Campus News
Take five…
September 19th, 2012
Nottingham graduates scooped five medals at London 2012 Olympics.
With two gold, two silver and one bronze, the University was the UK’s second most successful higher education provider at the Games, according to Podium’s medal table. The success continues a strong Olympic tradition which saw Nottingham pick up six medals between 1992 and 2008.
Once again it was on the water that Nottingham excelled in London, with four medals following the three that the University won in Beijing. Biology graduate Chris Bartley won silver in the Men’s Lightweight Four Rowing event at Eton Dorney, before mechanical engineering graduates Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott took gold in the C2 Canoe Slalom. In the same event, David Florence (Mathematical Physics) took silver for the second successive Games.
David said: “It’s been amazing to have been a part of London 2012 and to have won a second Olympic medal is incredible. To have come so close to the gold is frustrating, but I’m still very proud of my achievement.”
David says he made real progress during his time at Nottingham: “I found it difficult combining my studies and training, but to have the national water sports centre on my doorstep and the support of the University allowed me to make huge improvements in my time studying there.”
Fellow alumni, including 2008 Gold medallist Tim Brabants (Medicine), Nigerian Canoe Sprint star Johny Akinyemi and rower Olivia Whitlam (Environmental Science) missed out on medals.
Anne Panter put a series of career-threatening injuries behind her to win bronze with the GB Women’s Hockey Team.
Graduates Nick Catlin (History) and Rob Moore (Economics) and future student Harry Martin (Economics), could not match Anne’s success with the GB Men’s Hockey team finishing fourth, but Assistant Director of Sport Nigel Mayglothling, says the Games were a huge success for the University.
He said: “It is fantastic to see our former students doing so well. I am delighted for our canoeists in particular and proud of our hockey boys despite their near-miss for a medal. Our medal winners have proved that you can balance academic achievement and sporting excellence, and we will continue to work hard to help our students do just that on the road to Rio and beyond.”
Find out more about the University’ at the Olympics via our blog or: exchange.nottingham.ac.uk London 2012 Olympics Special.
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Heroes’ welcome
July 27th, 2012
Months of planning by Lakeside Arts Centre and Dance4 culminated in an Olympic extravaganza in Nottingham’s Old Market Square.
Nearly 20,000 people packed into the Square to watch Heroes of Nottingham, the Olympic Torch welcome event, on June 28. Four youngsters brought Nottingham legends Torvill and Dean, Brian Clough and Robin Hood to the stage.
Shona Powell, Director at Lakeside, said: “The Torch Relay celebrations were a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being part of this huge event was such a tremendous opportunity for Lakeside as co-producers with Dance4, and also for the participants to perform before the largest audience they’re ever likely to encounter.
“The atmosphere from early that afternoon — even before it stopped raining — was one of great anticipation, and as the day progressed it turned into a tangible sense of enjoyment and sheer delight.
“The reception our performers got from the massive crowd was unbelievably good, and being in the midst of that audience with people of all ages, all ethnicities and from all walks of life was something that none of us involved will forget.”
Photos reproduced courtesy of Nottingham City Council.
Tags: London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, London 2012 Olympics
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Sport for all
July 27th, 2012
Legacy was at the heart of the UK’s bid for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and was thought to have won the vote.
At Nottingham, one man’s impact on sport at the University has an equally lasting legacy.
Vaughan Parry Williams, the former Director of Sport and Physical Recreation, dedicated almost 33 years to sport at the University before his death in 2009. He passionately believed students should achieve their sporting potential as well as thrive academically.
Under his leadership, the University established its sporting pedigree — consistently finishing in the top 10 of the British universities sport rankings and leading the way in making sport accessible for all. Vaughan’s ethos lives on via the University’s Any Body Club and Nu2 Sport.
A year ago, The Vaughan Parry Williams Pavilion was built at Highfields Playing Fields and a coaching fund was launched.
Director of Sport Dan Tilley said: “The coaching fund is essentially looking to deliver a legacy in Vaughan’s honour, delivering the ‘sport for all’ ethos he was passionate about and providing an environment in which athletes can achieve their potential. By providing funding for the provision of coaching, we can enhance the overall student sporting experience, improve their performance, raise aspirations, improve inclusivity and hopefully produce a new raft of talented coaches.”
The fund paid for eight elite coaches to coach the University’s rowing, table tennis, hockey, lacrosse, badminton, squash and tennis teams in the 2011/12 season. The University has again secured a top 10 place in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) rankings; five of our hockey teams, a lacrosse team and a table tennis team have won league titles, while runners-up spots have been achieved in badminton and squash and medals were won at the European Universities Rowing Championships.
Find out more about the Vaughan Parry Williams Coaching Fund at: http://tiny.cc/UoNVPW.
The Fund is part of Impact: The Nottingham Campaign. The campaign will raise £150m in philanthropic support across five strategic themes over the next five years. The themes encompass a series of high-impact projects, in the UK, Malaysia and China.These projects will have a positive and lasting influence on society and make an impact that will touch generations. Find out more at: http://tiny.cc/UoNImpact.
Olympic star Tim Brabants talks about University sport.
Tags: Director of Sport Dan Tilley, Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, Tim Brabants, Vaughan Parry Williams
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2012 will be ‘cleanest Games ever’
July 27th, 2012
A laboratory hailed as the most hi-tech in the history of the Olympics will be at the heart of the fight against drugs at London 2012.
The facility will work around the clock to carry out more tests than at any previous Olympics, with over 6,000 samples expected to be checked during the Games.
Experts will be flown in from across the world to work on more than 6,000 samples, making sure every medalist and more than half of all competitors are tested.
Negative results will be known within 24 hours and positive tests within 48 hours, with the exception of the endurance-boosting drug erythropoietin (EPO), which will take 72 hours.
UK Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson promised that cheats would have no place to hide.
He said: “We cannot absolutely guarantee that these will be a drug-free Games, but we can guarantee that we have got the very best system possible to try and catch anybody who even thinks of cheating.”
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has donated and equipped the lab, with testing being led by King’s College London.
GSK chief executive and University of Nottingham alumnus, Sir Andrew Witty, explained: “I’m delighted we’ve put this alliance with King’s College London together to ensure that excellent science can play a key role in ensuring the Games are conducted to the highest ethical standards and that athletes can lead healthier lives.
“The Olympic and Paralympic ideals of people striving to achieve their best are core to those of GSK, as we share those values of excellence.
“There is great alignment in these missions and I look forward to our people making a significant contribution to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.”
GlaxoSmithKline has also entered into an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to share information on all their drugs, including products under development.
Sir Andrew wants other firms to follow suit: “If we could get that done on a broader basis, it would really close the net on people’s potential to come up with molecules that WADA just weren’t familiar with.”
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The ‘other 2012 Games’
July 26th, 2012
For nearly 200 young athletes, the University’s Tri-Campus Games gave them a taste of the Olympics.
Students from 20 countries and representing University of Nottingham campuses in China, Malaysia and the UK battled it out under the banner ‘friendship through sport’.
“The Tri-Campus Games provides our students with an international sporting and educational experience unique in the University sector,” said assistant director of sport and organiser Nigel Mayglothling. “As ever, we saw a close-fought series, but congratulations to Team UK who retained their title as the Tri-Campus Games returned to the UK this year alongside ‘the other’ 2012 Games…”
The Games were the centrepiece of a wider celebration at the University to mark the London 2012 Olympics — the Five Ring Legacy Games. This also saw three inter- school competitions hosted on campus alongside the inaugural Nottingham Town and Gown, a 13-sport event that brought University and city athletes together in their first multi-sport match-up.
“Being able to offer and support such a diverse range of Olympic-themed events says much about the University and its engagement with the wider ambitions around London 2012,” added Nigel.
“Having our own international multi-sports games offers a template to inspire others whilst the inception of Town and Gown, with the community links and local competition that it establishes, allows us to be both hosts and participants in ‘the greatest Games in Nottingham’.”
Tags: Nottingham Town and Gown, Tri-Campus Games
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A truly emotional experience…
July 26th, 2012
The 8,000-strong relay team that will carry the Olympic Torch on its journey across Britain features four people from The University of Nottingham.
The four were nominated for the role after proving an inspiration for others.
Research fellow Dannie Carpenter and students Taylor Amerman, Chris Hill and Sam van de Schootbrugge carried the torch on its historic journey through Nottingham over June 28 and 29.
“I have always loved the Olympics, but due to ongoing medical problems I have only ever been able to watch them from afar,” said Chris Hill, a part-time PhD student in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. “I am delighted to be involved and will always be grateful to the friends who nominated me.”
He added: “I love the Olympics for its values of respect, excellence and friendship. As I passed the flame on, I really hoped that the flame and the Olympics could continue to inspire everyone to show friendship and respect to one another.”
Dannie, from the School of Biology, said she hoped her taking part would show people that you don’t need to be brilliant or naturally skilled to play sports.
She said: “As captain of Beeston Hockey Club 7th team I’m just an ordinary person who enjoys sport. I don’t excel at it, but I do enjoy it.
“Being part of a sports team is such a positive thing. Apart from the exercise and good friends, being part of a team really gives you confidence. The fact I am going to be seven months’ pregnant when I run with the torch will hopefully inspire people too.”
International swimmer Sam van de Schootbrugge was selected for his achievements and for his volunteer work as a children’s swimming coach.
“The chance to carry the flame was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was completely unexpected and it is nice to be recognised for my achievements. For people to be inspired by what I do is such a privilege, to be seen as a role model is something you dream of when you are younger. For me, the key has always been to enjoy what you are doing. I hope people will be inspired to get involved in sport, help their community and see that you will always be rewarded for doing good things in life.”
Taylor Amerman, studying for a masters in Corporate Social Responsibility, said: “As an international student, I wanted to engage with the local community and make a difference. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of blessings in my life and I want to give back by inspiring others.
“I was very surprised, excited, honoured and humbled to be selected. I have received other honours in my life, but this was by far the biggest because it was a reflection of my character and values. It is a true honour to be selected as someone who will inspire Britain.”
Taylor added: “The relay was unreal. It was inspiring, exciting, energetic, humbling, and motivational. From receiving the flame from someone with a disability, to running past my family and friends, having complete strangers cheering you on, being on a bus with phenomenal community leaders, taking pictures with little kids, and feeling like a member of the Nottingham community. There were definitely tears and it was an experience that I will NEVER forget!”
“Carrying the Olympic torch was an amazing experience, and one which I will never forget,” said Sam. “It was also an emotional experience, as it was lovely to see everyone so enthusiastic about seeing the torch. I was proud and honoured to carry the torch, as it is great to be recognised for my achievements and my help in the community.
Dannie added: “It was so much more special than I could imagine. There was such a fantastic atmosphere among the crowd, loads of families out and everyone was full of enthusiasm for the Torch and also for me. It was so lovely to that so many of my friends and family were there and I enjoyed every minute of the run.”
Visit: http://tiny.cc/Torch
.
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Bridge of size
July 26th, 2012
A large, bridge-like structure designed by students at the School of Architecture and Built Environment made the perfect backdrop from which to wave goodbye to the Olympic Torch. The Nottingham Shipping Shelter: Fleeting Retreat took centre stage at Nottingham Castle as the torch left the city.
“The pavilion invites people to explore it, take a rest and engage with its message of sustainability in the built environment,” said lecturer Guillermo Guzman Dumont. “Its complex and sculptural beauty, resulting from a creative combination of very simple elements, generates a contrasting but at the same time harmonious integration with the built and natural context of the castle.”
Tags: Guillermo Guzman Dumont, School of Architecture and Built Environment
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Young stars raising the bar
July 26th, 2012
While the University can boast some of Great Britain’s biggest medal hopes at London 2012, its future Olympic reputation also looks to be in good hands.
High jumper Isobel Pooley and swimmer Sam van de Schootbrugge are among the countries brightest young sporting talent and are already itching to make the plane to Rio 2016 after missing out on London.
Isobel, who represented Great Britain in a senior competition for the first time at the European Championships in Helsinki this June, missed out on Olympic selection by just four centimetres.
With a personal best of 1.88 metres, the current British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) high jump champion, is confident that she can go on to represent her country at the highest level.
The Biosciences student said: “Without sounding boastful or cocky I am confident that I will break the British Record (1.95m) one day. My success so far has been remarkable and I’m still very young in high-jump terms – jumpers are at their prime in their late 20s so I have plenty of years left in the game!
“Obviously my height is an advantage, something I inherited from my Dad — he’s 6ft 10in and I’m 6ft 3in, and I know that I have the drive and the commitment to go all the way.”
For Sam, who has also represented his country, this summer’s Olympics also came to soon despite making the final of the 200m Butterfly and confirming his place among the UK’s top 10 at the British Olympic swimming trials in Sheffield.
The London 2012 torch-bearer said: “This year has been a major learning curve. My training intensity has increased and my body has had to adjust to it. The Olympic trials were a great experience and will set me up well for the next Olympic trials in 2016, in which I hope to be more experienced and better able to handle the pressures of making a team.”
Nigel Mayglothling, assistant director of sport at the University, has been delighted with the progress of both athletes during their time at Nottingham.
“Isobel and Sam not only possess immense talent, but also the dedication, perseverance and total focus on future success that all elite athletes require,” he said.
“Both will continue the University’s proud tradition of supporting academic students in pursuit of Olympic glory and we will continue to do all we can to support them on the road to Rio 2016.”
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The future of drug discovery: new partnerships, collaborations and approaches
July 26th, 2012
Sir Andrew Witty, Chief Executive at GlaxoSmithKline
Date: Thursday 26 April
Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Venue: A09, Engineering and Science Learning Centre, University Park
Admission: Free but spaces are limited. To register, email: events@nottingham.ac.uk with ‘Andrew Witty lecture’ in the subject field
DH Lawrence and Biography
Dr Andrew Harrison, director of the University’s DH Lawrence Research Centre and exhibition co-curator
Date: Thursday 10 May
Time: 1pm to 2pm
Venue: Weston Gallery, Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park
Admission: Free
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