All students are welcome to join this fun and informal, face to face Global Hangout to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season.

This Global Hangout will be taking place on Wednesday 8 December, between 10.30-12.00 (UK time) in the Colyer-Fergusson Foyer (behind the Gulbenkian Cafe).

Meet new students, take part in fun activities and share what this time of year means to you. Festive refreshments will be available.

This student led event will be hosted by Dr Anthony Manning, Director & Dean for Global and Lifelong Learning at Kent and will be very much a student led event, where you can meet new friends and look forward to the holiday season. 

All students are very welcome. Feel free to wear a festive themed item too! 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up for the Christmas Global Hangout

Today we’re reflecting on the generosity of our donors who enable us to have a greater impact and create opportunities for our students.

Our donors have generously supported:

Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS)

Kent and Medway Medical School was launched in September 2020 and we are so very grateful to our generous benefactors who have supported us so far.

Highpoints include:

• Giving all first-year medical students an iPad on commencing their 5-year medical programme
• Celebrating the success of the KMMS Scholarship programme, with over 55 first year medical students having now been awarded scholarships worth over £1million thanks to generous benefactors including charitable foundations, corporates, NHS trusts and individuals
• Offering 15 philanthropic prizes for first year students and beyond
• Buying state-of-the-art clinical equipment e.g. Butterfly Ultrasound Probes, a Virtual Microscope
• Construction began on the Pears Building housing the first purpose-built GP Simulation Suite. The building also includes a 100 seater lecture theatre, seminar rooms, IT suite, multi-user rooms, board room, student common space and refreshment areas
• Construction began on the Verena Holmes Building housing Anatomy Learning Centre, collaborative lecture theatre, medical simulation suites, mock hospital wards, fully functioning X-Ray suite, clinical and observation rooms
• Raising over £5M in philanthropic gifts to date from 139 benefactors – helping students to achieve their dreams of becoming the doctors and scientists of tomorrow

First 500 Scholarship

Our First 500 Scholarship is funded by the undergraduates who helped found the University in 1965 and we thank them for assisting students to reach their potential.

One scholarship is worth £2,000 per annum (or pro-rata for part-time students) for the duration of the recipient’s degree programme.

Sol Herrera Penido, recipient of a First 500 Scholarship at Kent, explains more in this video…

Kent Opportunity Fund

Our supporters’ kind donations to the Kent Opportunity Fund, have helped us to provide equal opportunities for all students.

The Kent Opportunity Fund was established to provide a firm foundation on which to build Kent’s future. It supports a broad range of scholarships, student projects to enhance extra-curricular activities at Kent, and bursaries to support students working through financial hardship. Committees of Kent staff, alumni and donors allocate the funds raised and ensure that they go to the students who are most in need.

This year we’ve been able to provide over £200,000 among record numbers of students desperately needing support and the gifts they have made will inspire the future.

Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy

We thank those who have so far supported our fundraising efforts to launch a new Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy in 2022. In partnership with Parkinson’s Care and Support UK, the Centre will provide innovative and life changing non-drug therapies to support those with Parkinson’s.

These include the use of ground-breaking new research led by Professor David Wilkinson that focuses on stimulating the balance organs of the inner ear to improve brain health.

An estimated 2,000 people will visit the Centre during its inaugural year, with its integrated approach filling a much-needed gap in the support options currently available.

Our fundraising campaign aims to secure the £600,000 needed to make our vision a reality. The funds will enable free access to the stimulation therapy and to established non-drug therapies that help reduce the disabling symptoms that Parkinson’s drugs struggle to reach.

Find out more about how to support the Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy. 

You told us you wanted more places to relax, chat and eat your own lunch on campus. In response to your feedback, we’re creating some exciting new social spaces.

We’re introducing a new social space on the ground floor of the Rochester Building (Pembroke) and a social space in the Clocktower (Dockyard).

The Rochester Building social space will include vending machines, sofas and a pool table with a longer-term plan for a kitchen. It will be a great place to chill out and socialise with friends between your classes. Check out the design.

The Clocktower social space will include a relaxed seating area, vending machines and a kitchen. Take a seat and relax. View the design.

We’re also revamping the green space next to Medway Building to include more benches, a trail gym and a covered seating area. Here’s a sneak peek at the progress so far.

The social spaces and green space will be ready for you to enjoy by the beginning of the Spring term.

Did you know that you we work with Arriva Bus Company so you can get a student discount on Arriva buses in Medway? We want to make it easier for you to get around, as well as reducing congestion and minimising carbon emissions.

We also have a free shuttle bus service between Medway and Canterbury campuses exclusively for Kent students and staff. Book a seat on the Campus Shuttle and explore the Canterbury campus. As a Medway student you are welcome to access all the facilities and services at the Canterbury campus as well as the Medway campus.

Kent students can also book the Greenwich bus from Medway to Greenwich at a cost of £3.50.

You can find the Transport Team in the Security and Transport Centre on the Canterbury campus. Or you can contact them via email TransportTeam@kent.ac.uk or telephone 01227 82 3609 if you have any questions about travel around or between the campuses.

It’s your last chance to get Student Art Pass for £5

Don’t miss out on a year of art and opportunities, get yours today

A Student Art Pass lets you dive into culture on a budget with free entry to hundreds of museums and galleries across the UK, and 50% off major exhibitions.

Plus, you’ll gain access to paid opportunities in the visual arts and grow your network by joining the #WeAreArtful @StudentArtPass community. All for just £5 a year.

Available for a limited time until 12 December 2021.

Don’t miss out – get your £5 pass today.

Join us for the Careers and Employability Service’s Careers in the Public Sector Week, 29 November – 3 December.

Starting on 29 November, the Careers and Employability Service will be hosting a week of online activities looking at Careers in the Public Sector. This programme is open to all students interested in finding out more about working in this sector.

Throughout the week, we will be joined by a range of Kent alumni and employers, including local councils, the Civil Service, the Office for National Statistics, and Teach First. Events will include: insight talks from employers; presentations on how to succeed in landing graduate roles; advice on asking for reasonable adjustments when making applications; and a panel discussion on careers in teaching.

All events will be virtual and hosted on either Teams or Zoom. You can also earn 10 Employability Points by attending each event, which can be redeemed later in the year for exclusive rewards.

To see the full schedule of events, please visit our website. You can book your place for each event now on TARGETConnect. We hope to see you there!

Kent Union is your students’ union at The Hub. Being partnered with The Hub means you get the best of both worlds. The Hub is a quality £5 million venue jammed packed with activity, resources, support and fun for you to have the very best time at Uni.

Sports Clubs and Societies

They have a variety of student groups that you can join to help you have fun and meet people. It’s not too late to join a sport or society.

Give it a Go and Medway Move

Their events programmes includes our regular fitness sessions and a varied and diverse range of interactive activities, trips and events. You can sign up to everything from Pilates to crafts, trips to laser quest and social football! Keep an eye on their socials or on the The Hub What’s On webpage for the latest.

They have a dedicated team of staff at The Hub to help you access activities or run your own. Get in contact Monday-Friday 10.00-16.00 at the Hub Reception or email thehubmedway@gre.ac.uk.

Advice Service

With so much to think about with your studies you may find you need assistance with housing questions, your finances, or academic concerns. This might feel a little overwhelming so it is important to remember that you can access The Hub’s free Advice Service for confidential and impartial advice helping you make an informed decision to keep you on track.

The Deep End

This quirky bar and restaurant is actually built on top of the old naval swimming pool! Housed in The Hub building, the Deep End hosts events and socials as well as serving up some tasty food and drinks. Follow @thedeependmedway on Facebook and Insta to keep up to date.

Have Your Voice Heard

Kent Union aim to provide you with the tools to shape your student experience, feel empowered to make positive change through championing the views of your fellow students, collaborating on campaigns, and leading on meaningful action.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a way to gain skills, support your academic interests, boost your employability, meet friends, and help to improve the world. The Hub offers lots of volunteering opportunities for you to make the most of your free time.

Follow @thehubmedway on all social media channels to stay up to date and involved.

Are you making the most of all the support and services on offer at our Medway campus? Here’s a quick guide of the support on offer and where to go to access it.

Medway Student Administration Team

The Medway Student Admin Team is responsible for student registration, online registration, record updating and much more. You can find them on the ground floor of Rochester Building.

Learn about all the ways the Student Admin Team can support you from council tax exemption to replacing your Kent ID card.

College and Community Life

As a Medway student you’re part of Medway College. Register your interest in joining the Medway College Committee to help plan and run events for students at Medway.

Learn more about College and Community Life and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Careers and Employability Service (CES)

There’s a wealth of information around careers on the CES webpages. You can also join career events and book an appointment with a Careers Advisor.

Find the Medway Careers Team on the ground floor of the Gillingham Building.

Student Support and Wellbeing

Student Support and Wellbeing supports students who have a disability, mental health condition, long term medical condition, autistic spectrum condition and/or specific learning difficulty, whether already diagnosed or suspected.

Our Advisers can help with Inclusive Learning Plans, study support, Disabled Students’ Allowance and counselling. They can also provide specialist support to students who have experienced sexual assault/harassment.

Medway Student Support and Wellbeing are based on the ground floor of Gillingham Building, room G0-05. You can pop in any time Monday-Friday 9.00-17.00, telephone 01634 888474, email MedwaySSW@kent.ac.uk, or complete our registration form.   

Student Learning Advisory Service (SLAS)

SLAS are here to advise you academically whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student. They hold bitesize (15 minute) online events on topics to help you with your studies. You can also book a 1:1 advice appointment.

Medway Chaplain

Lynne Martin, our Medway Campus Chaplain, is here to support you through your academic journey, providing a listening ear for all students of any faith or no faith.

Find Lynne in the Chaplain’s Office in Pilkington (003/004) or you can email medwaycampuschaplain@gre.ac.uk. You can also follow the Medway Campus Chaplaincy Facebook page to find out about upcoming events.

Kent Union at The Hub

Learn all about how Kent Union can provide support and opportunities for you at the Hub. 

Drill Hall Library

Drill Hall Library offers a variety of study spaces from individual silent study booths to relaxing sofas in the group zone. You can contact the Library Team by emailing dhlhelp@medway.ac.uk or calling 01634 883878. Get the latest news from your library on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Campus Security

Campus Security are on campus 24/7, 365 days a year. You can find Campus Security on the ground floor of the Medway Building next to reception. Come say hi and pick up a free personal safety alarm.

Finance

The Student Finance Team are committed to helping you understand the cost of study, how to manage your money and how to take full advantage of any financial support you are eligible for.

The team are based on the ground floor of the Medway Building and are available via email and telephone Monday to Friday 9.00-17.00. 

From Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience

As I updated you last week, members of the University and College Union (UCU) will be taking three days of national strike action next week from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 December. We regret this, and are continuing discussions with our local union so that we do as much as possible to prevent disruption to your studies.

Why industrial action is taking place

We are one of a number of universities around the country affected by the industrial action, which is centred on national-level disagreements over Pensions and Pay and Conditions. While the overall decisions affecting the dispute are taken nationally, we appreciate the strength of feeling among some of our staff and take the issues on the ballot seriously at Kent. There is more information on what we are doing on each issue on our Industrial Action Student Webpages.

What this means for you

From Wednesday to Friday next week, it is probable that:

• lectures or other timetabled classes may be disrupted or cancelled at short notice;

• research activities could be cancelled at short notice;
• other University services you use might be affected.

The Union is not obliged to tell us which of its members will not be working on the strike days so we will not know in advance what the level of disruption will be. However, we will share with you on Moodle any specific information we receive, and we recommend that you check your online course groups and your emails frequently to keep up to date about any changes that might affect you.

Wherever possible, we will work with staff to prioritise essential Student Support services so that these remain in place throughout the industrial action.

How to find out more

Alongside the information on our Industrial Action Student Webpages, Kent Union will be hosting student forums today and tomorrow where we can listen to any issues you would like to raise and answer any questions you may have. These will take place in The Venue at the following times, while you can also join online:

• Tuesday 23 November, 12:00 – 13:00 (Join via Teams)
• Wednesday 24 November, 13:00 – 14:00 (Join via Teams)

Your Divisional team will also be there to support you and will be in touch direct with details of who to contact with any queries.

Thank you for your continued patience as we manage this period, and I will continue to keep you informed of any updates as soon as I receive them.

With all good wishes,

Richard

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience