Campus News
UoN Vet School wins Guardian University Award
March 30th, 2017
The University of Nottingham Vet School has taken home an award in the Employability Initiative category of this year’s Guardian University Awards.
Fending off stiff competition from Henley Business School and the University of Liverpool, the Vet School received the award for their innovative veterinary teaching internship programme. After identifying a lack of teaching-qualified vets to train the next generation, and enthusiasm from vet students to broaden their skill set, the Teaching Internship Programme was set up. The programme is aimed at enhancing the employability of graduates by allowing them to combine a teaching qualification during their veterinary degree. One of the first teaching interns has already secured a teaching post upon completion of the course.
Dr Liz Mossop, Associate Professor in Veterinary Education, said: “We are delighted to have won this award in recognition of our unique teaching internship programme. We wanted a way to deliver teacher training both embedded in the undergraduate degree and as a training route for primary care vets wishing to expand their employability. The internship programme facilitates this, and participants exit with a PGCert in Veterinary Education. We have had tremendously positive feedback from our interns to date, and the programme is already oversubscribed. The skills they develop give them a unique skill set and highlight the wide variety of careers a veterinary degree can lead to.”
Visit The Guardian website to find out more about this award and the veterinary teaching internship programme.
The University of Nottingham also came runner-up in the International Projects category for the work carried out by the University’s Asia Business Centre and its International Creative Economy Leadership Academy.
Visit The Guardian website to find out more about this award and the International Creative Economy Leadership Academy.
Tags: employability initiative, guardian awards, international projects, Vet Med, Vet School, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary School
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Video: why is the National Student Survey so important?
March 29th, 2017
Every year, final-year undergraduate students across the county fill out the National Student Survey (NSS) to provide anonymous feedback on their experience at university.
In this video, Beth Massey, Students’ Union Education Officer, explains why the NSS is so important to life at The University of Nottingham.
The feedback that final-years provide will have a huge impact on future students. Not only does it help prospective students to make an informed decision when choosing a course and university, but the results of the NSS influence changes and improvements here at UoN.
Students’ feedback really does help us to make real change. The NSS takes just 10 minutes to complete and leaves a lasting impact. It’s open until Sunday 30 April.
Tags: beth massey, Education Officer, National Student Survey, NSS, student experience, video
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S2020 Review and Refresh – still time to share your ideas
March 29th, 2017
The Strategy 2020 Roadshows have now finished – thanks to all who have taken the time to attend and share their views. If you weren’t able to attend one of the roadshows, or if you have more ideas, comments or questions, please take a moment to visit the strategy refresh workspace. You’ll be able to view the video which was the centrepiece of the roadshows and to feed in your thoughts.
Each roadshow saw a varied and thoughtful range of questions and comments from colleagues across the University, ranging from the implications of BREXIT to ideas for priorities to renew our infrastructure; discussion of how the new research strategy will benefit all our researchers, not just those directly involved in research Beacons, and insights into how our work will be transformed by the next generation of technology.
We’re making sure that all the ideas we’ve received are carefully considered by the UEB member leading the appropriate strand of the review. We’re working towards fully concluding this review exercise in time for University Council in July so it would be particularly helpful to receive any more comments and ideas before the Easter break.
Tags: Global Strategy 2020, roadshows, s2020, Strategy 2020
Posted in Announcements, News, People, Side news story | 2 Comments »
Essential road repairs outside Lincoln Hall
March 29th, 2017
Essential road repairs will take place on Friday 30 March from 7.30 am.
In conjunction with this weekend’s Triathlon, the works will last approximately 5/6 hours which may adversely affect traffic on Beeston Lane.
The area affected is the road running up the hill between Lincoln Hall and Lenton & Wortley Hall.
Tags: lenton & wortley, lincoln hall, road repairs, road works, triathlon
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M1 bridge closure in Kegworth
March 28th, 2017
From Thursday 30 March, the M1 bridge in Kegworth will be closed for major roadworks for up to 40 weeks.
skylink Nottingham and skylink Derby/Leicester will divert along the A6 & A453 in both directions using Junction 24. The following stops will not be served during this time:
- Kegworth High Street
- Ashby Road
There will be temporary bus stops in both directions on Derby Road during the roadworks.
For more information, visit the trentbarton website.
Tags: bridge closure, Kegworth, m1 bridge, major roadworks, skylink
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Why is the Trent Building blue?
March 27th, 2017
The Trent Building has been turned blue this week in support of World Autism Awareness Week. It will be lit up blue from Tuesday 28 March until Friday 31 March.
World Autism Awareness Week is running from Monday 27 March until Sunday 2 April and the theme of this year’s event is the colour blue. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of autism – at work, at school and in the community – and to raise money in the process.
Following a fundraising event earlier this year, the Chemistry Society have arranged to have the Trent Building turned blue in support of autism. They are organising a ‘Wear it Blue’ day on Tuesday 28 March within the School of Chemistry where staff and students are invited to wear an item of blue clothing to show their support. They will also be raising funds for Autism East Midlands throughout the week with a stall in the Chemistry foyer on the Tuesday. The Chemistry Society invite everyone across the University to Wear it Blue any day this week to show their support – if you would like to make a donation you can do so in the Chemistry Building foyer on Tuesday 28 March 10am-2pm. The Chemistry Building is number 28 on the campus map.
Approximately 700,000 people in the UK are listed on the autism spectrum, with even more undiagnosed. It’s a condition that affects over 1 in 100 people, including many students and staff at The University of Nottingham.
Visit the World Autism Awareness Week website to find out how you can get involved.
Tags: Blue, Trent Building, Wear it Blue, world autism awareness week
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Important changes to car parking and sports membership Salary Sacrifice Schemes
March 27th, 2017
The Government in its Autumn Statement 2016 announced changes to certain salary sacrifice schemes which will come into force from April 2017.
Salary sacrifice (also known as salary exchange) is where an employee amends their employment contract to accept a lower salary in return for a specific benefit. The employee only pays Income Tax and National Insurance on the reduced salary (the employer also pays less National Insurance) which means that the cost of receiving the benefit is less than if the employee had to pay for it out of their net (take home) pay.
The changes which the Government have announced mean that employees will no longer receive the savings that they currently enjoy for Car Parking or for Sports Membership via a Salary Sacrifice Scheme. It is important to note that the Pension, Childcare and Cycle to Work Schemes offered via salary sacrifice by the University are not affected by this change, as they are protected under the new Finance Act 2017.
How will this affect me?
There are no changes to Pension, Childcare and Cycle to Work Schemes: the University will continue to offer these schemes to you as they currently are and you will continue to save Income Tax and National Insurance.
Car Parking and Sports Membership schemes will be affected, however we have been working with our tax advisors and HMRC to ensure that you can continue to receive Income Tax and National Insurance savings for an extra year to March 2018 provided you renew your membership by 5pm Wednesday 5 April 2017.
Read further information about the changes and steps that you must take if you wish to continue to benefit from the savings on the scheme up to Saturday 31 March 2018.
Tags: car parking, government, HR, human resources, salary sacrifice, sport, sport membership, tax, University of Nottingham Sport, UoN Sport
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Students wind up wind turbine installation
March 24th, 2017
Gordon Potin, a second year mechanical engineering student, recounts how the Wind Turbine Installation Project was a great way to make new friends and gain some valuable experience working with other engineering disciplines.
Building on an ambitious inter-departmental project which was launched last year, I decided to take part in installing a wind turbine for High Leas Farm in Matlock. The project was a great opportunity to enable students to gain practical, hands-on experience while working with other engineering disciplines.
As the Society’s training officer, I managed the project from September last year to February this year. The first step involved securing a date for the installation to go up. After consulting with V3, the renewable energy consultancy, we settled on the weekend of 4 February. Once the date was secured, the team was able to mobilise funds from the Engineering Student Experience Fund (ESEF). This enabled us to carry out the final preparations for the installation, which included servicing the turbine and advertising the project so students could get involved. The installation itself served as an interactive workshop where the students could learn about setting up the wind turbine and the skills needed for it.
The project attracted many students and on the day of the installation, some 15 of them from various departments were involved. The installation took place without any trouble and the wind turbine now generates electricity.
The overall experience was incredible. It helped me grow so much as a student and as a future engineer. I never imagined that I would be able to organise such a project. It’s all thanks to the collaborative effort involving V3, who helped me run the workshop and they even helped EWB find the farm where the wind turbine is now located. Plus, all the students who were involved in installing the turbine and the Engineering Student Experience fund to make it a reality.
I urge all students to get in touch with the ESEF to sponsor your amazing projects. This will help to enhance your university life and our community in the Engineering Faculty.
This project was made possible with the help and support from various collaborators including the University’s Society of Engineers, Engineers without Borders (EWB) and V3 Power. The Engineering Student Experience Fund (ESEF) provided much-needed funding which made the construction of the wind turbine viable.
Tags: engineering, Engineering Student Experience Fund, ESEF, students, wind turbine
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University buildings shortlisted for regional awards
March 23rd, 2017
Two University of Nottingham buildings have been shortlisted for architectural awards.
George Green Library on University Park and The GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry at Jubilee Campus have been shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) East Midlands 2017 Awards.
Chris Jagger, Chief Estates and Facilities Officer at The University of Nottingham, said: “We are thrilled that two of our buildings have been shortlisted for these awards.
“We work with talented architects to ensure that our estate is not just fit for purpose but also that the architectural form is informed by and resonates with the activities taking place within the building. We want our students and staff to be inspired by their surroundings.”
George Green Library, which was officially opened by HRH Prince Andrew last week, was designed by Hopkins Architects. The £21m library fully incorporates the original George Green Library extended by a contemporary new build more than doubling the original space and offers study space, language and training rooms together with conventional library facilities for Engineering and Science students.
The Duke of York officially opens the George Green Library
The GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, designed by Fairhursts Design Group, has been described as a ‘cathedral of chemistry’, showing Nottingham leading the way in sustainable chemistry. It incorporates all the latest developments in sustainable construction and renewable energy provision to ensure that it will have zero impact in terms of embedded and operational carbon over 25 years.
RIBA East Midlands Chair, Valeria Passetti said: “It’s fantastic that eight projects have been shortlisted for the RIBA East Midlands 2017 Awards. The range and diversity of the schemes selected, including two by regionally-based practices, is testament to the inspiring architecture that this region has to offer.”
All shortlisted buildings will be assessed by a regional jury with the winning buildings announced on Thursday 25 May at The Roundhouse, Derby. The Awards will be hosted by BBC East Midlands Political Editor, Tony Roe.
Regional Award winners will be considered for a highly-coveted RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, the results of which will be announced in June. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning buildings later in the year.
Tags: architectural awards, award, buildings, Estates, George Green Library, GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory, GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry
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Take part in our travel survey and win prizes
March 22nd, 2017
Tell us about your journeys to campus and be in with the chance of winning a £50 gift card!
The University has launched its staff and student travel survey to understand more about how you travel to, from and between University sites so that we can help to improve your journeys.
The travel survey is a great opportunity to give us your feedback on how we can enable staff and students to travel more safely and efficiently to our campuses. The responses will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of existing initiatives and to assess progress towards achieving our objectives for reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
A prize draw is open to everyone who completes the survey and chooses to provide their email address, with a chance to win one of five £50 John Lewis gift cards.
The survey should only take around five minutes to complete. All personal details provided in the survey will remain confidential. We hope you can spare the time to complete the questionnaire.
The survey will be open from Monday 20 March – Friday 7 April 2017.
Tags: campus, campuses, carbon emissions, journeys, prizes, questionnaire, traffic congestion, win
Posted in News, Opportunities, People | 2 Comments »