student is set to Student referee an international women’s football A match. to referee Patton, who coaches Rugby Town Girls international Jonathan & Ladies Football Club, will referee a friendly fixture match between his club and Fox Valley Strikers, from Chicago, Illinois, USA.
“I’m really looking forward to the match,” Jonathan said. “I only recently qualified as a
referee so this is a great experience for me.” Nineteen-year-old Jonathan, who is from Bilton in Rugby, has received £250 from the University’s Scholarship Panel towards his costs volunteering at Rugby Town Girls & Ladies Football Club. “It is a great honour to get this scholarship,” he said. “It will help to pay for some of my travelling every weekend between Worcester and Rugby.”
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NEWS
New midwives embark on course The university has just welcomed its latest intake midwifery students.
STUDENTS TO TEACH ORPHANS IN THAILAND SIX Worcester students will spend 10 days teaching at an orphanage in Thailand this summer.
The 23 students are embarking on the popular three-year BSc (Hons) Midwifery Programme and should become part of the 4,000 new midwives the Government aims to recruit by 2012 to alleviate the current national shortage. “We are delighted to welcome the latest group of midwives,” said programme leader Tina Dennis. “We pride ourselves in providing the highest standard
of education, which supports and encourages students to achieve their full potential. With the education they receive over the next three years, we are confident that they will qualify to become outstanding midwives in the future.” Louise Jones, Head of the Institute of Health and Society, added: “Here at the University of Worcester we have an excellent reputation for training midwives, most of whom now work in the local community making a fantastic contribution to the lives of local families.”
The first-year students, who are all training to be teachers, have each received £350 from the University’s Scholarship Panel, funding half the cost of the trip. Nazia Chwodhury, 21, from Birmingham, said: “We are really looking forward to the trip and learning about teaching in another culture. The scholarships have allowed us to make this dream trip a reality.” The students are also planning to take stationary supplies to Thailand for the children.
Early Years professionals celebrated T he evening of March 4 saw the University host a special dinner to celebrate the training of 82 Early Years Professionals throughout the West Midlands. The event was held in conjunction with Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council, who have worked in partnership with the University in offering the scheme. Early Years Professionals (EYPs) work in a
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wide range of roles in group settings such as nurseries and children’s centres and as home-based child carers. They lead practice, support other practitioners and are central to helping children develop from birth until the age of five.
Sue Baylis, EYPS programme leader and senior lecturer in Early Childhood, said: “EYPS ensures that those working with children under the age of five are providing the highest level of care and education, in partnership with parents, to meet the child’s individual needs as they grow and develop. The
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skills and experience graduates acquire will not only give children brighter futures, but also enable EYPs to lead and inspire others to give all children the start in life they deserve. We organised this dinner to celebrate the achievement of those who have gained Early Years Professional Status to date and also to look to the future when there will be an EYP in every full daycare setting.” The dinner was followed by a delightful presentation by guest speaker Tim Waller, Early Childhood Specialist from the University of Wolverhampton. “The course at Worcester was very useful. EYPS is something that is gaining more and more recognition and is very worthwhile.” James Cross Early Years Professional
NEWS
Bronwyn
ENTREPRENEURS
retires after 25 years BRONWYN Mitchell, supervisor at the University of Worcester’s nursery, is retiring after 25 years taking care of staff and students’ children. Bronwyn has worked at Unitots since it was first established in 1984, and says she has seen hundreds of children pass through over the years. She started out as a child minder for children whose parents were at the University in the days when it was a college. “Over the years I have looked after lots of children and made some very good friends,” said Bronwyn, of Fernhill Heath. “That’s what I will miss the most I think – all the lovely people I work with.”
own and is currently awaiting the arrival of her first grandchild, said she was looking forward to spending more time with her family and pursuing her hobbies and interests. “My children bought me a trip to Australia for my 60th birthday so I am looking forward to going on that,” she said. “We are really going to miss Bronwyn. She has been here a long time and her knowledge and experience is invaluable. We wish her all the best with her retirement.” Hazel Rutherford Unitots Manager
TAP INTO UNIVERSITY RESOURCES
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wo successful entrepreneurs who appeared on hit TV show Tycoon have returned to Worcester, where they both studied, to research their next project. Justin and Michele Chieff tapped into the specialist knowledge and facilities available at the institution as part of an exiting project supported by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) to find more economical ways to recycle waste and divert it from landfill.
Bronwyn, who has three children of her
The couple used the University’s high quality laboratories and testing centres to carry out research, helped by Dr Anne Sinnott, from the Institute of Science and the Environment. Anne said: “We were delighted to help Justin and Michele with the research for their next exciting project. It’s fantastic that they chose to come back to the University of Worcester, where we have the skills and equipment to help them.”
Nursing lecturers head for China
Refugee woman of the year
Two nursing lecturers are going to China to share nursing knowledge.
THE Finnish Refugee Council has named former University of Worcester student Fatbardhe Hetemaj as Refugee Woman of the Year.
Dr Janice Clarke and Karen Latimer will also be learning more about Chinese traditional medicine, during their trip. The visit to the Faculty of Nursing at Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is part of a partnership with the Institute of Health and Society.
Karen said: “We can learn a lot about how traditional Chinese medicine is used in nursing and we are also interested in the Chinese healthcare system and their teaching methods.” The pair visited the Chinese university about a year ago to do some similar work, as well as beginning a research project to see if the teaching makes a difference to the students’ working practice. It is hoped the partnership will provide both universities with a greater understanding of nursing. “Hopefully a Guangxi lecturer will be able to visit us soon, in order to continue this international partnership between the two universities,” said Janice.
Fatbardhe, who was born in Kosovo, was recognised for her work in rooting out racism in public places. The Finnish Refugee Council said Fatbardhe, aged 23, has not let prejudices stand in the way of her dreams, and that she has proven that refugees can aim for leading positions in business and society. “I feel honoured to have won this award,” she said. “I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the Finnish Refugee Council and all my family and friends for their faith and confidence in me. It gives me immense pleasure to be an example to all in the fight against xenophobia and school bullying.”
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FEATURE
Technological
future explored
at Annual QinetiQ Lecture “We were delighted to welcome Professor John Beddington to give the annual QinetiQ lecture at the University of Worcester. His lecture provided a useful reminder to the world of the many challenges facing humankind over the coming decades.” Professor David Green Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive
Student wins local hamper
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he Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor John Beddington, used the University’s Annual QinetiQ Lecture in March to examine some of the challenges currently facing the world. The event, which took place in the presence of the University’s Chancellor, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, also showcased the groundbreaking Morgan LifeCar, a fuel cellpowered sports car developed with QinetiQ. Entitled ‘Science, Engineering and Technological Challenges for the 21st Century’, Professor Beddington’s lecture focused on the need for a global response and international commitment to the importance of science and engineering. Professor Beddington made a direct call for Europe to follow the US and step up its scientific agenda with more independent advisors, saying: “The European Commission needs a network of pro-active scientific advisors who can challenge policy.”
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tudent Janet Bright has received a hamper of fresh produce after winning a competition based on healthy eating. The competition ran for two weeks, with eight questions based on healthy eating and vegetables. Three people successfully scored seven and a half out of eight, and their names were put into a hat. The sponsors of the prize were Worcester Wine Company and Top Barn Harvest Shop. Katy Boom, the University’s Head of
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Professor Beddington highlighted the importance placed on science by the new Obama presidency in America and the need for Europe to keep pace. President Obama has put scientists at the heart of his administration, which Professor Beddington says should serve as a wake-up call to the European Union. “Compared with the new Washington line-up, European scientific advice suddenly looks deficient,” he said. Before the lecture, Professor Beddington was accompanied by Professor John Newbury and Professor Jean Emberlin on a tour of the University’s nearly complete £6.5 million National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit and state-of-the-art science laboratories. Professor Newbury said: “We were delighted to show Professor Beddington around the new science block, which will be a real asset to our science students. The large, state-ofthe-art teaching laboratory will further enhance the experience of our students and help them to engage in a wide range of practical exercises related to real global issues.”
Environment and Sustainability, said: “We are trying to encourage students to eat more healthily, and Top Barn Harvest Shop are now regularly selling vegetable boxes on campus, which are each accompanied by a recipe card, devised by nutrition student Lena Almumaiz, under the supervision of nutrition lecturer Justine Bold. “This competition was a way of engaging students and we are really pleased with its success.”