Author Archives: Ronke Adeyemi

How To Self Isolate

Self isolating/social distancing means non-essential contact with other people. To achieve this, you need to study at home, avoid all unnecessary travel and avoid public gatherings.

Self-isolating and social distancing can feel lonely and lead to anxiety, depression and make you feel demotivated. So we have put together some tips for you on how to make the most of the situation.

Write a to-do list

You will find a to-do list keeps you on-track and motivated. Also it’s an amazing feeling when you tick off things on the list. The best thing to do is to write the list the day before or first thing in the morning.

Take regular breaks

Regardless of your workload, please remember to take regular breaks especially to have lunch or dinner. This is vital to keep you refreshed and your energy levels up.

Stay in touch

You might not be able to physically meet people but you can stay in touch thanks to the wonders of technology. Skype, Zoom and Facetime friends and family and chat via Whatsapp with fellow students. Remember that Student Services and your tutors are available for you to contact and Kent Union are very active on Social Media with lots of advice.

Eat healthily

This might be a bit of an ask considering what is going on in the shops but you can still eat healthily by using staple ingredients such a fruit, veg, milk, rice and potatoes. You can look up recipes online.

Exercise

While you are at home it is essential to keep fit and you can do this by following exercises on YouTube or use fitness DVD.

Binge on Netflix and box sets

What better way to end the day than by binging on a box set or watching a TV series or film on Netflix. The platform has launched a new facility called Netflix Party where you can chat with your mates while watching the same film or TV show at the same time. Genius!

Overall, stay safe and make the most of the time. Also remember that you are not alone.

IWD

Former Students Who Epitomise International Woman’s Day

International Women’s Day took place on Sunday and there were hundreds of events around the country to celebrate the occasion. Aleeya Gibson a second year Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics student has shared her thoughts about the day and featured former University of Kent female students who have gone on to achieve great things.

International Women’s Day is a ceremonious day for the power and influence in everyday life that women have. Women in early moments in history have been the back burner from their accomplishments due to people not believing them.

Luckily in the past 100 years or so women have been encouraged and are no longer put on the backburner. Examples of this include Ada Lovelace, a mathematician and writer who was one of the pioneers for the concept of the computer. Also Marie Curie, a woman who conducted research on radioactivity which has many uses today.

What some people do not know is that there are many influential women who have attended the University of Kent, such as Valerie Bloom who is a Jamaican poet who earned a Bachelor and Master degrees as well as being appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2008.

Then there is Jane Harper, a novelist of thriller novels which she decided to venture into 13 years after being an accomplished journalist, showing that there is never bad time for you to find what you are passionate in.

Even the well-known E.L.James, who penned the bestselling novel, Fifty Shades of Grey which have been turned into three successful movies. A woman who was able to turn her own alternative stories of Twilight into a novel that will be known for many years to come.

Probably the most known of all the women is Ellie Goulding, who is a charting singer and songwriter who was recently able to get her Doctorate at the University as well as her many accomplishment which include her song Burn, being a chart topper.

With all these accomplishments within our University and outside in wider society it is important to highlight things that you and the people around you have done and make sure that they are getting the recognition that they deserve, because you never know if their idea may become something phenomenal in the future.

Happy International Women’s Day everyone.

Declonise UoK Voices of (Un)Belonging with Lowkey

Following the DecoloniseUKC manifesto launched in March 2019 the students are back on Wednesday 11th March (this time as DecoloniseUoK – the Kaleidoscope Hub) exploring the theme of (un)belonging in various creative formats including spoken word. The event will profile the work done by the DecoloniseUoK collective over the last year, in conjunction with key contemporary critical thinkers and activist performers that have inspired them.

Rapper, activist and educator, Lowkey will be headlining the event. It will kick off with the Decolonial Walking Tour between 13:00 to 13:45, which is being piloted by Anamika Misra along with Decolonise University of Kent. This will be followed by a performance by Lowkey and DecoloniseUKC which takes place between 14:00 to 18:00 at the Gulbenkian.

If you wish to attend then meet outside Gulbenkian, University of Kent Central Campus.

You can book tickets to the event here.

IWD

International Women’s Day events at Canterbury

The theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) this year is #EachforEqual which encourages people to actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.

The 2020 #EachforEqual campaign runs all year long and doesn’t end on International Women’s Day. However, there are a number of events taking place across campus to mark the day:

Kent Union will be marking the day by hosting a number of events; some of which take place before and after the day- keeping in true spirit of IWD.

Kent Uniboob has confirmed a photoshoot for body positivity with the money going towards the National charity on Saturday 29 Feb – Sunday 1 March. The shoot is £10 per person.

There will be a quiz in Woody’s on Sunday 8 March themed around women’s history and iconic women at 8pm.

There will also be a screening of Legally Blonde some free food and boob chat on Thursday 12 March between 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Templeman Library are hosting a display throughout March from their women’s history reading list in the library café.  There will also be a display of women in STEM books from Friday 6 March that will be accompanied by slides of winners of a competition celebrating women in Physics.

Engineering and Digital Arts have a webinar event titled Flexible Working in Project Management: How to make it work, and how not to on Wednesday 11 March, from 12.30-13.30. Book your place via Eventbrite.

This Girl Can is part of The Gulbenkian’s International Women’s Day celebrations. It is a one day event taking place on Saturday 7 March. It celebrates women and equal rights and will be full of dancing, music, talks, workshops and visual arts. All ages and genders are welcome.

Kent Student Awards

Nominate a Student for a Kent Student Award

You have spent your time at Kent working with fantastic volunteers so why not nominate them for a Kent Student Award. Tell us who has made the most outstanding contribution to the student experience so they can be rewarded accordingly.

You can nominate a Kent student or group of students for one of the 9 awards. Winners will receive a brick in the ‘Footsteps Path’ and recognition of the achievement on their Higher Education Achievement Report.

Finalists will be invited to a garden party on the Canterbury campus on Friday 29 May, when the winners will be announced.

Nominations are open until Sunday 22 March. You can nominate someone by clicking on the link here.

Kent logo

Visas for Chinese nationals in the UK and residents of China

The government has advised that Chinese nationals in the UK, compliant with their visa conditions prior to the coronavirus outbreak, will have their leave automatically extended to 31 March 2020 if their visa has an expiry date between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020.

You don’t need to do anything to get this extension and will be subject to the same immigration conditions as your last visa.

Your new expiry date (31 March 2020) will be added to UK Visa Immigration’s systems.

Further information is available here.

Information is also available on the following categories:

Switching to a Tier 2 category in the UK

British nationals whose passport is at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in China

Chinese or third country nationals whose passport is at a Visa Application Centre (VAC)

Licensed Tier 2, Tier 4 or Tier 5 sponsors: absences due to coronavirus

The Home Office will keep this under review, especially if the length of absences mean a potential repeat of period of studies become necessary.

For more information, please see the government’s Coronavirus immigration guidance.

Stay Safe on and off campus

How To Stay Safe On And Off Campus

Your safety on and off campus means a lot to us and we have a few tools that can help to keep you secure and safe.

Personal alarm

A personal alarm is a small hand-held electronic device that can release siren-like alarming sound when activated. It is used to attract attention in order to scare off an assailant. 

Spikey

This is a plastic “use once only” stopper that fits in the top of a bottle and prevent anything being added to your drink without your knowledge. It is manufactured from 100% recyclable HDPE.

Purse Bell

Officially known as Purse Dipping Bells, this item keeps your valuables secure, whilst also raising awareness on pickpocketing and bag dipping. The pair of bells hang from a G-clip that can be attached to purses, wallets, bags or other valuable items. If a thief attempts to remove the item, or if the item is dropped, the bells will jingle and alert the owner.

Canterbury students can collect these items from the Campus Security Office at any time of day or night. The Campus Security Office is part of the banking hall between Marlowe and Grimond.

Medway students can collect all items from the reception of the Medway Building any time from 9.00-17.00, Monday to Friday.

They are available from reception, subject to stock levels.

SafeZone App

Make sure you have downloaded the free SafeZone app gives you quick access to emergency services, first aid and the University.

Sexual Awanress Wee

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week #ITSNOTOK

It is Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week which is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of sexual abuse and violence. During this week up till Sunday, hundreds of events will take place all over the country to raise awareness of the issue and shine a spotlight on what is normally a very hidden subject.

Here at the University, we want to make sure everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As part of our continued work towards this, we have developed Inform Kent (InK) which is an online reporting tool which empowers students to record details of incidents such as sexual assault, harassment, relationship abuse or hate crime.

The most vital use of InK is to ensure that you gain access to the support that is available to you in the aftermath of an incident.

InK also gives you the option to have your voice heard. You are given the option to record an incident and give your name, so that you can be contacted by specialist support. Or you can choose to remain anonymous.

The information that you provide will help us to make continued progress in making our University the safest it can be. You are in control here. Have your voice.

Apply for the Medway Student Support Bursary

The Universities at Medway have been awarded a further significant donation to The Medway Student Support Bursary.  This donation will provide bursaries to home (UK/EU) students from Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Greenwich and the University of Kent each year.  This is an excellent opportunity to apply for additional funding and the selected recipients will receive a bursary of £1,250 (Spring applications).

Applying for this bursary is easy. Check the eligibility criteria below, if you meet the requirements, all you need to do is complete the attached application form and return it along with the required evidence by the deadline. The Selection Criteria and Important Notes below will provide guidance on this.

The deadline to apply by is 12 noon on 7 February 2020 (Spring Term applications)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OF THE MEDWAY STUDENT SUPPORT BURSARY

In order to be eligible to apply for The Medway Student Support Bursary you must:

Be a home student (UK/EU).

Be currently registered full or part-time on an undergraduate degree programme based at the Medway Campus.

Demonstrate a household income of £42,875 or less.

SELECTION CRITERIA OF THE MEDWAY STUDENT SUPPORT BURSARY

Your application will be considered on the basis of your fulfilment of the eligibility criteria and the 350-500 word statement sections demonstrating:

Why you are in need of financial support and what has changed in your financial circumstances since embarking on the programme.

What the award will be used for (See important note below)I

Information about you and your aims and aspirations for the future.

You may want to include additional information relating to volunteering or ambassadorial work that you have done or are planning to do within the local community e.g. voluntary work, paid work, sports contributions, community activity organisations such as the Scouts etc.)

Important notes:

Awards will not fund general (exceptional travel may be considered) programme travelling expenses or new equipment such as laptops or phones.

Awards are intended for the students use only and not for family support.

The first payment will only be made upon submission of a thank you letter to the donors outlining how the Bursary will be used to support the Bursary recipient.

The second payment will only be made upon submission of a report outlining how the Bursary has supported the Bursary recipient and how this support has impacted on their academic studies.

Successful recipients will be able to hold other awards whilst in receipt of the Medway Student Support Bursary such as the NSP and may reapply for a further bursary in subsequent years.

Successful recipients will be required to sign a Bursary Agreement which sets out the conditions of the bursary award.

Recipients are expected to remain in satisfactory academic standing.

Students out on a placement year are not eligible for that year, but may apply once academic studies are resumed.

Successful recipients will be required to write a report to the board detailing how the bursary has supported them and how this support has impacted on their academic studies.  The deadline for submission of the report by the Medway Student Support Bursary recipients is 24 May 2020 (Spring applications).

All applications confirmed as meeting the eligibility criteria will be taken forward. The bursary recipient(s) will be chosen by the Medway Student Support Bursary Board which will meet in early March (Spring applications) and all applicants will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Your completed application along with all required evidence can be scanned and emailed to us at medwaymastersoffice@kent.ac.uk or a paper application can be submitted to Medway Building, 2nd floor Medway floor.

You can also apply online.

The deadline is 12 noon on the 7 February 2020 (Spring applications).

CPD in Dentistry

Dentistry in a Contemporary Context.

This short CPD course is suitable for the whole dental team – Dental Care Professionals and Dentists.  During this course, participants are encouraged to address contemporary dental practice within the wider context of social policy and cultural influence.

Dr Sam Shah will address the inequalities effecting health and well-being and the incorporation of health into historical  and contemporary political and sociological agendas. Professor Ken Eaton will discuss oral health systems in Europe and beyond. John Darby will deliver an update on the national Advancing Dental Care Project. Plus, Mike Wheeler will discuss the potential of dental care professionals roles related to the future of dental services and how their training may be funded.

This course  takes place over two weekends at the University of Kent Medway campus.  The dates are 7-9 February and 6 March 2020.

For more information and to book your place, please click on this link.