Yearly Archives: 2021

Templeman Library

Congratulations to our new Fellows and Senior Fellows of Advance HE

The Centre for the Study of Higher Education congratulates the following colleagues who applied for Senior Fellowship and Fellowship of Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy) through the Route to Recognition for Experienced Staff (RRES), and successfully gained national recognition for their leadership, excellence, expertise and commitment to professionalism in teaching and learning.  

Senior Fellowship

Fellowship

  • Fraser James – Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
  • David Waterson – Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
closeup of person using laptop

USS Consultation Staff Webchat

On Tuesday 7 December, from 13.00-14.00, we will be holding a staff webchat focusing on  proposed changes to the USS pension scheme and the consultation process.

The session will be led by Jane Higham, Chief Financial Officer, with a presentation by Rebecca Dodd from Mercer, independent pensions advisers. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session.

If you would like to attend, please complete the registration form here. The webchat will take place on MS Teams.

Pensions surgeries

Alan Gazzard, Pensions Supervisor at Kent, will be holding one-to-one pension surgeries in December, to answer any personal pensions questions. The sessions will be held on:

Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 December, 09.00-17.00

Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 December, from 18.30-19.30

Friday 10 December, from 14.00-17.00

Please email Alan Gazzard to book a 30-minute one-to-one appointment. These will be held on Microsoft Teams.

Find out more

To find out more about the USS pension changes, see our webpages, which include information on the current situation, the University position and local consultation process.

Bistro design plan showing pool table and lots of seating

New social spaces coming soon to Medway campus!

You told us you wanted more places to relax, chat and eat your own lunch on campus. In response to your feedback, we’re creating some exciting new social spaces.

We’re introducing a new social space on the ground floor of the Rochester Building (Pembroke) and a social space in the Clocktower (Dockyard).

The Rochester Building social space will include vending machines, sofas and a pool table with a longer-term plan for a kitchen. It will be a great place to chill out and socialise with friends between your classes. Check out the design.

The Clocktower social space will include a relaxed seating area, vending machines and a kitchen. Take a seat and relax. View the design.

We’re also revamping the green space next to Medway Building to include more benches, a trail gym and a covered seating area. Here’s a sneak peek at the progress so far.

Medway green space developmentMedway green space development

The social spaces and green space will be ready for you to enjoy by the beginning of the Spring term.

Campus shuttle bus

Getting around in Medway

Did you know that you we work with Arriva Bus Company so you can get a student discount on Arriva buses in Medway? We want to make it easier for you to get around, as well as reducing congestion and minimising carbon emissions.

We also have a free shuttle bus service between Medway and Canterbury campuses exclusively for Kent students and staff. Book a seat on the Campus Shuttle and explore the Canterbury campus. As a Medway student you are welcome to access all the facilities and services at the Canterbury campus as well as the Medway campus.

Kent students can also book the Greenwich bus from Medway to Greenwich at a cost of £3.50.

You can find the Transport Team in the Security and Transport Centre on the Canterbury campus. Or you can contact them via email TransportTeam@kent.ac.uk or telephone 01227 82 3609 if you have any questions about travel around or between the campuses.

Home Office computer desk display

Care first webinars w/c 29 November 2021

Our official Employee Assistance Programme provider, Care first offers a numbers of services and provide useful advice and support, including weekly webinars.

This week’s (Monday 29 November –  Friday 3 December) webinars are as follows:

Monday 29 November 2021 – ‘How Care first can support you’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please go to webinar link 

Tuesday 30 November 2021 -‘ The benefits of staying positive’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please go to webinar link

Wednesday 1 December 2021 – ‘The positives of structure and routine’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please go to this webinar link

Thursday 2 December 2021 – ‘Tips to manage burnout’
Time 12.00-12.30 – to register please go to this webinar link

Friday 3 December 2021 – ‘Festive wellbeing’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please go to this webinar link

students at art museum taking photos on phones

Last chance to get Student Art Pass for £5

It’s your last chance to get Student Art Pass for £5

Don’t miss out on a year of art and opportunities, get yours today

A Student Art Pass lets you dive into culture on a budget with free entry to hundreds of museums and galleries across the UK, and 50% off major exhibitions.

Plus, you’ll gain access to paid opportunities in the visual arts and grow your network by joining the #WeAreArtful @StudentArtPass community. All for just £5 a year.

Available for a limited time until 12 December 2021.

Don’t miss out – get your £5 pass today.

Book your Christmas dinner at Woodys!

Looking for somewhere social to go for your Christmas Dinner? With your department, or friends?

Woody’s are taking Christmas Dinner bookings now for any date Mon 13 – Thursday 16 December. You can choose between 2 or 3 courses and all meals come with the usual festive trimmings of crackers and mince pies!

2 courses – only £12!

3 courses – only 15!

Bookings can be done by messaging Woody’s on their Instagram or Facebook pages. Or you can drop-in and book at the bar. Click onto the Festive Menu Flyer and get booked in soon!  

Careers in the Public Sector Week 29 Nov – 3 Dec

Join us for the Careers and Employability Service’s Careers in the Public Sector Week, 29 November – 3 December.

Starting on 29 November, the Careers and Employability Service will be hosting a week of online activities looking at Careers in the Public Sector. This programme is open to all students interested in finding out more about working in this sector.

Throughout the week, we will be joined by a range of Kent alumni and employers, including local councils, the Civil Service, the Office for National Statistics, and Teach First. Events will include: insight talks from employers; presentations on how to succeed in landing graduate roles; advice on asking for reasonable adjustments when making applications; and a panel discussion on careers in teaching.

All events will be virtual and hosted on either Teams or Zoom. You can also earn 10 Employability Points by attending each event, which can be redeemed later in the year for exclusive rewards.

To see the full schedule of events, please visit our website. You can book your place for each event now on TARGETConnect. We hope to see you there!

Kent Sport Christmas on campus

Christmas themed classes – Monday 6 December 

Join Jeni and the team for an afternoon of festive-themed Christmas classes, including Santa’s Spin Surprise and 12 Days of Boxfit. Costumes optional! Keep an eye on social media channels UniKentSport where details of all the classes will be shared soon. Classes are free for Premium Plus and Premium members. Make sure you book a space on the class through your online account.

Santa Run – Tuesday 7 December

What better way to get in the festive spirit than a gentle 5k run around the Canterbury campus, following Santa on his sleigh? Join our popular Santa Run, starting at the Plaza at 1pm. Festive outfits encouraged, and the first 100 finishers will earn themselves a shiny (chocolate) medal. When you cross the finish line, head up to The Pavilion Café Bar for a nice (free) warming cup of hot choc, a mince pie and Christmas music! We’ll then announce the winners of the best dressed competition.

You can sign up to the event here on the Gulbenkian website. 

Christmas Jumper Day – Friday 10 December

Throw on your best (or worst!) Christmas jumper and join Kent Sport staff as we raise funds for Save the Children. A donation box will be set up at main reception at the Sports Centre.  

Closing dates

We’ll be signing off for the year on Wednesday 22 December, meaning all Kent Sport facilities will be closed from this date. We’ll be reopening on Tuesday 4 January.  

Stay Well at Home

Wherever you’ll be this Christmas, at home or on campus, you can still stay active with Kent Sport through our Stay Well at Home content. Check out our range of virtual classes and wellbeing articles.

As always, follow us on social media UniKentSports for the latest updates. And visit our website.

The Gulbenkian Café proudly supports Kentish suppliers

As a member of Produced in Kent, the Gulbenkian Café is passionate about supporting the diverse range of food and drink businesses in Kent.

The menu showcases what can be done with the fantastic local produce found right here in the Garden of England. Options include cooked breakfasts, burgers and hand rolled pizzas, made with fresh produce from nearby farms, butchers and cheesemongers.

Our suppliers include Foodari, Cheesemakers of Canterbury, Preston Family Butchers, Coastal Farm Eggs, Simply Ice Cream and many more.

Our coffee supplier, Garage Coffee, is an award-winning speciality coffee roaster based in the beautiful village of Hoath, just outside of Canterbury. They roast in small 12kg batches for optimum quality, and only roast speciality grade coffees which are always fully traceable and fairly traded.

Garage Coffee is the winner of the Kent Non-Alcoholic Drink of the Year at the Produced in Kent ‘Taste of Kent’ Awards 2021 for their Maypole coffee blend, which is served right here in the Gulbenkian Café.  

For more information about the Gulbenkian Café, and to view our opening times, please visit our website.