news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
November 2012
The Children’s Library Children’s author Michael Rosen Officially Opens The Children’s Library at The Hive p.4-5
In this issue:
Beeline Festival Star Authors Dazzle p.7
Campus Worcester Conference Team Celebrate Summer Success p.8
Paramedic Heroics Student Paramedic Delivers ‘Bullring Baby’ p.12
FEATURE
UNIVERSITY’S
LEARNING THROUGH SPORT
INITIATIVE RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
The University of Worcester has been ‘Highly Commended’ by the 2012 World Leisure International Innovation Prize for its community-driven sporting initiative, Learning Through Sport. Learning Through Sport was developed by the University of Worcester more than 10 years ago as a community outreach project to bridge the gap between young people and higher education, particularly children from disadvantaged backgrounds or children with disabilities. Since then, the project has grown significantly and has enjoyed national and international success. Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, who conceived the idea for the initiative, said: “We are thrilled to receive recognition from the World Leisure International Innovation Prize. Learning Through Sport has been a fantastic building block to inspire children from non-traditional
higher education backgrounds to maximise their sporting potential and engage them in learning.” The 2012 World Leisure Innovation Prizes will be awarded at the 12th World Leisure Congress being held in Rimini, Italy and the University of Worcester’s “Highly Commended” award will be mentioned at the Awards Ceremony. Mick continued: “We have worked with thousands of people from local, regional, national and international communities. The work we have done as a result of Learning Through Sport has seen some fantastic educational outcomes and increased participation in sport from under represented groups significantly.” The annual Learning Through Sport Day is organised in partnership with the county’s leading sports clubs, including the Worcestershire County Cricket Club and the Worcester Wolves Basketball Team. Over 200 students attend the event each year and are involved in a
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wide range of games and activities planned by the University’s Institute of Sport & Exercise Science staff. The Worcester Arena, set to open in February 2013, will further build on our community outreach work.
COVER STORY wELCOME Clockwise from top left: Dame Jacqueline Wilson pg. 7, Campus Worcester pg. 8, World Mental Health Day pg. 14, Horrible History at The Infirmary pg.14 and Wildflower Garden pg. 7
contents FEATURE Learning Through Sport Recognition
November 2012
W
elcome to the November issue of News & Views, featuring a round-up of news, updates and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester.
one of the University’s other initiatives, Learning Through Sport, has also been recognised by the World Leisure International Innovation Prize for its work supporting the young community.
The city buzzed last month as poets, storytellers, authors and performers entertained audiences as part of the annual Beeline Festival. Our cover story this month features popular author, Michael Rosen as he officially opened the children’s library at The Hive.
In this issue we congratulate several of our students. From those who have been nominated for prestigious prizes to the paramedic student who delivered a baby outside of the Birmingham Bullring.
While the Beeline Storytelling Festival is aimed predominantly at children,
Please keep sending us your news and features. Send them to us at newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
WBS Enter Worldwide Competition This year the Worcester Business School is set to enter a team of students into the 18th Annual Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) Worldwide Case Competition. This will mark the University of Worcester’s first entry into the event. The team is set to start their qualification campaign on the 8th and 9th November undertaking a 1,500 word report based on the analysis of a
practical case study of an international business. The ten best teams from around the globe will then be invited to participate in the grand finals which this year is set to be hosted in the historic and picturesque Belgium city of Leuven. The team has been formed from four of the most promising and committed first and second year undergraduate business students and will be ‘coached’ by Dr Robin Bell.
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COVER STORY The Children’s Library
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news WBS Enter Worldwide Competition 3 Wychavon Scholarships 6 Awards for Illustration Student 6 Star Authors Dazzle at Festival 7 Wildflower Garden 7 Campus Worcester 8 CDM Masters Students Exhibition 8 The Signs are Good 9 Invite To Lecture 9 Worcester Graduate Appointed Artist in Residence 9 Education Lecturers Join Forces with Former Student 10 Saudi Head Teachers 10 Delivering Palliative and End of Life care course in Nairobi 11 Sport and Sociology Senior Lecturer Explores the Role of Sport 11 Fine Art Graduate Shortlisted for Prestigious Competition 12 Student Ensures Safe Delivery 12 Lecturer Selected As Finalist for Prize in Fine Art 13 Globe-trotting Basketballer Chooses Worcester 13 Research into Specific Learning Difficulties Published 14 Spooky Goings-on at The Infirmary 14 World Mental Health Day 2012 14 Herefordshire College of Technology 15 Record Number of Graduates Join Class of 2012 15
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Official Opening of the Children’s Library at The Hive Popular author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen officially opened the children’s library at The Hive during an afternoon of reading and storytelling. Michael was joined by children from schools across Worcester as he declared the library open. His visit was part of the University of Worcester’s Beeline Storytelling Festival for Children. “It’s a wonderful, amazing place,” he said. “I wish I lived next door to it as I would use it all the time. It would be perfect for me because I need the facilities of a university library and a children’s library. This is a dream place for me; it’s perfect and I’m very jealous.”
Michael, author of children’s classics such as We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, performed some of his poems and stories to schoolchildren at the event, and later there was a chance for families to join Michael for an evening of storytelling.
More than 2,000 children from across Worcester have been involved.
The University’s Beeline Storytelling Festival for Children ran throughout October and has seen some of the country’s top children’s authors come to Worcester, including Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Liz Pichon, along with theatre, puppetry and illustration sessions.
Michael Rosen opens the children’s library
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COVER STORY
“It’s a wonderful, amazing place. I wish I lived next door to it as I would use it all the time.” - Michael Rosen newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / November 2012 / 5
NEWS
Wychavon Scholarships A new Wychavon Scholarship is being launched to help support students from the district studying full-time at the University of Worcester. The scholarship, which was agreed by Wychavon District Council’s Executive Board, will be funded through New Homes Bonus allocations. The scheme will initially run for students starting in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and will be open to undergraduates (except nursing and midwifery students who do not pay university tuition fees) and will provide £500 per student, for up to 100 students in each of the three academic years. The scholarship won’t be means tested, but will be available to applicants in the order in which they apply. Cllr. Paul Middlebrough, Leader of Wychavon, said: “One of our priorities is to foster a strong economy, encouraging
local students to study and hopefully get work locally. It is important to ensuring we have a strong skills set for businesses in the area to recruit good people from. We’re very pleased to be offering this kind of support to students and the University.” Vice Chancellor Professor David Green, added: “I am delighted that Wychavon District Council has chosen to support university students in such a practical way. As well as attracting students from all over the country, more and more local people are choosing to study at the University of Worcester. This scholarship is very good news for talented young people in Wychavon, who are choosing to study with their local university.”
“This is a very farsighted initiative of Wychavon’s, which has a wonderful
record of acting as a true exemplar to local authorities throughout the region and the nation. I hope many more will follow their lead.” Alongside the scholarship a programme of work placements at Wychavon will give students valuable work experience in a broad range of services that the council offers and link to local businesses. Every year students will also be in the running for an undergraduate prize presented by the Chairman of Wychavon and a Civic event will be hosted by the University for the Wychavon scholars.
Illustration Student Recognised in Awards A third year Illustration student has been awarded the accolade of ‘highly commended’ at the prestigious Cheltenham Illustration Awards. The annual awards, which are internationally recognised, are now in their 6th year and are hosted at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford. Students are invited to submit entries and this year’s theme was “Tales of Magical Objects” in which the illustration genre was required to be narrative. Cheryl Howard’s accolade came on top of submissions from hundreds of other students. “I am very excited and overwhelmed about viewing my illustration at the Pitt Rivers museum which is a great source of inspiration. It’s just so rewarding to have recognition from the Cheltenham Illustration awards,” Cherry said.
Cheryl Howard and her awardwinning illustration
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Thirty-three-year-old Cheryl, from Worcester, added: “My series of illustrations is a feminist take on the tale of a contemporary woman’s charms and amulets as protection against her fear of rejection. I have been inspired by the ‘female’ presentations of charms and amulets: ribbons, bracelets, beautiful little objects and precious adornments. I regard photo-collage to be a powerful medium, benefitting from the ‘baggage’ the photographs bring to the new narrative.” Illustration Course Leader, Piet Grobler, said: “Cheryl has distinguished herself as an experimental illustrator with a flair for strong composition, a good conceptual understanding of illustration and a confidently lyrical personal visual language. Her collages are surprising, elegant and slightly mysterious. We have high expectations of her as a professional illustrator after graduation.”
NEWS
Star Authors Dazzle at Beeline Festival
Dame Jacqueline Wilson
Liz Pichon
Hundreds of children flocked to see star author Dame Jacqueline Wilson at the University of Worcester Beeline Storytelling Festival last month. Dame Jacqueline Wilson, world-famous author of the beloved Tracey Beaker series, spoke to over 350 children about becoming an author and her passion for reading. Promoting her latest book Emerald Star, from the hugely popular Hetty Feather series, Dame Jacqueline held a questions and answer session with children and later signed books at The Hive, the new joint University and public library. Dame Jacqueline is the UK’s most borrowed author of the last ten years. She has spoken out about the important role that children’s libraries play in giving free access to books. Commenting on The Hive, Dame Jacqueline said:
“It was one of the loveliest venues I have ever visited.” The festival opened on Wednesday 3rd October with multi award-winning author and rising UK star, Liz Pichon. The author of the Brilliant World of Tom Gates series gave a guest talk at The Hive to nearly 100 school children and later an inspirational talk to the University of Worcester’s Illustration students, where she unveiled the key to her success as not just talent, but “hard work and persistence”. Talking about opening the magical world of books to children, Liz said: “I think that fantastic festivals such as Beeline play a significant part in activities that will encourage children to read books and, most importantly, to make them feel the enjoyment of reading and visiting libraries. Teachers and parents are also very important to help children discover the fun in reading books.”
Wildflower Garden Set to Bloom at University A wildflower area has been created at the University of Worcester using green hay collected from Malvern Hills Common. The wildflower garden is the latest in a longline of biodiversity initiatives at the University, which have also seen the introduction of two bee hotels. Dr Duncan Westbury, Senior Lecturer in Plant Environmental Biology, who has been instrumental in increasing campus biodiversity, said: “By now we should all be aware of Before and after. The transformation of the land between The Charles Darwin the importance of Building and Sheila Scott Building providing resources for our birds and bees, not only by putting up bird boxes and bee hotels, but also by providing them with food. “Areas managed for wildflowers support numerous bees, butterflies and other insects, but also our garden birds. Wildflower strips can be readily established using commercial seed mixes, but frequently, the seed is from other parts of the UK and in some cases from overseas. Consequently, the plants sown are not adapted to the local conditions and plant vigour as well as genetic diversity might be compromised. The use of local sources of wildflower seed is therefore encouraged.” Dr Westbury said the use of green hay as a source of local seed to create new wildflower meadows was an “excellent approach”. “The hay is harvested and collected before the seed is released and is immediately spread over an area of disturbed ground,” he said. “During the first year after sowing, the area is cut frequently to control any grasses and promote establishment of the wildflowers.” The green hay was collected in collaboration with the Malvern Hills Conservators with help from students and staff at the University. Dr Westbury said: “We are hoping to create stepping stones of biodiversity across the county by establishing new wildflower areas. In turn this will help wildlife in the immediate area but will also enhance movement of species across the county landscape. It would be excellent if Worcestershire established more wildflower areas and perhaps Worcester could be the next “Bee Guardian City” alongside Gloucester.”
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NEWS
Campus Worcester team celebrates a record summer Campus Worcester, the University of Worcester’s Conferencing Team, welcomed a large number of diverse groups to St John’s Campus and City Campus this summer. Three Language Schools - Concorde International, UK Study International and Interstudioviaggi - stayed at the University, bringing groups of young people from countries across the globe to learn English and Cultural Studies. For the first time we welcomed pupils from as far away as Uzbekistan, who were delighted to be amongst those who saw Her Majesty The Queen open The Hive. The Conferencing Team were also excited to welcome students from other universities, such as Ball State University, USA and Semyung University in Korea. Several large residential conferences took place on campus such as those organised by the Institute of Education, BACP, MENSA and the Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment. The campus was vibrant with a variety of other guests too, such as Ramblers, Sports teams, Aikido and Tai Chi specialists, History and History of Art enthusiasts, Chess players and Choirs. The busy summer ended with the large Alumni celebration when around 800 Alumni received Honorary Degrees at Worcester Cathedral, with many staying on campus with their guests for the Alumni dinner in the Pear Tree, which was a very happy occasion. All in all the Catering Team served well over 14,000 breakfasts, over 12,700 lunches and 1,330 dinners throughout the summer! A particular highlight for Campus Worcester was when we hosted the University’s first wedding since gaining the Licence for Civil Weddings and Partnerships. Congratulations to alumni Gemma Lawrence and Shaun Hill who were married in the Charles Hastings Boardroom at City Campus, on Saturday 1
Shaun and Gemma Hill (nee Lawrence). Photo courtesy of Hart & Harvey Photography
September, the first couple to tie the knot on our City Campus. The happy couple looked absolutely stunning and the sun shone brightly all day. We wish them both every happiness for the future! Looking ahead, if you are members of a professional body, or special interest group, please do let us know of any conference or meeting, either residential, day or evening, you would like to consider bringing to Worcester. We would be pleased to work with you on all aspects of staging your event. We look forward to working with you. Campus Worcester Team Tel: 01905 542121, Email: conferencing@worc.ac.uk, www.worcester.ac.uk/conferencing
CDM Masters Students Exhibition An exhibition of work from the first graduands of a new Masters in Creative Digital Media will be hosted at The Hive during November. The exhibition opened on October 29th at The Hive and runs for two weeks, during normal opening hours, which are 8.30am to 10pm seven days a week. The Masters in Creative Digital Media
launched at the University last year and is a one-year programme. It is aimed at practitioners in the digital arts who wish to develop their creative ideas within their subject to an advanced level. Course Leader David James said: “The course is unusual in that it gives a very broad and embracing scope outside subject-focused practice.
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“We are delighted to have our first group of graduates this year and thought what better way to celebrate than to host an exhibition of their work at The Hive. “I really hope that members of the public and the University will come and see these pieces of work, into which the students have put so much time and effort.”
NEWS
The Signs are Good Student Designs on Signs Graphic Design students from Worcester will be exhibiting prototype wayfinding signage designs during Malvern’s Autumn Festival in the town’s library. The project was given to the students by the Route to the Hills steering group, who are aiming to find ways to help encourage pedestrians and walkers to enjoy both the town and hills. Part of the group’s remit is to look into potential new wayfinding signage solutions in and around the town. The project was a perfect fit for the students, who were studying how best to create information graphics and wayfinding signage over their final semester. Design Lecturer Andy Stevenson said: “The students really benefited from working on this project. The fact that the signage design challenges and the clients were real, provided invaluable experiences for them.” Malvern Autumn Festival organiser and board member for the Route to the Hills partnership, Peter Smith, added: “This project is a great example of a mutually beneficial collaboration between the Route to the Hills project and the University of Worcester’s student design expertise. It also adds to the great track record we now have with joint projects with the University.”
said: “We are really pleased to have this opportunity to work with the students at the University of Worcester. I am very excited by the design ideas they have proposed and hope that some of their ideas can be incorporated into the final “Route to the Hills”, which is being developed to strengthen links between the town and the hills and help tourists and local people enjoy the heritage of the town.” The Route to the Hills partnership is made up of eight organisations: Malvern Hills District Council, Malvern Civic Society, Malvern Town Council, High Street Malvern, Great Malvern Priory PCC, Malvern Hills Conservators, Malvern Theatres Trust and Malvern Hills AONB.
Councillor Phillip Grove, portfolio holder for economic development,
INVITATION TO LECTURE Please join us at the Institute of Health & Society’s Annual Lecture. The lecture will take place on Wednesday 28 November 2012, 5.30pm for 5.45pm start. The 2012 lecture is titled “Health and Social Care: Collaborative Leadership” and will be delivered by David Behan CBE, Chief
Executive of the Care Quality Commission. If you would like to attend the lecture, please contact Catherine North on tel: 01905 542237 or email: rsvp@worc.ac.uk
WORCESTER GRADUATE APPOINTED ARTIST IN RESIDENCE A Fine Art graduate from the University of Worcester has been appointed as Artist in Residence at Coughton Court in Warwickshire. Dawn Harris, who graduates in November with a First Class degree, is looking forward to completing her residency and developing her art practice further. The 46-year-old, from Studley, has proven her talent by participating in a number of exhibitions. “I was delighted to be appointed Artist in Residence at Coughton Court,” she said. “The residency gives me the Dawn Harris opportunity to continue to develop my art practice whilst still exploring the concept of identity which began when I was studying at the University of Worcester.” The residency will run until later this month, and will be followed by an exhibition, To Love and Protect, which will run from 24 November to 4 December at the National Trust property. Dawn had a career in Human Resources until 2009 when she decided to change her life and start studying what she was really interested in. Dr James Fisher, Fine Art Course Leader, said: “Dawn is a thoughtful and sophisticated artist who, while a student in Fine Art at Worcester, presented a degree exhibition of the very highest standards. “We are delighted that Dawn’s residency at Coughton Court has been such a success and that a wider audience has had the chance to see her sensitive, compelling work.” Dawn’s recent exhibitions include: This is what we like to call OLD SCHOOL, Space Studio, Worcester; Flood Alert. Be Prepared, The Hive, Worcester; and Arts for Life, The Plough Arts Centre, North Devon. The talented artist also completed an arts project at St. Mary CE Junior School in Studley. As part of the project the school, the community and the church explored the school’s identity which culminated in a new school banner. As part of her residency, Dawn is running a blog, which is available at: www.dawnharrisatcoughtoncourt.blogspot.co.uk/
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NEWS
Education Lecturers Join Forces with Former Student for Research Two education lecturers have joined forces with one of their former students to undertake a piece of research exploring history in the national school curriculum. Ann Jordan, Associate Head of the Institute of Education, and Paul Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Primary Education, have been working with former Primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) student, Sarah Robinson. Their combined research has resulted in an article on The Potential of History within the School Curriculum in England for Developing and Enhancing the Understanding of being a Citizen in the 21st Century, with an emphasis on the later primary experience and the start of secondary education. The article has been published in Citizenship, Social and Economics Education: An International Journal (Vol.11 Issue 1) this year. Sarah graduated in 2007 with a First Class Honours degree in Primary ITE and her specialist area was History. She has undertaken a range of roles in schools since graduating, including being Head of History, Learning and Teaching Manager and School Mentor for Newly Qualified Teachers. Since September 2009 she has undertaken some History teaching on the University’s three-year BA Qualified Teacher Status programme and also mentors primary trainees in school. “Having studied at such an outstanding university, it has been my pleasure to take part in this research article with Ann and Paul; not only as part of my own Continuing Professional Development, but to maintain strong links with the University of Worcester,” Sarah said. “My First Class Honours degree equipped me with the means I needed to become an excellent teacher and I now enjoy working with other University of Worcester students to give them the tools they need to succeed in the teaching profession.” Ann added: “It is delightful to able to continue working with trainees after they have qualified and in this regard Sarah has made a really positive contribution to the ITE programme as well as the research article, using her expertise and practical experience to good effect.”
Leadership Training for Saudi Head Teachers in the UK
A group of headteachers from Saudi Arabia spent three days at leadership training at the University of Worcester, which included visiting their UK partner schools in Devon. The visit was organised in partnership with the British Council within the framework of its global project, Connecting Classrooms. Tom Whittingham, Head of External Development in the University’s Institute of Education, said: “The visit of the Saudi Arabia Saudi Head Teachers Visit Worcester and Devon headteachers is part of a wider international leadership network being grown and facilitated by the Institute of Education. “The network globally connects like minded leaders around themes of mutual interest and provides high quality facilitation, built on best and innovative practice. Networks engaged in this partnership with the University Worcester currently include Indonesia, Canada, Australia and now Saudi Arabia.” The leadership training covered topics such as: An overview of the British Education System, Leading and Managing a School, Different Styles of Leadership, Building a Learning Community, Values and Beliefs, Wellbeing, Emotional Learning, Teaching and Learning and Observing Practice. The UK schools, including Braunton School, Molton School and Pilton School, prepared an itinerary for the visitors, including lessons observation, planning and engaging in group discussions with their peers. The headteachers also received opportunities to share experiences, celebrate achievements and receive guidance on undertaking joint curriculum project activities, as well as receiving an introduction to the British education system. One of the headteachers said: “This is a great opportunity for us to get some professional development and, being at a place like the University of Worcester, this will provide us with a unique experience which can only help fulfil our professional careers.” The teachers met students and staff involved in the project and attended classes to get a taste of British student life. The visit also paved the way for further joint curriculum project planning. Christopher Palmer, Deputy Director of The British Council in Saudi Arabia, said: “Connecting Classrooms is one of the British Council’s flagship projects linking schools globally. This initiative is particularly important because it is the first time that Saudi state schools have been involved and the first time Saudi state school headteachers are visiting the UK under such a programme.” Connecting Classrooms is a global education programme for schools. It is designed to help young people learn about global issues and become responsible global citizens, as well as giving them the skills to work in a global economy. It offers school partnerships; professional development courses for teachers; accreditation; and the chance to share best practice with international counterparts.
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NEWS
Delivering Palliative and End of Life care course in Nairobi written by Dr Brian Nyatanga for News & Views Palliative and end of life care provision in Kenya is one of their Government’s post millennium initiatives. The model of care being adopted is largely based on the UK modern approach to caring for people at the end of Back row, right, Mrs Rose Omutanyi (Principal), Mrs Magret Sirima life. Kenya (Deputy principal), Dr Brian Nyatanga (4th from right) posing with the Nairobi students at the Nairobi hospital grounds and its capital city Nairobi in particular, are ambitious in their goals for palliative care for all. In 2011, two senior members of the Nairobi hospital management team visited the UK and University of Worcester in particular to discuss ways for collaboration between the two organisations. Palliative and end of life care was one of the areas they felt needed urgent educational input to enable their ambitions of providing such care to all who need it. Dr Brian Nyatanga, Senior Lecturer The positive post-module evaluations based in Applied Professional Studies in and discussion with senior members in the Institute of Health and Society went Nairobi and the University of Worcester to Nairobi in August 2012 to deliver a suggest this may be the first of many palliative care module to a group of modules this University can deliver students based at the Nairobi hospital. in Nairobi. The post module delivery Fifteen enthusiastic students attended action plan suggests a desire to enable the course from different nursing these students to progress with backgrounds. The module, normally their studies and obtain a university delivered in the UK over a semester, diploma qualification in palliative was condensed into six long days and care. For those students who wish to the students are currently working complete the full degree, it may be on their assignment brief. Students necessary for them to come to the continue to get tutorial support via UK for two of the modules, otherwise emails, structured video conferences for the rest can be delivered in Nairobi. the whole group and individual skype The University is proud to be able sessions where needed. Lectures covered to facilitate such education and all aspects of palliative care from the development in order to benefit philosophy and practice to the ethical dying patients in this part of Africa. dilemmas of managing and sharing As a result of this visit, new limited resources and issues of hydration opportunities for staff and students at the end of life. Different methods from Nairobi to visit the UK palliative of teaching were employed and to my care services were identified, and surprise, students wanted to take part in further visits by our university lecturers more role-play scenarios, which is a total to Nairobi would expand the benefits antithesis from a UK student perspective. into research knowledge and skills to The enthusiasm of the students and their produce local evidence for local patients. ability to think outside the box provided a safe academic platform to discuss sensitive topics like assisted dying in a predominantly Christian country.
Sport and Sociology Senior Lecturer Explores the Role of Sport in Contemporary Society in New Book Dr Gyozo Molnar, Senior Lecturer in Sport Studies and Sociology, recently published Sport, Exercise and Social Theory: An Introduction in joint authorship with John Kelly, Lecturer in Sport and Recreation Business Management at Edinburgh University. The book aims to help students to get a good conceptual foundation, which will enable them to familiarise themselves with sociology both as a discipline and a practice. The book introduces the key theories that underpin the study of sport, exercise and society, such as post-modernism and the sociological imagination. The book explains the importance and the use of the social theories using a wide range of vivid examples and descriptions of sport-related events and exercise practices. Dr Gyozo Molnar said: “Our main aim was to write an informative and accessible undergraduate textbook which practically explained and critiqued a range of well established and emerging sociological approaches and theories within the areas of sport and exercise. “We wished to provide clear accounts of sociological perspectives by explaining and critiquing them in the contemporary world and applying them to selected sporting examples.”
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NEWS
Fine Art Graduate Shortlisted for Prestigious Watercolour Competition A gifted Fine Art graduate has been shortlisted for two top competitions. Zarina Keyani, who will graduate this month, proved her talent by being shortlisted Zarina Keyani for the Sunday Times Watercolour Competition and the Neo Print Prize Competition. Her selected artwork was presented at the Mall Galleries in London at the end of October. “The acknowledgement of my work has been very heart warming,” she said. The 45-year-old artist was encouraged to enter the competition by Fine Art Course Leader, Dr James Fisher. Dr Fisher said: “Zarina is among many Worcester Fine Art alumni now establishing their practice at a professional level, particularly in the area of printmaking. Her achievements are also testament to the work being done on Worcester’s Fine Art BA course in preparing its graduates to develop all sorts of exciting careers in the visual arts.” Looking to the future, the talented artist hopes to continue expressing her creativity and achieve further success. “I would like to continue with my painting and printmaking and be more involved in artist led and community art projects,” she said. The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition is the most prestigious watercolour competition in the UK. It aims to present and reward originality and excellence in the watercolour art. A high-profile committee will judge the finalists. It includes Richard Gault, Director, Redfern Gallery; Penny Johnson CBE, Director Government Art Collection; Hugh Pearman, Critic & Writer, The Sunday Times; Carol Robertson, Artist and Desmond Shawe-Taylor CVO, Surveyor of the Queen’s Pictures. An online gallery of the finalist in the competition is available at: www.parkerharris.co.uk/competition/SundayTimes-Watercolour2012
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Student Ensures Safe Delivery A student paramedic from the University of Worcester helped deliver a baby boy on the busy streets of Birmingham. Whilst off duty, Jon Wood, 27, who originally hails from Edinburgh, came across a woman crying in pain outside the Bullring in central Birmingham. Jon noticed she was heavily pregnant and holding her maternity notes. He went across to see if she was ok and it became immediately apparent that she was in labour. An ambulance had been called but was 15 minutes away and the closest response was a motorcycle paramedic.
Jon Wood
Jon said: “The lady’s waters hadn’t broken but she said she could feel the baby was coming. I had just enough time to make her comfortable and begin my assessment. When she moved her hand away I could see the baby’s head.” The motorcycle paramedic, Steve Cooper, arrived and minutes after the pair helped the lady deliver a healthy baby boy. The mother and baby were wrapped in coats before an ambulance took the new family to hospital. Jon said: “Thankfully, it was a normal and safe delivery with no complications and both mother and baby were fine.” Paramedics are regularly called out to attend an emergency delivery and in training Jon has already helped to deliver many babies. “I’ve lost count of the number of babies I have delivered but this will definitely be a very memorable one,” he said. Robert Dudley, Head of Nursing & Paramedic Science, said: “Jon is a credit to the profession and the University. His education and training equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to remain calm and professional in what were difficult circumstances. Jon is going to make an outstanding paramedic.” Jon has secured a job as an ambulance technician at the West Bromwich Ambulance Service following his Ambulance Technician to Paramedic degree.
NEWS
Lecturer Selected As Finalist for Renowned Prize in Fine Art A Fine Art lecturer from the University of Worcester has been shortlisted for the prestigious Marmite Prize for Painting. Daniel Roach, a former student and current lecturer in Drawing and Printmaking, was selected as one of the finalists in the well regarded prize competition. The prize winner will be selected by a high-profile panel of internationally respected artists, including Iain Andrews, Tim Stoner, Marta Marcé and Dawn Mellor. “I’m thrilled to be one of the selected painters for the 2012 Marmite Prize,” said Daniel. “It’s an exciting prospect to have work included in the show and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the work of the other participating artists.”
Daniel graduated from the University of Worcester with a First Class degree in Fine Art in 2009 and completed his postgraduate study in 2011 at the University of Gloucestershire. Alongside his teaching duties, he is currently Artist in Residence at Worcester Cathedral. Daniel recently curated an exhibition of contemporary abstract painting at the Cathedral called Plane Space. Dr James Fisher, Fine Art Course Leader, said: “Dan Roach’s beautiful paintings are developing a high profile and strong currency in the national art scene. Last year he was shortlisted for the Abstract Critical Newcomer
award and now his hard work has been further rewarded with his selection for the Marmite Prize for Painting. “Dan’s success is a huge Daniel Roach source of inspiration to our undergraduates in Fine Art. Dan has worked tirelessly to national tour of the bring nationally significant finalists. The Marmite Prize contemporary painting to the for Painting is a touring city through his role as Artist exhibition and catalogue in Residence at Worcester which champions the artistCathedral. The fantastic led, the co-operative spirit exhibition he curated for the and the DIY approach. It Cathedral, Plane Space, for challenges the problem of example, has already had placing value on art. a massive impact on the The prize winner will be ambition and imagination of announced at the Tannery University of Worcester Fine Art students,” added Dr Fisher. Arts Drawing Room, London in June 2013. Daniel’s work will be exhibited as part of a
Globe-trotting Basketballer Chooses Worcester A professional basketballer, who has played for teams across the world, is beginning his studies at Worcester in the hope of starting his own business in the future. Stan Ocitti, who has signed for the Worcester Wolves basketball club, specifically sought out the University after hearing about opportunities to combine play with postgraduate study.
Stan Ocitti
The 6ft 8in American and Dutch dual national is studying for an MBA, with which he is hoping to one day start his own business
providing support for individual young athletes. “A friend of mine came to Worcester and told me about the opportunities to play basketball while getting a postgraduate qualification,” said Stan, who came to Worcester from Australian side Cockburn Cougars. “There are very few places in the world where you can do that. In America it’s mainly undergraduate opportunities.
his undergraduate degree in African Studies at Binghamton University in New York, and said he was looking forward to getting back into study. “I’ve not done any study for eight or nine years, so it’s a little daunting, but I’m looking forward to it,” said the 32-year-old.
Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, said: “It is a great testimony to the University basketball programme to “What Worcester provides is excellent for athletes like myself attract such a talented well respected player, who has such who want to keep playing but a vibrant approach to study. who are looking to the future He is also totally focussed on and ways to broaden their combining study and play and knowledge and experience.” is clearly ambitious to succeed Stan, who was born in both on and off the court.” Kampala, Uganda, completed
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / November 2012 / 13
NEWS
Research into Specific Learning Difficulties Published in New Guide People who think they may have a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, should undergo dual tests, including reading from different coloured paper, researchers at the University of Worcester say. Staff in the University’s Disability and Dyslexia Service found that using a combination of an on-screen test and face-to-face tests with a qualified tutor was the best way to identify someone who may be suffering from dyslexia, dyspraxia or Meares-Irlen Syndrome (visual stress). As a result, the number of people being falsely identified has been cut from about 8% to 2% at the University. Sarah Nichols, lead author of the research and Academic Support Tutor at the University, said: “Naturally we want
to identify anybody who needs support as rapidly as possible, and our combination of tests is very good at this; much better than either tutor-screening alone or the on-screen test alone.” The research was carried out with 74 students and compared the use of the Disability and Dyslexia Service tutordelivered tests with a computerised test, the Lucid Adult Dyslexia Screening test (LADS). The tutor-delivered tests include reading text on different coloured paper, reciting numbers in a set sequence, and writing at speed.
Spooky Goings-on at The Infirmary The gory past of the City Campus was revealed last month at two spooky Halloween events. Families were invited to The Infirmary, the brand new exhibition at the University’s City Campus, for an afternoon of horrible histories. Craft activities suitable for younger visitors and families took place throughout the afternoon with a chance to make sinister, severed fingers or eerie eye balls. Tours of the hospital’s nooks and crannies featured spooky stories of Infirmary ghosts and horrible hospital histories. Visitors were then treated to a display of 18th Century surgery and a Great Medical Debate. For those that wanted to delve even deeper into darker subjects, University lecturer, and author of
The Devil: A Very Short Introduction, Darren Oldridge gave an illustrated talk. The talk, entitled ‘The Devil in Body and Mind’ explored some of the macabre and disturbing ways that the Devil was thought to play a role in mental and bodily health in the past. Carol Bowsher, Learning and Access Officer, said: “Over the Infirmary’s 240-year history, gruesome medical and surgical procedures took place here, and there have been numerous reports of ghostly sightings. Halloween - the spookiest day of the year - has to be the perfect day to explore these stories.”
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Sarah added: “After analysing the results we found the best results were when both sets of tests were used, which is something no-one had identified before.” Anyone identified as potentially having a specific learning difficulty, following the tests, should then undergo a full assessment by a qualified tutor. The research has now been published in Supporting Dyslexic Adults in Higher Education and the Workplace, a guide for use in the HE sector.
World Mental Health Day 2012 World Mental Health Day raises public awareness about mental health issues. The day supports open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services. For its 9th consecutive year the University of Worcester supported World Mental Health Day with a series of events on Wednesday 10th October. This year’s theme was ‘Depression: A Global Crisis’. Steve Wilding, the University’s mental health advisor, along with his team planned this year’s events, including a stall in Main Reception which provided visitors with promotional merchandise, mental health literature and the opportunity to write comments on a cut-out hand, asking “what makes you feel good”. A number of guests were also invited to attend an art exhibition in the Cotswold Gallery produced by local mental health service users from Shrub Hill workshop in Worcester. Afterwards the artists, along with family and friends, University staff and mental health student nurses, were invited to a welcome address by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Rosalind Foskett followed by a buffet lunch.
NEWS
Herefordshire College of Technology
Herefordshire College of Technology in New Partnership with the University of Worcester
Herefordshire College of Technology and the University of Worcester have formed a new partnership to help raise the aspirations and educational achievements of young people. The Hereford-based college joins Halesowen College in the Black Country to become the second Associate College of the University of Worcester. This new partnership between the College and the University builds on many years of close, effective work together on a wide variety of educational programmes and initiatives. The two institutions hope that their new, more effective partnership will create an even stronger network of opportunity for ambitious young people in Herefordshire, who are keen to improve their skills and educational qualifications. Professor David Green said: “I am delighted that Herefordshire College of Technology has been designated an Associate College of the University of Worcester. “This reflects the success we have had in working together over many years and our shared commitment to widen participation in higher education and ensure that more young people have high quality opportunities to make the most of their potential. It is a testimony to the very high standards and quality of work at the College and their commitment to extending educational opportunity. We know that by the University and College working closely together we can have an even more beneficial social and educational effect in Herefordshire.” Under the new partnership, the two institutions will work together to raise aspirations and understanding about higher education and help to lift achievements. Practical steps and new opportunities will now be created in such areas as Health, Business, Sports Science, Computing and Information Technology and Education. Ian Peake, Principal at HCT, said: “We are delighted to have achieved recognition as an Associate College of the University of Worcester. This is an important development in our long-standing partnership, which has already benefited many students who have been able to study university programmes in Hereford or progress from our further education programmes to continue their education at Worcester. Our strengthened partnership will help to raise the aspirations of young people in Herefordshire to achieve their full potential.”
RECORD NUMBER OF GRADUATES JOIN CLASS OF 2012
More than 2,500 Students in Graduation Splendour A record number of graduates will take part in the 2012 graduation ceremonies this week. Year-on-year, the University of Worcester celebrates the success of an increasing number of students. This year, the bar has been set higher again with the ceremonies being held over four days to allow for the capacity of 2,536 successful graduands who will be receiving their degree, two thirds more than five years ago. Professor David Green said: “This has been an excellent year for our students and we are delighted that so many will be graduating. “Our graduate employment is still one of the highest overall for any English university. This is testament to the quality of our degrees and the level of practical teaching and work experience that we provide for our students.” The University will also be awarding four University Fellowships and five Honorary Doctorates in this year’s ceremonies to people selected by the Honorary Awards Committee for outstanding achievements and distinction in their field. Professor Green added: “The University is developing its strengths in arts, culture and heritage and health and wellbeing and this year’s University Fellows and Honorary Doctorates have been chosen as inspiring examples of people in these fields.”
Our December issue of News and Views will feature a Graduation Special.
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