Tag Archives: Campus online

How to get support from the University and the Student Union during Coronavirus

The University and the student unions are offering our students advice and support throughout the Coronavirus situation. Kent Union, GK Union, Student Services and Careers and Employability Service are all offering support on finance, studies and careers.

Student Services

They are providing support and guidance regarding online examinations for taught programmes, you can reach them at exams2020@kent.ac.uk.

If you want to speak to someone about your mental health you can email Student Support and Wellbeing at wellbeing@kent.ac.uk to arrange phone or online support.

Student Learning Advisory Service

This is an academic support service available to every student at the University. They offer a range of study skills services and provide practical, academic advice, guidance and help geared to specific stages of University study. They are continuing to provide individual study, assignment and exam prep tuition and guidance. All appointments are currently taking place via Skype or email. If you would like to use their services, please contact them via learning@kent.ac.uk or book via the website.

Kent Student Support Team

The student support and wellbeing staff in Canterbury and Medway continue to operate remotely to support all students through this very challenging time. Whether you were previously accessing support or not, you are welcome to get in touch with us now.

They can support students with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia and discuss academic adjustments for people with disabilities or chronic conditions. They also support autistic students and anyone experiencing distress arising from psychological, emotional or mental health issues. If you previously had support from a mentor or tutor, they will be in touch with you to arrange virtual meetings.

Kent Union

The Kent Union Advice Centre is still available remotely during its usual hours (10:00–16:00).

Their Advice team can help with the following:

  • Financial issues – they can help you access Hardship funds that are available, as well as offer advice and support
  • Academic support – if you have worries or concerns over your academic work, assessments, exams etc.
  • Visa and other advice for international students – we know this is likely to be a very worrying time and the Advice Centre can ensure you have the right information and access to what you need.
  • Housing advice – we have provided some Housing related FAQs here.

You can contact them by phone (01227 827724) or by email at advice@kent.ac.uk.

GK Union

GK Unions Advice service can reached by email and phone. You can contact them by completing a Contact Form (if you need to send an attachment please instead email advice@gkunions.co.uk). You can also call their Advice Line on 01634 88 88 55.

The Careers and Employability Service

The Careers and Employability Service are working remotely and staff are happy to help you with the following:

  • Careers Advice
  • Reviewing your CV
  • Reading though application forms
  • Reviewing cover letters
  • Providing feedback on LinkedIn profiles
  • Reading through personal statements
  • Providing advice on job hunting
  • Mock interviews

You can book an appointment either by emailing careerhelp@kent.ac.uk or by logging onto Target Connect.

University Nursing Services – Canterbury

Nursing Services is available to students for support, advice, treatment of minor illnesses and injury, plus contraceptive advice. They are open daily in term time between 7am to midnight via a walk-in service and midnight-7am for emergency care. To respect social distancing, it might be a good idea to call first on 01227 823503 and see if you can get advice by phone.

University Medical Centre

This is an NHS general practice based on the University of Kent Canterbury campus – please have a look for online support.

DMC Sunlight Surgery

This is the Medway NHS practice many students are registered with – please have a look for online support.

Chaplaincy Team

Members of the Multifaith Chaplaincy Team are able to respond to questions, enquiries and offer appropriate support via phone or email. It may also be possible to link students to systems of support being offered locally by the various faith communities. You can head to their website for the contact details.

Love my Genome screening at the Gulbenkian

A documentary following the journey of 10 healthy volunteers who have agreed to be genetically screened for future disease will be shown at the Gulbenkian on Monday 17 June.

All of the volunteers featured in pioneering documentary Love my Genome currently work in the field of genomics, including world-leading genetic scientist Professor Darren Griffin.

Genetic testing is an increasingly important tool for clinical practitioners investigating the cause, prevention and treatment of disease. By tapping into each person’s unique blueprint researchers can predict the likelihood of each of us inheriting a range of medical conditions including breast cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

As with many great scientific breakthroughs, however, human genome sequencing comes with a cost. The film chronicles the reactions of each person as they contemplate not just their own future but that of their children, spouses, siblings and loved ones. With one couple about to start a family of their own this film explores the ethical, moral and practical challenges that confront them.

Location: The Gulbenkian Cinema. University of Kent, Canterbury Campus.

Date and Time: 12:15pm on Monday 17 June 2019.

Duration: 20 minutes followed by a Q&A with Professor Darren Griffin and contributors.

Attendance: OPEN to everyone. Attendance is free. Please register with Eventbrite here.

 

Estates Department Update

In March 2018 we conducted an Estates Department customer feedback survey to gain your views on what you think of Estates and how we operate.  There was a 54% response to the survey and the comments provided us with an important insight into what our customers think we do well and highlighted some areas for improvement.

As a result of the survey and the feedback indicating customers wanted a single point of contact, we launched the Estates Customer Services Centre on 26 June 2018, at our Estates Showcase event.  Since then we have been working hard to address areas which needed improving as well as concentrating on becoming more transparent in the way we operate.  An action plan outlining these changes can be viewed on our website here.

If you would like any more information on the survey feedback please contact Estates Customer Services by email: estatescustomerservices@kent.ac.uk

Partnership Award Success for the Kent and Medway Progression Federation

The Kent and Medway Progression Federation (KMPF) is a partnership between the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University, the University for the Creative Arts and 40 schools in Kent and Medway. The partnership works to raise aspirations and attainment of young people disadvantaged by circumstance, who might not otherwise consider progression to higher education.

KMPF were delighted to accept the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) Award commendation in the category of Widening Access Partnership on behalf of all the partners who make up the collaboration at an awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament this month. NEON is the professional organisation supporting those involved in widening access to higher education to affect change in their own organisations and communities. This NEON award recognises organisations that work together and support each other to effectively widen access for those who need the most help.

The University of Kent has worked in partnership with KMPF since its inception in 2011 and has played an integral role in increasing opportunities and widening access to higher education for so many students across Kent and Medway.

Find out more about the award and the work of the partnership on KMPF’s website

Mechanical Engineering course launched by EDA

EDA launches Mechanical Engineering courses as part of STEM expansion

The University of Kent is proud to promote its undergraduate course in Mechanical Engineering  (available to apply for via the UCAS website), which marks a major development for the University as it broadens its offerings to students.

Two streams of Mechanical Engineering are offered: a three-year stream and a four-year stream that includes a year in industry. The course has been designed in response to the growing demand in the UK workforce for graduates with STEM skills such as robotics, driverless vehicles and renewable energy systems.

The course provides a solid grounding in statics and dynamics, properties of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, mechatronics, control, instrumentation, mathematics, electronics, and programming. Students also work on a variety of hands-on projects combining mechanical design and control systems, supervised by specialist academics.

There is a focus on employability and career development activities offered across all the engineering degree programmes at Kent, including industrial interaction and placement opportunities.

The course is part of a wider focus within the University to expand its STEM offerings, including the Kent and Medway Medical School and the Institute for Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, as in line with the growing demand for STEM skills. It is open to applicants now, with the first cohort beginning their studies in September 2020.

Decolonising the curriculum expert is University of Kent inspirational speaker

The Founder and Director of Black British Academics is the inspirational speaker for a University of Kent workshop in Medway that will reflect on the decolonisation, democratisation and diversification of the UK curriculum.

Dr Deborah Gabriel will lead the 3D Pedagogy Workshop on Wednesday 27 February 2019 from 14.00-15.30 in the Rochester Building at the University’s Medway campus.
Dr Gabriel, a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University, has carried out extensive research into the experiences of black academics and the challenges of decolonising the curriculum. She is well known for her expertise on racial inequality in higher education and disparities in pay and progression.

The event aims to equip participants with a basic understanding of critical race pedagogy (a theoretical took applied to understand racism impacts on teaching), social justice pedagogy and critical reflective practice, enhancing educational practice by increasing cultural competence.
The event is part of the Student Success Strategy in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences (SSES). Head of the School, Professor Claire Peppiatt-Wildman, said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from Dr Gabriel. Our focus in on inclusive teaching and by targeting education practice, we enhance the outcomes for students of colour and enrich the learning process for students of all ethnic backgrounds.’

The event is free and open to all. To book please visit the event’s dedicated booking page here.

Note-Taking session available

Learning and Development’s full catalogue of courses is now viewable via Staff Connect. We still have places available on our Note Taking session, running on the 21st November, 9.30am-12.30pm.  Please use Staff Connect to see further information and to book a place.

We are running a number of drop in sessions to demonstrate the training and appraisal modules, and dates can be found on our website.

Freecycle event

Freecycle event

Staff and students are invited to donate unwanted items for a freecycle event taking place on the Canterbury campus in early November.

Items including clothes, books, shoes, bags, crockery, pots, pans, homeware (excluding electricals and sharps) can be dropped off at the Student Activities Centre on Thursday 8 November from 15.00 to 17.00. The freecycle event takes place the following day, Friday 9 November, from 1pm on the plaza. Staff and students can take any of the items in return for an optional donation to Kent RAG, who are supporting Movember. The event will end as soon as all of the items are gone, so it works on a first-come-first-served basis. Be there early to avoid missing out!

Cyber Security Event

KirCCS Public Engagement event on Cyber Security

Kent Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Cyber Security (KirCCS) at the University of Kent will host its first Public Engagement Event in Cyber Security at the Canterbury campus on Wednesday 5th December 2018 from 13.00 to 18.00.

The event will be opened by Professor Karen Cox, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, at 14.30 after a buffet lunch reception, together with posters, stands, and demonstrations on various topics in Cyber Security.

The event will also include a talk by Professor Philippe De Wilde, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation, on the University’s activities, achievements and future plans in research and innovation. There will be an introduction to KirCCS, followed by a number of invited talks given by external speakers from government, industry and academia.

KirccS is representing the University of Kent as a UK government recognised ACE-CSR (Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research).

Please book your place at this event as places are limited.

 

 

Learning and Teaching Network logo

Writing with Impact workshop for professional services staff

The Learning and Teaching Network has arranged a Writing Workshop for Professional Services staff on Wednesday 21 November, 13.15-16.15, Cornwallis North West Seminar Room 6.  The session will be run by Susan Barker, a novelist with extensive experience as a writing facilitator.

The ability to write well is an indispensable skill that most people wish they could improve. This inspiring workshop will explore techniques you can use to become a more efficient and persuasive writer.  The workshop will include many practical tips and fun activities to strengthen and energise your writing.

Whether composing an email, a letter or a report, Writing with Impact will help you tap into your creativity to become a more confident and effective writer.

Places are limited on this workshop.  To book a place please use the online booking form.