Author Archives: Miriam Sandiford

Student volunteering at Kent Community Oasis Garden

Events roundup: 12-18 February

Find out what’s on this week:

Monday 12 February: Time management skills and Grad Schemes (Medway)

Do your time management skills need some work? Join this online Time Management for Life and for Work session to find out how you manage your time more efficiently.

Learn more about what a Graduate Scheme is and how you can get one at this session in Medway, or you can join online.

Tuesday 13 February: Finding LGBTQ+ inclusive employers, Valentine’s Card Making and Pancake Day

Learn how to find LGBTQ+ inclusive employers and discover what to look for when applying for a job or placement.

Kent Union are hosting a Valentine’s card making session so you can send your Valentine’s wishes with a homemade card, whether it’s for a partner, friends or family.

If you live in on-campus accommodation, celebrate Pancake Day in style with chef Ben Elsberry and the ResLife Ambassadors making pancakes in Darwin.

Wednesday 14 February: Asia internship opportunities, Dragon’s Den star Touker Suleyman talk and Valentine’s Cocktail Making (Medway)

CRCC Asia, the global leader for international internships in Asia is coming to the Canterbury campus. Find out about their internship programmes and how to utilise Turing funding to sponsor your journey abroad.

On Wednesday afternoon ASPIRE hosts the international entrepreneur and star of Dragon’s Den Touker Suleyman for a discussion on entrepreneurial motivation and building a global empire. Now a serial entrepreneur, Touker backs multiple retail and commercial property businesses and has a keen interest in supporting start-ups and invests in companies through the Den and privately.

Learn the art of cocktail making at The Deep End, Medway, as you create your own Valentine’s Cocktail or Mocktail.

Thursday 15 February: Develop your confidence, find out how to use Gen AI in your studies and learn about volunteering opportunities

Would you like to develop more confidence to share ideas in public? This pilot workshop uses play activities and groupwork to encourage your creativity and help you feel more comfortable to express yourself in front of others. There are £5 Amazon vouchers on offer for students who are willing to participate and provide feedback.

Unsure about using AI in your studies? Join this online workshop on using Gen AI legitimately to make sure you avoid plagiarism.

Did you know that this week is Student Volunteer Week? Find out about different ways you can volunteer and how to apply at this online volunteering session.

Friday 16 February: LinkedIn skills, Kent Community Oasis Garden and board games

Improve your LinkedIn skills with a drop-in session at Canterbury and a LinkedIn workshop at Medway.

As it’s Student Volunteer Week, why not volunteer some of your time at the Kent Community Oasis Garden. They run open volunteering sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00-14:00.

If you live on campus, consider joining ResLife Ambassadors Linda and Jhanay for an evening of board games in Keynes. Hot drinks will be provided.

See more student events.

Opportunities

See more student opportunities.

 

Campus shuttle Zeelo

Campus Shuttle update

We apologise if you have experienced any issues with the Campus Shuttle in recent weeks while our new carbon neutral provider Zeelo takes over the service.

We are working with Zeelo to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. This includes getting a booking system in place, a service app with live updates and new coaches with Wi-Fi on board.

Until the new Campus Shuttle app and booking system is live:

  • You must show your KentOne Card to use the Campus Shuttle.
  • Wheelchair users or people that have restricted mobility can book a  seat by contacting Zeelo directly with 12 hours notice.
  • You can follow @CampusShuttle on X (formerly Twitter) for service updates. However, if you have any questions or feedback you will need to contact the 24/7 Customer Care Team 0330 808 3306 or email csteam@zeelo.co

We anticipate the booking system will be live by the end of March 2024.

Thank you for your patience while we resolve these issues.

Students walking past Templeman Library

Events roundup: 5-11 February

Find out what’s on this week, including LGBT+ History Month events and summer school opportunities.

This week is also Race Equality Week – take a read of the latest update around the Living Black at Kent project.

Monday 5 February: Seoul Summer School

Meet representatives from Dongguk University in Seoul, South Korea, as they visit our Canterbury Campus to promote their Summer school programme for 2024. The university offers some unique classes, including Korean Film, K-Pop, Korean Language, Leadership Skills and many more.

Tuesday 6 February: LGBTQ+ Flag Painting and Career Planning

Explore the unique symbols, colours and designs that represent different flags during LGBTQ+ History Month and express who you are on a flag in the Venue at this flag painting workshop.

The world of work is rapidly changing and career paths have become less linear. In order to increase your career planning resilience you may need to be more flexible and creative in your career strategy. This online session will explore strategies for managing career paths as well as developing your ability to benefit from any opportunities that you come across.

Wednesday 7 February: LGBTQ+ Careers Fair (Medway) and Talking Cultures workshop

On Wednesday you can meet employers at 20+ Stalls from Stonewall accredited organisations in Pilkington Atrium, Medway campus. The organisations will showcase their work, their EDI commitment and any placements or roles they have currently.

The Talking Cultures workshop explores cross-cultural communication, including verbal and non-verbal and what skills can be utilised to further enhance communication. This workshop is part of the Global Officers Leadership Development Programme but is open to any students as a standalone session.

Thursday 8 February: Bali Summer School, How to use LinkedIn and Mindfulness Colouring and Painting

Udayana University in Bali is running three exciting Summer Schools in 2024: Sustainability and Ecotourism, Intercultural Communication, and Coral Reef Restoration. Come along to an online information session hosted by Udayana University to find out more.

If you’re based at Medway and want to improve your LinkedIn skills, come along to this session on how to use LinkedIn including how, what and when to post, how to grow your network and how to use the job search functionality.

De-stress and unwind with your ResLife ambassadors and join them for an hour or two of colouring, drawing and painting in Keynes. Tea and coffee will also be provided so why not come for a chat.

Friday 9 February: Lunar New Year Celebration, Self-Defence Class (Medway) and Research Roundtable Dinner (Medway)

Join us in the Darwin Conference Suite for some food, games and crafts to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Open to all students.

Increase your confidence by attending a self-defence class at the Hub, aimed at queer individuals and women.

Are you a postgrad researcher at Medway? You’re invited to a Research Roundtable Dinner for an evening of networking, discussion and a shared meal. It’s an opportunity to unwind, share experiences and establish meaningful connections across various disciplines.

Saturday 10 February: Dog Walk in Blean Woods

Enjoy a walk in Blean Woods with the ResLife Ambassadors plus cute mascots Beatrice and Tara. The walk will take about an hour and a half and there are animals to see along the way including alpacas, sheep, cows, goats and horses.

Sunday 11 February: Dodgeball

Get involved with a fast-paced game of dodgeball on Sunday in the Sports Centre. Meet new friends and get moving.

See more student events.

Opportunities

See more student opportunities.

Bright lights of Seoul

Would you like to study in Seoul, South Korea, this summer?

Information session to study in Dongguk University, Seoul

Representatives from Dongguk University in Seoul will be visiting our Canterbury Campus to promote their amazing Summer school program for 2024.

Dongguk University is situated in the heart of Seoul giving you the chance to live, study and explore this amazing city in Summer 2024. The university offer some amazing unique classes, including Korean Film, K-Pop, Korean Language, Leadership Skills and many more!

Please come along on Monday 5 February, 12:00-13:00 in Keynes Lecture Theatre 2 to meet the Dongguk University team who will be giving an in-person information session about their Summer School opportunity. Find out more and register for the event.

Funding through Go Abroad Bitesize

This opportunity is being offered to Kent students as part of the ‘Go Abroad Bitesize’ initiative. Please see our website for information and the funding available.

Inclusive Pride Flag

Introducing LGBT+ History Month 2024

What is LGBT+ History Month? 

LGBT+ History Month takes place every February in the UK and is a month-long celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity and observance of the injustices and discrimination faced by the community in the past, and faced by many still to this day. LGBTQIA+ people have the right to live their lives as their true, authentic selves free of fear, discrimination or harassment and one of the goals of LGBT+ History Month is to move us as a culture towards a society that is kinder and fairer to LGBTQIA+ people. 

The 2024 theme is Medicine – #UnderTheScope and it celebrates LGBTQIA+ peoples’ contribution to the field of Medicine and Healthcare both historically and today. 

This year, LGBT+ History Month wants to showcase the amazing work of LGBT+ staff across the NHS and in other healthcare settings, in providing healthcare, especially during the pandemic. The Month also aims to shine a light on the history of the LGBTQIA+ community’s experience of receiving healthcare, which has been extremely complicated and leaves LGBTQIA+ people still facing health inequalities even today.  

What’s on at Kent 

At Kent, LGBT+ History Month is organised by the University of Kent, Kent Union and the Students’ Unions at Medway. Events are open for staff and students and the vast majority are free. See all LGBT+ History Month events. 

Key events include: 

The LGBTQ+ In Lockdown Exhibition, available to view in the KMMS Pears Building showcasing the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students during the Covid pandemic, the LGBTQ+ In Lockdown exhibition is a powerful reflection on identity, isolation and time experienced by so many LGBTQIA+ people during the pandemic. 

There is an LGBTQIA+ Careers Fair at Medway where you can meet employers from 20+ Stalls from Stonewall accredited organisations to showcase their work, their EDI commitment and any placements or roles they have currently. 

There are loads of Give it A Go and crafting activities taking place at both the Canterbury and Medway sites; from friendship bracelet making to flag making and pronoun badge making. Check the website for dates and times. 

Loughborough academic Dr Jo Harper will be giving a talk about her research into the impact of testosterone in sports and the culture, attitudes and barriers for transgender athletes. 

There are film screenings at the Gulbenkian Cinema for Femme and All Of Us Strangers and loads of fun craft activities that celebrate LGBTQIA+ identity. 

What support is available to me? 

  • We have a large number of resources available to support LGBTQIA+ students at Kent and can signpost to external resources. 
  • Kent Union run the LGBTQIA+ Network to act as a voice for LGBTQIA+ students. 
  • The University has the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, open to any staff member who identifies as LGBTQIA+. The Network hold regular social activities for members and Allies. 
  • The University runs a Gender Affirmation Fund for students who identify as trans, non-binary or gender queer. 
  • The University has an Inclusive Language Guide to help support staff and students in developing their Inclusive Language skills. Keep a look out for a future blog post in LGBT+ History Month with more information. 
  • The Canterbury Trans Network runs a bi-monthly social on campus 
  • The Kent Union LGBT+ History Month webpages feature a Curiosity Hub, designed to display dozens of films, books, podcasts, celebrities and more  – all handpicked by staff and students at Kent, with each recommendation relating to LGBT+ History Month and Pride. There are even hand-out resources as well as links to the various schemes that are available to support LGBTQIA+ students at Kent. 

What do I do if I have experienced prejudice or discrimination? 

We are committed to ensuring that all students and staff are supported at Kent and can study and work to their fullest potential. We also take discrimination, harassment and bullying extremely seriously. If you feel that you have been subjected to any form of bullying or discrimination due to your LGBTQIA+ identity, please do report it via the Report and Support tool. This will trigger an investigation and support for you, although you can do report anonymously if you prefer.  

Look out for more blog posts and information over the course of the month, and we hope you enjoy LGBT+ History Month. 

What do I do if I want more information? 

If you have any comments or feedback about this month’s activity, or any other History Month or equality, diversity or inclusion related activity, please do email EqualityandDiversity@kent.ac.uk.  

 

Badges representing different LGBTQ+ identities

Kent Union’s LGBTQIA+ Student Voices Project

The LGBTQIA+ Student Voices Project is an important research piece which is part of Kent Union’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative. The project leans into understanding students within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual plus community, in the hopes to understand their barriers to education & engagement and overall areas to improve their student experience. This project will have an important focus on the Transgender student experience, as we know they are one of the most marginalised in society.

This Inclusive Project mirrors our Black Student Voices Project, which will be led by three Student Researchers that will create events and gather data in a published report. We are still devising questions to answer within the research, and aim to embark on outreach activities to engage the students within the community. This research will produce recommendations for the Union and University to be held accountable and to better the lives of LGBTQIA+ Students at Kent.

Events to be announced soon – add your email to stay up to date.

Colourful laptop screen closing

Kent CyberAnything competition (cash prizes available!)

Together with KMCC (Kent & Medway Cyber Cluster) and KMCS3 (Kent & Medway Cyber Security Student Society), iCSS, is co-organising a CyberAnything Competition.

We increasingly rely upon digital, networked and smart technologies such as mobile devices and the internet to live our lives. Or we can say that we are living in the Internet of Everything (IoE), a cyber-physical world where so many hardware devices, software systems, physical things, systems and people are now interconnected. However, the cyber elements of our lives and how security, privacy and safety of such elements affect our lives are not always visible or overlooked, and sometimes intentionally concealed. They are often so entrenched in our way of being that we overlook our reliance upon them until they stop functioning, e.g., when a power cut, server downtime or an empty battery hits us.

How to enter

This competition welcomes anything that is cyber-related in our daily lives. You can use your camera or other image-capturing device to capture a moment as a photo or a short video, or create a drawing, or prepare an infographic such as a flyer or a PowerPoint slide, or write an essay or even a poem, or make a 3-D printed object or a hand-crafted artefact, etc., which can tell a story about living, learning and connecting in the cyber or cyber-physical world in the past, at present, and/or in the future. You are also welcome to try generative AI for creating your submission, but in this case please describe which generative AI tool(s) were used and how you used it/them, e.g., prompt(s) you used to create the submission. Download competition flyer.

The deadline for submission is Friday 1 March 2024 23:59. We plan to announce the prize winners in late March 2024.

Who can enter

Submitted artefacts will be judged anonymously by a judging panel for the following prizes in the following four categories:

  • Current staff of the University of Kent
  • Current students of the University of Kent
  • Alumni of the University of Kent, and
  • Other UK residents who have never been affiliated with the University of Kent.

Cash prizes

  • 4 Best Overall Prizes (one per category, £80 Amazon e-voucher per prize),
  • 4 Most Creative Prizes (one per category, £80 Amazon e-voucher per prize), and
  • 8 Runner-Up Prizes (two per category; £20 Amazon e-voucher per prize).

Find out more and submit your entry.

Students high-fiving at welcome fair

Events roundup: 22-28 January

Find out what’s on this week:

Monday 22 January: Career and application support

Thinking about finding a part-time job? Come along to this online session to find out what steps you can take to secure a part time role.

Making applications to graduate schemes, job roles, postgraduate study? Come to this session in Pilkington Building, Medway, to discover how to create and submit engaging and targeted applications.

Tuesday 23 January: The Big Fair and Income Office drop-in (Medway)

Discover sports, societies and volunteering opportunities at Kent Union’s Big Fair on Tuesday in the Main Hall, Sports Centre. You can also find out more about off-campus accommodation for next year and part-time jobs at Kent Union.

Are you having trouble paying your fees? On Tuesday there is a drop-in session for Medway students to meet with the Income Office on Medway campus and discuss any issue with payment of fees.

Wednesday 24 January: Medway Welcome Fair and January Global Hangout

Explore a diverse array of student societies, local services and campus resources at the Medway Welcome Fair on Wednesday. There will also be interactive booths and giveaways.

Join us for our January Global Hangout in Eliot Dining Hall (*location changed*) on Wednesday afternoon. Meet new friends from across the University and enjoy fun activities and free refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere.

Thursday 25 January: Multicultural Fashion Show (Medway)

Celebrating diversity, creativity, and the beauty of cultural expression, the Multicultural Fashion Show at the Hub showcases the rich tapestry of fashion from around the globe. Students are invited to take part by walking down the runway or being a spectator.

Friday 26 January: Welcome Back Chill Out Zone and Coping with Nerves and Anxiety for Presentations and Interviews

Join us in the Welcome Back Chill Out Zone in Darwin Conference Suite for some pizza, games and crafts to welcome back students from across Divisions. Open to all students.

Do you find presentations and interviews anxiety inducing? In this supportive and practical session, you will learn techniques based on mindfulness tools to conquer nerves and anxiety before and during presentations and interviews.

Saturday 27 January: Carbon Literacy Certification Training (Medway)

Develop your knowledge of climate change and addressing the worldwide climate crisis by taking accredited Carbon Literacy Training at Medway campus. The training is open and free to all students and on successful completion of the course you will receive official carbon literate certification from the carbon literacy Project.

See more student events.

Reminders:

 

 

Laptop loan service

Laptop loans service expanded and enhanced

12 hour laptop loans now available to use on campus.

You can now borrow all Templeman Library laptops for up to 12 hours; and laptops from the self-service cabinet in the Library Café can be borrowed and used across the Canterbury campus. Chargers are available to borrow from the Welcome Desk, along with laptop bags if you’re using it outside the Library.

We’ve extended the loan period and expanded the places where the laptops can be used in response to student feedback, enhancing this popular service to better support your study needs #YourUniYourSay

Campus laptops: for use across campus

  • Laptops from the self-service cabinet in the Library Café can be borrowed and used across the Canterbury campus.

Library laptops: for Library use only

  • Laptops from the self-service cabinet on Floor 2, Block C, are restricted for use in the Templeman Library only.

Loan chargers and laptop bags

  • Chargers are available for loan from the Welcome Desk, along with laptop bags if you’re using it outside the Library.

How loan laptops work

  1. Borrow loan laptops:
    • For campus use: from laptop cabinet in the Café area (Ground floor, Block B)
    • For Library use only: from laptop cabinet on Floor 2, Block C.
  2. Use it: for up to 12 hours – the laptop works with wired and Bluetooth headphones.
    • Need a charger or laptop bag? Pick one up from the Welcome Desk.
  3. Save your files: to your University OneDrive so you can easily access them.
  4. Return it: take it back to the cabinet and plug it in. If you have borrowed a charger and / or laptop bag as well, please return them to the Welcome Desk.

Any problems? Please take the laptop to IT & Library Support in Nexus, Ground Floor, Block D, so we can sort it out.

What’s included

  • All Office 365 tools
  • Internet access and webcam
  • Accessibility apps
  • Citation tools

What’s not provided

  • Course-specific software
  • Laptop accessories (eg mouse)
  • Speakers (they’re disabled)

The small print

  • Laptops loaned from the Café self-service cabinet can be used across the Canterbury campus.
  • Laptops loaned from the cabinet on Floor 2 are still restricted for use in the Templeman Library only.
  • If you don’t return the laptop at the end of the 12 hour loan period, there won’t be a fine – but you won’t be able to borrow any other items until you do!
  • If you lose the laptop, we will charge you for the replacement costs.

Please follow our laptop loans conditions of use and Library and IT regulations when using them.

Find out more

See our Laptop loans guide.

Two students talking sat at bench

How can universities support your mental health? Tell us today and win a Smart Watch!

We want to ask you a few questions about your time at university, your experience with student services and/or your experiences at work. In this study, we will explore sensitive topics such as loneliness and mental health challenges you may be experiencing.

The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of student mental health and inform university student services and graduate employers on how they can support you. Share your thoughts today and help us enhance the student experience for you and your peers.

Start the survey now!