BusinessBreaks... New Curator Paignton Zoo has appointed Nic Dunn, previously head of Shaldon Wildlife Trust, as its new Curator of Mammals. Nic Dunn was born and bred in Shaldon and pretty much grew up at his local zoo. He’s well connected in the zoo world as Chair of the Living Collections Committee for the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums and an active participant in animal management activities at a European level. As a zoologist, his area of expertise is in small primates such as callitrichids – a family of New World monkeys including marmosets and tamarins - as well as Asian primates like the slow loris, the world’s only venomous primate. Paignton Zoo Executive Director Simon Tonge said, “His mix of managerial skills, animal management experience and an understanding of the practicalities of running a zoo-based wildlife charity in the modern world are all characteristics that will be well suited to his new role.” o
the new scheme. Speakers included: Adrian Howe from Stormforce Roofing, Lucy Langmaid from Source (part of the Pennon Group) and Laurence Frewin, Vice Principal Corporate Services and Deputy CEO at South Devon College. To learn more about South West Business Partners email: employers@southdevon.ac.uk o
Biosciences Programme
South Devon Business Partners South Devon College has announced the launch of South Devon Business Partners, a new reward scheme designed to recognise employers who actively support apprentices with the college. The scheme will reward employers who choose South Devon College as their preferred training partner. Benefits offered are dependent on the category awarded: Bronze, Silver or Gold. Businesses from across South Devon attended a launch event for 80
August/September 2018
University Centre South Devon (UCSD) has been awarded the first and only Royal Society of Biology (RSB) foundation degree accreditation for its FdSc Biosciences programme. The RSB Accreditation programme champions excellence in the biosciences, by not only recognising degree programmes that offer a high standard of teaching, curriculum provision and practical skill set development, but also those that enhance graduate employability skills. Gaining accreditation involves a rigorous process of analysis across the programme delivery. Factors taken into account include: work based learning prospects & employer links, team-working opportunities, use of practical and technical skill, evidence of transferable skills and creativity and innovation. The team at UCSD has been working with the RSB over the last two years to develop the standards for the accreditation of the foundation degree. A parliamentary reception celebrating the latest accreditation cohort took place with academics, industry representatives and bioscience students in attendance. o southdevon.ac.uk/university
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