news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
June 2011
In this issue:
Scaling new heights
Open Days Expecting record breaking numbers p.2
Tying the knot Unitots stage the alternative royal wedding p.7
Race for Life Training programmes for female runners p.10
Fourth annual Learning Through Sport event proves big success p.4-5
feature
Open Days On Sunday 26 June we open our doors for our first open day of 2011. So far this year we have held open afternoons, open evenings, subject specific taster days and visit days, each attracting a high number of potential students. In the previous three years, the number of visitors to the Sunday open day held in June have increased year on year and we are expecting another busy day later this month. Attendance at the open afternoon in February was another record-breaking figure, with a 30% increase from 2010. As Vice Chancellor Professor David Green recently wrote: “There is little doubt that the furore over university fees combined with the stagnant economy and the growth in graduate indebtedness have produced a situation in which demand for English university education is beginning to dip. Of course, the number of students wishing to study at Worcester has grown several times faster than the national average in recent years and I know that colleagues throughout the University are deeply committed to maintaining this positive trend.” The number of applicants to study at Worcester in 2011 currently stands at an all time high of 12,837, up 10% on last year compared to a national increase of just 1.5%. Open days are incredibly important for showing what we do best. We pride ourselves on our warm and friendly campus and potential students appreciate the opportunity to visit us, often with their parents, to talk one on one to course leaders, take a tour of the campus and halls of residence and attend key talks which can often help influence their decisions on where to apply.
“Having the opportunity to speak to lecturers and students as well as viewing the facilities, I chose to apply to Worcester and put it as my first choice. Without visiting at an open day and gaining reassurances, I wouldn’t have been certain that this institution would support me in achieving the best degree possible.” - Katie, first year Physical Education & Sport Studies BSc (Hons) student Parents also appreciate coming to see where their child could end up for the next milestone in their lives. Having experts on hand to provide guidance and reassurance on issues such as accommodation and finance helps cement our good reputation.
“All I really want is for my girls to be happy, so I want to help them ask all the right questions. ” - Chris, a parent A good turn out of staff always makes for a great open day. If you have any thoughts on how open days can be improved, we’d be happy to hear your suggestions. Please drop us a line at study@worc.ac.uk and let’s make this another record-breaking year!
Open Day dates 2011 26 June, 10am-3pm
27 October, 12-4pm
24 September, 10am-3pm
28 October, 12-4pm
25 September, 10am-3pm Communication & Development will be in touch nearer the time with specifics about the day. If in the meantime you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us at study@worc.ac.uk
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COVER STORY wELCOME
contents FEATURE Open Days 2011
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COVER STORY
welcome W
elcome to the June issue of News & Views, featuring a roundup of news, launches and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester.
Our staff continue to keep busy outside of office hours, with some taking to the stage, some completing their postdoctoral study and others embarking on the first of a decade of personal challenges.
There has been much to celebrate over the past month. This issue brings you a taster of some of the many successful events that have taken place and highlights a number of accolades that have been achieved by our students and colleagues.
There is no time to rest on our laurels with the June Open Day only a few weeks away. Plans are afoot to make this another successful day and we hope you’ll join us on Sunday 26 June and give your continued support to the University of Worcester.
From sporting events that reached out to hundreds of local schoolchildren to the privileged few who got to witness the Unitots wedding, we look back over an action-packed month.
Please keep sending your news to newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
UNIVERSITY ENCOURAGES YOUTH ENTERPRISE AT HAY FESTIVAL A special Dragons’ Den/Apprentice-style event aimed at young people was hosted by colleagues from the University of Worcester at this year’s Hay Festival. The famous literary event, held annually in Hayon-Wye, featured a number of events for young people of all ages, alongside its usual array of high profile guests. The enterprise event, hosted by the University in association with UK Youth, took place on Tuesday, May 31.
The event took the shape of a “mash-up” of The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den with young people starting the day with an idea, then creating a marketing campaign and finally putting it to a panel of Dragons! Howard Skerry, Head of the University’s Business Development Office, said: “The University is delighted to be part of such a prestigious event. The enterprise event was a festival sell out, which shows how many young people today are budding entrepreneurs at heart.”
Learning Through Sport
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news University Encourages Youth Enterprise at Hay Festival 3 Chancellor Opens City Campus 6 Help in Paraguay 6 Unitots Wedding 7 Electric Cars Given a Plug 7 Mantz Yorke addresses Work Based Learning symposium 7 Blasting the Competition out of the Water 8 Little Miracles 8 Hoping for International Success 8 Top Lithuanian Basketballer Joins University course 9 Drama staff and Graduates Raise Money 9 Embarking on Desert Expedition 9 Race for Life Health and Fitness 10 VI Football Club Tops National League 10 30:30 Challenge 11 Staff Active Lifestyle Programme 11 Congratulations Dr Quallington! 11 Basketball Team Welcomed by Mayor 12 Business Start Up Masterclass 12 Malvern Student Grabs Top Business Award 12 Holocaust Education 13 Summer Festivals 13 Bulgarian Seminars 13 Worcester Hosts Annual Applied Research Competition 14 Student Conference Examines the Politics of Aid 14
sTAFF FEATURE From Boardroom to River: Dr Martin Doughty
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Hitting 4
years of Learning Through Sport 4 / JUNE 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
COVER STORY
Hundreds of schoolchildren took part in Schoolchildren from the two counties got to sample some top flight coaching by some of the region’s most successful sports men and women at the annual Learning Through Sport day. The University once again teamed up with Worcestershire’s best professional sports clubs and leading energy company npower, for the fourth year. Children from schools across Herefordshire and Worcestershire were invited to attend on Wednesday, May 18 for a day full of sporting and educational activities, with the aid of Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Worcester Wolves Basketball Club. During the afternoon the children paid a visit to Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s ground at New Road for the first class county game versus Durham. At the lunch interval the children had the opportunity to play Kwik Cricket. During the afternoon session, the children were
given a fun match analysis task and also had the opportunity to visit the Aztec climbing wall and the University’s mobile Motion Performance Centre. This year’s Learning Through Sport Day included an update on the campaign for the Worcester Arena. This campaign continues apace and has recently won several significant grants and ‘in principle’ financial support from national sports governing bodies, charities and trusts, taking the total to over £2 million. More than £70,000 has now been raised from individual, family and team donations. The University’s architects’ plans for the construction of the state-of-the-art, multipurpose Arena were on display. The highly inclusive centre will be of great benefit to the wider community in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and will provide a nationally outstanding venue for disability sport.
Through Sport Day at Worcestershire CCC. This event goes from strength to strength. “To have national representation in rugby, cricket and basketball, among other sports, shows the love for sport within the County. The support and work the University put in at both recreational and elite levels is to be commended.” University Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green, added: “The University’s Learning Through Sport programme runs through the year and has involved many thousands of children. It helps strengthen children’s Maths and English as well as promoting participation in sport. It has attracted widespread national as well as local support. “We are delighted that Worcestershire’s leading sports clubs have extended their very positive involvement by supporting this year’s Learning Through Sport Day. It is a real credit to their commitment to the County’s children.”
David Leatherdale, Commercial Director at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, said: “We are delighted to again be assisting in the staging of the University Learning
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NEWS
Chancellor opens City Campus HRH the Duke of Gloucester officially opened the University of Worcester’s City Campus on 12 May. The Chancellor enjoyed a tour of the site, testing his strength using a weight machine in the McClelland Centre and inspecting the high quality finish in the modern halls of residence. The Duke was introduced to students and members of staff including present University staff and workers from the previous Worcester Infirmary before officially unveiling The Charles Hastings plaque.
Student Heads to Paraguay to Help Disadvantaged Children A second year student from the University of Worcester is following a family tradition by carrying out voluntary work in Paraguay this summer. Helen Leech, from Aldridge, Walsall, will spend two months working in a home for abandoned and abused girls. “I have always wanted to do this kind of project, especially in Paraguay,” said the 21-year-old. “My godfather was the Bishop of Paraguay and I have grown up in a family which has always been involved in such projects. This inspired me
to do the same.” Helen will work as a volunteer for Operations South America and with the support of the church in Aldridge and the University of Worcester, she has managed to raise all the money she needs to cover the costs of the two month project. She has organised different fundraising activities such as an open garden, a Paraguay night with traditional food and breakfast meetings. The University’s scholarship panel awarded Helen £800 towards the trip.
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Helen, who is currently in her second year studying Early Childhood said she was excited about the trip, which starts in June. As part of the programme, she will also be involved in a project to feed almost 100 children in the local area and a project to develop a children’s playground and garden. Operations South America aims to feed, house and educate children within a Christian environment. This contributes towards their personal development to reach their full potential and improve their quality of life.
NEWS
If it’s good enough for royalty... C
hildren at the University’s Unitots nursery staged their own wedding following the marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The children made invitations, decorated the venue, and wore appropriate dress for the special ceremony, conducted by the University chaplain Reverend Fiona Haworth. Parents supported the theme by providing wedding dresses, veils, invitations and photograph albums for the nursery’s display area. Unitots manager Hazel Rutherford said: “The event was a great success and enjoyed by all who took part.”
Electric cars given a plug T he first meeting of the Plugged in Midlands Research and Innovation Working Group (R&IWG) took place in April at the University of Worcester.
in capturing the Research and Innovation opportunities offered by the first steps to regional electrification of transport that Plugged in Midlands is helping progress.”
Plugged in Midlands, managed in the West Midlands by Central Technology Belt and in the East Midlands by Cenex, is a pilot project to install charging infrastructure for the new electric vehicles (EVs). The government predicts that there will be at least 11 million EVs on our roads by 2020.
Speakers on the day included Christina Fell, Senior Engineer at ARUP and lead on the Cabled Project, as well as Joachim Brandt, New Technologies Consultant from E-ON and David Howell from the Central Technology Belt.
More than 30 delegates took part in the R&IWG’s ‘ideas sandpit’ designed to develop a collaborative Research and Development (CR&D) agenda for the project. Robert Evans, CEO at Cenex, said: “We have an academic community in the region undertaking world class research, as well as industry players keen to identify innovation opportunities for new product and service development supporting electric vehicle deployment. The R&IWG can play an important role
Katy Boom, Director of Environmental Sustainability at the University of Worcester and Professor Nick Evans, Director of the Centre for Rural Research, said they see this as an exciting opportunity for the University, which is well placed to conduct research into the human behaviours of potential electric vehicle drivers. “We will be able to monitor charging points without going very far as these are planned for the St John’s Campus and the new Riverside site due to open shortly,” Katy said.
Mantz Yorke addresses Work Based Learning symposium P
rofessor Mantz Yorke provided the opening key note for the University’s Work Based Learning symposium held on Friday 6 May. The event, run jointly by the Regional Engagement Team and Academic Development and Practice Unit, had widespread support from the University’s institutes and partners. Mantz Yorke’s keynote provided a thought provoking discussion on the assessment of work based learning. This was complemented by Stephen Peak, Director of Corporate Development at De Montfort University, who explained how they had successfully attracted employers to their courses by taking a business and sales led approach to the marketing and design of their work based provision. The day, which received excellent feedback, also included practical sessions by University of Worcester staff and partner staff on how to prepare for various aspects of delivering work based learning. Anyone who would like further information or assistance with the development of such a course should contact Colin Wood on 2235 as soon as possible.
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NEWS
Blasting the competition out of the water A
talented young kayaker from Malvern has won a major competition thanks to help from the University’s Motion Performance Centre. Seventeen-year-old Emily Lewis blasted her way to success at the second National Regatta held at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham in May, winning the K1 sprint finals over 200m, 500m and 1,000m and the K2 final over 200m. She also came second in the K2 final over 1,000m. Her latest wins follow success last month in the first round of the Regatta. The University’s Motion Performance Centre (MPC) supported the Worcester Canoe Club teenager over a number of months, providing a wide range of services covering exercise and health related disciplines including
biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, injury rehabilitation and sport psychology. Emily worked particularly closely with Sport Psychology Consultant Dr Andrea Faull. Emily, a pupil at St Mary’s in Worcester, said: “It really helped me to focus completely on my own performance and not worry about the other athletes around me. It gave me more confidence and determination to succeed.” Her goal for this season is to aim for selection for the Junior European Championships in Zagreb, Croatia and then the World Championships in Brandenburg, Germany with her long term goal being to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Coach Nick Fowler with Emily Lewis (centre) and Dr Andrea Faull
Dr Faull said: “We were delighted to support Emily in her bid to compete at the Junior European and World Championships. The facilities available at the University of Worcester are some of the best in the UK and to be able to assist a top local athlete was a perfect opportunity for the department to showcase the facilities and expertise that is available to students as well as the general public.”
Little Miracles 7-10 June The Institute of Science and the Environment is hosting the performance of a new play commissioned by the Biochemical Society, created by the acclaimed Islington Community Theatre. The play challenges students from schools and colleges to explore and discuss the scientific and ethical implications of embryonic stem cell research whilst providing a taster of a Higher Education environment. Students in the audience will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities such as microscopy of blood and discussions with senior lecturers from ISE.
Champion rope skipper hoping for international success A
champion rope skipper from the University of Worcester is hoping for major success at international level this year. Gemma McGhee, a second year Sports Therapy student, has been a member of the British Rope Skipping Team since the late 1990s and currently holds the British record for the most amount of jumps in three minutes, with 443 jumps. Having competed extensively since the age of 12, she is now hoping for success at the European Championships in July. “Rope skipping isn’t that big in the UK, outside of the playground,” said the 24-year-old. “It’s a little-known about sport, but
one that is hugely enjoyable.”
Gemma has been awarded £500 from the University of Worcester’s Scholarship Panel, towards the cost of competing. “We have to do all fundraising for competitions ourselves, with no sponsors or any financial help, so this scholarship is fantastic,” she said. Gemma started skipping at junior school and then joined Jump Rope UK, based in her hometown of Studley in Warwickshire. She attended her first World Championships in 1999 at the age of 12 and in 2002 came fourth in the contest. In 2003 Gemma won Silver with her team at
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the European Championships, and at the last European Championships in 2009 the team won Bronze overall and Silver for the single rope events. Gemma and two of her team mates are currently listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most consecutive jumps by three people – known as Double Dutch Speed. Gemma said: “As a competitor you have to do speed events and freestyle to music. I train up to four times a week, usually for about 2-3 hours.” Gemma won Gold at the British Team Championships earlier this month and will compete at the European Championships
Gemma McGhee
in Hungary in July. She will also compete at the International Double Dutch Competition in Paris later in the year.
NEWS
Top Lithuanian basketballer joins university course
Drama staff and graduates raise money
N
orah’s Ark performed a feminist play over a weekend in May in the open air setting of the courtyard behind the Sheila Scott Building. They raised £108.50 for Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.
A former Euroleague and Eurobasket champion has signed up for the University of Worcester’s Master degree (MSc) in European Basketball Coaching.
Norah’s Ark is an all female group interested in performing plays by women about women and in bilingual productions. Two of the group are hourly paid lecturers in Drama and Performance, MA and PhD graduates of this subject area. The third member of Norah’s Ark is an MA graduate and two others are graduates of the BA programme.
Giedrius Gustas, who plays for Sopot Trefl in the first league in Poland, will join the course this summer. The degree is awarded by the University of Worcester in partnership with the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education. The programme is also promoted by the Lithuanian Basketball Federation and is approved by FIBA Europe.
Giedrius Gustas (right)
The 31-year-old point guard said he was happy about the prospect of earning a Masters degree while still playing professionally.
“I’m glad that there’s such a possibility to get a great education,” he said. “I have no doubt that all knowledge that I’ll acquire will help in my future career. I will learn basketball from a coaching point of view. I’m sure it will also help me on the court.” Giedrius said that he heard about this degree from his Lithuanian National Team friends LTU superstars Robertas Javtokas, Marijonas Petravicius and Linas Kleiza, who all started the course last year. Mick Donovan, Head of the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “The course has been well received and we have been really happy with the first cohort of students. We are looking forward to welcoming next year’s intake and will be anticipating a meaningful contribution from Giedrius, who brings a wealth of playing experience to the classroom and I am sure he will benefit from our academic setting.” Giedrius reveals that the main rationale for this decision was based upon the opportunity to engage in study whilst still an active athlete. “Professional players are extremely busy during the season, so the possibility to follow lectures online, to consult professors for tutorials and to submit papers is crucial,” he said. Giedrius, who won the Euroleague with Kaunas Zalgiris in 1999 and the Eurobasket with Lithuania in 2003, does not plan to end his playing career just yet, but admits of thinking about his post-playing career opportunities more often.
Norah’s Ark cast members
“You need to think about your future,” he said. “I want to play while I still can, but I’m sure that such knowledge will help me to make the right decisions in the future.”
Environment student embarks on desert expedition
A
third year Environmental Management and Geography student will spend four weeks in Egypt this summer surveying plants and animals. Ella Koljonen is taking part in a desert expedition with Operation Wallacea. She will spend time in Mount Sinai helping to produce one of the first biodiversity atlases for the country.
Ella, a 23-year-old Finnish national, has been awarded £800 from the University’s
Scholarship Panel towards the trip. “I’m really looking forward to the trip,” she said. “I’m hoping that it will give me some really good experience so I can come back and get a job working in the environment.” “I have to attend a desert survival course when I first get there and later in the trip we get to undertake scuba diving and reef ecology training courses in Dahab. It’s going to be really exciting, but I think it will also be hard work.”
Ella Koljonen
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NEWS
University launches Race for Life health and fitness programme The University is offering help to women taking part in this year’s Race for Life The University has created easy to follow training programmes for Race for Life runners. The step by step guides are designed by the University’s new health and wellbeing staff at the City Campus’ McClelland Centre and are suitable for all entrants preparing for the big day on Sunday, June 12. The programme includes dietary advice, a training plan for all levels of fitness as well as a pink McClelland Team T-shirt and group entry ticket. Daniel Finnegan, University of Worcester Personal Trainer, said: “We’ve tailored the programmes to suit everyone from first time runners to the more advanced. The aim of the package is to help people achieve their personal goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle beyond the race day. “The McClelland Centre group entry price is just £25. If people would like
to take part they can contact me on 01905 542001.” The new health and wellbeing centre aims to offer all users an individual approach to fitness by providing a combination of affordable health clinics with a firstclass exercise facility and training that is tailored to suit all ages and abilities. Located on the site of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary, the McClelland Centre is part of the University’s multi-million pound redevelopment of the historic site. The Centre is run by fully qualified staff and students of the University of Worcester who specialise in nutritional advice, fitness, injury rehabilitation and alternative therapies.
To take advantage of the offers available or to find out more please call 01905 542001.
Worcester Blind Football Club tops national league W
orcester Blind Football Club is celebrating after winning the national league for the third time.
The team beat Sporting Club Albion (West Bromwich Albion’s blind football team) 3-0 to secure their place at the top of the FA league. Coach David Mycock, who is also the coach for Great Britain blind football and a lecturer at the University, said: “It was a fantastic end to the season. We needed a draw, but we won 3-0. I’m so proud of the team. That is the third title we have won now in the last four years, which is a huge achievement.” The team is made up of University of Worcester graduates Lewis Skyers, Keryn Seal, Aj Ahmed and Patrick Haynes, along with University staff member Will Norman, New College Worcester students Liam Gillett and Fritz Bisau, plus Robin Williams, Adrian Snellgrove and Dan Bailey. There were also match analysts and coaches from the University. Several of the team were making their debut this season. The University of Worcester has a strong commitment to disability sports with extensive work in wheelchair basketball and wheelchair fencing, among others. The new Worcester Arena planned by the University for the City is being designed with disability sport at its heart.
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NEWS
30:30 challenge A sports lecturer at the University of Worcester is planning to complete three challenges in three months for the next 10 years, in a bid to raise thousands for charity. Dr Andrea Faull has set herself the task of 30 challenges in her 30s. Dr Faull, a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, said: “I just decided that I wanted to do something exciting and celebrate my 30s with 30 challenges. “Some will be sponsored events, some more difficult than others but I can be sure that all will be something new, exciting and a personal challenge to me.” Dr Faull, aged 30, completed the first of her three 2011 challenges last weekend, taking part in the Edinburgh Half Marathon and finishing in 2:00:35. The second challenge is an adventure race - 12km run, 20km bike, 1km kayak and an assault course in the Pippingford Estate, Sussex on Saturday, June 4. The third and final challenge for this year will be a 13,000ft Tandem Sky Dive on Friday, July 8. “These first 3 of my 30 challenges are for two very good causes,” she said. “The Down’s Syndrome Association is a great charity that does not receive the same support as some of the big charities. My Uncle had Down’s Syndrome and so this charity is close to my heart. The second charity is Acorns, a children’s hospice that provides care and support for children and young people who have life limiting or life threatening conditions. This too is a charity that is of special interest to me and my colleagues and I want to raise some money in memory of the beautiful Abigail Grace White.” People can sponsor Dr Faull in her challenges at the following link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/3in3challengeAndreaFaull She will be keeping the giving page up to date with pictures and videos documenting all of the challenges.
Staff Active Lifestyle programme The Staff Active Lifestyle programme began at the start of May for a period of six weeks within the University Sports Centre. The project, developed and implemented by an MSc Sports Management student Gill Renfree, focused on offering staff a recreation programme that combined new classes and existing opportunities regardless of their current physical activity levels. New classes specifically targeting staff such as Fitness Yoga and the Walking Group have been very well received, and due to demand they have been extended beyond the initial 6-week programme. Fitness Yoga will now run until Friday 15 July in the Dance Studio from 13.15 – 14.10, so if you are interested in trying something new and would like a challenge, please contact the Sports Centre for further details. The Walking Group will continue weekly throughout the summer on Wednesday lunchtimes. If you are interested in joining the Group please drop in at the Sports Centre at 12.30 on Wednesdays. For further detail please contact Dan Finnegan at d.finnegan@worc.ac.uk. The programme has been so well received the intention is to continue with an active lifestyle programme in the new academic year, targeting all students, staff and the community. The programme will include a larger range of exercise, health, and sporting classes and courses. These will be based at the new Riverside building opening on Hylton Road, alongside facilities at the McClelland Centre based at the City Campus and the Sports Centre facilities at St John’s Campus. If you have any ideas or suggestions for what you would like to see included in this programme please contact Gill Renfree at g.renfree@worc.ac.uk. If however you cannot wait until September/October to try out new activities, there will be a sports event held here at the University in partnership with England Hockey, The Worcestershire Football Association, England Netball, The Worcestershire Cricket Board and The Rugby Football Union on Saturday 2 July from 10am to 1pm. Any female over the age of 16 is welcome to come and join in for free! Experienced coaches will be on hand to offer you sessions that are geared to having fun and (re)introducing to the sport. Further details are available from Sophie Corp at s.corp@worc.ac.uk
Congratulations Dr Quallington! Jan Quallington, Associate Head of the Institute of Health and Society, can now add PhD to her list of qualifications. Jan originally trained as a nurse and worked in intensive care environments, before moving to Higher Education in 1995. Her academic discipline is applied ethics and she received confirmation of her PhD award in May. Many congratulations Dr Quallington on this fantastic achievement!
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NEWS
University’s champion Men’s Basketball Team welcomed by Mayor of Worcester T he University of Worcester’s champion Men’s Basketball Team spent time with the Mayor of Worcester, celebrating their crowning as British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) champions.
They visited the Mayor’s parlour at Worcester’s Guildhall and spent time chatting with the Mayor and Mayoress, as well as taking a tour of the historic venue.
Mick Donovan, Head of the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “It is the fifth time in the last seven years that Worcester has now won the basketball championships, a clear demonstration of the talent and commitment of our players.”
Entrepreneur and Author Talks to Worcester Students About Business Start Up Robin Bennett, author of Start-up Smart, wanted to prove to the students that business start ups do not necessarily have to involve large expensive bank loans, just good planning and sensible cash flow management. Around 100 students from across the University’s subject areas attended to hear what Robin had to say. Many of the students that attended were either in the process of starting their own businesses, had business ideas they wanted to explore, or were interested in small business start up for the future. Robin Bennett founded the Bennett Group in 1992 shortly after graduating from London University with a degree in Modern Languages. Robin’s entry into the business world was one that was based around the very small sources of finance that were available to him. Robin relied on his sensible business planning, and by working with the limited resources he had available, has since successfully developed multiple successful business all started from scratch. The Bennett Group has grown steadily since, now
operating in the UK, USA, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Australia, and has never resorted to large-scale or irresponsible borrowing. Robin provided the students with an informative and amusing story of his own ventures into business, explaining how he set up his many different companies and the lessons and insights he has learnt in the process. After his talk Robin answered a variety of questions from the students, and discussed with them their own business ideas and how they could best prepare themselves with the highest chances for success in the competitive business world. Kieran Virr, a student who attended the talk, said: “Robin’s talk was excellent, I didn’t quite realise how possible, and ultimately sensible, it is to start small businesses successfully with just a small amount of investment rather than having to go to the bank for a large loan. “The tips and ideas that Robin has shared have really inspired me with the confidence that being a successful entrepreneur is still a great opportunity in the business environment today, so long as sensible planning and a good common sense approach is taken to starting, and managing, your own business venture.”
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Guildhall guests
Malvern student grabs top business award A Malvern student who created a business around a race car simulator has been named the University of Worcester Business School’s Most Promising Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The award is based on student performance in the Small Business Management Module, and was won by Philip Jolley, who received a prize donated by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Philip, aged 31, who is in his third year of a Business Management and Accounting degree at the University, was chosen for the award based upon the high standard of his work. “I’m quite astounded to have won this award,” he said. “It’s really nice to even have been put forward, but to win is really amazing.” Philip has developed a business under the SPEED (Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education) programme using a race car simulator which is taken to corporate events on a pay-per-play basis. Mark Richardson, Head of the Worcester Business School, said: “Philip has been an excellent student. This award is in recognition of his hard work, dedication and commitment to his studies. I’m sure Philip will continue to be a great success in his future business ventures.” Runner-up in the award was Mohammod Anish Miah, a 23-year-old student from West Bromwich. He had established an online business called printurstyle.com, where visitors can personalise T-shirts and other items. Mohammod said: “It’s a real honour to receive this award. It’s a great achievement for me.” Last year’s winner of the FSB award, Catherine Griffiths, is now employed by Enterprise Rent-a-Car and said she had been head-hunted by firms on several occasions.
NEWS
Student teachers discuss Holocaust education How should the Holocaust be taught in Britain’s schools? That was one of the many questions discussed at a special event for student teachers held at the University of Worcester. PGCE students from the University of Worcester and University of Gloucestershire were joined by those on the Midlands Region Teach First programme and school mentors to discuss the issue. They explored questions such as, ‘why do we teach about the Holocaust?’, ‘what are our aims?, ‘which subjects should teach about the Holocaust?’, ‘at what age should we teach children about the Holocaust?’, and ‘how should we teach about the Holocaust?’ Simon Butler, Head of the University of Worcester’s History PGCE course, invited Kay Andrews from the Institute of Education’s Holocaust Education Development Programme (HEDP) to lead the conference. The HEDP programme has been developed over the last two years to provide training and support for history teachers to teach about this emotive and sensitive area of history. Kay also shared a wide range of materials that might help the trainee teachers teach about the complexity, diversity and impact of the
Holocaust across the whole of Europe. Simon said: “There was a clear consensus that far too many school textbooks and documentary films concentrate on ‘perpetrator led narratives’, frequently limited to Auschwitz and Belsen. Instead we felt it essential that children should have an understanding of the diversity of life for European Jews before the Nazis came to power. They also needed to appreciate the extent to which Jews were assimilated into the populations of all European countries and had been for hundreds of years.” Simon said the group also felt that young people should learn about Jewish resistance and survival, including those who had helped them at great risk to their own safety in Nazi occupied Europe. It was felt that they needed to learn about the de-Nazification of Europe and how attempts were made to bring the perpetrators to justice. “Finally we considered the legacy for today, particularly for descendants or relatives of victims, survivors and perpetrators,” he said. “We also commented on the lack of research about the impact of teaching about the Holocaust on
The Worcestershire Literary Festival 17- 27 June www.worcslitfest.com The Ledbury Poetry Festival - 1 – 10 July www.poetry-festival.com The Children’s Literary Festival at Wychwood Festival www.wychwoodfestival.com.
He added: “Perhaps the most poignant moment of the day was when Kay showed a photograph of a seven-year-old girl’s sweater. It had been knitted by the girl’s grandmother and worn by her as she survived 14 months living with her family in the sewers of Lvov. Kay then played an extract from the girl’s testimony, recorded for the New York Holocaust archive, during which she vividly recalled the last time she saw her grandmother as she was assaulted and taken away on a cart by the Nazis.” The event was attended by around 30 student teachers and mentors from the region.
Rear: Simon Butler, Prof David Green, UW student James Canning. Front: Harriet Lord-David, University of Gloucestershire student, Laela Adamson, TeachFirst student and Kay Andrews
summer festivals A number of English Studies students are currently on voluntary placements with three regional literature festivals:
young people considering it is a ‘compulsory’ topic in the History National Curriculum.”
There are many events taking place at the City Centre Campus as part of the Worcestershire Literary Festival, as well as events throughout the city and county. The following events are organised and presented by staff in the Institute of Humanities and Creative Arts. They would welcome your support at the following FREE events:
Bulgarian Seminars In April Prof Jean Webb was invited to speak at the University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria where she gave three lectures and seminars to Literary Studies and Teacher Education students entitled: ‘A brief history of English fiction for children.’ ‘English Nursery rhymes and games: their social and linguistic value in English language teaching.’
University of Worcester Early Modern Research Group present Welcome to Babylon: A talk by Dr Jerome De Groot Wednesday 22nd June 6 – 7.30 pm St Swithuns Church
and
Dr David Arnold and Dr Jane George lead Writing the Space Workshop Thursday 23rd June 10.00am – 12.30 pm City Centre Campus
‘Hungry Cities: a discussion of contemporary approaches towards the environment in English fiction for children.’ This paper will be published in Bulgarian.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / JUNE 2011 / 13
NEWS
Student conference examines the Politics of Aid
International aid has been a contentious issue in recent months as the Government has announced changes to Britain’s foreign aid programme. Many members of the public have called for a re-think as the country grapples with cuts to home budgets, while others believe the UK should continue its commitments to international development. A conference examining the politics of international aid was held on St John’s Campus on Saturday March 26th. Organised by the Institute of Science and the Environment in conjunction with Beacons Development Education Centre based in Colwall, the conference was attended by students from Geography, Sociology, Politics, Education, and postgraduate Sustainable Development Advocacy courses, as well as university staff, local teachers and interested members of the public. Dr Alan Dixon, from the Institute of Science and the Environment, opened the conference by outlining some of the key trends and debates surrounding aid and the controversial UK aid review. This was followed by a presentation by Jenny Holland and Hazel Mwawembe from Hereford based NGO Concern Universal, who reported on the ways in which aid is helping to improve rural livelihoods in Malawi. Dr Fran Martin from University of Exeter then went on to highlight the issues and challenges surrounding the ways in which children are taught about developing countries and aid relationships in schools. Sally Reith, Supporter Development Officer for ethical investment co-operative Shared Interest, presented a compelling case for fair trade rather than aid, and the morning session ended with Robin Walker MP arguing the case for cross-party support for international aid.
Afternoon workshop sessions explored these and a range of other issues, and throughout the day participants were able to view displays from local development NGOs as well as poster presentations from Geography students. Dr Dixon said; “The event was a great success. It brought together a range of people from different backgrounds in international development, and our students really benefitted from listening and talking to those involved at the frontline of development aid and poverty reduction.”
Photos top to bottom: • Hazel Mwawembe from Concern Universal talks about ‘bottom-up’ approaches to development • Robin Walker MP stresses the importance of international aid for the ‘national interest’ • Participants discuss student posters
Worcester hosts annual Applied Research Competition
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Dr Richard Mather with his research on ‘High resolution colour and Prof Neil Forbes (Coventry Uni, infrared imagery for judge); Prof Derek Godfrey (Bucks The Competition is held annually between the universities of monitoring of re-vegetation New, judge); Dr Richard Mather Bucks Worcester, Coventry, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire New, New University (winning academic of open-cast coal mines’. to explore and strengthen the applied research relationship and staff entry); Prof Geoffrey Elliott Professor Dominic Upton (Worcester; judge and event Chair). potential for furthering partnership working between the universities. represented Worcester There were four entries in the PhD section, including two in this section with from Worcester; Ashley Reuten on ‘The impact of school research on ‘Pain, stress and wound healing’. day variation in weight and height on the National Child Katherine Jones, Enterprise Manager at the University of Measurement Programme Body Mass Index’ and Richard Medcalf Worcester, said: “This year’s competition is the latest in a on ‘The experiences of children and young people with social series of activities which builds on a long-term partnership emotional and behavioural difficulties in physical education’. between the four universities and I am sure that a number The winning PhD entry was from Coventry University’s Reena Devi on of joint-working projects will emerge from this event.” ‘The effectiveness of a web based cardiac rehabilitation programme’. The entries were judged on the success, innovation and impact There were five entries in the academic staff section, with the of the research and the overall quality of the presentation. winning entry coming from Buckinghamshire New University’s tudents and academics from the University of Worcester went head-to-head with colleagues from other UK universities in an applied research competition.
14 / JUNE 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
STAFF COVERFEATURE STORY
This month Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Martin Doughty reveals his love of ‘messing about on the river’
From Boardroom to River: Managing the University’s physical growth from one campus to multiple sites has been tough going for Pro Vice Chancellor (Resources) Dr Martin Doughty.
“We row two or three times a week and compete regularly,” he said. “We have been quite successful, winning races every year.”
So you would think that out of work he would just want to put his feet up with a nice glass of wine. And so he does! But that’s not before he’s spent a couple of
“Rowing is a complete form of exercise and I really enjoy being out on the river and with a good group of friends,” he says. “You have to work as a team so you have to learn to co-ordinate and co-operate.”
hours rowing on the river.
But it can be tough going on the river and over the years Martin has sustained several back injuries. “It can be tough on your back,” he said. “More recently I have been sculling, which is better for your back.”
Martin, who still teaches at the University in Heritage Studies, is due to semi-retire from the University next year, when he hopes to find more time for his other hobby, photography.
Martin is a long-term member of Worcester Rowing Club and has competed in the sport for much of his adult life. “I got into rowing when I was at school to avoid doing rugby,” he jokes. “The river was six miles away from the school so it was a good excuse for a few hours away.” When it came to applying to university, Martin decided to mention his rowing in the application form and some months later found himself being called upon by the Captain of Boats at Worcester College at the University of Oxford, where he was studying modern history. “At university I mostly rowed in 8s,” he says. “I rowed for Oxford at Henley and became Captain of Boats at Worcester College myself.” Martin rowed for Bradford & Avon and Southampton clubs before joining Worcester about 17 years ago. Martin Doughty and Martin Rhodes winning Veteran double sculls at Worcester Regatta, 2009
What do you get up to when you leave the Campus? Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories at s.jones@worc.ac.uk
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER / JUNE2009 2011 / 15