Monthly Archives: January 2016

Entries now invited for 2016 THELMAs

Entries are now being invited for this year’s THELMAS (the Times Higher Education Leadership & Management Awards.

The THELMAS, now in their eighth year, shine a spotlight on the less celebrated teams who work in the “engine rooms” of HE institutions. The awards are free to enter and open to all UK higher education institutions.

Categories in 2016 include:

  • Outstanding Leadership and Management Team
  • Outstanding Development/Alumni Relations Team
  • Outstanding Human Resources Team
  • Outstanding Estates Team
  • Outstanding Finance Team
  • Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team
  • Outstanding Library Team
  • Outstanding Digital Innovation in Management and Administration
  • Outstanding Student Services Team
  • Outstanding International Strategy
  • Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year
  • Outstanding Student Admissions Team
  • Outstanding Administrative Services Team
  • Outstanding Departmental Administration Team
  • Outstanding Procurement Team
  • Outstanding Strategic Planning Team

To find out more about the awards, see: http://www.thelmawards.co.uk/

Kent Extra

New Kent Extra courses are starting on the Canterbury campus this term. Explore the science behind everyday objects with our “How does it work?” sessions, learn about the past with “Exploring Urban Heritage”, “Towns and Townspeople in Medieval England”, “Medieval Music for Beginners” and other history courses, or  sign up for a mallet-making course in the woods with “Betel Mania”. There are courses such as “Gaining Work Experience in the UK” starting at Medway in the summer term.Kent Extra courses are free to all Kent students. They vary from one-off sessions for an hour or two, to a full term of two-hour sessions. You can sign up via Workshops in the Student Data System. Some are starting in week 13, so don’t delay  – sign up now!

https://www.kent.ac.uk/extra/courses/index.html

Careers and Employability Service – Spring Term events at Medway

Whether you’re a first year looking to boost your CV or a final year looking for a graduate position this summer, our workshops are a great way to get help and advice from a Careers Adviser.

To book your place on these events please log in to Target Connect (using your KentID and password) and select Calender view under the Events tab. Find Target Connect here: https:careers.kent.ac.uk

Friday 29 January 12.00-13.00 M2-04

Postgraduate study options

The Careers and Employability Service will give an overview of postgraduate study options including applications and funding.

 

Thursday 4 February 12.00-13.00 DA103

CV bootcamp:  how to create a high impact CV

This workshop will help you to recognise different CV styles and teach you how to target your CV effectively and market yourself and your skills on paper.

Wednesday 10 February 12.15-12.45 CT202

Bite-size application forms

Get to grips with job applications. Learn to master the STAR approach, find out how to beat applicant tracking systems and get your applications noticed by employers.

Wednesday 17 February 12.00-16.30 G0-06

Extended drop-in

No appointment necessary – just bring your CV along to get feedback from a careers adviser.

Wednesday 24 February 10.00-12.00 PK017

Mock assessment centre

Assessment centres are used by many employers as part of their recruitment processes. This workshop will give you tips on how to succeed at assessment centres. You will then complete a mock assessment centre exercise so that you can practise and receive feedback.

Thursday 3 March 12.00-13.00 DA103

Interview skills

Tips on face-to-face, telephone and online interviews.  Have a go at a practice interview in a safe environment.  Overcome your nerves and build your interview confidence.

Wednesday 9 March 10.30-12.00 R2-09

Employability Opportunities Fair

Come to this mini fair to find out more about the University of Kent services available to you to help improve your employability.  Stands will include EP, Go Abroad, GK Unions Volunteering and Jobshop.

Wednesday 16 March 10am-12pm SCL209

Psychometric assessments

Many employers use psychometric tests as part of their recruitment processes. This session will give you the chance to practise tests on verbal reasoning, abstract reasoning, numeracy and situational judgement tests. You will be given your results on the same day.   Booking is essential.

Tuesday 22 March 15.15-16.00 G2-21

Choosing a career

Not sure what career you want to go into or what is open to you? This talk will provide tips on how you can begin to explore your options.

Tuesday 29 March

Job searching

Not sure where to start with your job hunt?  This workshop will introduce you to a range of different job searching methods including the use of vacancy websites, networking and social media.

What are professional doctorates? – find out more at Open Lecture  

Staff are invited to find out more about professional doctorates at an open lecture organised by the Centre for Professional Practice (CPP), at Medway campus, on Thursday 28 January.

The lecture on ‘Developing and managing learning and assessment on a Professional Doctorate programme’ will be presented by Dr Mehmet Ali Dikerdem, Principal Lecturer at the Institute for Work-Based Learning, Middlesex University.

Professional doctorates are equivalent to a PhD but focus on a specific professional context. They require an original piece of research, which is informed by the participant’s own professional practice and aims to develop wider understanding of professional practice.

Professional doctorates are an innovative way of offering and expanding access to postgraduate research – which links in with the University Plan’s aim to increase PGR numbers across the University, as well working closely with employers and industry.

This open lecture will critically explore key issues in relation to the difference between familiar modes of PGR study and the different pedagogies of working with participants on professional doctorate programmes.  Dr Dikerdem will draw on his extensive experience of implementing and working with the highly successful Professional Doctorate programme at Middlesex University.

The lecture will take place in Room M1-22, Medway Building, Medway campus, from 16.00-17.30. It is free to attend and refreshments will be available.

Find out more on the CPP webpages. If you would like to attend, please email CPP by Tuesday 26 January 2016.

Canterbury parkrun

New Year, New You: join in with parkrun!

If you have health and fitness on your list of New Year resolutions, parkrun is a great opportunity to enjoy exercise in a friendly non-competitive environment free of charge.

The 5km runs take place throughout the country every Saturday morning at 09:00. parkruns are suitable for all, whether you want to run, jog or walk. They are also a great way to start the weekend with some fresh air and fun with friends.

The Canterbury parkrun starts and ends at the Pavilion on the University of Kent campus, offering the convenience of changing facilities and the social space upstairs at the Pavilion Cafe Bar. Participants run for enjoyment but times are recorded for those that want to keep track.

If you do plan on participating as a runner or volunteer, be sure to register at: www.parkrun.org.uk/register and bring your barcode along on the day!

Placement student praised in company magazine

Final year Business Information Technology student, Michael Ikeji, has been featured in Brakes people magazine as the first information services student intern. Michael worked in the food distribution company between his second and final year at university and quickly outgrew the plans that his team had for him and had to find more things for him to take on.

Michael said; ‘This was a very valuable experience as personally it helped me become a more confident, independent and hardworking individual. One of the best things about the Brakes Intern Programme is that everything you learn can be used in your final year. It’s an experience that I recommend every student should take part in because it does change you for the better.’

Business Partner and Strategy Director Larry Tampkins said; ‘By working with the University of Kent, it enhances our links with the local community as well as bringing in additional resource to the organisation at a relatively low cost. From the student’s perspective, they get to work in a forward-thinking organisation in a period of really dynamic change; something they may not otherwise experience until much later in their career.’

Ingram Building – Essential Maintenance work to heating system

On Wednesday 6th January between 08.00 – 17.00 there will be some disruption to the heating system for essential maintenance works which is being carried out by Parkway Heating Services.

Until work commences our Contractor will be unable to determine exactly which which rooms/offices will be disrupted, but believe it will only be the rooms/offices above the underpass.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. If there are any queries please contact the Estates Helpdesk on Extn 3209.

Book now for January/February shows at Marlowe

Tickets are selling fast for January/February shows at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury.

If you would like tickets at the Corporate Member rate for An Inspector Calls – £20 on Tuesday/Wednesday 18-19 January (limited availability) – you’re advised to book ASAP.

Information on all the latest special offers and events is available here. OUR BOOKING CODE IS COR17.

 

 

Get ahead on your golf with free coaching

Here is your chance to get into golf and improve your game this winter with some free coaching sessions available to Kent Sport members. Whether you have already have some experience at golf or are completely new to the sport you can benefit from this coaching which is with an experienced and qualified professional at Boughton Golf Club.

The 90-minute coaching sessions are are on the following dates:

Wednesday 6 January, 08.00 – 09.30
Saturday 9 January, 09.00 – 10.30
Sunday 10 January, 09.30 – 11.00
Wednesday 13 January, 08.00 – 09.30
Saturday 16 January, 09.00 – 10.30
Sunday 17 January, 09.30 – 11.00
Wednesday 20 January, 08.00 – 09.30
Saturday 23 January, 09.00 – 10.30
Sunday 24 January, 09.30 – 11.00

These coaching sessions are available free of charge to Kent Sport Gold and Silver members. You can sign up for any or all of these sessions by emailing sportsenquiries@kent.ac.uk on a first come first served basis as places are limited. Equipment will be provided for anyone who requires it you will just need some comfortable clothes suitable for swinging golf clubs!

The coaching sessions are also open to others, who can contact greg@pentlandgolf.co.uk for pricing. For more information about Kent Sport membership benefits, visit www.kent.ac.uk/sports/membership.

Golf provides a winning combination of exercise, personal challenges, competition and social interaction, so why not give it a go!