Monthly Archives: May 2020

Financial Sustainability and Improvement: Procurement update

As part of the wider programme of work across the University to ensure our future financial sustainability, a task force reporting to the Cash & Capital Approvals Committee has been looking into ways to reduce the cost of our day-to-day activities. The group is led by our Procurement Team, with members from JSNCC and both central and Divisional finance staff, with their work key to identifying non-pay savings required this year.

A number of changes to how the University procures its goods and services have already been put in place as a result of this, helping ensure that expenditure is limited to essential activity only. With immediate effect:

External Providers can now only be used when there is no viable internal alternative, meaning that (for example) all refreshments must be ordered through Kent Hospitality and all printing requirements through the Design and Print Centre. If cheaper alternatives are found externally, this should be shared with the relevant internal department in case they can review and improve their offering.

Purchasing Cards will now have a transaction limit of £500, with Procurement working to reduce the total number currently in use across the University.

Travel should currently only be booked if it directly relates to the successful recruitment of students and meets wider government Covid-19 restrictions. Travel budgets will also be reduced as a result of latest government advice, with restrictions lifted when appropriate.

Unneeded suppliers whose services are no longer required as a result of Covid-19 restrictions have been written to by Procurement to suspend their services for the duration of major changes such as the closure of campus. If any supplier insists on being paid while not providing services, refer all correspondence to the Procurement Team.

More widely, the Cash & Capital Approvals Committee is working closely with budget holders to ensure that all departments contribute to University-wide efforts to identify savings. This includes limiting any end-of-year spend to essential activity only, ensuring as much resource as possible can be put towards core University work.

Find out more about the Cash & Capital Approvals Committee.

Think Kent Discovers series

While film and TV production is in lockdown, the University of Kent has original research documentaries for you to discover.

Starting the week commencing 18 May, Researchers and field experts will host interactive talks featuring topical discussions as the University launches the “Think Kent Discovers series”, a series of nine cutting edge research documentaries produced by the University of Kent in association with KMTV.

Each event will start with the screening of a research documentary followed by a live panel discussion on the topic.

The series will be live streamed via Research Services ‘YouTube channel and the university’s facebook page.

All events are FREE to watch and to book your place, please visit EventBrite.

Series schedule to include:

Tuesday 19 May at 19.00: “Restoring the Palace of Westminster”
Dr Henrik Schoenefeldt from the Kent School of Architecture and Planning analyses the Houses of Parliament’s historic ventilation system and how it shaped the overall design of the building.

Panel members:
– Dr Henrik Schoenefeldt, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Architecture at the University of Kent
– Professor Dean Hawkes, Emeritus Professor of Architectural Design at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University and an Emeritus Fellow of Darwin College, University of Cambridge
– Richard Ware, Former Director of the Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme

Thursday 28 May at 19.00: “Mary Rose – A Chemical Conundrum”
The documentary explores how a team from the School of Physical Sciences helped to preserve, and put on display, the pride of the Tudor fleet.

Panel members:
– Professor Alan Chadwick, Emeritus Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Kent
– Professor Eleanor Schofield, Head of Conservation & Collections Care at the Mary Rose Trust
– Fred Mosselmans, Principal Beamline Scientist responsible for I20 at Diamond Light Source

Week commencing 1 June: “Peru – A Living Memory” (details to be confirmed)
Researcher Natalia Sobrevilla Perea, from School of European Culture and Languages, wants to teach citizens about all aspects of Peru’s history in order to create a fully realised national identity for future generations of Peruvians.

For more details on each event, visit the Research Services webpage.

Additional Leave Purchase scheme

Following the popularity of the Additional Leave Purchase scheme in 2019, this will become an annual scheme from 2020.

The University is committed to providing policies that support work-life balance for staff, and recognises that there may be instances where staff wish to increase their annual leave for personal reasons.

This scheme has been devised to provide staff with additional flexibility in respect of planned time off work whether that be for a special occasion, an extended holiday (once travel restrictions are lifted), to help with caring responsibilities, or simply to support your wellbeing.

Applications for this year can be made from now until the end of June 2020 and the leave can be taken between July 2020 and June 2021. Full details of the scheme, including eligibility and how to apply can be found on the HR webpages.

The University recognises the impact COVID-19 is having on the usual patterns of annual leave. For some, operational pressures are affecting their leave plans, many will have had holiday plans for the coming months cancelled and, for large numbers, an increase in caring responsibilities means annual leave is not being used in the normal way.

Although social distancing is expected to continue for at least the next few months, it is still important that you take annual leave when you can. Even though most people are currently unable to leave their homes, spending time away from work is really important. We all hope that normal circumstances will resume in the coming months, which is why this annual scheme is being launched now as previously planned.

Statement of intent regarding Autumn 2020

The University of Kent is looking forward to welcoming new and returning students in the autumn of 2020. We will, as now, be open for business when the autumn term begins on 21 September 2020.

However, we recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have an impact on how we all live and work. It is likely that we will have to adapt how we deliver our education, and the wider student experience of university life, in response to changes in government requirements.

We realise what an anxious time this is and want to assure you that planning is already underway to prepare the University for the next academic year. If necessary, we will adapt our teaching styles and delivery methods to ensure that the education and experience of students remains of the highest quality possible and occurs in a safe and effective manner – taking into consideration relevant advice and guidelines that are in place at the time. The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, visitors and surrounding communities will continue to be our highest priority.

We are committed to ensuring that the standards that led to the University being rated as gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework are upheld, whether that teaching is delivered face-to-face, online or in a blended form of the two with appropriate social distancing in place. Our community of teaching, research and professional services staff will ensure that all education continues to be both a stimulating and fulfilling experience for all our students whether they are at Canterbury, Medway, Brussels or Paris.

We know our campuses are an important part of student life and we look forward to welcoming you all on to campus as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, as we transition back to more usual ways of working, we promise you that, as a member of the University, you will be part of a diverse, dynamic and supportive community and receive an education of the highest possible standard.

Fundraising campaign to support Kent’s COVID-19 response

The University has launched a fundraising campaign to help support its contribution to the fight against COVID-19.

The campaign aims to raise funds for the production of free-of-charge PPE for front-line staff, those students who may be experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic, Kent research and the new Kent and Medway Medical School.

The campaign was launched via messages of encouragement and support from the University’s Chancellor Gavin Esler, and Kent Union President Sasha Langeveldt. Watch their video here.

Kent has contributed to the fight against the pandemic in a number of ways. To date these include:

research collaborations to develop COVID-19 therapies and a vaccine
the design and production of face shields for staff in the NHS, hospice and charitable care organisations
the provision of specialist molecular biology equipment to the NHS
academics, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students volunteering to help perform testing at hospitals in the county
students supporting the local agricultural economy through fruit-picking

To donate to this important campaign please go here.

Top 10 Vegetarian recipes

Did you know that National Vegetarian Week has arrived? During this annual event (11 May – 17 May 2020), we’re encouraged to try and go meat-free for a week, with vibrant and exciting dishes.

So, whether you’re a fully-fledged vegetarian, or just want to introduce one or two meat-free options to your diet, these 10 tasty vegetarian recipes are sure to be loved by all!

1. Roasted vegetable lasagne

Putting a spin on this Italian-style dish, BBC Good Food serves us up with a delicious alternative.

2. Mixed bean falafel and sweet potato hummus

Perfect for your evening meal or a lunchtime treat, this Good Housekeeping recipe is a great mix of delicious ingredients!

3. Black bean burgers

Packed with protein, Jamie Oliver’s veggie burger recipe can be whipped up in under an hour!

4. Tomato tarte tatin

From Olive magazine, this show-stopping savoury recipe is a great take on the classic French tart.

5. Acorn squash with wild rice stuffing

With squash and wild rice providing the perfect combination, this recipe from Cooking Light is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

6. Sweet potato, chickpea and feta salad

Bursting with colour and flavour, this scrumptious salad from Delicious magazine is perfect for a warm summer evening…

7. Garden-fresh grilled veggie pizza

Providing us with a pizza loaded with fresh, flavoursome toppings, this recipe from Taste of Home is a slice of deliciousness!

8. Broccoli and cheddar crêpes

Shake up your normal cooking routine with this hearty recipe from Good Housekeeping.

9. Summer squash and basil pasta

If you’ve not tried it already, why not add sautéed squash to your favourite pasta, and create this colourful dish from Bon appetit?

10. Roasted aubergine and tomato curry

Simple yet tasty, this vibrant dish from BBC Good Food is the ideal recipe for a quick mid-week dinner.

If you have any more vegetarian dishes you’d like to share, please send them to stories@kent.ac.uk

Gulbenkian – What’s online this May 2020

With the Gulbenkian getting so much positive feedback for their monthly emails of what to watch online, they’ve now put together a Gulbenkian Recommends list on their website.

In order for you to not miss out on some exciting opportunities from their partners and friends, they’ll keep this list updated – so do keep checking!

Here are just some of the things that you can look forward to this May:

Shakespeare’s Globe at Home

Enjoy a Shakespeare-filled movie night, Shakespeare’s Globe are productions online on YouTube and on BBC iplayer as part of Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare. Available on BBC iplayer: The Tempest and Emma Rice’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream,

Currently available on YouTube: The Two Noble Kinsmen (2018) (available until Sun 17 May) & Macbeth (available from Fri 11 May)

National Theatre At Home

Every Thursday much-loved National Theatre Live productions will be made free to stream on YouTube for seven days.

Frankenstein – Thursday 30 April – (available until 7 May): Benedict Cumberbatch as the Creature.

Antony and Cleopatra – Thursday 7 May 19.00 (available until 14 May)

Schedule will also include: A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and more!

ROH at Home

Offering a schedule of free broadcasts and live content on ROH’s YouTube channels.

La traviata, The Royal Opera – Fri 8 May, 19.00

Kenneth MacMillan’s Anastasia, Royal Ballet – Fri 15 May, 19.00

Entries for THE Awards 2020 now open

Entries for the Times Higher Education Awards 2020 are now open.

Entries are invited from UK higher education institutions across 19 categories, which will be shortlisted and judged by an expert panel. This year’s categories are listed below and, unless otherwise stated in the specific subject criteria, the judges will be looking for outstanding examples of best practice during the 2018-19 academic year.

THE Outstanding Achievement Award
Business School of the Year
Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year
Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year
Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Research Project of the Year: STEM
Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year
Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year
Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
Outstanding Support for Students
Outstanding Entrepreneurial University
Outstanding Library Team
Outstanding Estates Strategy
Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team
Most Innovative Teacher of the Year
International Collaboration of the Year
Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Outstanding Technician of the Year
University of the Year

Winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on 26 November.

Corporate Communications will once again be co-ordinating Kent’s award entries this year and is happy to support schools/departments with their submissions. Please email Corporate Communications by Friday 22 May if you know of a potential entry – deadline for all completed entries is Wednesday 10 June.

Further information on the awards is available on the THE Awards 2020 website.

Picture shows: Kent’s Outstanding Library Team at the THE Awards 2019

‘BAG’ week 2020 – have you booked on a session yet?

We only have one more week until ‘Belong and Grow – it’s your BAG’ week 2020 and although our plans for BAG week 2020 have changed in line with the current situation and the need to stay safe, we still have lots on offer. Although we are not able to have face to face sessions during the week, we want to encourage you to take time during w/c 18th of May for your personal development and wellbeing, so we have redesigned ‘BAG’ week to feature remote sessions.

All of this year’s virtual events will be held by Zoom, Teams, or webinar. Please view the details of each event and book the events you would like to attend through Staff Connect. Search ‘BAG’ in Staff Connect. You will then receive a link to the event a couple of days before the scheduled date.

We also have webinars and Blogs that you can view at your leisure throughout the week.

All of the events are featured in our rolling blog, which will be updated regularly.

This event has been organised by Learning & Organisational Development, in conjunction with external providers, members of staff and students.

If you have any questions, please email LDev@kent.ac.uk

Download the Wellbeing Zone Hub.

Follow the week on Social media and share your thoughts, using #BagWeek

Deadline to apply for Year In extended

The deadline for applications for the Year In programme has been extended to Monday 11 May. This is an initiative where students can broaden their degree experience by adding an additional year but in a different subject. Regardless of which courses you are studying, you could obtain skills and experience in Computing, Data Analytics or Journalism.

Your additional year can be taken between stage 2 and 3, or after you have completed stage 3. The programme will be added to your degree title, letting employers know about your increased employability. This is a real opportunity to learn about a completely different area and gain some industry skills, experience as well as contacts.

For more information about Year In, please visit their website.