Tag Archives: Medway

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Visas for Chinese nationals in the UK and residents of China

The government has advised that Chinese nationals in the UK, compliant with their visa conditions prior to the coronavirus outbreak, will have their leave automatically extended to 31 March 2020 if their visa has an expiry date between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020.

You don’t need to do anything to get this extension and will be subject to the same immigration conditions as your last visa.

Your new expiry date (31 March 2020) will be added to UK Visa Immigration’s systems.

Further information is available here.

Information is also available on the following categories:

Switching to a Tier 2 category in the UK

British nationals whose passport is at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in China

Chinese or third country nationals whose passport is at a Visa Application Centre (VAC)

Licensed Tier 2, Tier 4 or Tier 5 sponsors: absences due to coronavirus

The Home Office will keep this under review, especially if the length of absences mean a potential repeat of period of studies become necessary.

For more information, please see the government’s Coronavirus immigration guidance.

Stay Safe on and off campus

How To Stay Safe On And Off Campus

Your safety on and off campus means a lot to us and we have a few tools that can help to keep you secure and safe.

Personal alarm

A personal alarm is a small hand-held electronic device that can release siren-like alarming sound when activated. It is used to attract attention in order to scare off an assailant. 

Spikey

This is a plastic “use once only” stopper that fits in the top of a bottle and prevent anything being added to your drink without your knowledge. It is manufactured from 100% recyclable HDPE.

Purse Bell

Officially known as Purse Dipping Bells, this item keeps your valuables secure, whilst also raising awareness on pickpocketing and bag dipping. The pair of bells hang from a G-clip that can be attached to purses, wallets, bags or other valuable items. If a thief attempts to remove the item, or if the item is dropped, the bells will jingle and alert the owner.

Canterbury students can collect these items from the Campus Security Office at any time of day or night. The Campus Security Office is part of the banking hall between Marlowe and Grimond.

Medway students can collect all items from the reception of the Medway Building any time from 9.00-17.00, Monday to Friday.

They are available from reception, subject to stock levels.

SafeZone App

Make sure you have downloaded the free SafeZone app gives you quick access to emergency services, first aid and the University.

Sexual Awanress Wee

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week #ITSNOTOK

It is Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week which is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of sexual abuse and violence. During this week up till Sunday, hundreds of events will take place all over the country to raise awareness of the issue and shine a spotlight on what is normally a very hidden subject.

Here at the University, we want to make sure everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As part of our continued work towards this, we have developed Inform Kent (InK) which is an online reporting tool which empowers students to record details of incidents such as sexual assault, harassment, relationship abuse or hate crime.

The most vital use of InK is to ensure that you gain access to the support that is available to you in the aftermath of an incident.

InK also gives you the option to have your voice heard. You are given the option to record an incident and give your name, so that you can be contacted by specialist support. Or you can choose to remain anonymous.

The information that you provide will help us to make continued progress in making our University the safest it can be. You are in control here. Have your voice.

Apply for the Medway Student Support Bursary

The Universities at Medway have been awarded a further significant donation to The Medway Student Support Bursary.  This donation will provide bursaries to home (UK/EU) students from Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Greenwich and the University of Kent each year.  This is an excellent opportunity to apply for additional funding and the selected recipients will receive a bursary of £1,250 (Spring applications).

Applying for this bursary is easy. Check the eligibility criteria below, if you meet the requirements, all you need to do is complete the attached application form and return it along with the required evidence by the deadline. The Selection Criteria and Important Notes below will provide guidance on this.

The deadline to apply by is 12 noon on 7 February 2020 (Spring Term applications)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OF THE MEDWAY STUDENT SUPPORT BURSARY

In order to be eligible to apply for The Medway Student Support Bursary you must:

Be a home student (UK/EU).

Be currently registered full or part-time on an undergraduate degree programme based at the Medway Campus.

Demonstrate a household income of £42,875 or less.

SELECTION CRITERIA OF THE MEDWAY STUDENT SUPPORT BURSARY

Your application will be considered on the basis of your fulfilment of the eligibility criteria and the 350-500 word statement sections demonstrating:

Why you are in need of financial support and what has changed in your financial circumstances since embarking on the programme.

What the award will be used for (See important note below)I

Information about you and your aims and aspirations for the future.

You may want to include additional information relating to volunteering or ambassadorial work that you have done or are planning to do within the local community e.g. voluntary work, paid work, sports contributions, community activity organisations such as the Scouts etc.)

Important notes:

Awards will not fund general (exceptional travel may be considered) programme travelling expenses or new equipment such as laptops or phones.

Awards are intended for the students use only and not for family support.

The first payment will only be made upon submission of a thank you letter to the donors outlining how the Bursary will be used to support the Bursary recipient.

The second payment will only be made upon submission of a report outlining how the Bursary has supported the Bursary recipient and how this support has impacted on their academic studies.

Successful recipients will be able to hold other awards whilst in receipt of the Medway Student Support Bursary such as the NSP and may reapply for a further bursary in subsequent years.

Successful recipients will be required to sign a Bursary Agreement which sets out the conditions of the bursary award.

Recipients are expected to remain in satisfactory academic standing.

Students out on a placement year are not eligible for that year, but may apply once academic studies are resumed.

Successful recipients will be required to write a report to the board detailing how the bursary has supported them and how this support has impacted on their academic studies.  The deadline for submission of the report by the Medway Student Support Bursary recipients is 24 May 2020 (Spring applications).

All applications confirmed as meeting the eligibility criteria will be taken forward. The bursary recipient(s) will be chosen by the Medway Student Support Bursary Board which will meet in early March (Spring applications) and all applicants will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Your completed application along with all required evidence can be scanned and emailed to us at medwaymastersoffice@kent.ac.uk or a paper application can be submitted to Medway Building, 2nd floor Medway floor.

You can also apply online.

The deadline is 12 noon on the 7 February 2020 (Spring applications).

CPD in Dentistry

Dentistry in a Contemporary Context.

This short CPD course is suitable for the whole dental team – Dental Care Professionals and Dentists.  During this course, participants are encouraged to address contemporary dental practice within the wider context of social policy and cultural influence.

Dr Sam Shah will address the inequalities effecting health and well-being and the incorporation of health into historical  and contemporary political and sociological agendas. Professor Ken Eaton will discuss oral health systems in Europe and beyond. John Darby will deliver an update on the national Advancing Dental Care Project. Plus, Mike Wheeler will discuss the potential of dental care professionals roles related to the future of dental services and how their training may be funded.

This course  takes place over two weekends at the University of Kent Medway campus.  The dates are 7-9 February and 6 March 2020.

For more information and to book your place, please click on this link. 

 

Pride Awards

Customer Service Pride Award – nomination deadline 4 December

The PRIDE Award recognises members of Kent Hospitality staff who go out of their way to deliver excellent customer service.

Do you know of a Kent Hospitality staff member (permanent or casual) who has shown excellent customer service during the Autumn Term? If so, please take a few minutes to make your nomination online or pick up a paper form next to the red nomination boxes located in Kent Hospitality’s catering outlets and College reception areas – if you prefer you can also email pride@kent.ac.uk.

The nomination deadline is 12.00 on Wednesday 4 December.

Please make your nominations detailed, providing as much information as possible why the nominee should be considered for the award. The panel are looking for staff who achieve more than just what is expected in their role (i.e. hardworking, professional, positive and friendly attitude). Kent staff, students or members of the public can submit nominations.

The award is given out four times a year with each winner receiving £100 of shopping vouchers, a certificate and PRIDE badge.

 

Christmas trees

Winter at Kent

If you are staying over in Kent during the winter break you will be delighted to know that there are many activities for you take part in.

From our campuses at Canterbury and Medway to the town centres, there is everything from visiting Christmas markets, sightseeing, attending the theatre, going Christmas sale shopping or even sledging.

While our campuses have a limited opening hours you will still be able to access the library, IT services, restaurants, bars and sports centre.

With regards to Medway and Canterbury the festive period will be a great chance for you to explore the local area and take part in the many activities.

You can find out about the campus Christmas hours here.

Travel regarding Brexit

If you are a UK National travelling abroad during the Christmas period you will need to head to the UK Government Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) for information where they have a dedicated website with up-to-date travel advice after Brexit.

You can get latest updates from the FCO Travel Advice Twitter feed (@FCOTravel) and via the hashtag #PrepareforEUExit.

The University’s Estates team has information on travel disruption around campus. Many travel providers also have specific Brexit advice relevant to their services on their website, including Eurotunnel and National Express.

If you are not a UK National there will be no change to the rights and status of EU/EEA citizens currently living in the UK until 31 December 2020. This means that if you travel outside of the UK during your studies, you should be able to return as normal.

Students who are non-EU/EEA nationals but are a dependant of an EU/EEA national should ensure that they hold a valid family permit.

For those coming to the UK from outside the EU, you will still be able to travel provided your Tier 4 visa is valid.

There is more information on the potential impact of Brexit on students on the Brexit pages of our website.

If you are staying over in Kent during the winter break you will be delighted to know that there are many activities for you take part in.

GCDC Doctoral Scholarships 2020

The Global Challenges Doctoral Centre (GCDC) has launched a call for PhD applications for ten doctoral scholarships starting in September 2020. GCDC scholarships are open to new, full-time PhD applicants in any discipline (based in either Canterbury or Medway) whose research meets Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) funding criteria.

GCDC scholars will receive the following:

• Annual stipend at UKRI rates for 3.5 years (TBC but this was £15,009 for 2019/20);

• Annual tuition fees at UKRI Home/EU rates for 3.5 years (£4,327 for 2019/20);

• A Research Training Support Grant of £1,500 per year for the first 3 years of study; and

• Specialised interdisciplinary GCDC cohort training activities.

Applications for GCDC scholarships can be both student-led and project-led.

More information about GCDC project-led scholarships is available via the links below:

• School of Biosciences/School of Economics: ‘Investigating the diarrhoeal pathogens in vulnerable populations in developing countries’ 

• School of Anthropology and Conservation: ‘Human-elephant co-existence in a post-ivory ban landscape’ 

• School of Politics and International Relations: ‘Engaging citizens in Post-Conflict Reconstruction’ 

• School of Biosciences: ‘Defining the molecular basis and health benefits of traditional Asian medicines’ 

• Kent School of Architecture and Planning: ‘The Urban Agriculture Nexus: an investigation on urban food growing in the barrios of Bogatà’

More information 
Visit the GCDC Scholarships page for more information on how to apply.

James Merrington Caroline Li and Professor Ian McLoughlin

Students Set to Graduate This Week

Students from the Medway and Canterbury campus will graduate on Wednesday and Friday respectively. The congregation which consists of those studying Masters and Bachelors will be awarded at ceremonies held at Rochester Cathedral and Canterbury Cathedral. Both ceremonies will be streamed live on our YouTube channel and on the University of Kent website.

The University of Kent also awards honorary degrees to distinguished individuals life who have made a significant contribution to society. Honorary graduates are selected from nominations by members of the University and very often have links with departments or are University of Kent alumni.

Cyber Security Event

KirCCS Public Engagement event on Cyber Security

Kent Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Cyber Security (KirCCS) at the University of Kent will host its first Public Engagement Event in Cyber Security at the Canterbury campus on Wednesday 5th December 2018 from 13.00 to 18.00.

The event will be opened by Professor Karen Cox, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, at 14.30 after a buffet lunch reception, together with posters, stands, and demonstrations on various topics in Cyber Security.

The event will also include a talk by Professor Philippe De Wilde, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation, on the University’s activities, achievements and future plans in research and innovation. There will be an introduction to KirCCS, followed by a number of invited talks given by external speakers from government, industry and academia.

KirccS is representing the University of Kent as a UK government recognised ACE-CSR (Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research).

Please book your place at this event as places are limited.