Campus News
Galaxy Zoo and the zooniverse
September 28th, 2010
Dr Steven Bamford, School of Physics and Astronomy
Date: Thursdsay 21 October
Time: 1pm
Venue: Room B1, Maths and Physics Building, University Park
Admission: Free
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Imagined Objects of Desire
September 28th, 2010
Friday 1 October to Friday 17 December, University of Nottingham Museum, Archaeology Building, University Park, admission free.
The result of a collaboration between the University of Nottingham Museum and contemporary jewelery maker Lina Peterson, this exhibition examines the personal meaning that people give to objects. Lina took the objects that have their home in the Museum — and which help us understand the daily lives of our ancestors — and created her own ‘hybrid-artefacts’.
The exhibition also displays craft work produced by local people. The work expresses both the maker’s interest in the Museum’s artefacts, and their own personal stories.
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Welcoming the Holy Father
September 28th, 2010
A pharmacy student from the University greeted the Pope on behalf of the young Catholics of the United Kingdom, following his address at Westminster Abbey.
Student Paschal Uche described his meeting with Pope Benedict as “magical and special” after welcoming the Pontiff on behalf of the nation’s young Catholics.
The 21-year-old received a blessing following his welcome, during which he thanked the Pope for inspiring young Catholics across the country.
“Holy Father, for many of us before today you were a face on television or a picture in the church, but today we see you face to face,” he said, speaking for the assembled crowd of more than 2,500 young Catholics. “On behalf of the Catholic youth of this great nation I would like to express my profound and heartfelt gratitude for your visit.”
Paschal, who was chosen to address the Pope by the former priest of his home parish of St Francis in East London, then shook the Pope’s hand and received a blessing.
Paschal wrote his own speech, saying afterwards: “I tried my best to communicate what I think young people want to say to him and what I wanted to say to him.
“There were nerves, but at the Mass beforehand I went up to receive Communion and thought ‘What can I not do? If this is Christ that I’m receiving, what can I not do? I’m going to give it my best.’”
Last year, Paschal was Vice-President of the University’s Catholic Society, and took on a lay role when he returned to his studies this September. He also plays guitar for the Chaplaincy at Mass.
When asked how he juggles his commitment to his church activities with a demanding degree, Paschal brushes aside any suggestion of difficulty.
“University is a big opportunity – not just for study, but in other areas of your life,” he said. “You’ve got to make the best of it, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Tags: Chaplaincy, Paschal Uche, Pope, School of Pharmacy, student
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Milestone for pioneering Medical School
September 28th, 2010
In October 1970, 48 new students started their course at The University of Nottingham — our first ever medical students. Forty years later, the Medical School celebrates its anniversary.
The idea for a Medical School at Nottingham was first mooted after World War II. Healthcare in the East Midlands was badly under-resourced. But it was not until a grant was awarded in 1964 that the University was able to establish the first new Medical School in England in the 20th century.
The School grew from humble beginnings in the cowsheds and caravan behind the Portland Building on University Park, where it was based before the QMC was opened in 1977. Its foundation was led by the inspirational Prof David Greenfield (Hon LLD 1997) and a team of enthusiastic and talented professors and teaching clinicians. Together they pioneered an innovative medical curriculum which became a model for clinical and academic success worldwide.
One of the first cohort, Dr Deborah Bliss, now a Nottingham GP, said: “The course was groundbreaking from the start, with students meeting real patients on the wards from the first term. This was quite different from what was going on in the established schools.”
Alumnus Prof David Walker (Medicine 1975) is now Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the University and Chair of the Pickering Association, which fosters cultural, professional and academic relations between the University, alumni, and present students and staff.
He said: “The University was keen for feedback on the degree and we met regularly with staff to discuss it. With the very early exposure to clinical training there was a feeling we were on a revolutionary course. Our alumni are now leading healthcare institutions and practice across the East Midlands and beyond.”
The Medical School now takes around 265 students on the undergraduate course and a further 90 post-graduate students on the fast-track Graduate Medicine course at Derby City General.
Associate Dean for Medical Education, Prof James Lowe, said: “Our most recent evaluation by the GMC in 2009 was excellent. We now use cutting-edge educational methods, including a simulation centre to give students vital experience to develop their skills.”
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Prof Ian Hall, said: “To mark the 40th anniversary the School is staging a day of guest lectures on October 15th. The speakers include our distinguished Boots Professor Sir Peter Rubin, chair of the GMC, who will give a talk called ‘Doctors aren’t what they used to be!’. The keynote speaker is the Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Prof Sir John Savill, who will discuss ‘The Future of Academic Medicine’.”
Tags: alumni, anniversary, GMC, Medical School, Prof David Greenfield, QMC
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A night to remember – the 2010 Alumni Laureate Awards
September 28th, 2010
Former students of the University returned to their alma mater to pick up a special award — some with a dread fear of bumping into a former tutor…
Compere for the fourth annual Alumni Laureate Awards ceremony was broadcaster and journalist Matthew Bannister, a former Chief Executive of BBC Production. He apologised to the Vice-Chancellor for what he called his ‘unique distinction’ in achieving a third class degree.
“But it is not a badge I wear with pride,” he told the audience at the East Midlands Conference Centre.
“I’m frightened I might bump into one of my former tutors who would ask me for that essay which I should have handed in in 1976.”
Matthew said he learned his vital life and career skills in the New Theatre rather than the lecture theatre. “I learned to cajole, flatter and even threaten the delicate egos of performers. What better preparation for close encounters with Chris Evans and some of the country’s other most difficult DJs? Appearing at a matinee in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in front of two old ladies and the venue’s caretaker was a fine preparation for coping when millions of listeners switched off after my initial changes at Radio 1.
“I regret my wasted academic opportunities but I regard my time here as some of the most productive and inspiring that I have ever spent,” he said.
The awards ceremony is a celebration of graduates, young and old, who have made outstanding contributions to their professions or communities, stimulated new or interesting ideas or shown exceptional dedication, creativity and leadership. A Lifetime Achievement Award went to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammed Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, who graduated in Industrial Economics in 1974. The High Commissioner for Malaysia, Datuk Zakaria Sulong, collected the award on his behalf.
The same award went to former Sherwood Labour MP Paddy Tipping, first in his family to go to university back in 1972. He remembered collecting his grant cheque for £114.02. “Nobody in my family had ever had a hundred and fourteen pounds and two pence in their hands before… and it was to come and have a good time. I thought ‘I’ve made it!’ ”
Former Law graduate and now a celebrated international soprano Kishani Jayasinghe peformed a beautiful selection of music for the audience and she too apologised to former tutors sitting at her table for not following a stellar career in the legal profession —although she hoped they’d forgiven her.
There were also rewards during the evening for current students and staff who have made exceptional achievements with the inaugural presentation of the Vice-Chancellor’s Achievement Award. These were awarded to Dalia Fleming, Rob Greenhalgh, Mohammad Fiqry Mohamad Fadlillah, Dr Claire Sweetenham and Kyle Wedgwood.
2010 Alumni Laureate Award Winners
Lifetime Achievement
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammed Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak (Industrial Economics 1974)
Paddy Tipping (Philosophy 1972)
Special Excellence Award
Ted Childs (Industrial Economics 1957)
Mark Bullock (Economics 1989)
Dr Kristan Bromley (Mechanical Design, Materials and Manufacture 1994)
Recent Graduate
Kishani Jayasinghe (Law 2001, LLM International Commercial Law 2002)
Chris Skilton (Finance, Accounting and Management 2008, MSc Entrepreneurship 2009),
Sally Walters (Civil Engineering 2002)
To watch videos on each of the winners, click here.
Nominations for the 2011 Alumni Laureate Awards are currently being sought. If you know a Nottingham graduate worthy of recognition please e-mail events@nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: Alumni Laureate Awards, Development Office, East Midlands Conference Centre
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Lessons from the Past: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic in The University of Nottingham Historic Collections
September 28th, 2010
Date: Until Sunday 19 December
Time: Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Weston Gallery, Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park
Admission: Free
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Wet Behind the Engineers: the inaugural Papplewick Lecture, given by Adam Hart-Davis
September 28th, 2010
Wednesday 3 November, Senate Chamber, Trent Building, University Park, admission free.
Billed as ‘a lively lecture on water engineers and the provision of fresh water in Victorian England’, the inaugural Papplewick Lecture promises not to disappoint. Given by writer and broadcaster Adam Hart Davis, the lecture is part of the Papplewick Pumping Station Water Education Trust (WET) project. WET aims to give people a broader understanding of the history and importance of fresh water provision. The lecture is free, but places are limited. Email allison.pearson@nottingham.ac.uk to book.
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Issue 41/ October 2010
September 28th, 2010
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Building the future – £24m academy opens its doors
September 28th, 2010
Pupils at the Nottingham University Samworth Academy (NUSA) celebrated the official opening of their new school building in style – with Olympic gold medal-winner Dame Kelly Holmes.
The academy is one of the first in the UK to have direct sponsorship and academic links with a University. It is also backed by businessman and philanthropist Sir David Samworth.
NUSA is already gaining national and international recognition for its partnership with the University. In its first year of operation this unique alliance has developed innovative approaches to teaching and learning in secondary education.
The new complex cost £24 million and took 18 months to build. NUSA is currently home to 650 pupils, but will eventually cater for 950 including a 200-strong sixth form. And the academy aims to be more than a school, with its resources open as much as possible to the whole community.
NUSA pupil Ola Nwabuikwu, aged 16, said: “I think the building is amazing. I couldn’t wait to restart school after the summer break. It is much better than I expected, the lecture theatre is amazing.”
Robert Airey, aged 13, said: “The new building is brilliant — 100 times better than the old school one. Add to this the fact we are sponsored by the University, we now have so many opportunities.”
The University has a significant presence at NUSA with lecturers, students and support staff taking an active role in the life of the school. They work with individual pupils as mentors, lead large groups and host a variety of workshops on the latest research in science and technology. A Pupil Research Group also works with University staff on the latest innovations in teaching and learning.
As a specialist college for science and health, the new building includes facilities specifically tailored to these areas, including the latest scientific and engineering laboratories and a professional dance studio. Food technology is another specialism and NUSA boasts industry-standard catering facilities.
Vice-Chancellor Prof David Greenaway, said: “We believe the high-quality physical environment will be a prestigious landmark in the city and an inspiration to the young people who go there to learn and develop their skills and ambitions.”
Sir David Samworth added: “My family and I are proud to have been able to co-sponsor this wonderful new academy with the University and are delighted with the excellent start that everyone has made in the first year of being open.”
The University also supports the Academy through the development of apprenticeship and work placement schemes as well as advising pupils who aim to go on to higher education. More than 20 NUSA staff are currently undertaking Masters and Doctoral degrees at the University, many within the School of Education.
Tags: academy, Dame Kelly Holmes, David Samworth, NUSA, School of Education
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