Campus News
Engineering student wins Formula One placement
August 21st, 2015
An engineering student, from The University of Nottingham, has secured the career opportunity of a lifetime after winning a 12-month placement with top Formula One team, Infiniti Red Bull Racing.
Daniel Sanham, 24, who is studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering, beat nine other finalists in the European heat of Infiniti’s tough Performance Engineering Academy 2015.
The Academy, now in its second year, is a one-of-a-kind global search for the world’s best up-and-coming engineers. For 2015, there were five placements available, with one winner chosen from Russia, Western Europe, China, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Each regional winner will work in roles spanning vehicle dynamics and design, aerodynamics and electronics.
Sanham, who is originally from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, will move to Milton Keynes in September to begin his year with four-time Formula One World Championship-winners, Infiniti Red Bull Racing, as well as Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
Commenting on his win, Daniel said: “I was absolutely buzzing to hear I had landed the job. It’s an amazing brand and team to work for and will without doubt be a brilliant experience. It will be a tough challenge but I can’t wait to start now and show them what I’m made of!”
For the first eight months, Sanham will work as an Infiniti Placement Design Engineer (Electronics) at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes. He will then spend four months working at Infiniti’s European Technical Centre in Cranfield on road car development projects.
With F1™ technology more linked to the automotive industry than ever, Sanham will play a key role in the transfer of technical knowledge and expertise between the race team and Infiniti.
“Infiniti is a luxury car company with ties to the Redbull racing team at the cutting edge of automotive technology development, such as hybrids, collision avoidance systems and self-driving cars. So I obviously had to apply,” explains Sanham.
An email from the Faculty of Engineering’s Employability Officer first alerted Sanham to the Infiniti placement competition, and he quickly set about applying, sending in his CV along with a short video explaining why he deserved the role.
He was one of thousands of students to register an interest in this year’s program, which began in March. Following a series of video and face-to-face interviews, 10 finalists from each global region were selected to attend a regional assessment day. There they were put through their paces by a panel of judges from Infiniti and Infiniti Red Bull Racing.
Sanham was especially impressed that the Engineering Academy’s recruitment drive was on a global scale. “To be able to work alongside the world’s best engineering students, who are all very driven and intelligent individuals, is a very attractive prospect.”
He has just finished his second year overseas, studying at The University of Nottingham in Ningbo Campus (UNNC), so is familiar with working in international settings. Sanham credits his degree with providing him a “sound theoretical knowledge across a broad range of core topics” coupled with some “really good practical experience” to ensure he succeeds in his industrial placement.
Tommaso Volpe, Global Director, Infiniti Formula One, added: “The calibre of entrants this year was very high which made for a tough selection process, but if last year’s winners are anything to go by, it will not be long before all of them are making a significant contribution both to us and to the race team.
“With F1 becoming more and more relevant to the automotive industry and an increased focus of the placements this year being on the road car development, we are training a new generation of engineers who will play a key role in the crossover between the two industries.”
Tags: car, careers, Daniel Sanham, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Infiniti Formula One, internship, student
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GoLive 2: What you need to know
August 21st, 2015
GoLive 2 is the second of three implementation points for the work being carried out by Project Transform. GoLive 1 was successfully implemented on Monday 11 May 2015 and GoLive 2 is scheduled for Monday 28 September 2015. GoLive 3 is scheduled for Monday 1 August 2016.
What is GoLive 2 and who will it impact?
GoLive 2 will affect staff working in CRM and admissions. It will introduce the processes and software solutions for CRM (enquiry management, recruitment events and marketing communications for undergraduate and postgraduate enquirers) and UK undergraduate admissions received through UCAS. This means that all UK campuses will receive all of the above, whereas UNNC and UNMC will receive a slightly softer release relating to CRM processes only. All Schools/Departments not currently using the new enquiries form that was released during GoLive 1 will also receive this. The new processes will be delivered through PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and PeopleSoft CRM, the software purchased by the University, and the specific list of enhancements being introduced can be viewed on the Project Transform Workspace.
With these changes due to be implemented on Monday 28 September 2015, staff will need to undergo training. The training window for UK staff is currently Monday 14 to Friday 25 September and staff that need to attend are those involved in CRM and UCAS undergraduate admissions processes. However, since this is a busy time of year for many staff, there will be some flexibility to the sessions and it is foreseen that e-learning materials will be available prior to classroom training. Colleagues on UNNC are expected to be trained between Wednesday 7 and Friday 9 October and colleagues on UNMC between Monday 12 and Thursday 15 October. Only colleagues working with CRM will be required for the sessions running on UNNC and UNMC.
Colleagues from Project Transform are currently working on the details surrounding training and any staff that need to attend will be contacted in due course.
Where can I find out more about GoLive 2?
More information can be found on the GoLive 2 section of the Project Transform Workspace, which is updated as the project progresses. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, then there are a number of people you can speak to. The first point of contact should be the Transform Leaders’ Network representative for your area. If you are still unable to find the answer to your question you can speak to the Transform Business Readiness Manager responsible for your School, Faculty or Department. These are as follows:
Loyin Olotu-Umoren – Medicine and Health Sciences
Christy Bramwell – Social Sciences
Neil Wimbush – Engineering
Taidhgh O’Regan – Science
Sarah Hyde – Arts/Professional Services
Tags: Admissions, CRM, GL2, Go Live 2, GoLive 2, Project Transform, UCAS
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Malaysia Campus 15th anniversary – this week’s highlights
August 20th, 2015
To celebrate our 15-year anniversary as the first UK university to establish an overseas campus in Malaysia, we’ve asked staff and students who’ve spent time there for their memories.
This week’s highlights:
- Monsoons, malls & messy desks… UNMC Provost, Professor Christine Ennew reflects on photos from the early 2000s in Kuala Lumpur in this new blog post
- Professor Ian Harrison, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, vlogs his teenage memories and the advice he would give to his 15-year-old self now
- More facts and milestones about the campus’ early days, as we celebrate its 15th anniversary, are published on Twitter
If you have a story to tell on your experiences at UNMC, please contact emma.lowry@nottingham.ac.uk, and you will be put into a prize draw for travel vouchers worth £200.
Follow the celebration campaign on Twitter #UNMC15.
Tags: anniversary, campus, celebration, Christine Ennew, event, global, Ian Harrison, international, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Malaysia 15th anniversary, Malaysia Campus, Semenyih, UNMC, UNMC15
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Get on your bike and support dementia research
August 20th, 2015
If you fancy yourself as the next Bradley Wiggins, or just enjoy the odd lap on your bicycle every now and then, then why not join The University of Nottingham Life Cycle 5 team in raising money for dementia research.
On Sunday 23 August, members of the public are invited to take part in either a 75, 50, 25 or 10 mile sponsored bike ride to help raise money for dementia research and to pave the way to earlier diagnosis and better treatment for the disease.
If cycling isn’t for you, then simply come along to Nottingham Lakeside Arts to cheer the riders on and enjoy a BBQ and the post-ride celebrations.
Sponsored challenge
The event is part of the University’s Life Cycle 5 challenge, which has seen a team of volunteers, led by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, undertake a series of challenges including two gruelling rides – coast to coast across England and through the lochs and glens of Scotland.
Every pound raised during these challenges, and the sponsored rides on Sunday, will enable the University’s Nobel Prize-winning expertise in MRI scanning to give new insight into dementia and how it damages brain cells.
Jane Mason age 50 from Bramcote, will be cycling 50 miles on Sunday, along with 7 members of her family and friends, in support of her dad who is suffering from dementia.
Funding gap
Jane said: “The ride will be tough, but it’s nowhere near as challenging as living with dementia. My dad has dementia and whilst he’s still my lovely dad, little bits of him are lost. Despite this, he and my mum are still independent and that’s all down to Mum’s resilience and the support of family and friends who live close by. It would mean so much if people were able to help us reach our goal.”
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Greenaway said: “One in three of us have a relative or close friend who is a dementia patient and that is a massive incidence. Presently, dementia attracts about 8 per cent of the funding that goes to cancer research, so there is a big funding gap there.
“This year through Life Cycle 5 we are trying to raise funds that will allow us to use our Nobel Prize-winning MRI research to underpin ways of understanding better how dementia affects the brain. Every single donation will make a difference to this cause, so please get involved if you can.”
If you are interested in signing up for one of the sponsored rides, then visit our website.
Tags: Campaign and Alumni Relations Office, community, David Greenaway, dementia, dementia research, family, health, Life Cycle, Life Cycle 5, raffle, research, take part
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Take part in a driving study
August 20th, 2015
A postgraduate student in the School of Psychology is running a research study on people’s ability to drive a car driving simulator with their view ahead occluded.
To participate, all you need is a full driving licence from any country. The experiment will involve a short drive in the NITES 2 simulator in a Nottingham scenario while wearing shutter goggles. These glasses have the ability to block your view at the touch of a button and they will be under your control at all times. You will be encouraged to see how long you can safely drive with the goggles shut. The study will take around 25 minutes and an inconvenience allowance will be provided at the end.
If you want to take part or need more information, please contact Ester Benzaquen at lpaeb1@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: driving, money, psychology, School of Psychology, simulator, study, survey, take part, transport
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Now accepting American Express cards
August 19th, 2015
As of Wednesday 19 August, students can now make online payments with American Express cards.
Popular with many international students and corporate card users, American Express is now available for online Fees Payments, the Online Store and a range of other online services including Library Fines and Print Credits.
Dominic Henry, ePayments Services Manager, Financial Operations said: “Introducing American Express is another positive step in making payments easier for our student and business customers, part of our ongoing commitment to improving customer experience. We are also pleased to announce the addition of PayPal for our online payment services, due for release in the next few months.”
Tags: Dominic Henry, fees, Financial Operations, library, money, online store, Payment Services, print, tuition fees, UoN Print Service
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National Student Survey 2015 results
August 19th, 2015
The National Student Survey 2015 results are in.
This year saw 86% of final-year students satisfied with their experience at The University of Nottingham. This is level with the national average of 86%, but is a slight decline compared to last year, when overall satisfaction here was at 88%. The Students’ Union exceeded the national average again — 71% of students surveyed were satisfied with their Students’ Union, compared to a 68% national average.
This year marks the 11th National Student Survey (NSS), asking final-year students to give feedback on their course and institution. A record 75% of University of Nottingham final-year students completed the survey this year.
What do the results mean?
The University’s rank has remained 17th in the Russell Group but declined from 71st to 77th among all UK universities. The NSS is fundamentally about experience on individual courses, and 2015 saw some outstanding results at a school/department level. This year, the average scores across all questions increased in 30 out of 38 subject areas, compared to improved scores in only 20 in 2014.
All but six schools/departments increased their scores, 11 improved across every area of the NSS and 19 had a percentage agree for Question 22 (overall satisfaction) greater than 90%. The five schools/departments with the highest percent agree for overall satisfaction are:
- Department of History of Art – 100%
- Department of American and Canadian Studies – 97%
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science – 96%
- School of Chemistry – 95%
- School of Law – 94%
A new NSS Explorer tool, developed by the Strategy, Planning and Performance Division, should be available in early September. This will allow extensive investigation of school/department results at subject level, over time, and in relation to our competitors across the UK. In the meantime, staff can visit the NSS 2015 results page in the Strategy Support Centre for an initial analysis of results.
Improving the student experience
NSS data is made public through the Unistats website and used by prospective students when choosing their course and University. It is also used in UK league table rankings. Most importantly, it highlights areas of challenge for the University, helping us to improve and deliver an outstanding academic experience for all our students.
Find out more about our commitments to improving the student experience and beyond in Global Strategy 2020, our vision for the University over the next five years.
Tags: feedback, league table, National Student Survey, NSS, student experience, survey, teaching
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New student leader flies into Nottingham
August 18th, 2015
The University of Nottingham has appointed a Chief Student Management Officer who will lead on the management of the student life cycle – from recruitment to graduation.
Breda Walls has been appointed to the newly created post, which will see her take responsibility for the administration of student services at the University, from registration to graduation. Breda will also sit on the University Executive Board.
The structures supporting teaching, learning and research at the University are currently undergoing change. Nottingham has launched its Strategy 2020 and is currently working on Project Transform – an initiative which will place students, the student journey and student satisfaction at the centre of everything it does. This new role will lead on the management of the student life cycle as part of these changes.
Enhancing the student journey
In her new role, Breda will work closely with colleagues to ensure that every student receives the best service possible – from their first enquiry, through their time at the University, to their relationship with the institution as alumni.
Breda has a wealth of experience in leadership and customer service, having previously worked in senior positions within the aviation industry.
Professor Karen Cox, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are delighted with Breda’s appointment as Chief Student Management Officer. This new role will be responsible for all of the activity and people within Project Transform as we transition into the new ways of working to deliver student services and support across the University.
“Breda has fantastic experience of leading change and significant expertise in customer experience and service management using digital technologies and we are looking forward to her joining us later in August.”
Leading significant cultural change
Breda has vast experience in people leadership and management, and has also led many organisations through transformation and change. After graduating with a Degree in Maths and Computers from Queen’s University in Belfast, Breda has since worked in senior posts at British Airways and most recently Aer Lingus. Her posts have seen her lead large teams of people through significant cultural and economic changes to improve customer service. Breda also has a PGCE from Queen’s University Belfast and an MBA from Lancaster University.
Breda said on her appointment: “I am delighted to join The University of Nottingham at this opportune point in its continuing journey of excellence. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the University to further embed customer service excellence and service management solutions to ensure our students receive best in class service.”
Tags: Breda Walls, Chief Student Management Officer, Project Transform, student, student services, University Executive Board
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Phishing emails – be aware
August 18th, 2015
Information Services are receiving reports of email phishing attempts which pertain to be from credible senders.
Stay aware – below are some examples of recent phishing emails you may have received:
Friday 31 July
A new phishing attempt from a non-University address has been received by some people at the University. This mail, with the subject “IT SERVICES” contains green-highlighted scare text pertaining to account closure. The link goes to a convincing copy of the Outlook Web Access portal. Please delete this mail if you receive it and if you have entered your credentials in the fake email portal please reset your password immediately.
Tuesday 4 August
An email which contains a .doc attachment pertaining to be a statement to your invoice is currently being sent to multiple users from multiple senders. The subject starts: NEED YOUR ATTENTION: followed by random letters and numbers. This email should be deleted and the attachment should not be opened. If you have opened the document please contact your local IT support and do a full anti-virus scan on your machine.
Tuesday 18 August
An email with the subject line Email alert: from University of Nottingham Admin has been received by a number of university email users. This advises the recipient to confirm their account details by clicking on a link. The website to which the link relates has now been blocked and this email should be deleted. If you provided your university account details, please contact the IT Service Desk as a matter of urgency.
More information
Phishing emails usually include a link to a website asking for personal credentials. By hovering over the link you will usually see that it will attempt to direct you to an unrelated website. Some emails will include an attachment which might include a virus or malware.We are asking users to be aware of these scams and to be vigilant against them by not opening the attachment if you are not expecting an email from the sender and also not to open any suspicious websites and submit personal details.
Information about phishing attacks and how to avoid them can be found on the IT Services website. You can also check the IT Status webpages for information about any issues that may affect the IT services you use.
Tags: computer, email, Information Services, IT, IT Services, phishing
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Life Cycle 5 raffle – get your tickets now
August 17th, 2015
Tickets for the Life Cycle 5 raffle, in aid of dementia research, are now on sale.
For the chance to win one of a range of fantastic prizes, purchase your tickets from one of the following locations:
- Alumni Hub, B Floor, Portland Building, University Park
- Reception, King’s Meadow Campus
- Room B95, B Floor, School of Medicine, Queen’s Medical Centre
- Room A11, Business School South, Jubilee Campus
- Campaign and Alumni Relations Office, A floor, Pope Building, University Park
Tickets will be on sale in all locations until close of business on Thursday 20 August and then in the Campaign and Alumni Relations Office (A floor, Pope Building, University Park) only until 3pm on Friday 21 August. You can also purchase tickets at the Life Cycle 5 community day at Nottingham Lakeside Arts on Sunday 23 August.
Tickets cost £1 each and winners will be announced at the community day.
If you want to support Life Cycle 5 even further, why not get on your bike and help us gear up to beat dementia? There are four sponsored rides on offer at the community day, ranging from 10 to 75 miles, and every penny raised will support our world-leading research into earlier diagnosis and improved treatment for dementia. If cycling isn’t for you, simply join us at Nottingham Lakeside Arts on Sunday 23 August to cheer the riders on and enjoy a BBQ and our family-friendly event village activities.
Tags: Campaign and Alumni Relations Office, community, family, Life Cycle, Life Cycle 5, prize, raffle, take part, win
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