This week join the Uni Mental Health Day events, the WorldFest celebrations and start to prepare for exams.

Monday 11 March: Worldfest Global Hangout and Girls in Charge Q&A

WorldFest celebrations continue this week with a global hangout in Sibson on Monday from 14:00-17:00. Try crafts, games and food from around the World!

Come along to Woody’s for a meet-and-greet social with Girls in Charge’s Co-Director Niamh Carter on Monday evening.

Tuesday 12 March: Get help finding a part-time job and writing your dissertation, plus find out about therapy and mindfulness

Thinking about finding a part time role? Come along to this session to find out what steps you can take to secure a part-time role you can fit around your studies.

Writing your dissertation? Join this online workshop that goes through the keys steps you need to take when planning for and writing a dissertation at uni.

Unwind with mindful colouring and ask questions about therapy and mindfulness to members of our Counselling Team in DG 01, Templeman Library.

Wednesday 13 March: Language tasters, grad scheme advice and revision tips

Want to know more about what a graduate scheme is, what they involve and hints and tips on how to get one? Then don’t miss this grad scheme information event at Wednesday lunchtime.

Learn how to effectively revise at this study workshop at Canterbury and online.

As part of WorldFest you can try free language taster sessions in Spanish, French and Italian on Wednesday.

Thursday 14 March: Uni Mental Health Day

Thursday is Uni Mental Health Day (UMHD) and to mark it, there will be a free plant giveaway and therapy dogs sessions in Nexus, Templeman Library (Canterbury) and in the Oasis Lounge, Rochester Building (Medway).

There will also be a Plant Hospital pop-up on the Plaza in Canterbury, from 9:30-11:30, where you can get free plant care advice.

UMHD activities continue at the Sports Centre (Canterbury) with free exercise classes on 14 and 15 March.

Finally, get help managing exam stress and learn exam techniques at study workshops in Canterbury (in person) and online.

Friday 15 March: Iftar dinner, WorldFest Quiz and LinkendIn Drop-in

On Friday, join the International Student Voices group for a free, memorable Iftar dinner experience and a chance to have your say in how the University can improve the international student experience. Or if you’re based at Medway, you can join the Medway Islamic Society’s annual Iftar celebration event.

Get a team together and take part in our WorldFest Quiz Night run by our student Global Officers.

Develop and improve your LinkedIn profile at this careers drop-in session.

See more student events.

Reminders and opportunities

• If you use the Campus Shuttle, please note this slight timetable change to the Canterbury to Medway service.
• Online Module Registration opens Monday 18 March.
• The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is now open at Kent and is an opportunity for Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students to provide feedback on their academic experiences at Kent.
• Showcase your business at the ASPIRE Pop Up market on 20 March in Sibson Atrium. To secure free stall contact ASPIRE@kent.ac.uk.
• KentVision will be unavailable on Monday 11 March, from 08:00-12:00, due to planned maintenance. Sorry for the inconvenience, you can find out more on the Student Guide.

See more student opportunities.

This week marks the start of Worldfest, our celebration of cultural diversity at Kent, as well as International Women’s Day.

Plus, don’t forget to vote in the Kent Union elections between Tuesday 5 March and Thursday 7 March (closes at 17:00). You’re voting for your full-time Officers who will represent you for the next academic year.

Find out what’s on this week:

Monday 4 March: PGT presentation skills and mindfulness colouring

If you’re a PGT student, you can join this presentation skills online workshop which offers practical advice on how to prepare and deliver an effective presentation.

On Monday evening you can join ResLife Ambassadors in Keynes for a quiet environment where you can do some studying mixed with some mindfulness colouring to help you unwind.

Tuesday 5 March: Coffee with a Security Officer and LinkedIn photos (Medway)

Would you like to have a chat with our friendly Security Team? Each Tuesday lunchtime you can pop in to speak to one of the officers and ask any questions about the Safezone app, the role of Campus Security or for advice. And you can get a free cup of tea or coffee to enjoy while you chat.

Are you interested in pursuing postgraduate study in business? Even if you are not currently studying a business-related subject, you might be able to study a Master’s in Business. Find out more at the Ask the Experts: Kent Business School drop-in session in Nexus, Templeman Library. See all postgraduate study events.

Do you need a better LinkedIn photo? You can get a professional portrait taken by Matt Cook Photography free of charge in Medway building on Tuesday.

Wednesday 6 March: Graduation Launch event (Medway) and Worldfest international dishes and using GenAi in your studies

In your final year at Medway? You’re invited to the Graduation Launch event in Rochester Building where you can find out your graduation ceremony date and ask any questions you may have. You can also try on caps and measure your height for your gown, as well as write a message to your supporters to be displayed on the screens during your graduation ceremony.

As we celebrate Worldfest, enjoy a taste of Japanese and Arabic Cuisine. Our World language tutors will provide you on a journey to learn how to cook some of your favourite international dishes from Japanese and Arabic cultures.

Find out how you can use GenAI legitimately in your studies at this in-person workshop in Canterbury or you can join online.

Thursday 7 March: Canterbury Graduation Launch and how to network (Medway)

In your final year at Canterbury? You’re invited to the Graduation Launch event in Darwin Conference Suite where you can ask all your questions and find out the individual School dates for the 2024 graduation ceremonies. There are opportunities to try on caps and measure your height for your gown and write a message to your supporters to be displayed on the screens during your graduation ceremony.

Learn how to network effectively at this Aspire workshop in Medway building, plus you can grab some free pizza.

Friday 8 March: International Women’s Day events and katsu cooking class

To celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday, you can join various inspiring talks with successful Kent alumni; Balancing Acts: Navigating the Workplace as Women of Worth in Keynes, In conversation with: Elouise Mitchell, Senior Planning Consultant  in Keynes and Female Changemakers: In conversation with Bethany Matthews, Access Coordinator at ITV Studios which is taking place online.

As part of Worldfest, learn how to make Japan’s katsu curry from scratch from Chef Benjamin Elsbury, so you can get together with friends and re-create at home.

Sunday 10 March: Howletts trip and gallery hopping

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you can join the ResLife Ambassadors for a trip to Howletts Wild Animal Park where you can see elephants, gorillas, rhinos and much more. (£10 which covers coach and entry fee).

Join the ResLife Ambassadors for some gallery hopping in Canterbury City Centre. Canterbury has lots of galleries and museums to explore including The Beaney and Canterbury Roman Museum.

Opportunities

• Looking for housemates? On the Umii app you can now add a signifier to show you are looking for someone to live with.
• If you’re based at Medway campus, make the most of Medway Move, a series of free exercise classes including yoga, Jiu Jitsu and social badminton.

This month’s Kent Star is Jack, Environmental Social Sciences student, who was named the 2023 BBC Countryfile Young Countryside Champion! Jack won the award for the horticultural work and public engagement initiatives he is involved in. Alongside running his own horticulture business, Jack works closely with his supply chains and customers. Hear from Jack:

Video transcription below.

“I’m Jack Scott. I study Environmental Social Science at the University of Kent in my last year, four more months to go. I also grow vegetables at Nonnington Farms, as well as being a farm advisor for Farming Wildlife Advisory Group South East.

An interesting fact about me is I won the BBC Countryfile Champion Award for 2023. BBC Countryfile came to the farm in August. We picked vegetables and delivered them up to one of our Michelin starred restaurants, Angela’s in Margate, so the TV crew could experience the whole farm to fork process. The awards ceremony was in late October and November in Newport in Wales.”

How did you feel about winning the 2023 BBC Countryfile Young Countryside Champion award?

“It felt weird being on national TV. It felt good too. Getting recognition for something that you’re attempting to achieve, the food to fork scheme, better knowledge, bringing education into it with children coming on to the farm through school visits.

We don’t just grow vegetables, we have the soil we look after. We’ve also got hedgerows we look after and we’ve got the nature element we try to incorporate. So sunflowers bring in the pollinators and supply bird feed for the winter months. So that just element there, you’re not just producing food that goes to someone who eats it, you’re also providing a habitat, you’re providing food for nature. So the two in harmony it makes me more joyful.”

Do you have advice for other students?

“So I think just give it a go. The university runs quite a few initiatives for students to get involved in, such as the gleaning project. If you look at the university campus, on the north side, you’re surrounded by farms; go and ask them for a job. There’s loads of farmers out there wanting fruit pickers and general farm hands. Just get involved -you never know where it could lead.”

What are your plans for next year?

“We are a small agricultural business. We just finished our trial year where we experimented on what we can grow, if the market wants it and whether it’s profitable or suitable for the ground. So we’ve done that on one acre this year and it’s going really well.

For the future it is scaling up, so if we can increase our scale, we can start doing some of our larger orders and, we can start pick up a bit more the market in turn that should allow us to bring in employees or apprenticeships and business further financial sustainability.”

What does the Right to Food mean to you?

“For me, the Right to Food is the right to food. So it’s having access to food, having the access to seeing how food is produced or reared. I think it’s just the enabling of better communications and generally just being involved, seeing it and buying more local. So buying it within five miles of the campus, it for me is vital to food and awareness.”

Find out more about the Right to Food project.

Do you know an inspirational student or student group? Let us know.

Learn more about the Kent Stars campaign.

Find out what’s on this week including therapy dogs, writing retreat and attempt the Ninja Warrior obstacles.

Monday 26 February: Medway Global Hangout and LGBTQ+ Social Mixer

The Global and Lifelong Learning Team and the Student Experience Team are teaming up to bring you a Global Hangout in Medway. There will be a selection of games, crafts and activities as well as lunch provided. You can come to all of the event or just drop in for part of it around your classes. All students are welcome.

This LGBT+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Students Network are organising a social get-together for students and staff. The LGBTQ+ Social Mixer aims to bring together everyone on campus who identifies as being part of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as friends and allies.

Tuesday 27 February: CV drop-in and Bubble Football

Want to improve your CV? Come along to the CV drop-in session in Sibson. The Careers Team will have prompts ready for you to check your CV and be there to answer your questions. You can also join an online session about how to find a part-time job.

Have you tried Bubble Football before? Give bubble football a go and bounce your way to victory. No football experience is needed.

Wednesday 28 February: ResLife Rodeo, Pause for Paws and Ninja Warrior (Medway)

The ResLife Team are hosting the ResLife Rodeo, an afternoon of tasty treats, fun, activities and entertainment for students living on campus. Ride the rodeo bull and see how long you can stay on for. The student who lives in on-campus accommodation who stay on the longest will win a £50 amazon voucher! Enjoy complimentary burgers, curries and hot drinks as well as doughnuts, popcorn and candy floss for students in our accommodation (burgers will be available to purchase for students not in our accommodation).

Take a break with Coco the therapy dog at the Pause for Paws event in Nexus, Templeman Library. Spending some time with Coco is a great way to de-stress and recharge.

If you’re based at Medway and want an adventure, join the Hub trip to the Ninja Warrior centre for an action-packed afternoon. Test your skills on challenging obstacles and cheer on your friends.

Thursday 29 February: Yoga and Writing Retreat, talk by founder of LGBT History Month and Leap Year Birthday Party (Medway)

If you’re a postgrad researcher, consider joining this Yoga and Writing Retreat in Cornwallis East, Canterbury. It’s a mix of guided yoga sessions with opportunities for you to get on with your writing in a relaxed setting.

Come along to a talk by Sue Sanders, founder of LGBT History Month and Schools Out. Sue is an “out and proud” lesbian and a British LGBTQ+ rights activist who has specialised in challenging oppression in the public and voluntary sectors for over forty years. This is an in-person talk in Keynes Seminar Room 4. All welcome.

Thursday is also the 29^th February, an extra day due to 2024 being a leap year! At The Hub, you can join this Leap Year Birthday Party, celebrating those who were born on February 29^th and just an excuse to have some fun with some tasty treats and tunes.

Sunday 3 March: Bowling

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you can join the ResLife Ambassadors for an hour of ten pin bowling in Canterbury.

See more student events.

Opportunities

• Enter the Kent CyberAnything competition for your chance to win cash prizes. Tell a story through a photo, short video, essay, poem (or other media form) about living, learning and connecting in the cyber or cyber-physical world in the past, at present, and/or in the future. Deadline to apply is Friday 1 March 2024.
• The Hub offers a free community breakfast to Medway students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Choose from toast, pastries and cereal as well as tea/coffee.
• Considering postgrad study? Check out upcoming events to help you decide if postgrad study is for you.

See more student opportunities.