Campus News
Using QR codes with the Student Engagement Dashboard
January 17th, 2022
In autumn 2021 we implemented the Student Engagement Dashboard across the institution. The next phase of that implementation will see the use of QR codes in teaching rooms to capture student attendance at classes as part of their overall engagement with their course.
The Student Engagement Dashboard has been introduced to enable colleagues to identify students who may require additional welfare or academic support. The dashboard compiles data from Microsoft Teams, Moodle and Echo 360 to provide an overview of a student’s engagement. Attendance data for in-person teaching sessions will enable us to build a more comprehensive picture of that engagement, and data from QR codes is now included in the Student Engagement Dashboard.
Attendance data will also help us to fulfil Visas and Immigration statutory monitoring requirements, as well as to maintain accurate records of active students in case an assumed attendance withdrawal process is required. The data will be reviewed once a term for this purpose.
From Monday 31 January 2022 teaching colleagues across the university will be required to display QR codes for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students to scan during teaching sessions. Schools and departments will specify the types of sessions for which QR codes should be used.
There will be a unique QR code for every teaching session and it will be the responsibility of the member of staff running that session to make the code available to all students in attendance. The code will be operational for a set period of time to prevent retrospective use. Schools and departments will offer guidance around generating and displaying QR codes and will be able to support with the process. These codes can be generated prior to the session and embedded within slides, or during the session itself and displayed on the screen – a link to the QR code generator has been made available in every lecture theatre. Guidance and support for using QR codes can be found at the link above.
If students have trouble scanning the codes – or do not have a device with a QR scanner – their attendance can be manually registered.
QR codes will not be required for online teaching sessions as digital attendance data is automatically captured and stored through Microsoft Team, Moodle and Echo360.
We will be communicating this change to all students from Thursday 27 January. This article will be updated at that point to include the student comms should colleagues wish to share these with students. In the meantime, information for students about the Student Engagement Dashboard can be found on the Current Students webpages.
Tags: attendance, attendance monitoring, QR codes, student engagement dashboard
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New supplier approval process
January 14th, 2022
From Monday 17 January 2022, Procurement will be implementing a new Supplier Approval process. This will replace the current Supplier Approval process that sits within BPM.
The review of the supplier approval process has been carried out over the last year in order to make the process easier, quicker and require less resource than ever before whilst still maintaining the key compliance aspects required to ensure that we have a quality supply chain.
Based on your feedback, one of the improvements enables all information to be submitted together at the start of the process:
- Bank Details in a suitable format
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion submission (Was EHEP form)
- NESA Assessment (if applicable)
- Contact details and other supplier information
- Details regarding what is being purchased.
The form can be accessed at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/V0chq1KfPC
Although it is accessible, please do not use the form until Monday 17 January as this will not be monitored until then.
We will also be conducting a Procurement Forum on Wednesday 19 January to go through the process and answer any question or feedback you may have. Details of the forum can be found here.
We look forward to seeing you at the Procurement Forum next week!
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Lunar New Year 2022 – university e-card now available
January 13th, 2022
A Chinese New Year e-card is now available for staff to send to colleagues, associates and partner organisations.
By sending an e-card you will be contributing to the university’s sustainability goal and supporting our commitment to being a leading green university.
To download the card, please visit the online version
Happy Lunar New Year to all at the University of Nottingham!
Tags: Chinese New Year, e-cards, Lunar New Year
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Get involved in Disability Recognition Month this May
January 13th, 2022
Staff and students are invited to get involved in planning Disability Recognition Month celebrations.
There are three key options for staff and students to get involved:
- submitting suggestions for theme, topics, or central events
- applying to be a member of the programme board
- applying for funding to organise a local event
Find out more details about each of these options in the article below.
Share your ideas for Disability Recognition Month
As part of the planning process, we welcome ideas for themes or events. Please share these using this short form.
All contributions, input, and feedback are highly valued. Please get in touch soon so that your views can be considered in the organisation of this celebration.
Apply to be on the Programme Board
There is an opportunity for up to 6 people to shape how the University of Nottingham recognises disability by joining the programme board for the university’s Disability Recognition Month. This opportunity is open to all job roles and staff at any level, as well as students.
If you are interested in joining the programme board and shaping the university’s delivery of Disability Recognition Month events, please fill out this short form by end of the day on Tuesday 8th February 2022.
The role of programme board is to:
- Contribute to discussions to decide on a theme for the recognition month.
- Actively support the planning and delivery of two university wide events around the theme. This may include hosting the events, liaising with external speakers if necessary, and promoting the events.
- Review and decide on funding applications for local events.
- Attend weekly programme board meetings.
The first programme board meeting will take place during week commencing 21st February 2022
Apply for funding for local events
Funding will be awarded to host local events or activities to a maximum of £200 with applications to be assessed by the Disability Recognition Month Programme Board.
This funding is open to anyone within the university – any student groups, or staff members at any level and with any job role.
Applicants are also encouraged to seek match funding from another source (this could be the associated School/Department/Group or an external source).
For applications, please complete this form by Thursday, 3rd March 2022.
If your application involves face-to-face events, then please visit the university’s Coronavirus webpages as your main source of information and guidance.
Why do we recognise disability in May?
While 18 November – 20 December 2021 is National Disability History Month, while Mental Health Awareness Month takes place in May. After receiving feedback that staff and students were not always able to engage with the November/December celebrations because of closure days and holidays, these celebrations were merged so that, as a university, we will celebrate Disability Recognition Month during the month of May 2022. Find out more in this EDI blog.
For any queries, please contact the EDI Coordinators at BR-EDICoordinators@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.
Tags: disability, disability awareness, disability recognition month, Disability Recognition Month 2022, mental health, mental health awareness
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Update to university’s visitor policy
January 13th, 2022
The university has updated its Visitor Policy and added a new form to the Visitor Sharepoint space.
The update means that prospective visiting Postgraduate Research (PGR) students will now need to seek approval for their visit at UoN from the relevant School/Department and subsequently a supporting academic.
Once approval for the visit is confirmed, the School/Department will complete the MS online form which will notify admissions and visiting student colleagues to the students pending visit and information required to process their application.
Further details regarding processing visitors to the university can be found in the Visitor SharePoint space.
The prospective student will apply via MyNottingham to the relevant no award plan. Information provided via the MS online form will enable admissions and visiting students team to process and support the student through the application.
For any further information surrounding this new process, please contact visiting-students@nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: University visitor policy, visiting students, visiting the university, visitor policy
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Call for members for new Faith and Religion Steering Group
January 13th, 2022
One of the university’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Priorities for 2021/22 is Faith and Religion.
In order to understand the practical steps that need to happen to improve and embed consideration of faith and belief into our working practices, policies, and infrastructure; and to improve links with the wider community, we are looking to form a new Faith and Religion Steering Group.
The Steering Group ideally needs a wide range of members to encourage both multi-faith and co-existence discussions that will ultimately inform how Faith and Religion is strategically factored into the university’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Delivery Plan.
It is important that the Steering Group includes representation from multiple religions and faith groups, as well as atheists, humanists and other people who do not identify as religious.
The Steering Group will work with the university’s Chaplaincy Team and progress will be reported to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
If you are interested in becoming a Member of the Faith and Religion Steering Group, please complete this form by Friday 28 January 2022, or if you would like to discuss the Steering Group please email BR-EDICoordinators@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: Chaplaincy team, edi, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, faith, faith and religion, Religion
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Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam to become Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Medicine & Health Sciences
January 13th, 2022
Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam will become the University of Nottingham’s next Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. He will take up the Executive Board-level role on his return to the University when he steps down as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) for Health Protection in England.
Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam said:
“My time as DCMO has been the most challenging of my professional career, especially the Covid response. We all wish Covid had never happened. Notwithstanding, it has been the greatest privilege of my professional career to have served the people of the UK during this time.
“I am delighted to become Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Medicine & Health Sciences at Nottingham and am looking forward to returning to the University that has been part of my academic and professional life since 1987. It will be a pleasure to work with colleagues old and new throughout the Faculty and more widely.
“I want to pay tribute to Professor Sir Chris Whitty, the CMO team, my fellow scientists, public health professionals and clinicians whose support, wisdom and energy has been inspiring. There are countless numbers who work behind the scenes – all of whom have an unrelenting commitment to help and support the British public. It has been an honour to work with them all.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West said:
“All of us at the University are incredibly proud of Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam’s work as Deputy Chief Medical Officer, in which he has played a major role in steering the nation through the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I am delighted that Jonathan is returning to Nottingham to join our executive team and lead our renowned Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences as its next Pro-Vice-Chancellor. His academic and leadership expertise is second to none, and the integrity that he has demonstrated in his government role is fully aligned to our values. I know that he will take our University’s reputation for excellence in medicine and health sciences to new heights.”
Professor Sir Chris Whitty said:
“Professor Van-Tam has been an outstanding DCMO and public servant. I am profoundly thankful for his steadfast support, advice, leadership and commitment. His communication of public health advice and science has been remarkable.”
A specialist in influenza, including its epidemiology, transmission, vaccinology and pandemic preparedness, Professor Van-Tam was Professor of Health Protection in the Faculty’s School of Medicine prior to his secondment as DCMO. He is also an alumnus of the University and graduated from the School of Medicine in 1987.
A familiar public face during the Covid-19 pandemic, he was one of four Deputy Chief Medical Officers (DCMO), where he has been a key provider of independent advice to the Government on Covid-19, leading on health protection and regularly presenting at Downing Street press conferences. He received a knighthood in the most recent New Year’s Honours for his services to public health.
As the DCMO for Health Protection, Professor Van-Tam has played important roles in a number of different incidents, including domestic outbreaks of MERS and Monkeypox, the 2017/18 influenza season and most notably the response to the Novichok attacks and the Covid-19 pandemic where he worked on the Vaccine Taskforce and supported the development of treatments.
The University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences consists of four Schools encompassing Medicine, Health Sciences, Life Sciences and Veterinary Medicine and Science. It educates more than 5,000 students and conducts world-leading translational, applied and clinical research with a focus on making a real-life impact to patients and the public. Last year it celebrated its 50th anniversary of teaching Medicine and 30th anniversary of teaching Nursing courses.
Professor Van-Tam will take up role on 1 May 2022, succeeding Professor John Atherton who retires as Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Medicine & Health Sciences from the end of the Spring term following a 35-year career spanning clinical and academic practice – 26 of them teaching, leading and consulting at the University.
Tags: CMCO, COVID-19, DCMO, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, JVT, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Medicine & Health Sciences, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam
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Get boosted on University Park – short-notice slots available
January 12th, 2022
Not had your Covid booster yet? Booster slots are available on the NHS booking system for the Cripps Health Centre on University Park, as well as other sites across the UK.
Staff, students and members of the community can book in for a quick and efficient booster, with many short-notice slots available. You do not need to be registered at Cripps for GP services to access your booster here – anyone can access booster and vaccination services at the site.
If you’re not back on campus yet, book your booster in locally for before you return, or on campus soon after you get back. We strongly recommend you get boosted as soon as you are eligible.
Protect yourself, your family and your community and book your booster now.
Tags: Covid booster, covid guidance, Covid-19 vaccine, vaccinations
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Getting in Shape: professional development courses
January 11th, 2022
The Getting in Shape team has now launched its program of interactive Yellow Belt Lean Six Sigma Improvement Practitioner courses for 2022.
This follows on from our successful 2021 Yellow Belt program during which 156 members of staff attended our training online and in person, with 48% rating the session overall as 10/10 and 90% as 8 or above.
Would you like to improve your processes or ways of working in 2022?
Staff from all levels, job families and departments are welcome on our one-day introductory course which will provide you the fundamentals of Lean thinking and equip you with practical tools you can use to improve the processes and ways of working in your area.
What do our delegates say?
“Really useful, gave me lots of food for thought and I look forward to making some positive changes at work using what I have learnt.”
“Great well runs sessions – team were really friendly and knowledgeable.”
“Very informative. Useful tools presented and engaging presenters.”
Already done the one day Yellow belt course?
How about building on your knowledge and skills by joining our ILM Improving Performance through Lean Management program? You will have the opportunity to build on your Lean knowledge whilst applying it to bring about a real improvement in your own area of work. Our next program starts in February!
How do I get involved?
Please see further information on both of our courses on our SharePoint site.
Or sign up for the Yellow belt via the University’s Central Short Courses system.
If you have any questions, please contact the team at BB-gettinginshape@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: development programmes, getting in shape, Lean management, Lean working, Personal development, staff development
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New partner for Digital and Technology Services
January 11th, 2022
In July 2021, Digital and Technology Services (DTS) commenced a formal procurement process to select an external digital partner to work collaboratively and improve the university’s IT services. This procurement has now successfully concluded with CGI selected as the new digital partner.
A team of over 70 evaluators from across the university and within Digital and Technology Services reviewed the bids from four suppliers in the procurement process.
David Hill, Chief Digital Officer, said: “We would like to thank everyone involved for their valuable contributions to the procurement process. We wanted to utilise skills and expertise from across the university to ensure that we selected the right digital partner to work with us over the coming years.
“CGI is a recognised global provider of IT services. They have been selected for their ability to provide expert knowledge and delivery, along with how they align to the university’s values, culture and ways of working.”
This new partnership capitalises on the existing expertise and experience of the Digital and Technology Services team, while bringing on board an external digital partner to co-manage and co-deliver our foundational IT services.
A team of CGI staff will join the Digital and Technology Services team at King’s Meadow Campus to deliver improved IT services together. Our IT service offering and ways of working will be updated through this partnership to enhance teaching, learning and research and improve student experience
There are a number of benefits we can all look forward to through this partnership:
- We will continue to see our DTS colleagues on campus, as we do today. IT services will be improved and enhanced with the additional expertise and support that the digital partner will bring.
- Our digital infrastructure will be reimagined to be fit for the future. We anticipate having new high-speed networks, better and more reliable Wi-Fi, and on-campus 5G services.
- Audio visual and IT services will be refreshed. The desktop computers, laptops, tablets and printers that we use will be improved.
- Data will be more secure and be stored on compliant technology. The university’s operational and security risk will be reduced by replacing ageing, on-premises, legacy technology infrastructure with modern, secure, scalable and extendable platforms.
- We will start using sector-leading technologies and will improve our digital skills so we can effectively use them.
Digital and Technology Services have now commenced meetings to welcome CGI to the university. We will provide further updates throughout 2022 to introduce you to CGI and this exciting new partnership.
If you have any questions or require further information, please email DTS-Communications@nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: Digital and Technology Services, digital partner, DTS
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