Kent took home the “Benefitting Society” Award at the Green Gown Awards last night in recognition of our work as the world’s first Right to Food University.

The Right to Food civic mission sees Kent, in partnership with the Food Foundation, use our academic experts, catering and sustainability teams to bring about change in the food system as well as working with our students, staff and wider local community to tackle food inequality and insecurity.

Now in their 20th year, the awards recognise outstanding and exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken in the post-16 education sector across the UK and Ireland – with 133 projects from 83 institutions shortlisted this year. This award recognises the powerful and innovative ways that education institutions are realising their purpose in society to benefit the lives of individuals, communities and wider society.

Singling out Kent in this category, the judges said that the Right to Food is: ‘A very well thought out and planned programme, addressing a critical societal issue at present. The judges felt that this stood out as being innovative and having a significant benefit to society. Right to Food standard has developed as a blueprint for other universities. Students can benefit in a variety of ways by engaging on the project. This is something we could all do and should all be doing.’

As well as leading the way, we will support other universities in their commitment to the Right to Food by sharing the knowledge and expertise gained and rolling out a blueprint so that other institutions can embark on their own Right to Food journey.

On winning the award, Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura, Interim Vice-Chancellor and President said: ‘We are extremely proud to win this award and excited that our Right to Food project has been recognised in this way. The University of Kent works as a community, collaborating with partners for positive change and our mission on Right to Food is integral to our ethos, woven through pedagogy and civic work. This award will accelerate the impact on the creation of healthier, more environmentally sustainable, and democratically accountable societies.’

Professor Iain Wilkinson, Right to Food Lead, said: ‘The Right to Food work at Kent is key in supporting our role in ensuring the health, wellbeing and prosperity of the county and the region, as well as wider society. It challenges and inspires us to create a world where everyone has the right to healthy and affordable food. This award recognises what we have done so far and helps pave the way for the next steps.’

As well as leading the way, we will support other universities in their commitment to the Right to Food by sharing the knowledge and expertise gained and rolling out a blueprint so that other institutions can embark on their own Right to Food journey.

Find out more about what the Right to Food is, what we’ve achieved so far and how you can get involved. 

Find out what’s on this week including careers events, the start of Disability History Month and an opportunity to ask your questions to the Vice-Chancellor. 

Monday 11 November: Time management essentials and games afternoon (Medway) 

Feeling disorganised? Join this online Study Plus workshop on time management essentials. Learn how to identify and prioritise your most important tasks, time management techniques and more.  

At Medway campus there’s a games afternoon you can join at The Hub.  

Tuesday 12 November: Careers events, fresh fruit giveaway and negotiation skills for PGT students 

Good negotiation skills are important in both your work life and home life. PGT students are invited to join this two-hour workshop where you can explore effective negotiation techniques and theory through a series of practical exercises.  

As part of the University’s Right to Food initiative, on Tuesday you can pick up some fresh fruit for free from Templeman Library! And while you’re there you can check out the new Right to Food exhibition which sheds a light on key issues related to food justice, health and sustainability.

Find out more about our mentoring scheme which connects you with a Career Mentor from our global alumni community. Learn about the benefits of mentoring, choosing the right mentor and making the most out of the mentoring relationship.  

At Medway campus you can join a session about utilising LinkedIn for the application process, including job searching, commercial awareness and interview preparation.  

Wednesday 13 November: Advanced essay writing skills, free lunchtime concert and Vice-Chancellor’s Question Time 

Improve your essay writing skills with an advanced essay writing skills workshop from the Skills for Academic Success Team. This workshop will include techniques to help you make the effective transition from beginner to advance essay writer. The workshop is taking place at both Canterbury and Medway campuses.  

Enjoy a free lunchtime concert from Cellist William Jack in the Colyer-Fergusson on Wednesday. William is best known for incorporating his jazz guitar background into an unconventional style of cello playing, with a passion for breaking boundaries between genres and cultures. 

Do you have a question for the Vice-Chancellor? This is your opportunity to put questions to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Georgina Randlsey de Moura in the Gulbenkian Cinema. Your Kent Students’ Union president Lulu Collins will ask your questions. You can submit a question in advance.  

Thursday 14 November: Help with CVs and cover letters (Medway), Employability Points and comedy open mic night (Medway) 

Get help with CVs and cover letters at this session in Medway. Critique an example CV and cover letter and reflect on your individual next steps for updating your CV and cover letter.  

Come and meet your EP team who will explain what the Employability Points scheme is and how it benefits you during your studies at Kent. Find out more about how the scheme works, claiming Employability Points and when you will be able to apply for rewards.  

On Thursday evening at The Deep End you can join the LGBTQ+ Society and Debate Society for comedy open mic night!  

Friday 15 November: confidence for speaking and presenting, writing a PG personal statement and creative ResLife events 

For many people speaking in meetings, in public and in 1:1s can be one of the most nerve-wracking aspects of work. But it’s also one of the most necessary. This building confidence for speaking and presenting in the workplace online session gets the attendees talking, with practical exercises and tips on how to structure how to speak to build teams and get things done. 

If you are considering postgrad study, join this online session about how to write a postgraduate personal statement. Explore differences between a PG and UG application, look at examples of application requirements and find out top tips for how to structure your personal statement.  

If you live on campus and want to get creative, try one of the ResLife events including friendship bracelet making, a nail tech night or a calligraphy session.   

See all student events. 

Opportunities and reminders 

• International students – have you got your eVisa yet? Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) are due to expire at the end of 2024.  
• 10 Kent students will win £1,000 each with the Brighter Futures Grants from Santander. You don’t need to bank with Santander to get involved.  
• ASPIRE has secured free stalls at Discovery Park Christmas Market. If you have a product that would make the perfect gift, get in touch and book a stall.  
• Have your say on Kent Students’ Union with the opportunity to win amazing prizes by completing their survey. The survey closes at 10:00 on Friday 15 November 2024. 

See all student opportunities. 

As we approach winter and it starts to get darker earlier, here’s a reminder of safety initiatives and services you can use while studying and living at Kent, including:

Campus Security

Security staff are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at our Canterbury and Medway campuses. They offer the free night-time walking taxi service, safety advice, free personal safety alarms, and emergency support. You can contact Campus Security using the SafeZone app or by calling:

• Non-emergency and night-time walking taxi service: 01227 823300
• Emergency: 01227 823333

SafeZone App

SafeZone is a free and simple-to-use app for all our students and staff. It’s designed to help you get first-aid, security or safety assistance via your mobile phone. Find out more and download the SafeZone app.

Student Safe Taxi Scheme in Canterbury

The scheme lets students get a taxi home or to another destination, such as a Police Station or local hospital, quickly and safely. You can request a taxi through the scheme even if you do not have the funds to pay the fare at the time of booking, as fares can be paid later on the Online Store.

Sign up to the scheme now in case you ever need it.

Connected Routes in Canterbury

Follow the Connected Routes map if you’re travelling home from a night out in Canterbury city centre.

The map includes routes where there are regular patrols, refuge points, and increased lighting and CCTV coverage. It is also covered by the SafeZone app.

Find out more and see the Connected Routes map.

Canterbury Street Marshals

Canterbury Street Marshals support students to stay safe when out and about in Canterbury at night. They patrol the streets where many students live off campus or their routes back to campus after a night out.

Report + Support

Report + Support is the University’s online reporting tool for incidents such as: sexual misconduct, discrimination, hate incidents, harassment, physical or verbal harm and/or abuse, bullying, stalking, domestic abuse, or spiking.

Through Report + Support you can get information about different types of incidents, submit a named or anonymous report and get access to support easily.

Find out more…

See our safety webpages for advice and all safety services at our Canterbury and Medway campuses.

** Update –  KentVision maintenance work is now completed and the system has reopened**

The KentVision system will be unavailable from 7:30 until 10:30 on Tuesday 8 October 2024 due to essential maintenance.

Please make a note of your timetable, including timings and locations, ahead of this KentVision outage.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused while this essential work is carried out.

Should you have any concerns or queries please contact helpdesk@kent.ac.uk

1. Investment fraud: with a total loss of £29,509,631

Criminals will target students looking to make quick-wins with available cash through cryptocurrency or schemes with a promise of high return investment. They are usually easily targeted through social media and online where many investment schemes operate.

2. Fake job fraud: with a total loss of £149,719

Students looking for job opportunities can be targeted by fraudulent adverts aimed at stealing personal information or money. Students might be asked for an upfront payment for a fake consultation or extra help finding a job, but the fraudster does not deliver.

3. Rental fraud: with a total loss of £4,270,255

Rental fraudsters often target students looking for university accommodation. Fraudsters ask students to pay fees in advance without seeing a property first, and as a result they lose money as well as somewhere to live.

4. Online shopping fraud: with a total loss of £9,199,951

Often fraudsters will create fake websites or replicate legitimate online stores to trick customers into providing their personal and financial information for a purchase that isn’t real. This can lead to those details being used for criminal activity.

5. Ticket fraud: with a total loss of £1,053,493

Fraudsters will use opportunities, like highly in-demand events, to target students by selling fake tickets. Students looking for cheap deals for freshers’ events can also be targets.

What can you do to protect yourself from fraud?

Here is some guidance to help students and others protect themselves online, whilst starting the new the school or university year.

• Protect your online accounts: the password you use for your email account should be different from all your other passwords for online accounts. Use three random words to create a strong and memorable password, and enable 2-step verification (2SV).
• Be cautious about how you send money: avoid paying via bank transfer and don’t be pressured into transferring large sums of money. Any trusted organisation will not force you to transfer money on the spot and only a fraudster will try to rush you. For making purchases online, use a credit card if you can.
• Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or contact on social media: from seeing unbelievably good deals on tickets, to seeing a suspicious rental property advertised, always double check the authenticity of what you are going to buy online before making a purchase or paying upfront fees.

How to report suspicious emails and texts 

• Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk
• Report suspicious text messages or spam calls free of charge to 7726

For more tips on student safety: actionfraud.police.uk/studentsafety

If you’ve lost money or provided your financial information to someone, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.