Author Archives: Miriam Sandiford

ARtwork by Abolore - women in colourful headwraps

Celebrating Black History Month

Every October, Black History Month is celebrated across the world, to explore the rich culture, origins, histories, and achievements of African and Caribbean communities and their diaspora.

This year the theme is Saluting Our Sisters, and we have a range of events at our Canterbury and Medway campuses including exhibitions, inspirational speakers, film nights and crafts.

What’s on this month

Together with Kent Union, we’ve got lots planned including:

See all Black History Month events.

Colourful artwork by Abolore Sobayo

Ẹwà: Beauty Exhibition in Keynes, Oct – Dec

Nigerian born artist Abolore Sobayo explores the beauty of sisterhood among Yoruba women through their culture of helping each other. Join the launch event on 4 October.

Living Black at Kent booklet front cover

Living Black at Kent booklet for our Black community

With recommendations from our Black students and staff, the booklet highlights local services and businesses to help our Black students find their feet here at Kent. See Living Black at Kent booklet.

Three students sat laughing together on steps in Westgate Gardens

Events roundup: 2-8 October

We hope you’re starting to settle or settle back into university life as we get into the Autumn Term.

Black History Month has begun, so look out for lots of events throughout the month including exhibitions, inspirational speakers, film nights and crafts!

Monday 2 October: Making the most of your lectures and seminars and decorating notebooks

Find out how to get the most of your lectures (Canterbury) including how to prepare and note taking. This session is taking place in person, or online on request. This is followed by a workshop aiming to help you make the most of seminars so you can perform at your best.

Channel your artistic flair and decorate your academic notebooks and folders in the Venue.

Tuesday 3 October: Making the most of your lectures and seminars (Medway) and how to get a Grad Scheme

Confused about Graduate Schemes? Join this online session all about Grad Schemes to find out what they are and tips on how you can get one.

Find out how to get the most of your lectures (Medway) including how to prepare and note taking. This session is taking place in person, or online on request. This is followed by a workshop aiming to help you make the most of seminars so you can perform at your best.

Wednesday 4 October: Black History Month launch event, Kent Police drop-in clinic (Medway), Study Abroad info session and GOLD programme taster

On Wednesday Kent Police are holding a drop-in clinic at the Drill Hall Library. It’s an opportunity to speak to your local police to ask any questions you may have.

Are you a globally minded undergraduate at Kent? This Global Officers Leadership Development (GOLD) Programme taster session will explain the benefits of the programme, activities you might take part in, and details of how to apply.

If you’re a stage 2 student and your course includes a Year Abroad or you are interested in adding one, please come along to an information session with the Study Abroad Team.

Join us for our Black History Month launch event on Wednesday evening – the grand opening of the Ẹwà: Beauty exhibition by Nigerian born, Lagos and Rochester based artist Abolore Sobayo. Ẹwà explores the beauty of sisterhood among the Yoruba women through their culture of helping each other. The launch features a talk from the artist, a drinks and nibbles reception with Nigerian food and head wrap demonstrations. The free exhibition is taking place in Keynes and will be open from October – December.

Thursday 5 October: Relaxation sessions (Medway) and what skills employers are looking for

Enjoy a relaxation session in the Hub, Medway, with either a 15-minute massage or a gel manicure.

Find out what skills employers are looking for and how you can develop them while at uni. This session from our Career and Employability Team will be delivered in Keynes, Canterbury, and online.

Friday 6 October: Canterbury Cathedral trip and Black History Month film showing (Medway)

Kent Union are running a free trip to Canterbury Cathedral. You will walk as a group down to town and explore the cathedral’s intricate architecture. Just remember your KentOne card as Kent students get free entry to the Cathedral!

On Friday evening you can watch a film as part of Black History Month celebrations in the Mezzanine at The Hub, Medway.

See more student events.

Student opportunities

See more student opportunities.

 

Anna Woods

Business Start-up Journey launch: hear from five business founders, 11 Oct

The Business Start-Up Journey Launch 2023: Wednesday 11 October 2023, 14:00-15:30. Sibson LT3, Canterbury, with FREE BUFFET.

Be inspired at the launch of this year’s Business Start-Up Journey where five amazing business founders share their start-up stories.

  • Social entrepreneur Anna Woods went from a highflying career as a buyer for top high street fashion brands, to becoming the founder of her own sustainable fashion business, Positive Retail, tacking the retail industry’s waste issue.
  • Sport and Exercise Science graduate Sophie Broom, the founder of The Awesome Anatomy Co, turned her artistic skills into a thriving business.
  • Computing graduate, Tomiwa Sosanya, the founder of Do You Customs, has won collaborations with big brands with his customised trainers and accessories.
  • Mathematics and Statistics student, Seth Mashate, discovered a gap in the market and plans to revolutionise data usage in the dental industry.
  • Law student, Munya Mwaijumba is launching Glimmer, an app which empowers freelance hairdressers.

Anna of Positive Retail shares:

‘I started this entrepreneurial journey because I knew in my heart the industry needed a solution to overstocks and customers needed to be a presented with a way to shop ‘pre loved & resale’ on the high street that felt compelling.  Resale already had lots of online options ‘vinted/ eBay/ vestiere’ etc but there was no bricks and mortar equivalent that honoured the product properly.  I spotted a gap in the market to create stores where quality and value were honoured, along with the customer experience.  Everything is expertly and thoughtfully curated, we have done the hard work for you- you’re not rummaging in samples sales, or bidding online.  We’re here for you to have a chat and to try on in a premium environment.’

What started as a 6 week popup 2 years ago is now 3 stores with a massively bright future.  We want to be the ultimate destination that brands think of for their surplus stocks and shoppers come for resale.

Being an entrepreneur has felt like a pleasure.  Yes, it’s incredibly tough but after years of bucking against the system and being frustrated with the status quo, I get to bring my own brand to life. It’s thrilling, fun, exhausting and magical.  It’s a gift every day to be able to use all my skills & wisdom to give something to the world I am very very proud of.  I know this is only the beginning.’

Hear from Anna and the other business founders at the launch event, plus find out more about how ASPIRE can support you to start your own business and develop entrepreneurial skills to enhance your career and employability. There will also be a free buffet lunch provided.

See full programme of Business Start-Up Journey events.

All students are welcome to attend.

Email aspire@kent.ac.uk to book your spot.

 

Make a difference: Be a widening participation student advisory panel member

Become a Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel member

Are you passionate about equality of opportunity in higher education?

Do you have an interest in contributing to the decisions which underpin the University’s outreach work and strategic direction?

Then why not make a difference and gain valuable experience by becoming a member of the University of Kent’s Widening Participation Advisory Panel!

Find out more information and apply.

Deadline for applications is 4 October 2023 or sooner if lots of applications are received, so we recommend you apply promptly if you are interested.

Students sitting around table

Final year students: how the Templeman Library can help you

Help with your assignments

You can get 1-2-1 help from your subject librarian on resources for your final assignments and dissertations, plus referencing advice.

Online support is available on our Library Research Skills Moodle page, including finding material for your research and managing your references.

Careers and employability reading list

Have a look at our Careers and Employability reading list to find books to help you with career choices and preparing for applications and interviews.

Exam-time study support

During exam time, you’ll find additional study spaces and silent study areas plus bookable individual study rooms in the Templeman Library. Study in the way you want to by choosing a study space to suit you. The Templeman Library is open 24/7 in term-time and most study weeks. Check out the Drill Hall Library opening hours at Medway.

Study and work smarter! Check out some of the great tools we recommend, to help you manage your time, take notes and stay focussed plus more.

Look after yourself

Browse our Wellbeing and Self-Help and Love to Read reading lists or check out the accompanying book displays in the Library Café. Libby Kent is a leisure collection of e-books and audio books from a wide range of publishers and genres including contemporary fiction, classic fiction, wellbeing and self-help books, themed reading lists such as LGBT titles and Black Asian and Ethnic Minority authored titles, and more.

Need some time out? The Templeman Library’s Chill Out Zone on Floor 1 provides a quiet space to relax and take a break from studying. If you’re on the Medway campus pop along to one of their wellbeing events.

After you graduate

Don’t want to miss out on the great resources when you graduate? You can join the Library as an alumni member.

Three students sitting on campus with iced coffee

Events roundup: 25 September – 1 October

The start of term is here! Teaching begins this week, make sure to regularly check your timetable for any updates. 

This week Canterbury Festival begins (26 Sept – 4 Nov) with an extravaganza of music, performance, talks, science and more.  The University are also running various activities during the festival.

Monday 25 September: Wellbeing Café, Medway Move classes and outdoor cinema screening 

The Wellbeing Café is a great place to connect with others in a relaxed environment with a focus on promoting your wellbeing and mental health through activity. The Wellbeing Café is facilitated by Tara and Helen, Mental Health Advisers and meets each Monday afternoon in K Bar Red Room (next to K-Bar).  

At Medway you can take advantage of Medway Move, a range of free exercise classes for students and staff. On Monday, you can try out yoga and social badminton 

On Monday evening watch the Spielberg classic, E.T, at the Gulbenkian’s free outdoor cinema screening. Dress warmly and bring a blanket or something to sit on. You’ll also be able to buy a range of snacks and hot food at the screening.  

Tuesday 26 September: Kent Police drop-in and Ruby Tuesday 

On Tuesday mornings during term-time, Kent Police are running a drop-in clinic in Locke Building on Canterbury campus. You can chat to them about crime prevention and safety or any general enquiries you may have.  

Dive headfirst into the gritty underworld of indie rock at Kent’s regular alternative music night at K Bar 

Wednesday 27 September: Kent Community Oasis Garden, introduction to university study and how to find a part-time job 

Kent Community Oasis Garden is located at our Canterbury campus at the end of Park Wood. It’s a collection of students, staff and community members working to create a sustainability hub centred around growing food. Join them for an open volunteering session on Wednesdays and Fridays. Also, at Kent COG on Wednesday – you can get the pots, soil, seeds and advice to start growing your own herbs! 

If you’re a new student and want to know more about what to expect for your first year at uni, these introduction to university study sessions are for you! There is a session at Canterbury and at Medway campus.  

Wondering how to find a part-time job? This session from our Careers and Employability Service highlights options for part-time work and where you can look for opportunities. You can either join the session in person in Keynes or online.  

Thursday 28 September: Free house plants and trampolining trip 

Pick up a free house plant (while stocks last!) from the central plaza, Canterbury, and find out about the house plant hospital as well as the Kent Community Oasis Garden.  

On Thursday evening, the students’ unions at the Hub, Medway, are running a Soar trampolining trip (tickets cost £2). Enjoy an exhilarating day of trampolining including jumping into foam pits! 

Friday 29 September: Therapy dog in K Bar 

As the academic year kicks off, take some time to unwind and find comfort in the presence of  gentle therapy dogs in K Bar 

Saturday 30 September: Braiding workshop  

Ahead of Black History Month, Kent Union is running two free beginner cornrow and braiding workshops, led by IVY WILD qualified hairdresser. These 2x 4-hour sessions are limited, so make sure to reserve your place to avoid missing out.  

Sunday 1 October: Harry Potter pub quiz 

Enter a world of magic and wizardry at our spellbinding Harry Potter quiz night at K Bar on Sunday evening. 

See all student events 

 

Rutherford Wok bar noodles

Campus food: more choices, greater savings

New tasty Grab & Go range, expansion of £3 Meal Deals, extra Flex Meal Plan options and more savings!

Over the summer Kent’s Catering Team have been working hard to bring you some new and exciting ranges across our outlets, while reducing meal prices on average by 20% to help with the cost of living.

See some of the great new offers, price reductions and new catering ranges we have on campus this academic year…

£3 Meal Deal expansion: more choices, greater savings

Students eating in Rutherford Dining Hall

From Saturday 16 September, the popular £3 Hot Meal Deal returned to Rutherford Dining Hall, offering you a choice between a freshly prepared plant-based or meat dish.

Plus, the popular £3 Sandwich Meal Deal, a hit during the summer break at Dolche Vita and Gulbenkian Café, has now expanded to include Sibson Café and Mungo’s.

In addition to this exciting meal deal expansion, the catering team have reduced hot food price on average by 20%. Through reducing food waste, collaborating closely with our primary food supplier, simplifying operations, and managing food expenses effectively, prices across campus have been significantly reduced. For instance, a Gulbenkian breakfast, once priced at £5.95, is now available at just £4.50, a Mungo’s burger and chips was £6.00, now £4.50, a Hut8 9” Margherita pizza was £7.00, now £4.00! Our hot main meals now start at £4.00 across our seven outlets and have reduced the lowest price coffee to £1.85 in Gulbenkian Café, Dolche Vita and Sibson Café.

This reduction in hot food prices shows our commitment to offering affordable dining options while fostering sustainability. By making meals more accessible and cost effective, we are endeavouring to enrich the campus dining experience and encouraging a culture of appreciating wholesome, budget-friendly choices.

New Grab & Go range

Hellas Kitchen (Greek street kitchen), Kerala Curry (Indian street food), Silence of the Tams (plant-based street food) and Three Little Birds (Caribbean street food)

An exciting new grab-and-go range has been introduced on campus, promising a tasty and convenient dining experience for you. The range offers a diverse selection of sandwiches, salads, snacks, fruit, desserts, and reheatable items, carefully designed to cater to a variety of tastes and dietary preferences.

The expanded range brings in delicious new additions such as Jamaican patties, granola pots, burritos, and pasta pots. These additions not only promise convenience but also introduce a burst of flavours to liven up mealtimes. Adding to the excitement, the menu showcases items from global micro brands, including Kerala Curry (Indian food), Hellas Kitchen (Greek food), Three Little Birds (Caribbean Food), and Silence of the Yams (plant-based food), providing a taste experience from around the world.

These tasty grab-and-go items are conveniently located across multiple campus locations including Rutherford Dining Hall, Gulbenkian Café, Mungo’s, Sibson Café, and Dolche Vita.

The introduction of this exciting grab-and-go range at Kent underlines a commitment to providing a diverse, flavourful, and accessible dining experience.

New Flexible Meal Plan options

Rutherford Wok bar noodles

We launched some new Flex Meal Plan options this September.  In addition to the annual Flex Meal Plan, we now have Termly and Mini Flex options which allows you to plan ahead, eat when it suits you, spend less time cooking and more time studying and socialising – all while saving you up to 50% on food.  Our Mini Flex Meal Plan is a great option for commuting students who only want to eat on campus in the day and during the week, rather than paying for evenings and weekends when you aren’t here.

New hot drink loyalty offer

We have launched a new hot drink loyalty offer – buy 9 hot drinks and get your 10th free.  Available in Dolche Vita, Gulbenkian Café, Rutherford Dining Hall and Sibson Café. We are also continuing with our offer if you bring your own keep cup / travel mug into our outlets for a hot drink, you save 10% on your drink order.

Keep an eye out on our catering webpages and UniKentFood Instagram for catering offers, new ranges, new opening times across our outlets and more.

Campus shuttle bus

Campus Shuttle: book a seat system now live

The Campus Shuttle is our free coach service between Canterbury and Medway campuses. The service is available to University of Kent students and staff only.

We are pleased to announce that the Campus Shuttle booking system in now live.

It is essential that you book a seat prior to travelling.   

Once you have your annual pass, there are two Shuttle services that you can book onto:

  1. UniKent Travel – this service operates during the day from 07:30hrs to 20:00hrs (8pm)
    You can book onto these services at anytime up to 5 minutes before departure.
  2. UniKent Overnight – this service operates after 20:00hrs (8pm) and prior to 07:00hrs (7am)
    You can book onto these services from 36 hours prior to departure and up to 5 minutes before the departure time.

For guidance on how to apply for your Annual Pass and booking a seat refer to ‘Booking Guide’.