Students participating in the Global Officers Leadership Development (GOLD) Programme attended their annual conference on Wednesday 4th March. The conference focused on the theme of ‘Leadership in a Global Context’, hosted by Dr Anthony Manning, Dean for Internationalisation and included external speakers, Dr Carl Wright, exploring ‘Why leadership is essential for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs)’ and Yinbo Yu, the former NUS International Students’ Officer, now working at UKCISA, on ‘Leading the student voice in International HE’.

During the day, the students were able to consider the impact of the SDGs on both the local and global scale. They reflected on their own actions and what contributions they could make. One of our Global Officers, Tinu Okotore, who is also a SDG Ambassador for the University of Kent, presented on the work she does in this role and what work we could do at the university level on meeting some of these Goals.

Finally, students were tasked with an exercise of considering what they would do if they were Vice Chancellor for the day on improving the international student experience.

The GOLD programme, launched in 2017, is a co-curricular venture that provides a framework of activities for globally-minded undergraduate students at Kent to develop their leadership skills, Global Citizenship and cultural awareness.

From September 2020, students have the opportunity to join the programme either as extra-curricular or as a wild module, GOLD500. Search and sign up via OMR.

For more information about the programme, please visit Kent Global’s website or contact International Partnerships.

The University of Kent is shooting a promotional virtual open day film on Tuesday 17 March (Medway campus) and Wednesday 18 March (Canterbury campus) and would like to feature a number of Kent students on screen in non-speaking roles such as in group situations.

Application deadline is 10.00 Thursday 12 March. All selected students will receive a £10 credit on their KentOne card.

Find out more and complete the online submission form.

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.

Spend the day volunteering with Strode Park Foundation for their gardening footprints project. Get outside and enjoy time with new people while helping your local community.

We will be leaving the University of Kent (Canterbury campus) at 9.30 and returning at 15.30. You will need to be available for the duration of this time and wear clothing and footwear that you don’t mind getting mucky.

Transport will be provided to and from the project but you will need to provide your own packed lunch.

Please complete the booking form to confirm your attendance.

You can log volunteering hours for the project through the Kent Volunteering Scheme.

A final-year digital storytelling project by Kent Journalism BA student Kenneth Sanchez has been shortlisted for two prestigious national awards; an Amnesty Media Award and a Shorthand Award.

Kenneth’s project, ‘Escaping the Chaos’ is one of only four shortlisted within Amnesty International UK’s ‘Student Journalist’ category and one of three shortlisted within the ‘Best education story’ category by Shorthand.

Kenneth is shortlisted alongside some of the biggest names in journalism in the Amnesty Media Awards. It’s a highly respected set of awards, now in its 28th year, with 11 award categories that celebrate excellence in human rights journalism from the past year. The awards also applaud the courage and determination of journalists and editors who sometimes put their lives on the line to report on vital human rights issues. Judging panels comprise high-profile UK journalists and representatives from Amnesty.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at BFI Southbank in central London on Wednesday 22 April, hosted by television presenter, journalist & broadcaster, Naga Munchetty.

Shorthand is a visual storytelling platform used by international brands to create engaging, multimedia stories online. The company’s annual awards celebrate excellence in storytelling. Winners will be announced on Friday 13 March.

Ian Reeves, Head of The Centre for Journalism at Kent said Kenneth’s project is superb: ‘It details the struggles of the vast number of Venezuelan refugees trying to start new lives in Peru. Brilliantly researched and sourced, with a huge array of compelling stories.

‘It provides a real insight into how the Venezuelan crisis has affected a range of ordinary people’s live, while also giving users a great deal of agency in how they explore it. Different storytelling techniques are used very effectively, especially maps which chart both the general exodus to Peru and the individual journeys of the people involved’.

Did you know it’s University Mental Health Day Thursday 5 March? We have lots of free wellbeing activities on and around this day at Medway. Get involved- whether you want to learn how to access support, or you just want to cuddle a cute dog!

There’s a variety of events happening during the week:

• Random Book of Kindness- be inspired by a mystery book from the lifestyle collection
• Dog therapy- dog cuddles!
• Chill and chat your Campus Chaplain Lynne Martin- write empowering messages, do some colouring or play games
• Student support information stands- learn how we can support you
• Treatments- get your nails done or a back and shoulder, hand or scalp massage!
• Junk modelling- get creative recycling to make art, trinkets, accessories and sculptures
• Craftivism- feel inspired by crafting or cross-stitching positive messages
• Pound fitness- pound out stress with colourful drumsticks for a full-body workshop that incorporates cardio and weight training
• Building exam confidence through mindfulness practice (5-week course)

See the full programme of wellbeing events.

Students are invited to attend the final Kent Talks event for this year,  Tuesday 10 March 2020 in the Gulbenkian Theatre from 18.00-20.00.

This event will be focused on the social norms of the community and how people perceive feminism, mental health and social awkwardness. Our speakers will focus on raising awareness and opening a new perspective in these topics.

The Speakers…

• Temidayo Oyekan : REVULVA, Black Feminism & Pop Culture
• Tomi Mayegun : Mental Health & the Imagination
• Nas Islam : Social Awkwardness 

This is a great opportunity to collaborate with your friends all around campus, meet new like-minded people and deepen your educational and social values. Become a part of our community and don’t miss out on this amazing event!

The University’s Ethics Code is now available to read online. The Code – first published in May 2019 – was drafted by the Ethics Committee, a sub-committee of Council, and approved by both Senate and Council.

The Code applies to the University of Kent community – students, staff and members of Council – who are expected to adhere to, uphold and apply the Code during their day-to-day activities.

The Code aims to help community members make decisions where there are ethical implications. These are a common feature across all areas of University life – from staff members deciding whether to accept a gift from an external supplier, to behaviour and decisions taken during elections for student and staff committee posts. The Code also identifies how and where ethical concerns should be raised.

The Code has guidelines built around the following headings:

1 – Responsibility and accountability
2 – Integrity, honesty and transparency
3 – Academic freedom, critical thinking and intellectual creativity
4 – Equality, diversity and inclusivity
5 – Collegiality
6 – Sustainability
7 – Making a positive impact

Sarah Gibson, Chair of the University’s Ethics Committee and a lay member of the University’s Council, said: ‘We all face ethical decisions in our professional lives, and this Code provides a clear framework to help the University community identify and work through these issues. It demonstrates the University’s commitment to the highest standards of ethical behaviour in all aspects of university life.’

Membership of the Ethics Committee includes University representatives from the areas of research ethics and governance, fundraising, anti-bribery and corruption and international partnerships alongside lay members of Council and students.