Bangor International February 2016

Bangor International February 2016

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

UK Top 40 for producing the best graduates Bangor University is in the UK top 40 for producing the best graduates in an international survey of businesses.

The Times Higher magazine surveyed predominantly business, IT and engineering sector companies to see which universities are the most popular and well-regarded sources of excellent recruitment material.

Bangor University was placed equal 38th with Aston, Lancaster and Bradford universities.

Professor John Hughes, ViceChancellor of Bangor University, said: “This is important and welcome information for our students and prospective graduates. We place a great deal of emphasis on the employability of our students.

The knowledge that the university is well thought of among major employers seeking to recruit graduates is welcome news.”

According to the survey, UK recruiters are looking for skills, professional experience and degree specialisation relevant to their particular sectors, as well as selecting on the basis of which university they graduated from.

Bangor University among world’s greenest Bangor University has been placed 22nd in a global league table of the world’s greenest universities.

Other universities highly ranked and appearing in the top 20 include, University of Oxford and Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. The UI Green Metric, produced by Universitas Indonesia highlights sustainability and environmental management at universities around the globe and measures each participating university’s commitment in developing an ‘environmentally friendly’ infrastructure, Bangor University has risen 6 places in the latest table, which now, for the first time includes over 400 universities worldwide.

and achieving continual demonstrates our ongoing commitment to taking positive environmental improvement.”

The University is also placed fifth in the world for its campus setting and infrastructure. This is one of the 11 indicators in the table and reflects the university’s environmental policies and whether the University can be truly described as a green environment.

President and Vice-Chancellor Professor John G Hughes said: “I am delighted that Bangor continues to rise in the table. We join five other universities in the UK in leading the way in ‘greening’ the international higher education sector. Our further rise in the table action in promoting sustainability

Head of Sustainable Development at Bangor University, Dr Einir Young responded to the announcement saying: “I welcome this excellent news, our efforts in driving environmental improvements and resource efficiencies throughout the organisation continue to show dividends. We recognise that the environment is just one aspect of the sustainable development agenda, and we are focussing our efforts on integrating sustainable practice into everything we do, through our research, our teaching and our own supply chain”.

www.bangor.ac.uk/international

Credit Iwan Williams The area in front of the Environment Centre Wales building is sown with wild flowers

Research News School of Social Sciences

welcomes representatives from Central College, Iowa L-R: Dr Martina Feilzer, Head of School of Social Sciences and Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Mary Strey, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Central College; Hefin Gwilym; Meggan Lloyd Prys, Resident Director of Central College Abroad – Bangor.

Livelihood projects in Madagascar Conservation of tropical forests is widely recognised as a good thing: these forests lock up carbon which reduces the effects of climate change, contain biodiversity found nowhere else on earth, and influence local availability of water. However conservation can also have negative impacts on local people.

New research shows that compensation schemes introduced to reach the poorest and most vulnerable are not always benefiting those they are meant to help.

A team from the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar and Bangor University in the UK have carried out detailed research looking at the implementation of the social safeguarding process around a new protected area established with World Bank funding in the eastern rainforest of Madagascar. They show that the social safeguard process has not succeeded in identifying and reaching all the people negatively affected by the implementation of the new protected area.

Read the full story here: www.bangor.ac.uk/news/ research/livelihood-projectsdesigned-to-compensate-forthe-local-costs-of-conservation -may-not-be-reaching-theright-people-25839

Senior management representatives from Central College, Iowa, USA, visited the School of Social Sciences on Monday 7th December as part of a four-day visit to Bangor.

Central College is a long-standing partner of Bangor University, and a number of its students have undertaken international experience at Bangor as part of their degrees, most notably in the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences.

The focus of this latest visit was to

explore ways of developing a strong partnership between Central College and the School of Social Sciences, thereby expanding the School’s network of international partners.“Such a partnership will benefit students of both universities with enhanced opportunities for learning and collaboration”, said Mr Hefin Gwilym, Lecturer in Social Policy and International Co-ordinator for the School of Social Sciences. “We hope this will translate into student and teaching exchanges in the near future”.

Bangor student completes English Language course in record time English Language course in a study period less than the standard allocated English language study period by the sponsors. Mohammed achieved the required level of English 16 weeks early.

Mohammad Kadhum, a PhD candidate at Bangor University’s School of Electronic Engineering, working on an" Advanced ROADMs future elastic optical access networks" research project, formally received a congratulations certificate from the Iraqi Cultural attaché in London for completing the

Mohammed said: “ I sincerely thank the academic staff at ELCOS for their outstanding teaching and support that allowed me to enter an IELTS test within an exceptional time from my arrival, in less than a month of arrival the General English Course I took an IELTS test and achieved 5.5 that enabled me to transfer into the Academic Pre-Sessional English course. I would like to thank the Iraqi Cultural Attaché for their continuous encouragement and support to the study journey.”

Dr Yvonne McDermott Rees shortlisted for 2016 UK Law Teacher of the Year Yvonne McDermott Rees, Senior Lecturer in Law at Bangor University, has been named as one of the six finalists for the UK 2016 Law Teacher of the Year Award.

The prestigious national teaching award, which is sponsored by Oxford University Press, is aimed at celebrating excellent Law teaching and recognising the vital role played by teachers in building the lawyers of tomorrow.

Yvonne, who was awarded a University Teaching Fellowship in 2014 and appointed Academic Fellow of the Inner Temple in recognition of her ‘outstanding contribution to legal teaching and research’, will now join finalists from across the country in the rigorous second stage of the judging process, involving campus observations and interviews with students and colleagues.

“I am truly honoured that my students and colleagues have nominated me for this award, and I am delighted to have been shortlisted”, said Yvonne. “Bangor University champions excellence in teaching, and this is reflected in our outstanding National Student Survey results.

“On a personal note, one of the biggest joys in my life is seeing my students succeed in their degrees and progress in their careers, and I feel privileged to be able to play a small part in these individual successes.”

Welcoming the nomination – the third in as many years for Bangor

Bangor University admitted to European School of Law Network Bangor University has become a member of the prestigious European School of Law, a network of only 16 universities worldwide.

It joins leading universities from nine countries – including the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and Ireland – in a collaborative initiative which strives to improve students’ understanding of EU legal systems and the various legal traditions within Europe.

Dr Yvonne McDermott Rees

Law School staff – Professor Dermot Cahill, Head of School, commented: “It’s not by accident that our lecturers have made it to the final of this competition for the third year in a row. Dr Ama Eyo was shortlisted last year, and Dr Sarah Nason in 2014. Our brilliant academics are at the top of their game, excelling in teaching and legal research, and encouraging our students to love the study of Law and to be inspired by it.

“This is a great competition, as it recognises excellence in law teaching, and seeks to recognise the very best – these are the values that drive our academic staff to go the extra mile for their students. Bangor University Law students are really lucky to have such a dedicated lecturer as Yvonne.”

Take a look at the video below, shot by one of Bangor's Psychology students, Yuki from Hong Kong. Yuki takes a tour of Bangor and explains why Bangor provided her with the perfect study environment. Enjoy! www.youtube.com/watch?v=riwJdMLhXIk

Established by Toulouse 1 Capitole University, the European School of Law (or Ecole Europeenne De Droit) promotes the teaching of cultural, linguistic and legal diversity as part of a law degree, with the view of producing law graduates who recognise and understand how both national and European laws operate across national borders.

Welcoming Bangor’s admission to the European School of Law, Professor Dermot Cahill, Head of Bangor Law School, said: “Participating in the network gives us access to some of Europe’s great universities, such as the University of Barcelona, the University of Milan, the University of Thessaloniki, and the Universities of Passau and Mannheim in Germany. We are delighted with the quality of the graduates that have already come to us from Toulouse, and I know that they have found it very enriching to study both the Civil and Common Law traditions here.”

Read the full story here: www.bangor.ac.uk/law/news/ bangor-university-admitted-toeuropean-school-of-lawnetwork-25532

Vice Chancellor, Professor

Research News

Christmas Party at Bangor College China On 17 December 2015, Professor Fan Hong, the Deputy Dean of Bangor College China on behalf of Bangor University, hosted a Christmas dinner in Changsha, China.

Bangor University’s part in the world’s largest Marine Reserve Bangor University is playing a significant role in the management of the world’s largest marine reserve.

Lying within UK overseas territorial waters around the Chargos Island chain, and covering an area of the Indian Ocean, the size of France, Chagos Marine Reserve boasts near pristine waters and the healthiest coral reefs found anywhere on the planet, which in turn, support a rich variety of marine life.

Though the area has been uninhabited for nearing 60 years, the reserve has been in existence for only five years, but is already internationally recognised as a flagship for marine conservation. The eserve includes some 60,000 km2 of shallow seas, banks and coral atolls, a deeper oceanic ‘plain’ which has 86 ‘seamounts’ of greater than 1000 m rising from the ocean floor. The area contains significant populations of endangered species including sharks, turtles and seabirds.

Read the full story here: www.bangor.ac.uk/news/ research/bangor-university-spart-in-the-world-s-largestmarine-reserve-25419

Bangor College China (BCC) is a joint venture between Bangor University in the UK and Central South University of Forestry and Technology (CSUFT) in China.

There are 452 students currently studying and preparing to study the four programmes offered by Bangor University’s China campus: BSc in Banking and Finance; BSc in Accounting and Finance; BSc in Electronic Engineering; and BSc in Forestry and Environment Management.

It had been a very successful year for our Bangor College China branch and Bangor University took the opportunity to thank the leadership of CSUFT and BCC and all of the teaching and administrative staff for their wonderful support and hard work over the past year.

This is the first time Bangor College China organized the Christmas party in Changsha. The President and Vice Chancellor, Professor John Hughes, sent his Christmas Message especially for the occasion. He congratulated the progress made in the past year and wished every success to Bangor College China for 2016.

Vice President Cao, on behalf of CSUFT, praised the collaboration between the two universities and the success of the unique international joint venture of Bangor College China. Professor

Yang acknowledged the great contribution of all the teachers from China, UK, US, Germany, Canada, Australia, Poland, Ireland, Italy and other parts of the world.

Professor Fan Hong emphasized: “We are undertaking a new and noble cause. We are educating the new generation who will not only have academic knowledge but also cross-cultural understanding and language ability. We are also exploring a new way of internationalization of the higher education for China, Europe, North America and Australia in the 21st century. We are bound to meet difficulties and challenges but together we are strong! I am sure that we will overcome all the difficulties with positive attitude on our way to success.”

Also on Christmas Eve, Bangor College China students also hosted a Christmas Party at CSUFT and all of the teachers were invited. They celebrated the Christmas and the hard working year together.

View our new London Centre videos here: www.bangor.ac.uk/londonbusiness/videos.php.en

New Ashoka rice variety brings food security to millions

Research News Bangor Institute for Health and Medical Research Launch Bangor University launched the new Institute of Health and Medical Research on Thursday, February 25th 2016.

Women farmers taking away the certified seed bags of Ashoka 200F upland rice variety after a training session in Central Paraha Bhavan at Bero, Ranchi

Around a million smallholders and their families in east and west India are enjoying greater food security thanks to work by researchers at Bangor University in Wales.

Food security is a phrase that’s bandied about, but increasing food security can have real impact on people’s lives, and can come about by different means.

In this case, the change in people’s lives has come about through the creation of a new rice variety, suitable for growing by subsistence farmers in upland regions, who have been largely ignored by India’s ‘green’ agricultural revolution.

The new variety has rapidly become the most popular choice for growing in upland regions, which are unable to take advantage of modern rice strains developed for irrigated fertile lowlands. Its benefits are that it is both drought tolerant and gives good yields in good growing conditions.

Professor John Witcombe and Dr Daljit Singh Virk of the University’s School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography are responsible for developing the new strain, working with partners Gramin Vikas Trust (GVT), KRIBHCO Bhavan, NOIDA, New Delhi and

Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkand, India.

“The figures are quite staggering,” explains Prof Witcombe. “We estimate that around a million smallholders are growing formally released Ashoka, bringing in a benefit of £12 million a year to their households. Added to that, many farmers are saving and sharing their own seeds.

“Our evidence shows that over 80% of farmers surveyed said that the rice they were growing was lasting around a month longer than previously- saving them a month‘s purchase of rice. Ashoka’s early and large crop provides food for the ‘hungry season- as well as being able to supply fodder for animals. Farmers with surplus grain for sale were also able to sell 45% more grain, and gain a higher price as it’s a higher quality grain.” Where other rice varieties have failed to take hold, the approach we take, in involving farmers in the growing and selecting, ensures that we chose traits that are important to them and that they know about and are keen to grow the new variety,” said Dr Daljit Virk.

Read the full story here: www.bangor.ac.uk/news/ university/new-ashoka-ricevariety-brings-food-security-tomillions-25430

Building on an established foundation of research excellence, the new Bangor Institute for Health and Medical Research (BIHMR) will facilitate more interdisciplinary research that spans discovery in the laboratory through to research that solves complex health problems in the real world. In this way, BIHMR will contribute to improvements in local health and healthcare, as well as making an impact across Wales, the United Kingdom and internationally.

The University’s Deputy ViceChancellor, Professor David Shepherd opened the event. He was joined by several prominent figures including the Welsh Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Julie Williams, CBE and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ruth Hussey, OBE. Prof Williams outlined the current state of Health Research in Wales and Dr Hussey outlined the Health Challenges Wales faces in the future. Prof Jo Rycroft Malone, Chair of the National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University, discussed the University’s success in health and medical research recognised in the last evaluation of research across UK Universities. Professor Malone highlighted the ways in which BIHMR will contribute to the nation’s health agenda.

Read the full story here: www.bangor.ac.uk/news/ esearch/bangor-institute-forhealth-and-medical-researchlaunch-26231

Bangor’s Alumni News...

The Development and Alumni Relations Office at Bangor University is always happy to hear from our former students, whether it’s to help you find lost classmates, to organise reunions or to receive photos and memories of your time in Bangor.

Bangor University’s Alumnus of the Year Are you a Bangor University Alumnus? If so read on...Your relationship with Bangor University doesn’t end with graduation! As an alumnus you will have a life long relationship with your alma mater. We strive to stay in touch with you and keep you informed of the latest developments at the University, and to keep you connected with your classmates through reunions and events.

As a Bangor alumnus, you have much to be proud of in your fellow graduates. Bangor alumni have gone on to hugely successful careers in a wide variety of fields all over the world. From Prof.

Donal Manahan (Marine Biology, 1982), a renowned Antarctic researcher at the University of Southern California and Oscar-winning film Director Danny Boyle (English, 1978) to Major General Susan Ridge (History, 1984), the first female Major General in UK history and Paul Berenger (French, 1969), former Prime Minister of Mauritius, Bangor alumni are making a difference!

To acknowledge your achievements, every year the Alumni Advisory Board considers

candidates and advises the University on an Alumnus of the Year award. This award highlights the value that the University attaches to its alumni and their achievements, and draws the attention of the wider public to the contributions the University’s former students make to society.

We are always interested in hearing about alumni who have excelled in their field, whatever that may be, and alumni can be considered for this peer-reviewed award for a range of achievements.

Nominations can be made to acknowledge: • particular professional success • voluntary work or philanthropy of significant merit • achievements of national or international significance • work which is especially distinctive or has made significant contribution to the lives of others • the continued support of the University through activities such as mentoring and sharing knowledge and experience.

Alumnus of the Year:Ross Piper

Ross Piper is a zoologist, author and presenter who graduated in 1998 in Zoology with Animal Ecology. In 2013 he was part of an expedition documenting the wildlife of Burma, which resulted in the BBC series Wild Burma: Nature’s Lost Kingdom.

If you are aware of a former student who you think could be considered for an Alumnus of the Year award, or if you would like to nominate yourself, please let us know at: alumni@bangor.ac.uk

Ross has also authored a number of books, including Animal Earth, a celebration and exploration of animal diversity.

Ross believes in giving back and has since returned to the University a number of times to give career advice to students and public lectures on his work through his engagement with the Bangor Zoological Society. Ross returned to Bangor with his partner and daughter in July to receive the award which was presented in a citation by Dean Colin Jago. Read more about Ross and see him accept his award here: www.bangor.ac.uk/alumni/ ross-piper.php.en

Bangor’s Sports Psychology expertise in demand in Malaysia Prof. Nicky Callow from Bangor’s School of Sports Science has been invited to the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur as part of their prestigious visiting professorship scheme where renowned academics from around the world present workshops and seminars at the university. The University of Malaya is the highest ranked university in Malaysia and in the QS world rankings it appears in the top 150 (29th in Asia).

Prof. Callow’s visit starts on 29th February and is hosted by Universit of Malaya’s Sports Centre which was the first in Malaysia to offer a Bachelor degree in Sports Science and is at the forefront of the academic study of sport in the country. During her visiting Professorship Nicky will be working with both faculty and postgraduate students on topics in sport psychology as well assisting with research methodology such as questionnaire design and lecturing on imagery to a class of Psychology Undergraduates. Part of the week will also be spent analysing data collected from a PhD project that she co-supervises with Dr Rizal Mohd.Razman from the University of Malaya.

Perhaps the highlight of the week will be an interactive workshop “Imagination is more important than knowledge” aimed at sport psychologists, coaches, athletes, and sport science students that will discuss recent research findings related to the use of imagery (mental rehearsal) with practical examples of imagery delivery for practitioners. Topics will include: types of imagery use by athletes, modalities of imagery, imagery ability, writing imagery scripts, and structuring imagery interventions for maximum effectiveness and Prof.

Callow will be drawing on over 20 years of applied and research experience at an international level.

Prof Callow said “The standard of research at University of Malaya is excellent and I am honoured at the invite to play a small part in helping their research and teaching activity continue its progression, Also, I look forward to having the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two Universities, whether through joint research activity or student and staff exchanges.”

Courses at Bangor University Maritime Law LLM This course provides advanced level knowledge and skills in the areas of Maritime Law and Commercial Law. Students will develop international and commercial perspectives on issues relating to Maritime Law, and will learn to operate with expertise in the multifaceted interface between the different areas of the field.

Students will acquire a broad understanding of Maritime Law, including its fundamental principles and values, the influences upon it, the substantive rules of the discipline and the underpinning architecture and institutions; as well as an understanding of the different areas within the discipline, such as wet shipping law and dry shipping law. Critical awareness will be fostered by the study of the latest literature, international legislation, international conventions, EU law, and international case law.

Career Prospects: This programme will provide a springboard for graduates to enter into key positions in International Law firms, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and positions in public administrations.

There is likely to be high demand for professionals in the area going forward, particularly in rapidly growing emerging markets.

Quick facts: l l l l l l

Duration - 1 year full-time January and September intakes Qualification - LLM Tuition Fee - £12,250 Entry Requirements - 2(ii) undergraduate Honours degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Law, Business) English Language Requirement - 6.5 (no element below 6.0) For full details on the Maritime Law LLM course please visit the link: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/courses/postgraduate/ maritime-law-llm#requirements

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 Maldives Nepal Pakistan

Singapore Sri Lanka

The Americas: Brazil Mexico Canada USA Chile 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: European Union Countries

International students in the UK

Upcoming Visits for 2016 We shall be visiting the following countries between February and March 2016: Colombia - February Malaysia - February India - February Pakistan - February Brunei - February Bahrain - February / March

UAE - February / March Jordan - March Singapore - March Kuwait - March Qatar - March

Visit our country visits page for more information:www.bangor.ac.uk/international/visits.php

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

W: www.bangor.ac.uk/international E: international@bangor.ac.uk

www.facebook.com/BangorUniversityInternational

For further details about country visits please contact the relevant Country Manager.