Campus News
Green Gown Award win for Nottingham students
November 27th, 2015
A team of entrepreneurial students from The University of Nottingham has scooped a prestigious Green Gown Award 2015 for their efforts to tackle social and environmental issues.
Enactus Nottingham, which is run by more than 100 student volunteers, won the Employment and Enterprise category for successfully setting up ethical businesses both here in Nottingham and around the world.
Their social enterprises galvanise local people to solve sustainability issues affecting their communities and are creating additional jobs, volunteer opportunities and educational programmes.
Enactus’ portfolio includes saving more than 400 tonnes of CO2 by recovering and recycling 4,000 pieces of furniture in Nottingham and setting up water filtration systems in Cameroon, Africa.
Sustainable funding is also crucial for Enactus Nottingham. With team revenue per year for project funding (including grants) on average just over £100,000, their strategy is to strengthen their commercial business arm.
By the end of 2016 Enactus hopes to generate more than £50,000 year on year from commercial businesses which can be reinvested in social enterprises, reducing the need for grants when we start up new social enterprises. Recent activity includes taking on the University’s own Ucycle service operating out of new premises in partnership with Estate Services.
“It’s fantastic for Enactus Nottingham to be awarded winners amongst such prestigious company. We’re thrilled with the recognition and delighted to be part of the Nottingham delegation at the Green Gown Awards. As a team we are now preparing for five international expeditions in January to implement and scale our projects as well as launching a new social enterprise focused around child care based in Nottingham,” said Andy Stride, President of Enactus Nottingham.
The University was shortlisted in three other categories – more than any other higher education institution that entered the annual awards for exceptional sustainability initiatives – and went on to be highly commended in two of those.
Andy Nolan, Director of Sustainability at The University of Nottingham, said: “To be finalists in four categories is fantastic – to win and be highly commended in three is testimony to the great work happening across the University. I am delighted that our student, academic and professional services teams continue to be recognised as one of the leading universities with regards to sustainability and social responsibility.”
NOTT Carbon – the University’s carbon management programme – was shortlisted in the Carbon Reduction category. The programme delivers real reductions in carbon emissions and reduces energy consumption across our UK campuses and costs by improving the performance of existing infrastructure where possible or replacing it with more energy efficient technology and equipment.
Since 2010, overall carbon emissions have reduced by 10,679 tonnes. Income to the tune of £71,000 has also been generated by exporting electricity produced by a number of renewable energy installations, including the solar panel array, on the Veterinary School at the Sutton Bonnington Campus.
The measures, including investment in energy-efficient boilers, have made facilities more comfortable to live and work in with more reliable heating, cooling and ventilation in student residences and energy-intensive laboratory spaces, for example.
Watch the NOTT Carbon project video.
Helium – Lost in Space was Highly Commended in the Facilities and Services category. Helium is a non-renewable resource and is essential in supporting research into drug discovery to cure diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The University has successfully managed to capture this gas from various Schools, re-liquefy and reuse it. This protects and futureproofs the University from dramatic fluctuations in availability, cost and in turn creates a more sustainable market.
Watch the Helium – Lost in Space video.
Creative Energy Homes was commended in the Research and Development category. A long-term development of seven “Creative Energy Homes” (CEH) on the main campus provides a living test-site for leading firms, including E.ON, David Wilson Homes, and Tarmac to work with The University of Nottingham to investigate the integration of energy efficient technologies into houses.
The research findings have help inform the UK Government’s “Green Deal” strategy and the Nottingham Community Climate Change Strategy and have received widespread acclaim through a number of public engagement activities reaching out to over 5 million people.
Watch the Creative Energy Homes video.
Image: Reignite by Fernando Matoso
Tags: award, Creative Energy Homes, Enactus Nottingham, Green Gown, Green Gown Awards, Helium, Helium – Lost in Space, sustainability, win
Posted in Environment, News | Comments Off on Green Gown Award win for Nottingham students
The University of Nottingham support for refugees
November 27th, 2015
The University of Nottingham has a large and diverse international community and we will seek to help refugees caught up in the current humanitarian crisis in whatever ways we can.
We want to extend a wider welcome to those affected by or escaping conflict in Syria with support for new arrivals in the city to working with the Students’ Union. We can provide access to a huge variety of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and with direct support to staff and students we want to provide help in the best ways we can to those in need.
We will work with other agencies wherever appropriate including CARA, the Council for At Risk Academics, an organisation we are pleased to support.
Supporting new arrivals in the City of Nottingham
While many staff and students are doing this on an individual basis the University will be working closely with the City Council and other agencies, including Nottingham Refugee Forum. We know that many staff have already made donations of money or goods to support refugees.
Support for staff and students
There is help for colleagues and students who have been affected by the conflict and refugee crisis in Syria. Staff should contact their line managers or HR business partners and students can get help from the International Office.
There is also the network of support services for students through the University including counselling, health and academic support. Staff can also access our Counselling Service.
Students’ Union support for refugees
The Students’ Union is part of Student Action for Refugees (STAR) a national charity set up to improve the lives of refugees in the UK. They run The Tuesday Night Programme in Nottingham where refugees, past refugees and students spend time together.
Students have also been supporting Calais Action – encouraging fellow students to donate vital supplies and participating in events around the city.
The union will be bringing together all their student led volunteering groups and organisations to discuss what else they can do. If you want to know more or think you can help please contact Sam Peake, the SU Community Officer by emailing SUCommunity@nottingham.ac.uk
Provision for study
For refugees wanting to continue their studies or apply to study with us we welcome students from all over the world. The University invites applications from prospective students with the necessary qualifications and there is an extensive scholarship portfolio available to international applicants.
Details of our scholarships can be found on our website.
Whilst we cannot guarantee financial support for all refugee applicants we will consider such requests favourably.
Students with full refugee status in the UK (granted by the Home Office) are eligible for home tuition fees and the financial support that this can then lead to in terms of loans and grants. The University provides means-tested bursaries of up to £3,000 a year for undergraduate study. Details are on our website.
It is also vital that displaced university students with little hope of returning home for many months are able to access the education they need.
Potential applicants are also encouraged to contact our admissions team via the following emails:
pg-applications-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk
The University of Nottingham stands ready to help in whatever ways we can.
Tags: community, international, International Office, refugee, Student Action for Refugees, Students' Union, study, support
Posted in Announcements, News | 2 Comments »
THE excellence award for The University of Nottingham
November 27th, 2015
The University of Nottingham has won one of the most prestigious awards in UK higher education.
Nottingham was named number one for its ‘Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2015.
The award recognises the University’s postgraduate placement programme, which has helped more than 200 research students to gain valuable career and professional development experience.
Researchers have worked with more than 100 local employers who have reaped the benefits that doctoral researchers bring to enhance their workforce. Projects focus on developing the researchers’ transferable skills and bringing their analytical, problem-solving and creative thinking skills to bear in ways that help local employers.
Projects included customer profiling, new product research and development, consultancy and marketing for the companies involved. The Times Higher Education (THE) citation said the programme “demonstrated that researchers are highly skilled professionals who can be competitive in job markets beyond academia.”
The THE judges said Nottingham’s programme was “innovative in its flexibility and focus on local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)” and provided “real value to doctoral researchers across all disciplines and to businesses”.
A survey of 20 businesses that hosted postgraduates on placements showed that research students’ work resulted in £205,000 worth of added value to the companies. About eight out of 10 students who participated said placements had significantly improved their ability to acquire, evaluate and interpret information. A similar number said it had increased their self-esteem.
The placements, based largely in SMEs, could be undertaken on a part-time basis, allowing students to integrate industry experience with their studies.
The programme was funded by the European Regional Development Fund and led by Kerry Wright, supported by Geraldine Tonks and Dr Jane Wellens, Head of the Graduate School.
The award was presented by Janet Metcalfe, head of Vitae, at the THE Awards 2015 on November 26.
The University was also recognised for its leading work in other areas and was shortlisted in three further categories: Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development, Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative and Entrepreneurial University of the Year.
PICTURED ABOVE (l-r): Rory Bremner, Dr Jane Wellens (Head of the Graduate School, University of Nottingham), Kerry Wright (Postgraduate Placements Manager, UoN) and Janet Metcalfe, head of Vitae (category sponsor).
Tags: awards, postgraduate, research, THE, Times Higher Education, Times Higher Education Awards, Times Higher Education Awards 2015, win
Posted in Announcements, News, People | Comments Off on THE excellence award for The University of Nottingham
Referee Tom calls on a Friend
November 26th, 2015
The University of Nottingham men’s football team got a taste of Premier League standards on Wednesday when top-flight referee Kevin Friend agreed to officiate their BUCS league match at Highfields Sports Ground.
Although perhaps more familiar with the likes of Raheem Sterling, the Premier League referee was asked to oversee the game against The University of Stirling, who had made the journey south to contest the top division clash.
Vanishing spray – a BUCS first
In a game that passed off without much controversy, it was actually the referee who contributed some of the more memorable moments. Much to the delight of the home crowd, the first free kick of the game warranted the use of the ‘vanishing spray’ but it was the marginal delay to kick off that was the main talking point on the sidelines at half-time – a result of the match ball having been left locked in the officials’ changing room! Nevertheless, the 600-mile round trip turned out to have been one well spent for the visitors as they ran out comfortable winners – the final score UoN 1-5 University of Stirling.
Fresh from his duties as fourth official at Manchester City’s recent home defeat to Liverpool, Mr Friend had taken the time out to officiate the University’s Premier North Division fixture ahead of taking charge of Bournemouth v Everton at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
He was approached to referee the game against Stirling by fourth year American & Canadian Studies student, Tom Tolond. A keen referee himself, Tom coordinates all refereeing appointments for the University’s men’s and women’s football teams.
UoN Sports Officer James Bramley (L), Kevin Friend and Tom Tolond (R)
As a member of the FA’s ‘select group’ of referees, Kevin is one of only seventeen professional referees in the England appointed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited. The idea to approach him came to Tom after hearing about the efforts that Wednesday’s opponents have gone to for similar fixtures in the past. He said: “I know that Stirling have close associations with the Scottish Premier League and often get top officials to referee their games.”
“We wanted to see if we could do something to match that. I asked Kevin if he’d be available to referee the game and he’s been really great about it”.
Tom also officiated as one Kevin’s assistants for the game which meant hooking up to the referees’ headset, allowing him to remain in contact with Kevin throughout the game.
Kevin said: “It’s obviously quite an historic game with Stirling and Tom asked me to come down. I was only too delighted to come and referee for both teams. The standard of the game was good. We had two committed sides, there were a few hard tackles going in but everyone just picked themselves up and got in with it.”
As a Level 5 referee , Tom met Kevin via the National Regional Development Programme, the FA’s initiative to recruit, retain and develop referees involved in 11-a-side football.
Bright future
Tom says that he’s open minded about the idea of taking his own refereeing career further, although with so few referees able to become fully professional he believes it’s important to concentrate on other career options too.
However, Kevin was keen to stress the high standard of refereeing in England at the moment and the bright future ahead: “We’ve got some really good referees coming through that have got some real raw talent. They are only going to push boundaries and push themselves higher to get into the professional game” he said.
“It’s important to give these referees something to aim for, when you’ve got the likes of Tom coming through who’s dedicated and works hard at what he does. Hopefully in the next few years he can start moving up the ladder as well”.
The UoN men’s first team’s next fixture is at home to Northumbria University, Wednesday 2 December at Highfields Sports Ground.
Tags: (BUCS), British Universities & Colleges Sport, football, Kevin Friend, Premier League, The University of Stirling
Posted in News, People | Comments Off on Referee Tom calls on a Friend
Library customer survey
November 26th, 2015
Would you like to have your say about your University of Nottingham Libraries? The annual library survey is running until Monday 7 December.
With over 2.2 million visits to our 8 libraries a year we know they are popular but without your feedback we cannot improve our service or make your experience better. This survey offers you the chance to tell us what you think about access to resources, library space, our staff and finding resources.
You can either fill in the paper survey in any library, or complete the online survey here. You’ll also have the option of entering a prize draw for a £20 Amazon voucher.
Tags: customer feedback, Libraries, library, library survey
Posted in Announcements, News, People | Comments Off on Library customer survey
Project Transform: new organisation structure & feedback
November 25th, 2015
Project Transform will be bringing significant change to the way that administrative services are delivered to students. Part of this change involves restructuring the organisation and staff that are key to delivering these services.
Over the past month significant progress has been made to this end. Proposals for Administrative, Professional and Managerial (APM) levels 5-7 staff have already been made. The proposed organisation structure along with role profiles for level 5, 6 and 7 staff in that new structure has been made available on the Project Transform Workspace (login required). The level 7 posts are currently being advertised.
Group consultation meetings and individual meetings have taken place with in-scope staff in response to these proposals and have been well attended with lots of useful discussion and feedback. This feedback, along with feedback from the Trade Unions – UCU and Unison – has been collated and considered, with the outcome being that a number of changes have been made. A summary of this feedback and the corresponding decisions taken in response can be found on the HR Project Transform Workspace (login required).
A number of questions were also raised relating to the upcoming organisational changes. These are available to view along with their corresponding answers as a list of FAQs (login required) made available by HR.
The next stage of the consultation process is to hold group consultation meetings with staff in level 1-4 roles, commencing on Monday 30 November 2015.
If you have questions about these staff consultations, these can be directed to HR or to the unions through the channels below:
HR
Unions
- UCU
- Unison – The Project Transform reps are:
- Stella Fuller (Business School) – stella.fuller@nottingham.ac.uk
- Davina Malcolm (Health Sciences) – davina.malcolm@nottingham.ac.uk
- Vicki Morris (Humanities) – vicki.morris@nottingham.ac.uk
- Elliott Reed (Student Ops and Support) – elliott.reed@nottingham.ac.uk
- Laura Sun (Engineering) – laura.sun@nottingham.ac.uk
A comprehensive list of support available to staff can be found on the Project Transform blog.
Tags: OD, organisation design, Project Transform, Service Centres, student service centres, student services, university organisation, university structure
Posted in News, Opportunities, People | 2 Comments »
The Studio is now live
November 25th, 2015
The Students’ Union has opened a new space for students in the Portland Building.
The Studio officially opened its doors on Tuesday 24 November, with Sir Andrew Witty, Chancellor of The University of Nottingham, cutting the ribbon. Previously known as The Den, the Students’ Union launched the revamped area with two performances in Studio Live!, showcasing the potential of the space for society events, live music, dance and more.
The Studio is a flexible space dedicated to students, and promises to be an area to meet others, explore interests has several areas and inspire potential. It has several spaces which can be booked by students at the SU reception, including:
- The Studio (Lakeside Room)
- The Garden Room
- The Terrace – seating outside
- The Fishbowl – boardroom-style meeting room
- Studio Live! – space with retractable stage, capacity 190
Take a look through the gallery below for a glimpse of The Studio and highlights from the opening. To keep up to date with news from the Students’ Union, ‘like’ them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
Tags: Portland Building, societies, space, student, Students' Union, The Studio
Posted in Announcements, News | Comments Off on The Studio is now live
Language study – Mandarin speakers needed
November 23rd, 2015
A PhD candidate is looking for native Mandarin speakers who grow up in mainland China for a language study.
The study will take place in November and December 2015 in the School of Psychology and involves participating in a series of simple computer-based language tasks.
The entire study will take about an hour, and by taking part you will enter a prize draw for the chance to win a prize.
Contact Yun Wen, yun.wen@nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: China, language, Mandarin, money, psychology, School of Psychology, study, take part, win
Posted in News, Opportunities | 3 Comments »
December payroll information
November 23rd, 2015
This year, the December pay day is Tuesday 22 December.
Please note that the final date for submissions to be included in the December payroll is Monday 7 December. This is the final date when submissions received by Payroll Services will be guaranteed for December pay day.
You should also check with your department regarding timesheet submissions as they may have earlier deadlines in order to facilitate signing and collating data in the department prior to forwarding to Payroll Services by 7 December.
Tags: Christmas, finance, human resources, money, pay, payroll, Payroll Services
Posted in Announcements, News | Comments Off on December payroll information