Author Archives: Miriam Sandiford

Careers Fair

Events roundup: 16-22 October

Black History Month (BHM) and EmpFest events continue this week. Don’t miss the annual Careers Fair on Tuesday!

Monday 16 October: Israel Gaza conflict support drop-in and yoga

Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) are running a support session for students affected by the Israel Gaza conflict from 13:00-14:00 on Monday. This is a drop-in session taking place upstairs in Locke Building near the Coop, staffed by a mental health adviser and counsellor from SSW. All students are welcome.

At the Hub, Medway, you can join a free lunchtime yoga session as part of Medway Move. Or try out social badminton in the evening. All skill levels welcome.

Tuesday 17 October: Careers Fair and BHM student-led events

The Careers Fair is back to being face-to-face this year. Open to all Kent students, the Careers Fair is a great opportunity to meet employers and discover potential career paths. Drop into the Careers Fair between 10:00-15:00 in Colyer-Fergusson Concert Hall, Canterbury campus.

On Tuesday there are a couple of student-led events for Black History Month. Firstly, the African Caribbean Society (ACS) and Kent Cheer are holding an Afrobeats and Brunch event in Woody’s, with authentic African and Caribbean inspired dishes and cocktails on offer.

Later, the Music Society and ACS at Medway are collaborating to bring you a night of Black Artists throughout the decades at The Deep End.

Wednesday 18 October: LinkedIn headshots (Medway), Empowering Tomorrow AI conference and Black History Month inspirational talk

Need a professional headshot for LinkedIn? Photographer Matt Cook is offering free headshots on the Medway campus between 10:00-16:00 in Gillingham Building.

On Wednesday afternoon you’re invited to the ‘Empowering Tomorrow: Unleashing Creativity through Generative AI’ Conference hosted by Kent Business School and Amazon Web Services. The event is taking place in Sibson and includes talks, panel discussions and networking drinks. Plus, you get a free bag of Amazon swag. Find out more and book your free place.

As part of Black History Month, come along to History with a Flex, an inspirational talk with Pauline Campbell in Chipperfield Lecture Theatre, Canterbury. Pauline is a British writer and senior lawyer raised in London after her parents crossed thousands of miles to live in Britain, leaving the warm shores of the Caribbean behind. She is currently the legal adviser to the Windrush Reach Project. West Indian food and refreshments will be provided.

Struggling to fit everything in and finding it stressful? Assistive technology could be a game changer for you! Come along on Wednesday to a demo and discussion of assistive technology apps such as Brain Hand, Spectrum Life and Togetherall, which can help you manage your time and improve your wellbeing. Book online for this practical workshop on the Canterbury campus, and bring a phone or tablet or laptop which you might use to access this software in future.

Thursday 19 October: EmpFest events and Poverty, Policy and the Right to Food open lecture

EmpFest events continue all week. On Thursday, you can join an online session on how to find a part-time job and if you’re in your final year, come along to the CV/LinkedIn drop-in session in Keynes for Finalists to help you secure that all important first role once you graduate.

On Thursday evening you’re invited to our Annual Civic Lecture on Poverty, Policy and the Right to Food. Speakers include Anna Taylor, Executive Director of the Food Foundation and Professor Jan Pahl and Martin Vye, authors of the report on ‘Poverty in Canterbury Today’. They will explore how we can move to creating a food system that delivers access to healthy, sustainable and affordable food for all. After the presentations there will be time for questions and discussion about policies to reduce poverty. Refreshments will be provided.

Friday 20 October: Managing stress workshop

Want to know how to manage stress when you have a heavy workload? This 90-minute online workshop looks at what stress is and explores some of the benefits as well as the negative impacts of stress. Most importantly this workshop will provide you with practical tools you can implement to manage stress.

Saturday 21 October: Nature walk to Blean Woods

Join the ResLife Ambassadors for a nature ramble in beautiful nearby Blean woods. The walk will take about an hour and a half and there are animals to see along the way including alpacas, sheep, goats and horses. Meet new friends as you walk along the tranquil woodland tracks and have a chat with our ambassadors and let them how you’re doing and what activities you would like them to organise.

Sunday 22 October: Board games, puzzles and colouring

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of board games, puzzles and colouring with the ResLife Ambassadors in Keynes. They have a wide range of board games available for you to play.

See more student events.

Opportunities

See more student opportunities.

Group of students at Destination Success Bootcamp June 2023

Free Destination Success Bootcamp, 17-19 November

Our Careers and Employability Service are running the ‘Destination Success Bootcamp‘ 17-19 November. This is a 3-day intensive training programme with the purpose of helping you map out your journey to success and build confidence in your abilities. This programme is suitable to those across all years, including recent graduates.

This programme will be delivered face to face on the Canterbury Campus (Friday 17 November 12:00-16:00, Saturday 18 November 12:00-18:00 and Sunday 19 November 12:00-18:00. Each day will start at 12:00, allowing time for those traveling from Medway. You need to attend every day in order to gain a place on the programme.

The programme will focus on:

  • Understanding you – This module aids self-reflection so you can better understand how you work, this will include completing a personality profile, exploring your personal values, your strengths and development areas, imposter syndrome and the power of positivity, finishing with looking at what you want to get out of life.
  • Navigating you – This module with focus on how to nurture and build good relationships, focusing on team dynamics, exploring learning styles and rules of teamwork, having challenging conversations and how to communicate in the workplace.
  • Universal Life Hacks – This final module will give you a toolbox of ideas to hit the ground running, including decision making, planning, prioritising and delegating, mapping your skills and looking at whether you would employ yourself.

Find out more and book your place.

If you have any queries, please email studyplus@kent.ac.uk

University Community Choir singing

Join the University Community Choir

Do you enjoy singing? Join our friendly University Community Choir! The choir is made up of students and staff at Kent.

It’s free to join, there are no auditions and there’s no need to be able to read music.

Come along to meet others or bring a friend.

Upcoming dates for Autumn Term

The University Community Choir meet every Wednesday during term-time, 13:00-14:00. See dates below for the location:

18 October 2023 13:00-14:00 Grimond Lecture Theatre 3
25 October 2023 13:00-14:00 Colyer Fergusson Hall
1 November 2023 13:00-14:00 Colyer-Fergusson Hall
8 November 2023 13:00-14:00 Grimond Lecture Theatre 3
15 November 2023 13:00-14:00 Colyer-Fergusson Hall
22 November 2023 13:00-14:00 Colyer-Fergusson Hall
29 November 2023 13:00-14:00 Colyer-Fergusson Hall
6 December 2023 13:00-14:00 Grimond Lecture Theatre 3
13 December 2023 13:00-14:00 Grimond Lecture Theatre 3

To find out more, email Mita mm595@kent.ac.uk.

Campus Shuttle

Campus Shuttle updates: increased capacity and journeys

Following student feedback, we are pleased to announce that we are increasing the capacity of the Campus Shuttle between Medway and Canterbury and adding some more journeys into the timetable.

The new timetable will come into effect on Monday 16 October and will be available on the Campus Shuttle webpages shortly.

Capacity

The 34-seater coach will be replaced by a 53-seater coach for some peak travel times:

  • 07:35, 16:15 and 18:15 service from Canterbury and
  • 09:00 and 17:15 service from Medway

New services

We are introducing new evening services to support social activities and Kent Union events on Wednesdays.

On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday:

  • 21:30 service from Canterbury
  • 22:00 service from Medway

Wednesday

  • 21:30, 23:59 service from Canterbury
  • 22:00, 01:00 service from Medway

About the Campus Shuttle

The Campus Shuttle is a free coach service between Canterbury and Medway, exclusive for University of Kent students and staff.

13 October update: Campus Shuttle bookings

The majority of existing Campus Shuttle bookings have been transferred over to the new timetable announced yesterday, but due to a technical issue some of the bookings have not. Please check your bookings list and if you’re missing a booking, you’ll need to rebook. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Hello my pronouns are...

Gender Affirmation Fund opens 16 Oct

At Kent we want all our students to be able to live, work and study to the fullest of their abilities, and we want to ensure that we are removing as many barriers to that success as possible. 

We recognise that transgender, non-binary and gender-neutral individuals face additional mental health pressures that are directly related to their gender identity. Many of these additional stresses are directly caused by the potential misalignment between how an individual presents in terms of clothing and appearance, and their own identity. This stress can have a direct impact upon an individual’s ability to work, study and engage in their academic commitments. A significant barrier causing this misalignment is the cost of having to purchase additional items to reduce gender dysphoria. 

As part of our commitment to supporting students with their mental health, we have created the Gender Affirmation Fund. This fund is available to students who identify as transgender, non-binary or gender neutral and can be used to help support students with the costs of gender affirming items such as binders, clothing, packers, makeup, hair extensions, pouches, Stand To Pee devices, gendered religious headwear or clothing and minor cosmetic procedures such as ear piercing or for managing body hair to help individuals feel more comfortable in their own bodies.

Applications open at 9:00 on Monday 16 October and the fund is available to any student who identifies as transgender, non-binary or gender neutral and can be accessed once in your academic career. The only eligibility criteria is that you must be a registered student enrolled on any University of Kent academic programme.  

Students who benefitted from the fund in the past described it as ‘a great resource for trans and non-binary students who struggle with multiple challenges’, ‘easy and non-judgemental to use’, and ‘made them feel seen’. 

Please note that the fund is limited, and applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. 

Find out more about the fund and apply. 

 

Three students chatting with coffees sat outside Templeman Library

Events roundup: 9-15 October

Our two-week Employability Festival, EmpFest, begins this week! Look out for a ton of events including workshops and guest speakers with industry experts.

Don’t forget to enrol or re-register by Monday 16 October! It’s important that you enrol (new students) or re-register (returning students) by 10:00 on 16 October. This is to let us know you will definitely be studying with us this academic year.

Monday 9 October: EmpFest events

There’s plenty of employability related events on Monday including an online session on how to ace psychometric tests, how the Employability Points Scheme works and an in-person introduction to the Global Skills Award for PGT students.

Tuesday 10 October: World Mental Health Day and STAR Network bake sale

Tuesday is World Mental Health Day, a day that aims to help open up conversations around mental health and highlight ways we can improve our wellbeing. At Canterbury, you can pick up a free house plant outside the library (first come first served), meet two adorable therapy dogs, pick up some fiction at the book swap and listen to a free lunchtime calming piano concert.

At Medway, head to the Oasis Lounge in Rochester Building between 10:00-13:00 for the Medway Services for Students Showcase. At the showcase you will find free refreshments and representatives from Student Support and Wellbeing, as well as many other support teams and services. There’s also a Global Hangout event in Rochester Building where you can meet new friends and take part in creative activities. A therapy dog will also be in the Hub from 12:00-14:00 for cuddles! See all World Mental Health Day activities.

The Student Action for Refugees (STAR) Network are holding a bake sale on Tuesday at 13:00 on the Plaza outside Coop. Find out about the work they are doing and how you can get involved.

Wednesday 11 October: Services for Students Showcase, Inspirational Speaker (Medway) and Business Start-up Journey launch

Join us in Darwin Conference suite on Wednesday at any point between 11:00-15:00 for the Canterbury Services for Students Showcase to find out how you can make the most of all the fantastic services available to you, including Student Support and Wellbeing, Kent Sport, the Gulbenkian and many more. There will also be free refreshments provided.

At Medway, as part of Black History Month, you can listen to this inspirational speaker event hosted by the African Caribbean Society (ACS) with writer and poet Nubia Writer and rapper and storyteller Alim Kamara. They will be discussing themes in black identity, womanhood and diaspora.

Are you considering starting your own business? Join ASPIRE for the launch of this year’s Business Start-Up Journey to find out about the programme and hear from five amazing business founders and their start-up stories. Buffet lunch provided.

Thursday 12 October: Free headshots and find out about Year In Programmes

Do you need a professional headshot for LinkedIn? Photographer Matt Cook is offering free headshots in Keynes on Thursday 10:00-16:00 (drop-in session).

Are you interested in adding a year in a subject to your degree? The Year In programme includes a Year In Computing, Data Analytics, a Language, TV and Broadcasting, and Management. Find out more about the Year In programme at this online session.

Friday 13 October: Study or work abroad and volunteering at Kent Community Oasis Garden

Learn about exciting opportunities to study/work abroad during your degree, whether for an academic year or over the summer. Going abroad is a great way to develop new skills and enhance your CV.

Get outside and volunteer at the Kent Community Oasis Garden (near Park Wood). You don’t need to be an expert and you can come along for as little or as a long as you like.

See more student events.

Opportunities

See more student opportunities.

Group of students holding their GOLD programme certificates

Apply now to become a Global Officer (closed)

Apply for the GOLD Programme. Applications are now open!

Are you looking to add value to your degree, develop your leadership skills and gain practical experience that stands out to future global employers? Look no further than the Global Officers’ Leadership Development (GOLD) Programme!

Join other like-minded students to make a positive impact on campus and enhance your global skills. As a Global Officer, you’ll work closely with the Dean & Director of Global and Lifelong Learning and other university staff to organize, develop and support globally-minded activities throughout the year.

But don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what previous Global Officers have to say about their experience:

“The GOLD Programme was one of the best things that happened to me at University. I can only encourage participation in this splendid and unique opportunity! Personally, I would have never forgiven myself for missing out on it had I known about it and not applied!”

What does the course involve?

The course is made up of five compulsory components.

Component 1: Getting started

  • Identify your skillset and set your goals for the year
  • Attend a welcome session to learn about cultural intelligence (CQ) and build your intercultural awareness
  • Participate in a spring-term Curriculum Internationalisation workshop

Component 2: Training workshops

Choose and attend a minimum of two out of five workshops covering intercultural awareness, sustainability, internationalisation, leadership in a global context, and event management.

Component 3: Internationalized student engagement

Engage in various projects and activities on campus, such as marketing and promotion projects, student media campaigns, campus tours and focus groups.

Component 4: Project and event planning

Collaborate with a team of Global Officers to plan and deliver regular events and activities based on your personal goals and interests, such as Global Hangouts, WorldFest events and Sustainability Forums.

Component 5: Reflection and Employability Skills Assessment

Reflect on your progress and set future goals during an interactive group session.

“Not only will you gain crucial employability skills, but also make new friends and grow as a better person and a citizen of the world.”

Benefits of the GOLD Programme

By participating in the GOLD Programme, you’ll earn Employability Points, receive a certificate of recognition, obtain a personal reference from the Dean & Director of Global and Lifelong Learning, gain practical event management and leadership experience, and expand your network with like-minded individuals.

PLUS, you can record your international skills development in the Kent Global Passport!

“The GOLD Programme was a highlight of my time at Kent. The team leading the programme listened to all of our ideas and supported us throughout the year. I developed many transferable skills, gave back to the student community, and made many new friends.”

Information sessions

You’re welcome to join us at one of our information session to find out more and ask any questions:

Canterbury Campus

  • Wednesday 4 October 16:00-17:30 in Sibson LT2
  • Wednesday 11 October 14:00-15:30 in Sibson LT2

Medway Campus

  • Tuesday 10 October 13:30-14:30, in Medway Building Room 1-22  (following the Medway Services for Student Showcase).

How do I apply?

If you are a committed, enthusiastic, reliable, organised and professional undergraduate interested in developing your global skills, head to the GOLD website and fill out the online application form.

Why not apply today? Applications are open from now until 9:00 on 11 October 2023.

Not only will you gain crucial employability skills, but also make new friends and grow as a better person and a citizen of the world.

Don’t miss out on this unique chance to become a global leader! Apply now and start your GOLD journey today!

GOLD Programme logo

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.