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Spring 2016
International Partnership
Student Newsletter
Welcome to the Spring 2016 edition of your UCLan partnership student
newsletter!
Our academic year is well underway and we hope you are getting on well with your studies.
As always, we are keen to share with you all the latest news from the University, and in this
edition you can read about UCLan’s new Vice-Chancellor, and the official opening of our brand
new School of Medicine; see how UCLan celebrated Chinese New Year and read some success
stories of both students and staff. And there’s an important message to all of you who will be
progressing into your final year at UCLan in September 2016; plus exciting new developments
in Oman and Hong Kong. We hope you enjoy reading your newsletter, and if you want us to
feature your stories, successes, events or pictures in our next edition, please send your
contributions to us at [email protected]
What’s been happening at UCLan over
the past few months
New Vice-Chancellor
In December, UCLan appointed Professor Mike Thomas as its
new Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Thomas, who is from North Wales and had been acting as Interim Vice-Chancellor
at the University, brings a wealth of experience to the role of Vice-Chancellor, having served
as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UCLan and in a variety of senior leadership roles at the University
of Chester. Still an active researcher in psychology and mental health, his academic career also
includes spells at Leeds Metropolitan University, the University of Salford and the University
of Wales, and is balanced with experience as a practising clinician and as a submariner in the
Royal Navy.
New Medical
School opened
by inspirational
doctor
In November, UCLan’s new School of
Medicine was officially opened by Dr Kate
Granger MBE, a terminally ill doctor whose
#hellomynameis campaign to bring
compassion to the forefront of healthcare
is taking the National Health Service (NHS)
by storm.
Speaking at the event, Dr Granger
commented: “I am both excited and
honoured to be invited to officially open
the brand new Medical School at UCLan.
The NHS desperately needs more doctors
and the high quality training provided in
this institution will no doubt supply them.”
The UCLan medical programme is aimed
at international students and predominately
at those who lack opportunities in their
own country. The new degree will teach
medical sciences along with clinical and
communication skills out of UCLan’s
multi-million pound facilities in Preston,
Burnley and Westlakes in Whitehaven,
with the undergraduates also undertaking
clinical placements in some of the busiest
hospitals in the North of England as part of
their course.
UCLan’s School of Medicine now offers
a strong portfolio of programmes and
sits within the new College of Clinical
and Biomedical Sciences, offering a
multi-professional approach to medical
education alongside colleagues in
pharmacy and dentistry.
Chinese education links forged
with local schools
In December, a group of teachers from
schools in the North West of England
visited UCLan to learn how they can
develop stronger links with Chinese
schools for cultural exchanges.
The teachers, from 12 primary and
secondary schools in Lancashire and
Cumbria, met with UCLan’s Confucius
Institute to set up links with a partner
school in China and learn more about
the Chinese education system in general.
The Confucius Institute also donated
Chinese language books to each school
to help their students with their Chinese
language studies.
Chen Qu, Director of Edunion UK, a
company that pairs schools seeking
international partnerships in both China
and the United Kingdom, said:
“Broadening horizons and experiencing
different cultures is an important part of
a student’s personal development and
growth, and this is the main purpose
behind student exchange programmes.”
From UCLan to
Hong Kong
The People’s Canopy, the unique piece of mobile architecture specially
designed for the city of Preston, is to take part in the Bi-City
Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture in Hong Kong early in 2016.
The People’s Canopy was the result of a year-long collaboration
between In Certain Places (ICP) at UCLan and People’s Architecture
Office (PAO) in Beijing. Commissioned by ICP and designed by PAO on
the theme of the city as a meeting place, the People’s Canopy is a
two-storey high expandable roof structure on bicycle wheels. The ten
units are designed to collapse to the size of a double-decker bus to
be pedalled from one location to another and thereby transform
underused public spaces; spaces for auto transport are turned into
spaces for pedestrians and events; and open streets connected.
The theme of this year’s unique Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/
Architecture is “Visions 2050: Lifestyle and the Smart City”, and the
structure will be installed in the plaza at Kowloon Park to play a
central role at the opening and throughout the festival, marking a
new, important step in cross-cultural collaboration.
To view a three-minute film, listen to the public talk on the commission, or read more about the Canopy project, visit www.peoplescanopy.info
Colourful
start to
Chinese
New Year
The start of the Chinese New Year was celebrated in colourful style
at UCLan in February, with a modernised Sichuan operatic dance
performance by the globally-renowned Chongqing Chuanju Theatre
troupe and a traditional lion dancing display from the Jinlong Chinese
Martial Arts Academy in front of 250 schoolchildren, university
students and staff, members of the public and the Mayor of Preston.
The event was organised by the UCLan
Confucius Institute. Director of the
Institute, Feixia Yu, said: “Every year
we work very closely with the Chinese
Embassy’s cultural section to ensure we
can bring world-class Chinese performers
to Preston to celebrate Chinese New
Year. This year’s performance was truly
amazing and one which I’m sure the
audience will remember for a very
long time.”
In her speech, Preston Mayor, Councillor
Margaret McManus, commented on the
great cultural contribution the UCLan
Confucius Institute has made to the city
of Preston. She was joined by the
University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor
Mike Thomas, whose speech highlighted
30 years of UCLan’s partnership with
China.
Omani students visit BAE Systems
Insight Days are a unique opportunity for
students to visit BAE Systems to explore and
learn how international organisations operate
and how the subjects they are studying at
university are applied in industry with a
view to broadening their commercial
understanding.
In December, a group of Omani students
studying at UCLan attended the second
Insight into Industry Day at BAE Systems’
military air facility at Warton, near Preston.
The 18 students – who are studying a range
of subjects at UCLan including Health, Safety
and Environmental Management, Project
Management and IT – spent the day with
senior executives from BAE Systems to
explore the world of work, whilst learning
about the company and its history in Oman. In
addition, BAE Systems provided an insight into
career opportunities within BAE Systems,
more specifically the 12 graduate roles
available this year that will lead to high quality
jobs based in Oman supporting the company’s
delivery of products and services to the Royal
Air Force of Oman (RAFO).
Sir Simon Bryant KCB, CBE, Vice President
(Oman), BAE Systems, commented:
“BAE Systems has a long-standing relationship
with the Sultanate of Oman and we are
delighted to have hosted the Omani students
at Warton, the home of Eurofighter Typhoon.
Insight Days give students a good opportunity
to learn about BAE Systems and the potential
graduate roles with BAE Systems which may
result in job opportunities for them in Oman,
as well as helping to develop the skills required
in any future position.”
UCLan recognised
for pioneering work
in China
February saw UCLan recognised for its pioneering work in
China when it was named as a finalist in the Educational
Links category of the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)
Greater China Awards in Manchester.
Successful British Council inspection
In January UCLan received the long-awaited inspection
report from the British Council and is delighted to
announce that its accreditation successfully continues,
attaining 9 strengths out of a possible 14 compared
with five at the previous inspection.
University professor
honoured for outstanding
achievement
The UKTI Awards honour any company in the North West
that has made a significant contribution to developing
business relationships with mainland China, Taiwan or
Hong Kong, including bilateral trade, investment,
education or community links.
The University’s entry focused on its successful UK outward
mobility scheme, “Journey to the East”, run by the School
of Business and key partners in Beijing, Shanghai and
Fuzhou. Successful students are given the opportunity to
travel to one of the partners to meet Chinese students
with a view to enhancing their cultural awareness and
learning more about business in China.
UCLan Director of International Partnerships, Tim Steele,
said: “UCLan is delighted to have been a finalist for this
highly prestigious award. It is recognition of our continued
innovative approach to international partnership
development within China over the last 30 years and our
continued commitment to providing our home students
with an international experience.”
A UCLan professor has been honoured for his
exceptional work in the world of tribology.
Professor Ian
Sherrington
giving his
Donald Julius
Groen Prize
Lecture in
Westminster
Professor Ian Sherrington was awarded the 2015 Donald Julius Groen
Prize for his “outstanding achievements in the Tribology Group’s sphere
of activity” and, as the winner, was invited to present the Group’s
prestigious Groen Prize Lecture in Westminster as part of an event held
by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Student news and successes
UCLan graduate scores leading
job with IBM
UCLan graduate, Charles Partington, has a bright future ahead of him after
gaining a first class degree in International Business Management and
being offered a job with global computer giant, IBM.
After joining the University in 2011, Charles’s
knowledge and skills were noticed by his
tutors who elected him to be part of the
LaunchPad scheme, which helps students in
the Schools of Business and Management
to develop professional skills. Charles said:
“Being part of the LaunchPad scheme has
given me some incredible opportunities,
including visiting China and Hong Kong.
During my time at UCLan my confidence
has grown so much. I was encouraged to
experience a lot more than my degree and
so I’m extremely happy with what I’ve
accomplished in my four years here.”
Charles’s new role as a business consultant
at IBM takes him to London where it is his
responsibility to collate, analyse and present
financial data for his UK and European
clients.
UCLan student wins first
place in global Korean
studies competition
A UCLan PhD student has won a global competition
for her research into North Korea.
Priscilla Jung Kim, who originates from Los Angeles in the USA, was awarded
first place and handed a prize of 3 million South Korean Won (approximately
£1200) in the 2015 Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) Research Paper Contest
for Korean Studies, for her paper on what informal, non-governmental
relationships exist between the USA and North Korea.
Sky is the limit for
UCLan graduate
New MA Sports Journalism
graduate, Rory O’Callaghan, has
landed a job with global media
powerhouse Sky Sports.
It was the reputation of Professor Hazel Smith, Director of the Institute of
Korean Studies at UCLan, which drew first-year PhD student Priscilla to the
University. Congratulating her student, Professor Smith said: “Priscilla has done
amazingly well to win this international competition. UCLan only established
the Institute of Korean Studies two years ago, and this award shows that we’re
already attracting an exceptionally high calibre of research students as judged
by one of the premier worldwide academic bodies on Korean studies.”
Priscilla, 24, has now applied to present her research paper at an international
conference on Korean Studies to be held in Singapore later this year, and has
long-term ambitions to work in the US State Department and for the US
Foreign Service as a Diplomat.
The 24-year-old said: “Sports journalism is a very
competitive industry so I’m really pleased
to have secured a freelance role so soon after
graduating. I’m hoping to showcase my skills
to the full and make the most of it because it’s
a fantastic opportunity.”
Full of praise for the UCLan course, Rory added:
“I wanted to gain a qualification that would be
well respected in the industry and would help
me secure employment at a national media
organisation, and it’s done that straightaway.”
Students’ animations set for BBC
UCLan fashion
students show off
designs to American
Vogue editor-in chief
UCLan Animation students Liam Springthorpe and Declan Holgate with two of the other CBBC Scream Street
competition winners
Two UCLan undergraduates are to see their ideas for short
animations come to life on the BBC.
Liam Springthorpe and Declan Holgate, who
are second and third year Animation students,
have been named as two of the five winners of
the Scream Street competition launched by
CBBC in October to invite ideas for a short
animation using two characters from CBBC’s
new stop-motion animated show, Scream Street.
The submissions were judged on originality and
creativity, character engagement, story, and
connection with CBBC’s target audience and,
following five weeks’ filming, the shorts will
launch on CBBC platforms in the spring and
be credited to the winning students.
Computing students go above and beyond
Two BSc Hons Computing students have been recognised for their
hard work in their jobs outside of the University at the UCLan
Students’ Union Awards 2015.
First year student, Oliver Kerr, won “Student Employee of the Year”
in the “Off-Campus Above and Beyond” category, while Alison
Abbott was highly commended in the same category.
Alongside his studies, Oliver works at an electronics store in
Barrow-in-Furness and was nominated by his manager for his
customer service and attitude towards work. The 19-year-old said:
“I was really surprised to win but also quite proud because I work
hard and it’s nice to be recognised. Everyone in the company always
tries and goes above and beyond for customers, but I always try and go the extra mile.”
Nicky Danino, Senior Lecturer in the School of Physical Sciences and Computing,
said: “It’s a great privilege to teach both Oli and Alison. I’m very pleased and proud of
them both for being nominated for this award. It’s obvious that their approach to their
studies is carried across to the workplace.”
She added: “They are both mature and reliable students who are a credit to Computing at
UCLan. We aim to teach students in a real world environment so that they can hit the
ground running when they graduate, and both these students are a leading example of
our teaching and learning ethos.”
Anna Wintour at the Northern Youth Fashion
Show
Fashion students and graduates from
UCLan have showcased their designs
to one of the world’s most powerful
women in fashion.
Anna Wintour, American Vogue
editor-in-chief and allegedly the
inspiration behind The Devil Wears
Prada film, was in the UK recently for
the Northern Youth Fashion Show in
York, a charity fundraising event that
featured the designs of students from
eight universities across the North of
England, including UCLan. The event
allowed the students to promote their
work to some of the world’s key names
in fashion as well as receiving top tips
from Anna Wintour in an exclusive talk
followed by a question and answer
session.
UCLan Senior Fashion Lecturer, Chris
Molloy, said: “For our students and
graduates to present their design to
such a globally influential figure in
fashion was an amazing opportunity
and something I know they all relished.
We have some amazingly talented
current and former students here at
UCLan and it’s fantastic that we’ve
been given the opportunity to
showcase their work on such a
prestigious platform.”
Are you progressing to UCLan in 2016?
Are you due to come to UCLan to undertake
your final year this September 2016? If so, look
out for your conditional offer letter which you will
receive around April, together with information
on booking accommodation, paying your
2016-17 tuition fees (which we will require
before we can issue your unconditional offer/CAS
letter), and applying for your visa.
Students in China will be visited in the coming
weeks by staff from our local UCLan offices in
Shenzhen and Shanghai who will help prepare
you for your progression to the UK and help you
with your visa applications. Students in Oman
wishing to finish their studies at UCLan will
receive their conditional offer and progression
details via the International College of Engineering
and Management in the next few weeks.
There will be a lot of information coming to
you: please read it all very carefully in order
to minimise the risk of visa refusal.
During June/July, as soon as your 2015-16
results are confirmed and you have successfully
completed the year, and provided we have
received your tuition fees, your transcript and
unconditional offer/CAS letter will be sent to you
– again, from our local UCLan offices for students
in China, and either direct or via the International
College of Engineering and Management for
students in Oman.
If you have any questions or concerns about your
progression to UCLan in 2016-17, please ask
your course leader/course co-ordinator in the first
instance or the staff at our UCLan offices.
Overseas news and information
International deals for UCLan
in the Middle East
UCLan has signed two
multi-million pound
international agreements
to deliver courses in the
Middle East.
With this announcement, ICEM will
continue to provide UCLan-approved
courses in Oman focused on providing a
truly world-class higher education learning
environment based on practical vocational
teaching with a strong bias towards
producing graduates who are “employer
ready”, well-rounded and internationally
experienced.
The University has extended its long-term
partnership with the International
College of Engineering and
Management (ICEM) in the Sultanate
of Oman for a further five years. The
milestone agreement means students will
be able to complete the entire Bachelor
degree courses in Oman, whereas they
were previously required to study part of
the course in Preston.
A separate deal with the Ministry of Interior
of Qatar will see UCLan deliver Fire Safety
Engineering Management courses from
the new state-of-the-art Ras Laffan
Emergency and Safety College in Doha.
UCLan and ICEM have been partners in
Oman for over 15 years delivering unique
Bachelor degree courses in Fire Safety
Engineering; Well Engineering;
Facilities Management; and Health,
Safety and Environmental
Management; and have seen almost
2,000 students graduate with diplomas
and degrees.
UCLan will work closely with Qatar Civil
Defence to develop a range of courses
which will utilise the £302 million
world-class facility, the Middle East’s
training institution for fire services and
emergency responders. This collaboration,
the University’s first in Qatar, will be led by
a dedicated team of UCLan staff based at
the college working in partnership with
a vocational provider, Texas A & M
Engineering.
It is also planned that existing UCLan
students based in Preston will have the
opportunity to visit the college and use its
cutting-edge facilities to expand their own
knowledge and experience.
Pro Chancellor and Chair of the University
Board, David Taylor, who led the visits to
Qatar and Oman to agree the deals, said:
“The extension of our partnership with
ICEM is a real milestone and evidence of its
past success, while the new relationship
with Qatar Civil Defence will complement
this and the University’s other global
partnerships, such as those in China and
Mauritius.
“What’s more, these initiatives will result
in enormous benefits for students. For
instance, they’ll have access to world-class
facilities, they’ll be taught by academic staff
with wide-ranging industrial experience
and they’ll benefit from collaborative
research which will feed into the teaching
curriculum.
“The programmes will generate graduates
who are highly trained and highly
employable, both vocationally and
academically, ready to apply their skills to
national and global challenges.”
11th graduation ceremony at ICEM
A total of 150 graduates of UCLan partner in Oman, the International College of
Engineering and Management, were presented with their awards at the 11th annual
graduation ceremony held in Muscat in January.
The event took place in the presence of HE Engineer Hilal bin Mohammed Al Busaidi, CEO of
the General Authority of Mining in the Sultanate of Oman; CEO and MD of ICEM Mr Affan K
Al Akhzami; Dr Martin Brown, Dean of ICEM; Mr David Taylor, CBE, Pro-Chancellor and Chair
of the Board of UCLan; plus distinguished guests from across Omani business society.
New Jockey
Club campus
at HKCT to
develop
undergraduate
education
A significant step forward in the development
of undergraduate education at UCLan partner,
Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT),
was made in December with the opening of
the HKCT Jockey Club Undergraduate
Campus, funded by some HK$45 million
donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Charities Trust.
Facilities at the new HKCT Jockey Club
Undergraduate Campus include a digital
media studio, a Cisco laboratory and an art
studio. A three-minute walk from the existing
HKCT Jockey Club Ma On Shan Campus in
Yiu On Estate, the two campuses will
complement each other in providing a better
learning environment for students.
The centrepiece of the new campus is the
seven-storey HKCT Jockey Club Building Tower,
which will be able to accommodate about
1,000 students taking sub-degree or Bachelor
degree programmes.
HKCT Group projects since 2010 such as the
establishment of the Ma On Shan Campus
and the implementation of the Project on
Work-Integrated Learning for Sub-Degree
Students.
Founded in 1884, the Hong Kong Jockey Club
is a world-class horse racing operator and
Hong Kong’s largest community
benefactor, allocating its surplus funds for
charitable and community projects. Over the
past decade, the Club’s Charities Trust has
contributed over HK$3.9 billion to education
and training projects, including donations of
more than HK$53 million to support various
Speaking at the opening ceremony for
the new campus, Club Deputy Chairman
Anthony W K Chow said the Club had put
strong emphasis on youth development
over the years and shared the same values
as HKCT in nurturing young talent, adding:
“With a better learning environment, we hope
that students will achieve not only academic
excellence but also personal growth.”
Collaborative work leads to exciting creations
Mr Jung Shin, lecturer in Spatial Design at NAFA, commented: “We’ve
been coming to UCLan annually for the last five years and all of the
students get a lot out of it. They’re able to blend cultural and creative
differences to come up with some really interesting designs and this
year is no exception. We’re already looking forward to
returning in 2016.”
Design students from UCLan’s partner in Singapore, Nanyang
Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), were welcomed by UCLan in
December for a nature-based project inspired by the Lake District’s
Grizedale Forest.
The 47 Spatial Design students from NAFA joined 20 UCLan Interior
Design students for an annual collaborative project where, this year,
they were given four days to create a wearable structure based on
what they found in the forest. Results included headdresses, hand
jewellery made from trees, and a cape covered in leaves.
Final year UCLan Interior Design student, Lia Hodgkinson, said:
“Working in a group with the Singapore students was a great
experience and was something we would never have been able to
do if it wasn’t for studying Interior Design at UCLan. It was very
interesting to see various students’ working styles and to meet
people from a completely different background. We really enjoyed
spending the time with them and creating our collaborative piece.”
UCLan Interior Design Course Leader, Nigel Simpkins, said:
“The project has been our most successful collaboration with NAFA
to date and the end results are fantastic. It has been really impressive
to see how the different groups have mixed and worked so creatively
together.”
UCLan Cyprus granted ministerial seal of approval
UCLan’s Cyprus campus has been hailed as a
beacon of educational excellence following
the award of a full licence to operate as a
private Cypriot university.
The landmark decision, granted a full year
ahead of schedule by the Council of
Ministers, enables the facility to operate as a
legally autonomous Cypriot university with its
own charter and degree awarding powers.
Having opened its doors for the first time in
October 2012, UCLan Cyprus is the first
private university on the island to have
received final licence approval ahead of
schedule.
Commenting on the decision, the Deputy
Vice-Chancellor (International) at UCLan
said: “This is an excellent achievement for
the campus and well deserved recognition
for all our staff and partners in Cyprus who
have helped us achieve this goal ahead of
schedule. With the approved operating
licence, our dual awards will now be fully
recognised by countries such as China, Oman
and Greece, opening the door to international
students seeking a high quality university
experience in a modern campus setting.”
UCLan Cyprus Rector, Dr Melinda Tan, who
led the submission for the final licence
application, added: “The Council of Ministers
decided that the University had met all the
provisions under Cypriot law to operate with
full licence status. The news is a fantastic
boost for our first cohort of students who will
graduate in 2016 from our pioneering
four-year undergraduate degree programmes.”
David Taylor, Chair of the UCLan Board, was
delighted with the development and said:
“This is an important milestone for the
campus, of which everyone in the UCLan
community, whether in Preston or in Pyla,
can be justifiably proud.”
New courses at
UCLan Cyprus
New for 2016-17*
• BA (Hons) Economics
• BSc (Hons) Sports Business
Management
• BSc (Hons) Web Design
and Development
* Subject to validation
Cyprus Research Award for UCLan Cyprus academic
The prize for the Cyprus Research Award
Young Researcher 2015 has been awarded
to Dr Kalypso Iordanou in the field of
“Social Sciences and Humanities”.
Georgiades, on behalf of his Excellency the
President of the Republic of Cyprus,
Mr Nicos Anastasiades, at a ceremony held
at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia.
Dr Iordanou, Assistant Professor of
Psychology at UCLan Cyprus, received
the award for her work “Developing
Argumentation Skills” in November
from the Minister of Finance, Mr Charis
As part of her prize, Dr Iordanou receives
35,000 Euros from the Research Promotion
Foundation to fund her ongoing, high
quality research.
UCLan Cyprus
12 - 14 University Avenue
Pyla, 7080 Larnaka, Cyprus
+357 24 69 40 00
+357 24 81 21 20
http://www.uclancyprus.ac.cy/en/
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Till next time…
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this Spring
2016 edition of the International Partnership
Student Newsletter. The next edition will be
Autumn 2016, published around November,
and we want to include more from you so if
you have anything you want to tell us about, or
if there’s anything in particular you want to
know about UCLan, get in touch with us at:
[email protected]
Meanwhile, we wish you all a very successful
academic year 2015-16. Bye for now!
UCLan International blog
www.uclan.ac.uk
www.uclan.ac.uk/international