Staff are invited to join an open forum about proposed changes to programme approval and curriculum design which are taking place as part of the Simplifying Kent Programme.

At the meeting staff will be updated on proposed changes and have an opportunity to ask questions about the project. The event will be led by Dr Simon Kirchin, Dean of Humanities, who is leading this particular project.

SK1: Programme approval and curriculum design is one of nine projects which comprise the Simplifying Kent programme, itself the result of the recent Kent Service Delivery Diagnostic (KSDD Review).

In a nutshell the aims of the project to:
1. Review and improve the Programme and Module approval process.
2. Review the programme and module portfolios for all schools (e.g. numbers of students, structure of module choices, but not educational content) and make recommendations on changes and on future decision-making.

Meetings will be held at both Canterbury and Medway, the details are as follows:
– Wednesday 5 April, Templeman Lecture Theatre, 14.00 – 15.00
– Wednesday 7 June, Medway Building, M3-04, 15.00 – 16.00

To help with planning please respond to this Doodle Poll to help with planning.

Dr Terry Corner, the South East Adviser for Knowledge Transfer, presented at a workshop hosted by Kent Innovation and Enterprise on Wednesday 15th March.

The goal of the event was to raise awareness of Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) prospects for academics in areas of specific interest to the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and researchers already working in, or partnering with, organisations in heritage, culture and the creative arts.

Information shared in the session included examples of recently funded AHRC KTP projects, criteria for successful projects and details of the support available in the University to help academics to develop and submit a KTP proposal. Case studies demonstrated the breadth of opportunities where broadcast technologies, exhibition capabilities and imaginative design were just some of the important ingredients for projects arising from arts and humanities research. The success rate of KTP applications is 89% with an average award value of £140,000 which can contribute to the Research Excellence Framework.

Colleagues from the Schools of Arts, Engineering and Digital Arts, English, Kent Business, Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, UELT and Research Services attended, with wider interest expressed from Architecture, Psychology, SECL, Anthropology and Computing.

If you would like more information about KTPs or the AHRC, or if you think that you might have a KTP in the making, please contact the Kent Innovation and Enterprise team on 01227 82 (7376).

The School of Physical Sciences the office are holding the official Sweepstake ” How long does it take a comedian to screw in a light bulb?” This is open to all staff, and you can enter by going to room 205 in Ingram Building from now and until 14.30 on Friday.

This will also be available for our PGR and Postdocs at our PGR networking session on Friday 24th March between 12.30 and 14.00 when we have cakes and drinks available.

On the 15 March the University’s Enactus Team showcased its social entrepreneurial projects at the Enactus regionals in London and secured a place to represent the University at the National Competition at the Excel, London on the 10 and 11 of April.

Enactus is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. Enactus provides a platform for teams of outstanding university students to create community development projects that put people’s own ingenuity and talents at the center of improving their livelihoods. Enactus work transforms both the lives of the people we serve, and in turn, the lives of our students as they develop into more effective, values-driven leaders.

Every year Enactus UK hosts a nationwide competition in which over 59 universities showcase the life changing work they do. The winner of the UK competition represents the country in the Enactus Worldwide competition against 36 other countries.

The Enactus Kent team delivered an outstanding presentation in front of a judging panel comprising of business leaders from: Barclays, KPMG, Unilever, and Tesco. The Kent projects were then examined further to assess the sustainable, social, economic, and environmental impact on the beneficiaries and their livelihoods.

The projects the University’s Enactus Team presented, include:

Cantuta is working with our Charity Partners, Clinica De Quinua in the remote South Eastern region of Peru. We are working to empower 26 elderly beneficiaries through beekeeping and honey harvesting skills.

MyStreets – Ex-homeless people in Porchlight housing guide alternative tours of Canterbury that focus on the less well known history and the issue of homelessness in the city.

Badlaav – This project aims to empower deserving women beneficiaries by putting them behind wheels in Kashmir, India.

For more information about the projects and competition please email the Enactus University Advisor, Sophie Taylor-Gammon- s.taylor-gammon@kent.ac.uk

All Kent students have access to the Kent Global Passport. This is a free online app which has been designed to help you to highlight your international skills and experience. You can do this from home or from any device and the app has questions to help you identify skills you never knew you had.

You can also Fast-track your Kent Global Passport with a three-hour StudyPlus session led by Dr Manning. You are expected to bring your own device (Ipad/laptop/Iphone etc) so you can navigate the online Kent Global Passport as the lecturer presents it. See the Kent Global Passport page for more details .

Global Engagement Modules (GEMS)

GEMS are wild modules with an international dimension, they cover a diverse range of subjects from global histories and religions to environments and cultures. You could even learn a new language! Visit GEMS to see the many ‘wild’ modules which have particular international significance, so that you can identify them easily. For more information, visit the links to the module catalogue. Further details on how to add a GEM to your studies is provided below:

1. Check: make sure your programme of study allows wild modules. If you are unsure check with your school first.
2. Select: Choose a GEM you would like to take. You’ll need to meet pre-requisites in order to take it.
3. Apply: When selecting your modules use the wild module selection table to include your GEM as one of your preferred modules

For queries or more information, contact: deaninternational@kent.ac.uk

Red Nose Day is on Friday 24 March 2017! What are you doing to fund raise this year?

If you’re organising an event, bake sale or even a fancy dress competition, then we want to know about it so we can help promote it on the University of Kent social media channels.

Let us know how you’ll be fundraising by sending us the information to Stories at Kent.

Thinking of fundraising for Red Nose Day? Check out the Red Nose Day fundraising page for ideas and view how donations will be making a difference this year.

From 8 April to 7 May 2017 inclusive, you and your friends and family can enjoy a wide range of activities for half the usual price of Gold public membership at Kent Sport. A one-month Gold adult membership is just £34.50, and a one-month Gold junior (16 to 18 years)* is now £27. Under 16’s pay £3.90 per activity.

The Spring membership offer provides unlimited access to modern sports facilities including the fitness suite, squash courts, all outdoor facilities and entry to all fitness and dance classes. If you’re looking to explore the campus, and maybe further, then Gold members can also hire a range of high-quality bikes for free through the newly built Kent Sport Cycle Hub kent.ac.uk/sports/cyclehub

To purchase your membership, visit the Sports Centre or Pavilion receptions from 3 April (for use from 1pm on 8 April). Membership is available to purchase and use until the 7 May only. For further details and terms and conditions, please visit our website kent.ac.uk/sports/membership.

*Please note that anyone in full-time education is entitled to the junior rate. To apply for the junior rate please bring with you proof of full-time education (student card etc.)

To stay up to date with Kent Sport news, events and special offers, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter UniKentSports.

The Wellbeing Team in Student Support and Wellbeing is running a Wellbeing Festival, in conjunction with Kent Union, on Thursday 23 March in Eliot Hall, from 10.00-16.00.

The aim is to encourage and support students and staff to take care of their own wellbeing in a variety of fun and practical ways, as well as providing information on how to reach out for help when necessary.

There is an exciting line-up of internal and external organisations taking part in the day, including Espression Arts café, yoga sessions, a bushcraft workshop, poetry therapy, mindful colouring, various mental health and charity stands, representatives from the LGBT network, the Chaplaincy, Sports Centre and Kent Union, refreshments and live music.

It will be very interactive and, hopefully, a memorable experience to remind people to connect positively with their own mind and body, and with each other.

For more information, see the Wellbeing Festival webpages.