Campus News
Nottingham students win national social enterprise competition
May 3rd, 2016
A team of students from The University of Nottingham have won a national competition aimed at improving the world through entrepreneurial action.
The Enactus Nottingham team used two projects, Aquor and Recovered, to show how they are using sustainable businesses to make a difference to people’s lives both home and abroad. The projects impressed judges at the Enactus UK National competition, held in London, and won them a place in the World Cup, held in Toronto, Canada, in September.
Aquor is a project using filtration technology to bring clean, safe, water to more than 5,500 people in Cameroon while Nottingham-based Recovered is an initiative to upcycle waste into affordable furniture for people in social housing. The projects are two of 19 that Enactus Nottingham, based in Triumph Road, has set up and are run by teams of 16 students from all disciplines.
Enactus Nottingham President Andy Stride is a third-year Management student who has been involved with the society since he started at the University.
He said: “I am thrilled to be taking a team out to Toronto and will have the chance to show what we’ve achieved to a global audience. Presenting to 1,500 people, 50 of which are business CEOs and directors can be pretty daunting. It’s like going into a boardroom crossed with Dragon’s Den but the team did a fantastic job. All the projects we run in Enactus have to be sustainable and have an impact on the community. For the presentation we tried to choose issues that were relatable – people can understand what it is not to have clean water and projects like Recovered show that people do need help here in Nottingham too. I think that’s what the judges liked.”
Enactus is a not-for-profit global organisation that encourages university students to make a difference within their communities, while developing their skills to become socially responsible business leaders. Guided by university and business advisers, students run real-life projects that create economic opportunity for others. An annual series of regional and national competitions provides a platform for teams to present the results of their projects for judging.
The Nottingham team who also run the U-Cycle (bike rental) scheme within the University, also hosted a Business in the Community event last month with Wilko and Capital One in a bid to encourage further grass roots entrepreneurship.
Andy added: “It’s a really exciting time for us and it’s great that local businesses want to hear more about what we do. We’d also like to thank the University – particularly Andy Nolan, Director for Sustainability, and Jackie Andrews, Skills and Development Manager for their support during the last year.”
Tags: aquor, enactus, entrepreneurship, not-for-profit, recovered
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Undergraduate Open Days
May 3rd, 2016
For the first time in 2016, we will be welcoming thousands of visitors to University Park, Jubilee and Sutton Bonington Campuses as the university hosts Undergraduate Open Days on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th June.
The Open Day Team is still looking for staff helpers to support with the Open Days on the Friday and Saturday. If you can help and want to work this event, please follow this link to the sign up form.
The days are designed for prospective undergraduate students and their families, and we’re expecting all three campuses to be extremely busy over the two dates. If you are attending the Open Days as a visitor then we would welcome any feedback or comments, please email katherine.storey@nottingham.ac.uk to get in touch.
If you are interested in attending either date as a visitor – or know of someone who is – there are still spaces on both dates for them to sign up and attend.
The Open Day team would like to take this opportunity to extend their thanks to everyone who is involved in the planning and delivery of these Open Days, which will no doubt be a roaring success.
Tags: open day, undergraduate, volunteer
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Nottingham film scoops Learning on Screen Award
May 3rd, 2016
A University of Nottingham team has been recognised at the Learning on Screen Awards 2016, the UK’s only celebration of film and media production in education.
The Libraries, Research and Learning Resources (LRLR) team took home an award in the ‘Courseware and Curriculum Non-Broadcast’ category for their film From the “Just War” to the “Unjust Peace”. The film, directed by Alec Millward, features in the second week of the ‘Propaganda and Ideology in Everyday Life’ Massively Open Online Course (MOOC), a free online course starting Monday 16 May which explores the building blocks of our political views – community, place, justice and choice.
Can violent methods play a part in justice?
The film, produced by the LRLR team in collaboration with the British Library, is presented by Professor Maiken Umbach, Department of History, and addresses issues related to justice and protest. Learners on the MOOC are asked to consider the problem of violence and justice, reflecting on an exhibition of photographs made by Lee Miller. The photographs document the liberation of Nazi concentration camps, including images of violence against the Nazi perpetrators of atrocities. The course asks the question whether violent methods play a part in justice, and the role of war as a means of restoring justice.
As with other learning steps on the course, the aim is to generate an informed and diverse debate on politically significant topics that have relevance to our everyday life. When the course first ran in 2015, it attracted thousands of learners from over 20 countries around the world. Across the five weeks of the course, participants learned from each others’ experience and opinions, and drew on the leading-edge research presented in the learning steps.
Recognising outstanding film and media in education
The twelfth annual Learning on Screen Awards took place on Thursday 28 April, and selected winners across twelves categories from 44 nominations. The Chair of the Jury, Ian Wall, Director of Education at The Film Space, said: ‘Every year we see outstanding submissions and we always wonder if the high standard can be repeated. This year certainly did not let us down, with submissions making it very difficult to settle on our eventual list of category winners. I’d like to personally congratulate all our winners and nominees, and thank them, once again, for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.’
To view the winning film and find out more about the Propaganda and Ideology in Everyday Life MOOC, visit the Future Learn website.
Tags: award, awards, film, Learning on Screen Awards, Libraries Research and Learning Resources, LRLR, media, prize, video
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Take action to help people with dementia
May 3rd, 2016
We all hope to live a long and healthy life yet one in four people aged over 80 experiences symptoms of progressive memory loss. As the older population increases in size, so do the numbers directly affected by one or more of the group of brain diseases known as dementia.
Fundraising in support of our world-leading research into earlier diagnosis and improved treatment for dementia has been tremendous with a staggering £359,142 raised last year through a host of Life Cycle 5 activities. That money is enabling us to use our Nobel Prize-winning MRI research to underpin ways of understanding better how dementia affects the brain
But we want to do more. In a move to become a dementia-friendly university, The University of Nottingham is launching two important initiatives.
We are inviting our staff, students and alumni to become Dementia Friends as part of a national drive to help 4 million people to have a better understanding of dementia. We are also asking you to sign up to help research studies across the country which need subjects of all ages and from all walks of life. It takes less than 15 minutes to register with one or both groups.
You can sign up to one or both of these initiatives and find out more on the IDEA website.
What is a Dementia Friend and what do I have to do?
The Alzheimer’s Society provides basic information in an online video about dementia and registers people who have watched it as Dementia Friends. By viewing this short film you will gain understanding and be better able to act appropriately towards people with dementia in the university and in the wider community. You will be encouraged to tell your friends and family about the video and other resources available through the Alzheimer’s Society.
I’m a fit and healthy person so how can I help with the research?
‘Join Dementia Research’ is a database of people who are interested in taking part in research relating to dementia; its causes, potential cures and everyday care. Individuals provide information about themselves, it is stored in a confidential database and only released to accredited researchers. People can then be contacted about studies for which they are eligible.
You do not have to be diagnosed with dementia to register with Join Dementia Research – some studies require healthy volunteers, as well as carers or relatives of people with dementia. By signing up you increase your chances of being asked to consider taking part in ethically-approved dementia research. Although taking part in a research study may not be of immediate benefit to you, it might help people in the future.
Tom Dening, Professor of Dementia Research at the Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, said: “It would be great if Nottingham becomes a dementia-friendly University. It will signal what an important health and social issue dementia is. It will give an important message to everyone that The University of Nottingham is not just a leading centre for dementia research but also that it is committed to supporting all aspects of life affected by dementia. We hope that everybody connected with the University will consider helping us with this action.”
Dementia: University Challenge, 5.30pm Thursday 19 May
The School of Sociology and Social Policy and the Centre for Dementia Research, Institute of Mental Health welcome guest speakers Mary Marshall, Professor Emeritus, University of Stirling and Professor Gillian Manthorpe, Kings College, London for this free event.
Find out more and book your place online.
Tags: Alzheimer's Society, community, dementia, dementia research, dementia-friendly, Institute of Mental Health, Join Dementia Research, Life Cycle, sign up, support, take part, Tom Dening
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Dr Bike dates for May
May 3rd, 2016
Appointments are now available for May’s Dr Bike maintenance service.
Dr Bike is an on-site bike maintenance service. The Dr Bike mechanic will give cycles a thorough check and make minor repairs, such as changing brake blocks and tightening brakes. Dr Bike will only work on clean bikes.
Please use the links below to book yourself into a 30 minute slot:
Tues 10 May – Jubilee Campus
Thurs 12 May – Portland Building, University Park
Tues 17 May – King’s Meadow Campus
Weds 18 May – Sutton Bonington
Fri 27 May – Coates Road, University Park
If you have any questions, contact the sustainability@nottingham.ac.uk.
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Students – earn £10.42 an hour in the Student IT Support team
May 3rd, 2016
Would you like to earn £10.42 an hour and get some great experience working in the Student IT Support team?
Starting at the beginning of the next academic year, Information Services are looking for students to work an average of seven three-hour shifts over a three-week period. Following a comprehensive full-day training session, you’ll become a SITS Tutor ready to offer support to other students on a range of IT services, including logging onto the network, connecting to the Wi-Fi and printing documents.
Apply by Friday 27 May. For more information and an application form, visit the IT Services website.
Tags: Information Services, IS, IT, job, money, student, Student IT Support, work
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Want to earn £150 with your friends for a morning’s work?
May 3rd, 2016
Run for All are offering £150 for each group of 10 (or £75 for 5) who volunteer to help out at the Asda Foundation Nottingham 10k on Sunday 15 May – can be staff as well as students.
Tasks will include helping with baggage, finish funnels (handing out water and medals etc.) and drinks station on route (ideally a group of 20).
If interested, please email sarah@runforall.com.
Check the Run for All website for more information.
Tags: charity, nottingham 10k, run for all
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Nottingham sweeps the board at the 2016 Student Nursing Times Awards
April 29th, 2016
The University of Nottingham’s School of Health Sciences has won its biggest ever number of awards at the Nursing Times Student Nurse Awards.
The School won Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration), and three of its students won in individual categories at an awards ceremony run by the Nursing Times at the London Hilton last night.
Head of School, Professor Patrick Callaghan, said: “I’m immensely proud, but not surprised, that our outstanding staff and students have been recognised by these nationally significant awards. They are a credit to the School, the University and the city of Nottingham.”
Announcing the University as ‘Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration)’, the judges said: “One student told us that The University of Nottingham ‘promotes and instils good practice into its students and works to develop them into kind, caring and compassionate nurses.’ Another student said ‘the University provides an exceptional standard of education, with lecturers that always give you support. Their standard of teaching is exemplary’.”
MSc Advanced Nursing student Aquiline Chivinge won the Learner of the Year: Post-registration. The judges said: “Aquiline talked enthusiastically about the projects she has been involved in. She showed great leadership and has achieved a great deal.” Aquiline added: “Winning the award encourages me to move forward with my dreams of implementing change in practice and perhaps even undertaking PhD study. I had such a wonderful time on the course and learned so much in terms of theoretical knowledge and skills to apply to practice. I fully encourage fellow nurses to undertake PG study.”
Final year BSc Nursing student Craig Bell won the Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Disabilities. Craig said: “Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Disabilities is a true honour. I feel this demonstrates what any person can achieve once they set their mind on their goals and strive to push themselves forward in their studies. The teaching staff are exceptional in their support and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have helped me to achieve.”
Jodie Shaw, a final year Adult BSc Nursing student, won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs after showing ‘a commitment to improving the student experience with very real, enjoyable examples.’ Jodie said: “This award shows what can be achieved when you feel passionately about improving the experiences of others. I am grateful that my contributions have positively impacted others. It is testimony to the school for their willingness to encourage and engage with students to make a difference to the student experience.”
Jenni Middleton, Editor, Nursing Times, said: “If you are training to be a nurse or are already a nurse, you are a pretty exceptional person. It is an incredibly tough job. It is an amazingly rewarding profession. And it takes someone incredibly special to do it. It takes skill, it takes knowledge, it takes hard work, it takes dedication, and it takes commitment to be a nurse. At Nursing Times, we want to support nurses to be the best they can be. Our Nursing Times Awards winners and Student Nursing Times Awards winners are role models of what hard work, commitment and talent can see you achieve.”
Now in its 5th year, the 2016 event saw a record number of entries, with 163 finalists shortlisted and 17 winners.
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- University of Nottingham team
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- Craig Bell (second from right)
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- Aquiline Chivinge (second from right)
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- Jodi Shaw (second from right)
Tags: award, nursing, Patrick Callaghan, prize, School of Health Sciences, student, Student Nursing Times Awards
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Hermes Fellowships: Call 11
April 29th, 2016
The latest call for applications to the Hermes Fellowships Scheme opens on 1 May 2016.
Expressions of Interest are welcomed from all staff based around the three key strands of Innovation, Business Engagement and Outreach, and George Baxter on behalf of the the Hermes Scheme would particularly like to encourage applications from Projects that are being highlighted as potential REF case studies. All submissions to be received by the deadline of 9am, Monday 23 May.
Applications in the Innovation strand will require formal disclosure to the University Technology Transfer Office prior to submission, and applicants are strongly advised to engage with the appropriate Licencing Executive in advance of their submission.
The template document and further details can be found on the Hermes Fellowship web page or alternatively please contact the Fellowship Manager, David Southall, on either david.southall@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 846 7246.
Tags: business engagement, hermes fellowship, Innovation
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Can you beat cycling Stig?
April 27th, 2016
This Friday (29 April), come to Portland from 10am and take on our challenge to ride a mile – or a minute – on our bike faster than our Cycling Stig.
He’s on campus to show his support for Life Cycle 6. He will be joined in the morning by staff member Steve Wright – one of our Life Cycle 6 endurance riders – who will be pushing the pedals to put a good time on our leader board. But can you be quicker? It’s free but be warned – it’s not as easy as it looks!
Life Cycle Miles – your mile for breast cancer research
Steve – and 12 other brave cyclists including our Vice-Chancellor – are all facing the challenge of a lifetime this August, riding over 1,400 miles in just 16 days to help raise £1million for the University’s breast cancer research.
If you know someone whose life has been touched by breast cancer, please tell us something about them on our Life Cycle Miles Facebook group and the team will ride one of their 1,400 miles just for them.
Find out more about Nottingham Life Cycle 6.
Tags: breast cancer, Cancer, challenge, community, competition, cycle, David Greenaway, dementia, get involved, health, Life Cycle, Life Cycle 6, research
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