N and V

In this issue

Elaine winsStudent midwife scoops prestigious national award

Going greenNew milk float boosts University’s sustainability credentials

Artists in residencePippa and Maureen take up new appointments at the Cathedral

Paramedics graduate

news & views

THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER STAFF MAGAZINE February 2009

WELCOME TOTHE FEBRUARY 2009 ISSUE

Welcome to the February 2009 edition of News & Views, collecting together everything you need

to know about what’s been happening at the University of Worcester over the last few weeks.

This issue marks the beginning of our new monthly production schedule. This means that there are now more opportunities for you to share your news with colleagues. We will now be publishing on the first Friday of each month, and accepting contributions until the Tuesday of that week.

We’re also currently reviewing editorial practices to ensure that all departments have an opportunity to highlight their news. This will include the creation of an editorial board with representatives from every area of the University.

As always the next issue will contain a broad mix of stories covering University milestones, staff and student achievements as well as news of up-coming events, so please keep us informed of anything you feel is newsworthy by sending it to [email protected]

Elaine scoopsprestigious national awardStudent midwife elaine B r a n d h a S w o n a preStigiouS national award from the royal College of midwiveS. “I’m still in shock,” said Elaine, who picked up the Student Vision Award, sponsored by Pampers, at a glittering ceremony in London. “I wasn’t expecting to win and it’s just fantastic. We had such a wonderful day.”

The award, presented by BBC Radio 4’s journalist and broadcaster Jenni Murray at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, recognises individual students with a strong vision for their training and chosen profession.

Elaine was nominated by two of the community midwives she has worked with in practice as part of her course at Worcester. Elaine’s colleagues were impressed by her passion for promoting normality throughout the whole birth experience – from conception to the post-natal period.

The 42-year-old mother-of-two, who lives near Worcester city centre, said that her own birth experiences inspired her to give up a career in the music industry and train to become a midwife.

“I had a complicated and traumatic first birth, so I was determined to have my second child naturally,” she said. “I had to fight to get the birth I wanted, but the experience changed my life. It made me

want to help other women have the best, most normal birth experience possible.”

Originally from Glasgow, Elaine took an Access course at Worcester College of Technology before coming to the University to study for a BSc in Midwifery.

“It’s been really hard work, but it’s worth it for the amazing privilege of helping to make one of the most significant, emotional moments in a woman’s life a positive one,” she said. “My course mates, tutors and mentors are incredibly supportive – you can always find someone to talk to.”

Professor David Green said: “We are so proud of Elaine. She has been an excellent student at the University and will be a wonderful midwife.”

“I’m really pleased with how the lectures went. We have had very positive feedback from the schools and will make this an annual event.”

Mick Donovanhead of the institute of Sport and exercise Science

Children inspired by the science of sportCHILDREN from schools across Herefordshire and Worcester learnt about the science behind sport at an inspirational New Year lecture organised by the University of Worcester at Malvern Theatres.

Pupils from more than 20 schools around Herefordshire and Worcestershire took part in ‘The Science in Sport: One Giant Leap…’ lectures. The lectures were delivered by Chris Hughes, senior lecturer in Biomechanics in the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science.

Julie Fisher, Widening Participation’s Outreach Coordinator, said: “The students were introduced to the importance of science in advancing elite performance and how the underpinning science relates to all aspects of everyday life.

2 / JANUARY 2009 / [email protected]

The University is continuing its commitment to green transport with the acquisition of

another second-hand milk float.

This zero emission vehicle, which has already enjoyed a long life, is now set to make a useful low carbon contribution for years to come.

Chris Dunn, Campus Services Manager, said: “The £3,000 invested ten years ago in the old milk float has been the best money ever spent. We are really pleased to have another vehicle and to be able to go on the road in them both will make a big difference.”

Driving forward green credentials

NEWS

Thirty new university of worcester-trained paramedics will be hitt ing the streets of the West Midlands this Easter.

The majority of the graduates are the first to complete the University’s new Pre-Hospital, Unscheduled & Emergency Care foundation degree course. The rest have completed a technician-to-paramedic short course.

All will be working for West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) NHS Trust from April.

Course leader Sharon Hardwick said: “We are delighted to have our first batch of graduates from the new Pre-Hospital, Unscheduled & Emergency Care foundation degree course.

“We have 20 students who have qualified on this two-year course, which was launched in February 2007, 17 of which are going to work for WMAS. The other three are in the process of either gaining employment elsewhere or going on to further study.”

She added: “Paramedics are an essential front line service dealing with a vast range of emergency medical illness and traumatic injury. This course is challenging but very rewarding.”

The degree course is one of only a handful of its kind in the UK and has the fastest growing application rate at Worcester. Undergraduates carry out a range of practical work-based training and in-depth theoretical study, including advanced anatomy and physiology. They also complete more than 1,500 hours of practical service during the two-year course, which is run in partnership with WMAS.

The University of Worcester also offers a technician to paramedic course, which is designed to provide progression and career opportunities for existing technicians who work within ambulance services.

Students on the programme are seconded by their ambulance trust over a 30 week period. On successful completion of the programme students will be eligible to register as Paramedic Practitioners with the Health Professions Council.

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Professor David Greenuniversity of worcester

vice Chancellor and Chief executive

Life savers hit the region’s streets

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3. non hendigna faCip et, SiSiS ad tet aut

4. Senulputat il eui etue dolor aCi

/ JANUARY 2009 / 3News & Views

COVER STORY

“paramediCS are an eSSential front line ServiCe dealing with a vaSt range of emergenCy mediCal illneSS and traumatiC injury.”

www.worcester.ac.uk

February 2009The internal newspaper of the University of Worcester

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

The majority of the graduates are the first to complete the University’s new Pre-Hospital, Unscheduled &

Emergency Care foundation degree course. The rest have completed a technician-to-paramedic short course.

All will be working for West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) NHS Trust from April.

Course leader Sharon Hardwick said: “We are delighted to have our first batch of graduates from the new Pre-Hospital, Unscheduled & Emergency Care foundation degree course.

“We have 20 students who have qualified on this two-year course, which was launched in February 2007, 17 of which are going to work for WMAS. The other three are in the process of either gaining employment elsewhere or going on to further study.”

She added: “Paramedics are an essential front line service dealing with a vast range of emergency medical illness and traumatic injury. This course is challenging but very rewarding.”

The degree course is one of only a handful of its kind in the UK and has the fastest growing application rate at Worcester.

Undergraduates carry out a range of practical work-based training and in-depth theoretical study, including advanced anatomy and physiology.

Students on the programme are seconded by their ambulance trust over a 30 week period. On successful completion of the programme students will be eligible to register as Paramedic Practitioners with the Health Professions Council.

THIRTY NEW UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER�TRAINED PARAMEDICS WILL BE HITTING THE STREETS OF THE WEST MIDLANDS THIS EASTER.

Paramedics graduate Gaming gets seriousSixth-formers from around Worcestershire learned

how to manage dangerous scenarios using computer game technology at the University’s recent Serious Games Camps.

Professor Bob Stone, an international expert in serious games from the University of Birmingham, was principal speaker at the camps, discussing a range of serious game applications including the training of submarine officers and army counter-terrorism personnel.

The camps were overseen by Dr Colin Pr ice and the Computing team at the University. Colin said: “Ser ious games are about using computer game technolog y to produce educat ion and t ra in ing m a te r ia l s . T h ey a re re a l ly u s ef u l d u e to t h e i r realistic representation of the physical world. At the University of Worcester we are researching their use in secondary school physics education, primary school literacy and music teaching.

“There are many reasons to use serious games in education and training. One very good one is to recreate a hazardous scenario without the hazard. Serious games can incorporate non-player characters who can be programmed to interact intelligently with the student learner, creating a vivid and rich learning experience.”

MIDWIFERY STUDENT SCOOPS NATIONAL AWARD

IMPROVING GREEN CREDENTIALS

BOOSTING LEARNING IN THE TWO COUNTIES

Elaine scoopsprestigious national award

Back on campusafter 60 years

A couple who met while studying at the University 60 years ago have returned to

relive their memories.

Eric Jenkins and his wife Eileen (nee Morris) were among the first graduates of the University, when it was a teacher training college. The pair were living on campus and were in the same tutor group and would steal what time they could together between their studies.

“I remember walking past a room and hearing this Welsh voice,” 81-year-old Eric recalls. “I thought ‘Who is that?’ stuck my head around the door, and that’s how we met.”

The couple were driving through Worcester on their way to Bromsgrove on Friday, January 30 when they spotted a sign for a Visit Day at the University.

“We stopped the car, turned around and came straight here,” Eileen said. “We wanted to see how it had changed. And it has changed so much. There were only three blocks when we were here. It is wonderful now and has such a lovely, friendly atmosphere. It’s great to come back and see the place where we met all those years ago.”

Both Eric and Eileen taught at schools in Birmingham before returning to Wales, where they now live in Merthyr Tydfil. They married in August 1953 and have two children and four grandchildren.

Career head start for JosephA University of Worcester graduate has made a successful start to his career through an internship with the University.

Media & Cultural Studies and American Studies graduate Joseph Bayley started a two year internship as Student Admissions and Liaison Assistant last summer, just five weeks after finishing his course.

Joseph began working with the Registry Admissions and is now Schools & Colleges Liaison Assistant with Communication and Development.

Professor David Green, said: “The University’s internship programme is one of the exciting new dimensions of our longstanding commitment to ensure our

graduates make a first class contribution to the world of work.

“Given the current economic climate, such a scheme has become more important than ever.”

4 / JANUARY 2009 / [email protected]

TAKING THE LEAD AT OLYMPIC CONFERENCETop University of Worcester-

based Paralympic athletes gave an inspirational presentation to an international Olympic conference in London recently.

The PODIUM conference, hosted by legendary Olympian Lord Coe and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, gave a rapturous reception to the University of Worcester team, which included student Lee Greatbatch, Widening Participation’s Will Norman and senior lecturers Glyn Harding and David Mycock.

During the conference , PODIUM launched its ‘Spotlight’ magazine, featuring an article about Lee Greatbatch, Will Norman and team mate Keryn Seal, who is also a student at Worcester. The article focused on the support the trio received from the University during their participation in last year’s Games in Beijing.

Helping disadvantaged childrenA Worcester student has helped to raise money for disadvantaged children at a prestigious international rugby tournament.

Sports student Sarah Guest played in the Rugby 7s tournament in Dubai for charity team Wooden Spoon, which supports mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children and young people.

The trip was the third Wooden Spoon appearance for 20-year-old Sarah, who has just been called into the England Women’s 7s squad for the remainder of this season. She also plays for Worcester Ladies and has played for England A, England Under 20s and England Under 19s.

Sarah, a third year Outdoor Adventure and Leadership Management student, said: “The tournament was a great success with Wooden Spoon reaching the final and playing in front of 50,000 people.”

For more information on Wooden Spoon and its work visit www.woodenspoon.com or call 01276 410 180.

NEWS

staff development programme

Anew staff development programme in coaching skills is being piloted at the University as part of the work being carried out through the leadership

Development Project.

Coaching is unquestionably a significant way of helping people develop and is a valuable professional skill for all those who have responsibilities to support and encourage others in their learning at work.

Focussed on the skills of the coach, this pilot programme is devised to be of benefit to any staff who coach others at work and who recognise that developing an effective coaching style is important in today’s work environment.

Fifteen colleagues from across the University took part in the pilot. Jan Quallington, from the Institute of Health and Society, identified that: “The programme gave me more confidence in taking a coaching approach to my own work. One of the things I have taken away from it is realising that you must clarify goals with your staff so you both know where they are going and when they get there.”

Carolyn Ralphs, ASU Manager, commented: “Coaching is a fantastic tool for identifying the key strengths of your team members. Once you have this information you can improve efficiency and develop your team further.”

The programme includes core workshops, run over two days, supported by action learning and followed up with a series of ongoing developmental masterclasses.

Susanne Baker, Director of the University Leadership Project, and Rob Sykes, Senior Fellow, Leadership, devised and run the programme. Susanne believes one the most important aspects of the development is to connect the skills learnt to day to day work routines and in raising self awareness . She said “It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy networking with colleagues from across the University.”

Malcolm Armstrong, Senior Fellow, Leadership, is coordinating an informal network with a range of creative workshops, the next, focussing on strengths based leadership, takes place on 25th February. He suggests “Anyone interested in leadership development would find the workshop and membership of the informal network particularly valuable.”

For more information on the coaching programme, or the other programmes and events offered by the Leadership Development Project call Mary Bradley, Executive Assistant, on extension 2221 or via email to [email protected]

Pilot

FEATURE

“I found it very useful. It helped me to take a look at the way I do things and how I can make improvements. I found it very useful.”

Professor Dominic Uptonhead of pyschology and

leadership programme trial participant

The University’s Unitots nursery has successfully been allocated £5,500 to spend

on ICT resources. The money comes in response to an application that Unitots submitted to Worcestershire County Council for Capital Funding.

“We are hoping to buy a computer and software, digital camera, digital photo frames, remote controlled toys, walkie talkies, CD players, play

phones and sensory equipment such as a dark den, rope lights and much more,” said Unitots Manager Hazel Rutherford. “It will be an exciting time for the children and staff when all the new resources arrive in the next few months.”

Unitots celebrates £5,000 grant

/ JANUARY 2009 / 5News & Views

gets underway

6 / JANUARY 2009 / [email protected]

RAISING THE FLAG ONTHE YEAR OF THE OXCHINESE students have marked the start of the Year of the Ox by raising their national flag in front of the University’s reception and singing their national anthem.

The University currently has about 60 Chinese students, many of whom came together to celebrate the start of the New Year, on Monday, January 26.

John Nixon, Head of the University’s China Office, said: “This is such an important part of the Chinese culture and we must respect their customs and traditions, along with making students feel at home here.”

Putting coachingin contextaS Sir Clive woodward’S CoaChing programme for the london 2012 olympiCS ComeS under SCrutiny, a univerSity of worCeSter viSiting aCademiC haS launChed a new edition of a ground-Breaking Book that Could help. Dr Tania Cassidy is co-author, with Robyn Jones and Paul Potrac, of ‘Understanding Sports Coaching: The Social, Cultural and Pedagogical Foundations of Coaching Practice’, offering an innovative

introduction to the theory and practice of sports coaching.

Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, said: “This book is proving to be essential to coaches and talented athletes alike. In my role as Director of Basketball at the Worcester Wolves I found this book invaluable as we took the Wolves from the lowly stretches of division three to the pinnacle of British basketball.”

“Borercip eliquat. ortis nibh esecte do dolor sequis non hedinga facip et, sisis ad tet aut nulputat il eui etue dolor aciduis cidunt wis del iuscilit nis am zzrillandre.”

Artists in residenceTwo academics have taken up

prestigious appointments at Worcester cathedral.

Pippa Galpin, Senior Lecturer in Art and Design, and Maureen Gamble, Head of the Division of Art, Design & Creative Digital Media, will spend one day a week

at Worcester Cathedral over the next 12 months, creating pieces of art inspired by the historic surroundings.

The University of Worcester Artist in Residency at Worcester Cathedral scheme was first set up in 2004, as a partnership between the University and Cathedral, to support graduates and artists at an early stage in their career.

“We are delighted to be taking up this prestigious post,” said Maureen. “It is a real honour for us to be able to spend some time in the beautiful surroundings of Worcester Cathedral and to showcase some of our work.”

Pippa added: “It is fantastic for us to get the opportunity to do something we love

in such a wonderful environment. We are very much looking forward to it.”

The pair will be showing their work in progress over the coming months, before hosting an exhibition at the Cathedral at the end of the year.

Professor Judith Elkin said: “It is a real coup that Pippa and Maureen have been appointed and I’m sure it will help to increase the kudos of the scheme.

“In recent years Maureen and Pippa have been two of the driving forces behind the big increase in talented, creative art students applying to study at Worcester.

“These courses are in stronger demand than ever before and you can see why.”

“The University has been working very closely with the Cathedral in recent years to raise the profile and value of arts within the City.”

Professor Judith Elkindeputy vice Chancellor

NEWS

NEWS

COMMONWEALTH SPONSORSHIP STUDENT WELCOMED

The University is celebrating the arrival of its first Commonwealth sponsorship student.

Nilanga Abeysinghe, from Sri Lanka, is studying for a Masters degree in Applied Psychology as part of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme.

The scheme, which is a joint initiative between the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and UK Universities, supports scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom.

Nilanga, aged 29, says he is looking forward to the next year living and studying in Worcester, and has been impressed with the welcome he has received. “From the moment I landed in the UK, people have been so friendly and helpful in so many ways,” he said. “My first impressions of Worcester were that the city has a gentle pace and friendly locals. The international community of students is treated really well at the University and the local students are warm and open.”

Professor David Green said: “We are delighted to welcome Nilanga to the University of Worcester. We are really pleased that a top scholarship winning student such as Nilanga, who could choose to study anywhere, has chosen to study on this excellent course here in Worcester.”

Grit and determinationthe reCent Spell of Snowy weather haS led to muCh deBate throughout worCeSter and Beyond aBout the readineSS of the authoritieS to deal with SuCh an event. Thankfully, such worries have been avoided on campus, as the Facilities team

have excelled themselves, keeping paths and roads clear against all odds. University users seemed to appreciate their efforts, with virtually everyone driving in a careful and courteous manner in occasionally challenging conditions.

To further improve the parking situation, the Finance Office is currently selling, for Semester 2 only, a car parking permit for £15. The permit will cover parking at Coppertops at any time Monday to Friday and on campus outside the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, anytime at weekends, and bank holidays up until 31st July 2009. Further details are available from the Finance Office.

“Serious games can incorporate non-player characters who can be programmed to interact intelligently with the student learner, creating a vivid and rich learning experience.”

Dr Colin PriceSenior lecturer

Gaming gets SERIOUSSIXTH formers from around Worcestershire learned how to manage dangerous scenarios using computer game technology at the University’s recent Serious Games Camps.

Professor Bob Stone, an international expert in serious games from the University of Birmingham, was principal speaker at the camps, discussing a range of serious game applications including the training of submarine officers and army counter-terrorism personnel.

The camps were overseen by Dr Colin Price and the Computing team at the University. Colin said: “Serious games are about using computer game technology to produce education and training materials. They are really useful due to their realistic representation of the physical world. At the University of

Worcester we are researching their use in secondary school physics education, primary school literacy and music teaching.

“There are many reasons to use serious games in education and training. One very good one is to recreate a hazardous scenario without the hazard”

Putting coachingin context

/ JANUARY 2009 / 7News & Views

David GreenYou joined the university College in january

2003. what were your first thoughts of the establishment? “When I first saw the post of Principal advertised at University College Worcester I thought that it would be a terrific place to work. I believed that the University College had first class potential and could do even more for the region and wider society than it already was.”

Did you have any particular goals or ambitions for the institution?

“My main goal was to provide an outstanding education to our students as the foundation for an outstanding future. I also wanted to help give confidence to the University College and its staff and for them to know they were doing good work which was really appreciated. This was something which was publicly recognised through securing full University Title.”

How has the university changed in economic and investment terms?

“In the last five years many millions of pounds have been invested in change – especially in concerns of staff numbers and improving career opportunities. We have introduced a major programme of classroom modernisation, use wireless technology on our St John’s campus, hugely expanded computer access and introduced a virtual learning environment. Some halls of residence have been refurbished and all have internet connections.”

What do you feel have been the main benefits since gaining full university status?

“Other organisations have been so much more willing to work with the University since we secured full status. For example, we have just held our first joint lecture with QinetiQ.”

Do you have any regrets from the last five years?

“I wish we could have been faster in developing our City Campus and the imaginative joint Library and History Centre, which will be a true European first.”

What do you feel sets the university of worcester apart from other universities?

“A really defining ethos of this University is the individual care it shows to its students.”

Do you feel that the university’s course offering has changed over the past five years?

“Yes. Through much discussion with businesses, staff and students we have developed an increasingly modern, popular course portfolio that is highly relevant to today’s society. Our teaching has become more carefully structured and more students find the subjects they are studying have a real relevance.”

What would you say has been the biggest change for the university over the past five

years?“Securing University Title was a massive achievement for everyone concerned, but I think the biggest change has been our sustained growth in popularity and student numbers. Applications to study at the University are up 100% in the past five years. This is a testament to our strong quality courses and great University atmosphere.”

The university’s five-year strategic plan was launched last year – what differences can we

look forward to over the next few years?“Over the next few years we will see lots of physical changes. We will have a new City Campus and new joint Library and History Centre – the first of its kind in Britain. This City Centre presence will be a major advantage – taking the University into the heart of the Worcester community and making it easier for people to find out what we can offer.”

What impact would you like to see the university of worcester have upon the west

midlands region over the next five years?“I’d like to see the region as a whole become more dynamic, with Worcester graduates at the heart of an exciting, vibrant economy.”

Professor

Q&A

In 2003, Professor David Green was appointed Principal of University College Worcester. Five years on, the Vice Chancellor reflects on a period that saw the College become a University with one of the country’s fastest growing application rates and outlines future aims and ambitions.

Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive

8 / JANUARY 2009 / [email protected]