Author Archives: Annabel Chislett

Coming soon: a new way to find study spaces

We know it can get busy in the Templeman Library, especially in exam season. We’re installing new technology that will help you find a space to study.

From Spring you will be able to see at a glance how many desk spaces are available in each part of the Library – just like you can already see how many student PCs are available online and on screens in the Library.

How does it work?

We are installing sensors under desks in the study spaces in the Templeman Library. The sensors detect whether a space is free or not. They don’t collect any other information or personal data.

We did a trial run of this technology last summer, and found it was reliable and got good feedback from students who used the spaces.

How will it help?

You will be able to see how many spaces are free around the Library, so you can choose where to work and don’t have to walk around looking for a seat.

Kent Union supports this new service. Dave Cocozza, Vice President (Education), says, “Giving our students the tools to study easily, where and when it suits them, is fantastic and I’m very pleased to be working closely with Information Services on supporting innovations like this. Hopefully spending a bulk of your time finding a space to work from will soon be a thing of the past, so please do utilise this service as soon as it’s available!”

We will get a better idea of how the Library space is used. This will help us to provide study space that meets your needs and is better-used, and to make decisions like how to arrange the furniture.

Work disruption

There will be some work and noise disruption while the sensors are installed. Sorry about this – it will be at times when the Library is less busy.
Templeman West: installed Tuesday 10 January
Templeman East: coming in February

Graduation Launch 2017

Final year students at the University of Kent are formally invited to attend the 2017 Graduation Launch event which will be held at both the Canterbury and Medway campus.

These Graduation Launch events will take place on the 18 January in Medway and 20 January in Canterbury and will cover topics such as:

– What to expect from your graduation

– What you need to do before your graduation

– Recent Kent alumni and where they are now

– Which date and time you will be graduating!

This will be the official release of your graduation date which will not be available until this time, so we highly recommend that you attend!

We look forward to seeing you at the Launch!

Event links:
Medway Graduation Launch 2017
Canterbury Graduation Launch 2017

Over £90,000 raised by students for students

Over 4 weeks in October and November, a team of dedicated student callers spoke to over 1200 alumni across the UK and the USA to raise money. The team, led by student supervisors Juvayriyah Ikram (Maths, Third year), Adam Mathia (Actuarial Science, Third year) and Rosdip Rai (Biomedical Science, Third year), raised over £90,000 – a record breaking amount – which will help to build the Kent Opportunity Fund, which has raised over £4.5million since it was launched in 2012. The Telephone Campaign takes place twice a year and will be recruiting student callers in the spring.

Student caller, Maria Burrell said; “I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk to real professionals, who have been through all the processes and experiences that are involved in the job market. I’ve definitely had some inspiration as to what career I’d like to have!”

We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our alumni community, and look forward to taking their donations forward.

The Kent Opportunity Fund was established to support Kent students; through scholarships, bursaries for financial hardship and grants to both extra-curricular projects, and sports projects.

The Alumni Postgraduate Research Scholarship has helped 23 exceptional graduates to date, do groundbreaking research, with projects in recent years contributing significantly to attempts to tackle UK gang culture and the development of a new cancer treatment. Hardship Bursaries are extremely important as students are facing tougher financial pressures. Many find it difficult to support themselves during their degrees and so Hardship Bursaries are available to students who are struggling financially and need immediate help to finish their studies.

The Student Projects Grant scheme and the Student Sport Grant scheme are open for applications now! Visit www.kent.ac.uk/giving/opportunityfund

Returning students save £200 at Liberty Quays

Re-book your student accommodation with Liberty Quays directly and receive a £200 rebooking discount.

Current students
If you are already staying at Liberty Quays, they will happily carry your deposit forward to the next year.

Former students
If you know any former students who are looking for student accommodation, be sure to let them know that the same offer is also open to them.

For further information or to book your student accommodation for September 2017 visit Liberty Living’s website.

Kentmas Quiz winner

Congratulations to Mihaela Micheva, a second year Psychology student, on winning the top prize of an iPad Mini in the ’12 days of Kentmas’ student competition.

The ’12 days of Kentmas’ is festive quiz which involves students answering daily questions about the University’s student experience.

Congratulations also goes to our eleven #Kentmas quiz runners up, who each won a £10 Amazon voucher.

Thank you to everyone who took part and we hope you will play along next year!

Music events on offer this December

Join us this December for a wide range of musical events in Medway!

The School of Music and Fine Art will be hosting a variety of performances. These events usually draw a crowd, so make sure to register today!

SMFA Ensemble Lunchtime Concert, 13 December
A free concert to showcase our students studying band and ensemble playing will be held on Tuesday 13 December at 12.00-13.00 in the Galvanising Shop Performance Space. Register here.

Christmas Concert, 14 December
On Wednesday 14 December, the University of Kent Choir and Orchestra (Medway) will be performing a range of festive music at the Royal Dockyard Churchat 19.30.
The programme includes Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols for Baritone Solo, Chorus and Orchestra. Please book your tickets via the Gulbenkian Box Office.

SMFA Popular Music Gig, 15 December
On Thursday 15 December a free gig will be held at Cargo Bar, Liberty Quays. Bands from the School of Music & Fine Art perform sets of original material and covers.

Chat to a Samaritan on campus

Ever wondered what the Samaritan service offers? Or need to chat to someone?

The Samaritans will be present on campus to raise awareness of the service they offer and to listen to anyone who is in need of someone to talk to.

Come along and chat to them this evening (Tuesday 7 December) or Wednesday 8 December at 17.00-20.00 in Keynes and Rutherford.

Medway Christmas Concert

The Christmas Concert will be taking place on Wednesday 14 December, 19.30 at the Royal Dockyard Church, Historic Dockyard Chatham.

The concert programme includes Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols for Baritone Solo, Chorus and Orchestra. This work will form the centre piece of a concert celebrating music with a festive flavour in a range traditions performed by the University of Kent Choir and Orchestra (Medway).

Staff and students at Medway Universities and members of the local community are also invited to join the choir or orchestra, to take part in this wonderful event.

Tickets and further information are available on the Gulbenkian website.

Alcohol and drugs policy

The University is committed to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of its students, and accepts its responsibility to promote good health by raising awareness of the risks of alcohol and drug misuse.

We respect the privacy of students but must be concerned where a student’s behaviour impairs his/her conduct, safety or academic performance and/or adversely affects other students, staff, campus life or the wider community.

The University of Kent policies and penalties associated with drug and alcohol related offences are outlined in the following policies:

These are a part of the general regulations.

If you or any of your friends have any concerns about these issues, you can access support via Student Support and Wellbeing and the Masters’ Offices.

We also have a representative from Turning Point, an organisation that provides specialist and integrated services to help people recover from addiction and gain control of their lives, available with our Wellbeing Team in Keynes College every Thursday. Appointments for Turning Point or for general counselling can be made via the Student Wellbeing Service.

Christmas food and drink offers

Christmas is just around the corner which means staff and students alike will be gathering together to embrace the festive spirit over some tasty food!

Christmas lunch in Rutherford, Canterbury
If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly Christmas lunch on campus, Rutherford Dining Hall will be offering two courses for £7 from Monday 5 – Friday 16 December. This includes traditional roast turkey or festive nut roast with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding with a rich brandy sauce.

If you would like to exclusively book a table for your friends or colleagues, please call the Dining Hall on 01227 823500.

Festive food at Hut 8, Canterbury
For something a bit different, Hut 8 will be offering a 12” Festive Pizza for £8.40 topped with turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, caramelized onions and optional cranberry sauce – perfect for sharing among your office co-workers or with your housemates. Alternatively, you can opt for a Hut 8 Turkey Flatbread filled with stuffing and caramelized onions, served alongside a portion of fries.

For more information or to order, call Hut 8 on 01227 816888.

Christmas Menu at Cargo Bar & Bistro, Medway
A festive two-course menu for £12.95 or 3 courses for £15.95. This promotion will be running from 5-18 December (Monday to Friday 12:00 – 21:00 and Saturday to Sunday 12:00 – 18:00.)

This offer is by booking only so please call Cargo on 01634 582615 to reserve a table. There are free mince pies with every booking!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Kent Hospitality!