Bangor International December 2015

Bangor International December 2015

Top 10 UK University for Teaching Quality Times University League Table 2016

Our New Arts and Innovation Centre Pontio is now OPEN!

Bangor University’s new Arts and Innovation Centre includes a multi-purpose theatre, cinema space, a studio theatre and an outdoor amphitheatre. It also has exciting new social facilities including bars, dining and park areas and also includes a dynamic innovation hub, with facilities for

interdisciplinary design, enabling greater engagement with business to drive the development of new products, processes and services.

The new centre will provide cutting-edge teaching and learning facilities that will benefit every University student at Bangor.

Take a look at the Pontio website to find out more about the centre and to see all of the exciting performances they have coming up over the next few months: www.pontio.co.uk/

In this issue of our newsletter... l 2015 Scholarship Winners l Confucius Institute Conference l New Courses

www.bangor.ac.uk/international

Research News

Culture Challenge 2015!

The event was supported by Bangor Confucius Institute.

Kata Wagner

Beekeeping in Tanzania Kata Wagner of the School of the Environment, Natural Resources & Geography has recently begun her PhD research into beekeeping: specifically focusing on the impact of beekeeping in the Tanzanian Miombo, understanding the beekeeper as a forest resource user, and how beekeeping supports economic development.

The Miombo Woodlands cover vast swathes of Tanzania’s countryside – mainly in the arid south and wetter western region. With a land coverage of 40%, the Miombo is critical as an energy source to Tanzania: over 90% of the country’s energy is derived from the forest. In order to halt the clearance of the Miombo Woodlands, the Tanzanian Government is keen to develop sustainable business practices that not only protect the biodiversity of natural resources such as the Miombo, but also alleviate poverty through economic development.

Tanzania has a long tradition of beekeeping in the Miombo, the Government of Tanzania fosters beekeeping through a national beekeeping policy and programme and has established bee reserves and promotes the use of modern beekeeping techniques.

The research will be funded by FONASO (Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctoral Programme/ Forest & Nature for Society)

The annual Culture Challenge student competition took place on 2nd December 2015. The event was organised by the International Student Support Office and saw seven teams of Bangor University students battle each other to win a trip of a lifetime to China. The teams made up of students from different countries were tasked with preparing and delivering presentations on the subject of culture of one or more members of the group. This was followed by a

quiz with rounds on Bangor, Wales, UK, China, the world and science.

The winners of this year’s competition were: Michael Solski (Poland) and Taylor Smith (UK) from the School of Biological Sciences, Hui Zhang (China) from Bangor Business School and Elizabeth Strange (Canada) from Bangor Law School. The students win a 2-week trip around China during the Easter holidays.

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Bangor University Law School and Universiti Utara Malaysia

Front row – l-r: Dr Zainal Amin Ayub, Dean College of Law, Government and International Studies Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM); Professor Dr Hassan Ali (Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic) UUM; Professor David Shepherd, Pro-Vice Chancellor Bangor University; Professor Dermot Cahill, Head of Law School Bangor University Back row – l-r: Professor Dr Hijattulah Abdul Jabbar, Director Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation UUM; Ms Li Ling Tang, International Relationships and Programmes Officer Bangor University Law School; Mr Aled Griffiths, Honorary Research Fellow, Bangor University School of Law; Mr Gwilym Owen, Lecturer in Law, Bangor University Law School; Professor Owain ap Gwilym, Deputy Head of Business School; Dr Aziz Jaafar, Director of PhD program Bangor University Business School

Confucius Institute Conference Mandarin language classes in secondary schools and 'Two Dragons' Cultural Clubs mainly in primary schools, where shared experience and understanding between Wales and China is explored. A recent highlight of the Institute's exciting annual programme was the highly acclaimed ‘Beauty Beyond Words’ Chinese dance event in Venue Cymru, Llandudno presented by world class Beijing Dance Academy which attracted an audience of 730.

From left: Professor Zeng Tao, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute Bangor, Professor John Hughes, Vice Chancellor of Bangor University, Professor Ma, Vice President of China University Political Science and Law

Vice Chancellor Professor John Hughes attended the 10th Confucius Institute Global Conference held in Shanghai in December, and which was attended by University Vice Chancellors and Presidents from over 100 countries. A Confucius Institute was established in Bangor University in 2012, in

partnership with China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing. One of 29 Confucius Institutes in the UK, its remit is to develop Welsh/British and Chinese intercultural exchange in North Wales. Notable achievements include a wide range of events in communities across north Wales and extensive provision of

During Chinese President Xi’s high profile visit to the UK in November, he arranged to meet with the Vice Chancellors of Universities with Confucius Institutes, signalling the level of importance placed on fostering effective intercultural relationships in the UK and the strategic importance that he placed on the partnerships actively promoted by the Confucius Institutes. See picture below.

Vice Chancellor meets Chinese President Xi

His Excellency President Xi Jinping of People’s Republic of China meeting with University Presidents / Vice Chancellors from the UK and China 22 October 2015, London, Bangor University’s Vice Chancellor Professor John G. Hughes is pictured 2nd row, 1st left

Meet some of our International Scholarship Winners for 2015...

Below are a few of our international scholarship winners for 2015, the scholarships were awarded from Chevening, Santander, British Council GREAT Scholarship, China Scholarship Council (CSC), as well as full tuition fee waiver scholarships from Bangor University.

The Chevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential and includes the ‘Full Tuition Fee’ of the students chosen course at Bangor University.

The winners of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, pictured above with the Vice Chancellor, Professor John G. Hughes, were, Silvina Sanchez Mera from Argentina, Sivajyodee Sannassy Philly from Mauritius, Sayed Ramin Ziwary from Afghanistan, Wahida Omari from Afghanistan, Salohy Andrianofonjatovo from Madagascar, Mamonaheng Faleng from Lesotho, Emil Amoah from Ghana, Shahad Aljanabi from Iraq, Francis Muhire from Burundi, Edmond Bayisabe from Burundi, Chen Fa from China, Moni Mpia from Congo, Arianna Leon Rapado from Cuba, Suita M Diaz Nolasco from Honduras, Iholiharinala Ratsisetraina from Malagasy and Yang Jing from China. Also awarded but not pictured above were, Sivcheng Thlang from Cambodia and Kseniia Batanova from the Russian Federation.

More information on the Chevening Scholarships can be found here: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/future/chevening_scholarship.php

The Santander £5,000 Scholarships were awarded to Dennis Tura Ribeiro from Brazil, pictured top right with Bangor University’s Vice Chancellor Professor John G. Hughes and Santander Branch Manager, Aron Owen.

Also awarded the Santander Scholarship is Laura Lombana Angel from Colombia.

More information on the Santander Scholarships can be found here: www.bangor.ac.uk/studentfinance/scholarships/santander.php.en

Four ‘Full Tuition Fee’ Scholarships were awarded by Bangor University to: Arpita Gargesh from India, Fareed Mohammad from Kuwait, Tabinda Islam from Bangladesh and Jessica Aranda Martinez from Colombia.They are all pictured with Bangor University’s Vice Chancellor Professor John G. Hughes.

The winners of the British Council GREAT Scholarships each worth £8,000 are: Arthy Bhoopathy, Jusmita Borgohain, Leorah Lasrado, Rajalakshmi Madhavan, Naveen Buvanahally Krishnegowda, Neha George and Prabhu Manickam all from India and pictured above with Bangor University’s Vice Chancellor Professor John G. Hughes (centre) and Ali Khan (left), International Officer for Bangor University and Country Manager for India.

More information on the Bangor GREAT Scholarships can be found here: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/future/great_scholarship.php.en

The winner of the CSC Scholarship was Chufan Yang from China, pictured above with Bangor University’s Vice Chancellor.

Chufan was awarded a ‘Full Tuition Fee’ waiver scholarship to study for her PhD in Law. More information on CSC Scholarships can be found here: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/ csc_scholarships.php.en

Meet one of our Exchange Students... Álvaro ALARCÓN BERMEJO an exchange student from Universidad de Salamanca, studying in Bangor for one year has written a few words about his experience at Bangor University...

We receive around 350 exchange students every year from all over the world. 45% of these students come from Europe and the remainder from as far as Singapore, South Korea and Australia.

More information on our Student Exchanges programmes can be found here: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/ exchanges/index.php.en Studying at Bangor University is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. When I arrived at the city, I have to admit that I was completely scared; I had never been in Wales before and I thought it would be a small boring town with not many things to do. I even thought people would only speak Welsh! I was completely wrong. From the very beginning I have loved this place; the walks on the pier at night, the sights from upper Bangor, getting lost in Main Arts or walking around the High Street on a Friday morning to see

all the things including food they sell in the market. However, I was also afraid I would be bored and would not have many things to do with my spare time, so much so that during Serendipity, I tried to join as many societies as I could (my guess is around 20!). It turned out that there were indeed so many things to do, that I did not have time to join most of them and I finally could only stay in three.

Another thing that really broke my opinions were the people in Bangor.

I assumed that out of the

university everyone would be very reserved and they would try to avoid strangers as much as possible. Guess what, I was wrong again! In general, Bangorians have been exceptionally welcoming and delightful. I love how they randomly talk to you anywhere, in the bus stop, in the supermarket or even in the bank queue! Then you feel like you have known them all your life, then you understand why you like this place so much...and then you realise you are home.

Central South University of Forestry and Technology visit Bangor University Academic and administration staff from Central South University of Forestry and Technology (CSUFT) visited Bangor University in October for a month of academic training to observe teaching in Engineering, Forestry and the School of Business. The delegates also took part in compliance training for academic regulations. The training visit is linked to the China campus ‘Bangor College China’ to share good practice and is the second visit of its kind and it is likely this will take place on an annual basis.

The first intake at Bangor College China was in September2014 with an intake of nearly 200 students, this figure has already risen to a total of 447 registered students for 2015. Students may opt to study degree programmes in Banking and Finance; The CSUFT group pictured outside the Main Arts building Accounting and Finance; Electronic Engineering and Forestry.

Bangor has already received interest from students to transfer to the Bangor campus for the next academic year.

New Courses at Bangor University The Chartered Banker Institute was founded in 1875 and plays a leading role in raising standards and professionalism at all levels of banking and financial services. It has made important contributions in rebuilding public confidence and trust in the banking system following the global financial crisis. It has been active in establishing the Chartered Banker Professional Standards Board, supported by eight UK banks and covering 350,000 people working in the sector. Bangor University has a well-established partnership with the Institute, with a blended-learning MBA programme attracting large numbers of students from around the world in recent years.

MSc/MA Banking & Finance (Chartered Banker) The newly introduced MSc/MA Banking and Finance (Chartered Banker) offers the rigour of an academic programme in banking alongside advanced practical modules in credit, lending, ethics and regulation. The programme is fully accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute which means that students graduate with a dual award. We are proud to be one of a very small group of business schools offering this. The programme is aimed at employees of banks and other financial services firms, and those seeking to join the industry, who wish to extend their knowledge and to acquire the skills to engage in the ever-evolving global financial services industry.

This degree programme offers coverage of advanced topics in banking and finance including: bank financial and strategic management, banking and financial sector development, financial systems and markets. The programme content enhances students’ employability and career prospects, by equipping them with a range of advanced transferable skills, as well as enhancing learning skills and personal development.

Quick facts: l l l l

Professor Owain ap Gwilym, Course Director

JANUARY and SEPTEMBER intakes available Duration - 1 year full-time Qualification - MSc/MA Tuition Fees: January 2016 intake (Bangor Campus) - £14,500 September 2016 intake (Bangor Campus) - £14,800 January 2016 intake (London Centre) - £18,000 September 2016 intake (London Centre) - £18,000 Includes fees paid to the accreditation body (Institute of Chartered Bankers)

l Entry Requirements - 2(ii) or higher undergraduate degree in a related subject, alternatively, possession l l

of a suitable professional qualification and practical experience may also be accepted.

English Language Requirement - 6.0 (no element below 5.5) Available at our Bangor Campus and our London Centre For full details on the Banking and Finance (Chartered Banker) MSc please visit the link: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/courses/postgraduate/taught/banking-and-finance-chartered-bankerbangor--msc For full details on the Banking and Finance (Chartered Banker) MA please visit the link: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/courses/postgraduate/taught/banking-and-finance-chartered-bankerbangor--ma

www.bangor.ac.uk/international

Karen Jones

Ali Khan

Maggie Parke

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388207 Email: k.m.jones@bangor.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388874 Email: a.khan@bangor.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388416 Email: maggie.parke@bangor.ac.uk

Responsible for:

Responsible for:

Responsible for:

Brunei China Hong Kong Japan Philippines

South Korea Taiwan Vietnam

Bangladesh India Indonesia Malaysia Nepal Pakistan

Singapore Sri Lanka

The Americas: Brazil Mexico Canada USA Colombia

Sarah Jones-Morris

Noor Al-Zubaidi

Michael Rogerson

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388843 Email: s.jones-morris@bangor.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 382879 Email: n.al-zubaidi@bangor.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 383648 Email: m.rogerson@bangor.ac.uk

Responsible for: Thailand Brunei Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon Central Asia including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine

Responsible for: Middle East and North Africa including: Bahrain Oman Egypt Saudi Arabia Iraq Turkey Iran UAE Jordan Qatar Kuwait Libya

Responsible for:

International students in the UK

Please do contact us if you would like one of our international officers to visit your school or if you need any advice.

European Union Countries

Seasons Greetings from the International Education Centre

www.facebook.com/BangorUniversity International For further details about country visits please contact the relevant Country Manager.

W: www.bangor.ac.uk/international E: international@bangor.ac.uk The UK leads on International student satisfaction - study, read the full article printed in the ‘University World News’ here: www.universityworldnews.com/article.p hp?story=20151209142515567

Click the link below to view our animated Christmas message: http://www.movie-cards.co.uk/client/bangorvice.html