Bangor International Newsletter: July 2013

BANGOR INTERNATIONAL July 2013

Bangor University International Officer receives award from Ministry of Higher Education, Iraq

Students from Kuwait graduate with first-class Engineering degrees...

Kadijah Alkandary, Fareed Mohammad, Nawaf Aldabashi and Saad Alkhataf graduated from the School of Electronic Engineering this year. Fareed, Nawaf and Saad achieved first class degrees as they achieved the highest degree marks awarded this year by the school.

Head of College Professor Paul Spencer said: “It is always a pleasure to support excellent students and help them fulfill their potential, especially when the students exceed their own expectations.

These students have acclimatised to life in Bangor extremely well and have actively sought to engage in all the School’s activities, both academic and non-academic. They have been a delight to teach and socialise with - I have even learnt some Arabic phrases, which I’m told are wholly complimentary. I am confident that these students will go-on to have highly successful careers and I’m proud to say they are Bangor graduates from the School of Electronic Engineering – they are a credit to themselves, their community, and to Bangor.”

His Excellency, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Mr Ali Al-Adeeb with Noor Al-Zubaidi of Bangor University Noor Al-Zubaidi, International Officer at Bangor University and Country Manager for the Middle East, was awarded a certificate of thanks and appreciation for the role of promoting Bangor University to the higher education sector in Iraq as well as contributing towards facilitating collaboration projects between universities in Iraq and the UK. A number of professors, Iraqi scientists, academic associations and organisations were also awarded.

Congratulations Noor!

Students from Kuwait with members of staff from the School of Electronic Engineering Nawaf Aldabashi said, “I graduated from Bangor University with a First Class Degree. It was challenging and required a lot of hard work, but the encouragement from academic staff made it possible to get a good degree with high marks.

One of the main advantages in Bangor is the fact that the University is located in a student friendly environment, which allows students to focus on their education.”

In this months issue... u u

Graduation Success Stories Summer Schools

u u

International Student Ambassadors Ceremony Research News

www.bangor.ac.uk/international

Summer Schools at Bangor University

Celtic Studies Summer School...

The School of Psychology. continuted its 50th Anniversary celebrations with the successful ERP ERP Summer School.

Shanghai Ocean University Students visit Bangor...

Celtic Studies summer school outside Bangor University’s Main Arts building A summer school in Welsh Literature, History and Archaeology took place over two weeks during July, Bangor University is one of the leading institutions for research in Welsh, the strongest surviving Celtic language.

As well as lectures on various topics including The Welsh King Arthur, symbols of Welsh identity, Celtic Wales and The Age of the Princes, students also got to visit castles an archaeological dig on the stunning Llyn Peninsula and many other places during their time at Bangor.

Shanghai Ocean University pictured in Anglesey A group of students from Shanghai Ocean University, China came to Bangor University for a 2 week summer school during July.

During their time here they learnt about Welsh culture and history, visited various castles, and historical landmarks.

They also had the opportunity to study marine science in a setting where the ocean is just outside the door. They conducted field work along the Menai Straits, observing the movements of the tidal currents, visited various beaches in Anglesey to collect macro-algae (seawood) and also took part in some lab work and fish dissection. The group also went on a pleasue cruise on the scenic Menai Strait to Puffin Island to view the bird sanctuary and seal colonies.

Exploring the Human Mind with Brainwaves attract attendees from all over the globe...

The summer school attracted students from the USA, Sweden and Poland.

One student, Kamil Majerski said, “Wales is a place full of history, patriotism, great people and magic. I wish I were staying a little bit longer.

I will spread the news about Bangor's hospitality and great opportunities to my fellow colleagues and students.”

Cognitive Linguistics Summer School...

The group also spent an exciting weekend in London where they were able to explore the city and take in all of the sights including Windsor Castle, Harrods and the London Eye.

Dr Patrick Rebuschat with Dr Thora Tenbrink of Bangor University The Summer School in Cognitive Linguistics was a very successful summer school which attracted over 130 academics from all over the world, including Russia, USA, Poland and Saudi Arabia.

The summer school consisted of 16 courses on topics in cognitive linguistics and was taught by leading researchers in that field. The teaching faculty was drawn from across the cognitive sciences and included local instructors as well as distinguished researchers from outside Bangor. There was also five keynote speeches and a poster symposium during which participants were able to present their work.

Scholars from from the United Kingdom, Europe and as far away as Australia, the United States and Southern America, joined the Summer School to learn from the school’s world renowned expertise in ERP research.

Attendees learnt how to conduct, analyse and interpret event-related potential studies in psychological domains like memory, development, mindfulness, language, and perception and cognition.

Dr Stephan Boehm, the course organiser said: “It was a great pleasure to bring together our fantastic local experts in ERP research to deliver a comprehensive programme on the theory and practise of state-of-the-art ERP research.

We had researchers attending ranging from PhD students to established professors. We also had a large group of attendees from our partner Psychology Schools. We hope all participants in the Summer School will remember the School and Bangor fondly, and their participation will foster their future career.”

Mark Kohler, Lecturer in the University of South Austalia commented: "I learned as much about running an ERP experiment in one week at the summer school as I would have in three months working on my own.

Also, just a personal thanks to all the staff at Bangor Psychology for their hard work and friendly relaxed style.

The entire course had the same vibe and it made the whole experience that much better and well worth flying half way around the world for.”

Summer Schools at Bangor University

Celtic Studies Summer School...

The School of Psychology. continuted its 50th Anniversary celebrations with the successful ERP ERP Summer School.

Shanghai Ocean University Students visit Bangor...

Celtic Studies summer school outside Bangor University’s Main Arts building A summer school in Welsh Literature, History and Archaeology took place over two weeks during July, Bangor University is one of the leading institutions for research in Welsh, the strongest surviving Celtic language.

As well as lectures on various topics including The Welsh King Arthur, symbols of Welsh identity, Celtic Wales and The Age of the Princes, students also got to visit castles an archaeological dig on the stunning Llyn Peninsula and many other places during their time at Bangor.

Shanghai Ocean University pictured in Anglesey A group of students from Shanghai Ocean University, China came to Bangor University for a 2 week summer school during July.

During their time here they learnt about Welsh culture and history, visited various castles, and historical landmarks.

They also had the opportunity to study marine science in a setting where the ocean is just outside the door. They conducted field work along the Menai Straits, observing the movements of the tidal currents, visited various beaches in Anglesey to collect macro-algae (seawood) and also took part in some lab work and fish dissection. The group also went on a pleasue cruise on the scenic Menai Strait to Puffin Island to view the bird sanctuary and seal colonies.

Exploring the Human Mind with Brainwaves attract attendees from all over the globe...

The summer school attracted students from the USA, Sweden and Poland.

One student, Kamil Majerski said, “Wales is a place full of history, patriotism, great people and magic. I wish I were staying a little bit longer.

I will spread the news about Bangor's hospitality and great opportunities to my fellow colleagues and students.”

Cognitive Linguistics Summer School...

The group also spent an exciting weekend in London where they were able to explore the city and take in all of the sights including Windsor Castle, Harrods and the London Eye.

Dr Patrick Rebuschat with Dr Thora Tenbrink of Bangor University The Summer School in Cognitive Linguistics was a very successful summer school which attracted over 130 academics from all over the world, including Russia, USA, Poland and Saudi Arabia.

The summer school consisted of 16 courses on topics in cognitive linguistics and was taught by leading researchers in that field. The teaching faculty was drawn from across the cognitive sciences and included local instructors as well as distinguished researchers from outside Bangor. There was also five keynote speeches and a poster symposium during which participants were able to present their work.

Scholars from from the United Kingdom, Europe and as far away as Australia, the United States and Southern America, joined the Summer School to learn from the school’s world renowned expertise in ERP research.

Attendees learnt how to conduct, analyse and interpret event-related potential studies in psychological domains like memory, development, mindfulness, language, and perception and cognition.

Dr Stephan Boehm, the course organiser said: “It was a great pleasure to bring together our fantastic local experts in ERP research to deliver a comprehensive programme on the theory and practise of state-of-the-art ERP research.

We had researchers attending ranging from PhD students to established professors. We also had a large group of attendees from our partner Psychology Schools. We hope all participants in the Summer School will remember the School and Bangor fondly, and their participation will foster their future career.”

Mark Kohler, Lecturer in the University of South Austalia commented: "I learned as much about running an ERP experiment in one week at the summer school as I would have in three months working on my own.

Also, just a personal thanks to all the staff at Bangor Psychology for their hard work and friendly relaxed style.

The entire course had the same vibe and it made the whole experience that much better and well worth flying half way around the world for.”

Research News Scientists escape the heat to research Artic sea-ice melt...

Bangor University seals reputation for wetland science excellence...

International Student Ambassadors Ceremony...

School of Psychology has been made a National Teaching Fellow.

This is the most prestigious award that can be made to recognise excellence in higher education teaching and support for learning.

Dr Short was the only academic in Wales to be made a Fellow this year.

Members of the School of Ocean Sciences have just joined a research cruise to the Arctic Ocean.

Research Officers Ben Powell and Ben Lincoln and PhD student Suzie Jackson are all part of the School’s Ocean Physics research group. They will be joined later by Dr Tom Rippeth and PhD student, Josh Griffiths.

The Bangor team will be taking oceanographic measurements that in an attempt to improve scientists’ understanding of the impact of the reduction of summer Arctic sea ice on ocean currents.

Arctic Sea always melts back in the summer, but last year the sea ice shrank back to 1.3 million square millions, less than half the average value for the past 30 summers. The area of ice which has disappeared is about 160 times the size of Wales.

The team from Bangor are working with colleagues from Oxford, Southampton and Reading Universities, University College London, the National Oceanography Centre, British Antarctic Survey and Scottish Association for Marine Science.

The work is funded by a Natural Environment Research Council Grant to improve understanding of the likely impacts of an Arctic Ocean which is ice free in the summer.

BangorUniversity University Bangor Lecturertotoreceive receive Lecturer UK UK Teaching Teaching Award...

Award...

Dr Fay Short of Bangor University’s

Dr Short joins Dr Charles Buckley of the School of Education as the second member of Bangor University to receive this Award.

Professor Chris Freeman with his latest Award International award and groundbreaking new course confirms Bangor University as world leader in wetland science.

One of Bangor University's top academics has scooped a major scientific prize, the same week as he launches the first course in the UK in Wetland Science and Conservation.

At a meeting of the world's top wetland scientists in America, Prof Chris Freeman from the University's School of Biological Sciences, was handed the most prestigious award the group can give.

In recognition of his 20-years of pioneering research in the field, Prof Freeman was made a Fellow of the Society of Wetland Scientists.

The announcement was made at the same time as the leading professor launched a unique Masters degree, Wetland Science and Conservation, to be taught at Bangor University.

Prof Freeman was praised by the Society of Wetland Scientists for his groundbreaking work on nutrient and carbon cycling in wetlands.

Speaking after he had learnt about his top award, Prof Freeman said: "It's an incredible honour to receive a Fellowship from the Society of Wetland Scientists, and it's great that our work at Bangor University is being recognised on the international stage. It's very timely as well because we've just launched a new Masters degree in Wetland Science and Conservation at the university - so it's a real boost for our aim to ensure Bangor is a world leader for the research and teaching of wetland science."

The new one-year postgraduate degree, which is the only one of its kind in the UK, will see students learning everything from how to build constructed wetlands, to the zoology of sub-tropical mangroves.

Image credit - Mark Cooper

Bangor University’s International student ambassadors pictured with Alan Edwards, Head of International Student Support The International Education Centre held a ceremony on the 18th July to celebrate the achivements of our international student ambassadors.

Bangor University has over 20 international student ambassadors who support international students from the application process right up to their graduation day.

Alan Edwards, Head of International Student Support said, “The International Student Ambassador scheme is a very important part of the University’s work in offering a welfare service which is both welcoming and informative. The Ambassadors are students who have already been through the process of adapting to life in a new country and culture and can therefore give prospective students advice on what to expect, as well as being able to offer support to students who are already here.

Many prospective students commented last year that they found it very helpful to be able to contact an Ambassador and obtain information on what student life is really like at Bangor. As students themselves, the Ambassadors can provide a better perspective on what being a student here is like. Several students have said they would not have settled in so well if they hadn’t met the Ambassadors when they first arrived. The social events organized by the Ambassadors also went a long way in helping students to make friends at Bangor."

Awarded by the Higher Education Academy, the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme recognises and rewards excellent learning and teaching and is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DELNI).

Dr Fay Short said: "I am delighted and honoured to receive this award.

Bangor has been phenomenal in supporting my development as a lecturer and the excellent Teaching Team in the School of Psychology has provided me with fantastic opportunities to develop my innovations in teaching.”

Mohammad Zia Ul Haq Katshu, a postgraduate Psychology student from India, and an International Ambassador said, “My duties are to provide a glimpse of the academic and cultural life at Bangor to prospective students, welcome the new students and help them to understand the place better, and to provide practical tips on how to deal with day-to-day issues.

Bangor provides an excellent academic environment in a quiet and friendly neighbourhood where strangers greet you with a smile.”

Bangor University is keen to hear from anyone interested in starting the MSc in Wetland Science and Conservation this September.

For more information on the course please email Christian Dunn at c.dunn@bangor.ac.uk

For further information on the international student ambassadors scheme click here.

Dr Fay Short, School of Psychology, Bangor University

Research News Scientists escape the heat to research Artic sea-ice melt...

Bangor University seals reputation for wetland science excellence...

International Student Ambassadors Ceremony...

School of Psychology has been made a National Teaching Fellow.

This is the most prestigious award that can be made to recognise excellence in higher education teaching and support for learning.

Dr Short was the only academic in Wales to be made a Fellow this year.

Members of the School of Ocean Sciences have just joined a research cruise to the Arctic Ocean.

Research Officers Ben Powell and Ben Lincoln and PhD student Suzie Jackson are all part of the School’s Ocean Physics research group. They will be joined later by Dr Tom Rippeth and PhD student, Josh Griffiths.

The Bangor team will be taking oceanographic measurements that in an attempt to improve scientists’ understanding of the impact of the reduction of summer Arctic sea ice on ocean currents.

Arctic Sea always melts back in the summer, but last year the sea ice shrank back to 1.3 million square millions, less than half the average value for the past 30 summers. The area of ice which has disappeared is about 160 times the size of Wales.

The team from Bangor are working with colleagues from Oxford, Southampton and Reading Universities, University College London, the National Oceanography Centre, British Antarctic Survey and Scottish Association for Marine Science.

The work is funded by a Natural Environment Research Council Grant to improve understanding of the likely impacts of an Arctic Ocean which is ice free in the summer.

BangorUniversity University Bangor Lecturertotoreceive receive Lecturer UK UK Teaching Teaching Award...

Award...

Dr Fay Short of Bangor University’s

Dr Short joins Dr Charles Buckley of the School of Education as the second member of Bangor University to receive this Award.

Professor Chris Freeman with his latest Award International award and groundbreaking new course confirms Bangor University as world leader in wetland science.

One of Bangor University's top academics has scooped a major scientific prize, the same week as he launches the first course in the UK in Wetland Science and Conservation.

At a meeting of the world's top wetland scientists in America, Prof Chris Freeman from the University's School of Biological Sciences, was handed the most prestigious award the group can give.

In recognition of his 20-years of pioneering research in the field, Prof Freeman was made a Fellow of the Society of Wetland Scientists.

The announcement was made at the same time as the leading professor launched a unique Masters degree, Wetland Science and Conservation, to be taught at Bangor University.

Prof Freeman was praised by the Society of Wetland Scientists for his groundbreaking work on nutrient and carbon cycling in wetlands.

Speaking after he had learnt about his top award, Prof Freeman said: "It's an incredible honour to receive a Fellowship from the Society of Wetland Scientists, and it's great that our work at Bangor University is being recognised on the international stage. It's very timely as well because we've just launched a new Masters degree in Wetland Science and Conservation at the university - so it's a real boost for our aim to ensure Bangor is a world leader for the research and teaching of wetland science."

The new one-year postgraduate degree, which is the only one of its kind in the UK, will see students learning everything from how to build constructed wetlands, to the zoology of sub-tropical mangroves.

Image credit - Mark Cooper

Bangor University’s International student ambassadors pictured with Alan Edwards, Head of International Student Support The International Education Centre held a ceremony on the 18th July to celebrate the achivements of our international student ambassadors.

Bangor University has over 20 international student ambassadors who support international students from the application process right up to their graduation day.

Alan Edwards, Head of International Student Support said, “The International Student Ambassador scheme is a very important part of the University’s work in offering a welfare service which is both welcoming and informative. The Ambassadors are students who have already been through the process of adapting to life in a new country and culture and can therefore give prospective students advice on what to expect, as well as being able to offer support to students who are already here.

Many prospective students commented last year that they found it very helpful to be able to contact an Ambassador and obtain information on what student life is really like at Bangor. As students themselves, the Ambassadors can provide a better perspective on what being a student here is like. Several students have said they would not have settled in so well if they hadn’t met the Ambassadors when they first arrived. The social events organized by the Ambassadors also went a long way in helping students to make friends at Bangor."

Awarded by the Higher Education Academy, the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme recognises and rewards excellent learning and teaching and is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DELNI).

Dr Fay Short said: "I am delighted and honoured to receive this award.

Bangor has been phenomenal in supporting my development as a lecturer and the excellent Teaching Team in the School of Psychology has provided me with fantastic opportunities to develop my innovations in teaching.”

Mohammad Zia Ul Haq Katshu, a postgraduate Psychology student from India, and an International Ambassador said, “My duties are to provide a glimpse of the academic and cultural life at Bangor to prospective students, welcome the new students and help them to understand the place better, and to provide practical tips on how to deal with day-to-day issues.

Bangor provides an excellent academic environment in a quiet and friendly neighbourhood where strangers greet you with a smile.”

Bangor University is keen to hear from anyone interested in starting the MSc in Wetland Science and Conservation this September.

For more information on the course please email Christian Dunn at c.dunn@bangor.ac.uk

For further information on the international student ambassadors scheme click here.

Dr Fay Short, School of Psychology, Bangor University

www.bangor.ac.uk/international

Country Representatives Bing Li

Sukhjinder Bhatti

Maggie Parke

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388207 Email: bing.li@bangor.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 382990 Email: s.bhatti@bangor.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 382028 Email: maggie.parke@bangor.ac.uk

Responsible for:

Responsible for:

Responsible for:

Bangladesh India Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka

Argentina Brazil Canada Chile

Noor Al-Zubaidi

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388843 Tel: +44 (0) 1248 382879 Email: s.jones-morris@bangor.ac.uk Email: n.al-zubaidi@bangor.ac.uk

IEC Postal Address: Bangor University International Education Centre Rathbone Building College Road Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DF, UK

Responsible for:

Responsible for:

IEC General Contact Details:

Australia New Zealand Brunei Singapore Indonesia Thailand Kazakhstan Turkey Malaysia Sub-Saharan Africa

Bahrain Egypt Iraq Jordan Kuwait

Tel: +44 (0) 1248 382028 E-mail: international@bangor.ac.uk Skype: bangorinternational

Mainland China Hong Kong Japan Philippines Singapore

South Korea Taiwan Vietnam

Sarah Jones-Morris

Libya Oman Saudi Arabia UAE Qatar

Upcoming Visits Hong Kong - July & August Wan Chai & Kowloon

Brunei - August

Colombia Mexico USA

Don’t forget Our ‘Already Applied’ site provides useful information for students on what is next in the process after they have received an offer letter.

Visit the site at: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/alreadyapplied

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