Summer 2009 - University of Bolton
Transcription
Summer 2009 - University of Bolton
THE BOLT News from the University of Bolton Professionals in Practice Olympic goals Jatinder set sights on 2012 dream £30m research hub Key partnership for the North West Building recovery o University’s 360 portfolio boost for local economy Golden age for theatre partnership Graduates shine in professional success Issue 13 Summer 2009 WELCOME The University of Bolton is firmly focused on giving its students the right start on their chosen career path. That is why we believe we should give students every CONTENTS Honorary awards Stars of our summer degree congregation 3 Poet Laureate Honorary Fellow, Carol Ann Duffy, takes on role 4 Minister sees special effects Minister, Andy Burnham, visits University 4 £30m hub Key partners in international vision for materials chemistry in North West 5 opportunity possible to build a competitive edge into their CVs, an edge that appeals to employers, ready for when they graduate. Professional skills run through our degree programmes like ‘Blackpool’ through a stick of rock. But now, with ‘economic downturn’ and ‘credit crunch’ in every other headline, never before has that profession-focus been more important for graduates. In a competitive jobs market ‘adding value’ is a real asset to any student’s CV and so schemes like our new Enterprise Champions Weathering the storm Professional portfolio for supporting economic recovery 6-8 and Flying Start projects, featured on pages 6,7 and 8, are going help our students make their skills distinctive in the jobs market. Learning skills beyond the technical and professional and into the ‘doing business’ realm Scripwriters’ inspiration University hosts conference 8 Golden age for unique partnership University and theatre working together 9 creates confident graduate entrepreneurs. The University has been successful in securing a £250,000 Economic Challenge Investment Fund (ECIF) allocation from the government. We received one of the highest grant allocations in the region and are already targeting the unemployed, workers and graduates with training and support packages that can help our local economy weather the storm. Graduates shine Students and alumni in professional success 10-11 Computer rage Research highlights prevalence 12-13 Of course, we have some very successful and famous graduates out in the world as it is. Acclaimed author, Janette Jenkins, was back at the University recently meeting students.They are also winning professional plaudits – like Andrew Biraj – and succeeding in their creative field, like playwright Mark Murphy. This issue is full of success stories, across campus. I hope you enjoy reading about them. Deana Morris All Bolt enquiries to, Future focus Artist in residence shows town’s children Leverhulme grant Micro–world research wins prestigious funding 15 18-19 The Editor; Deana Morris Communications and Publications University of Bolton T: 01204 903007 E: [email protected] Truly international Multicultural celebrations 21 Photography: Adrian Greenhalgh, University of Bolton Design: Spirit Associates, Manchester Front cover: Jatinder Rakhra: Olympic hopeful 2 Sports stars Jatinder prepares for Olympic future 22-23 Stars of degree congregation VIPs from the worlds of education, enterprise, entertainment and sport will be joining graduating students at this year’s degree congregation ceremonies as the University celebrates at the end of another successful academic year. Among those receiving honorary awards will be Bolton stars, entertainer and Radio One DJ,Vernon Kay and comedian, Peter Kay, as well as University alumni Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley, onetime humanities students at the then Bolton Institute and members of punk band, The Buzzcocks. Nine honorary awards will be presented by the Vice Chancellor, Dr George Holmes, at this summer's degree congregation ceremonies in July. They will share in the celebrations of hundreds of graduating students who receive their academic awards during two days of celebrations in the town and on campus. The Vice Chancellor will confer the honorary awards during the university's four degree congregation ceremonies that take place on Thursday July 9 and Friday July 10 at the Victoria Hall in Bolton. Lorriane Brannan receives an Honorary Doctorate for her outstanding contribution to the University. A former Chair of the University Board of Governors, she served as a governor for three years. Howard Devoto receives an Honorary Doctorate for his outstanding contribution to the field of music. Co-forming The Buzzcocks with Pete Shelley, Devoto went on to form the influential band, Magazine, and later, Luxuria. Bolton comedian Peter Kay receives his Honorary Doctorate for his outstanding contribution to the field of entertainment. Co-writer and star of Channel 4’s Phoenix Nights, he is also well known for Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice, as well as the Comic Relief song Amarillo. Entertainer and Radio One DJ Vernon Kay receives an Honorary Doctorate for his outstanding contribution to the field of entertainment. He began TV presenting on the BBC children's show FBi, a spin-off of Fully Booked. Since then he has presented various shows, most notably T4, Beat the Star and All Star Family Fortunes. Mathaka Mmpatsi receives an Alumni Fellowship. A Bolton alumnus, Mathaka has a high-level position with the Training Agency in Botswana and still works closely with the University. He is recognised as the leading expert by the Botswana Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs on skills development issues. Bury-born footballer, Gary Neville, is to receive an Honorary Doctorate for his outstanding contribution to sport. He is England’s most-capped right back and Manchester United’s club captain where he has played his full career. Yakub and Anwar Patel both receive Honorary Doctorates for their contribution to the Bolton community.The millionaire brothers behind a leading pharmacy chain are to sponsor the town's first academy school. Anwar and Yakub Patel, who own the Cohens chemist stores, will help fund the £20m transformation of Bolton's Hayward School into an academy. Singer, songwriter and guitarist, Pete Shelley, is best known as lead singer of The Buzzcocks, formed with Howard Devoto when students at Bolton Institute, now the University of Bolton. He has written music for film and collaborated with other artists, included LA band, The Adored, who toured with The Buzzcocks in 2007. 3 Gala performance honours The University was honoured with a gala performance of the Octagon Theatre’s new play, Looking for Buddy, by Alan Plater. At the performance, governors and University staff were joined by college principals, leading employers, friends and alumni. Dr George Holmes,Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said: ‘The unique partnership between the University and the Octagon has developed and grown over the years into a relationship which has been extremely beneficial to both institutions. I’m delighted that we are able to support the arts in the town with such an excellent and renowned theatre.’ The University has been a principal sponsor of the Octagon since 2007.The partnership has provided a number of opportunities, including work experience opportunities for students; the Octagon Theatre Prize, awarded last year to Bolton creative writing graduate, Rachel Millett; the premiere of a new play, And Did Those Feet, by University lecturers Les Smith and Martin Thomasson; and poetry readings by new and established writers.The theatre was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University in 2005, in recognition of its contribution to the cultural life of the region. Pictured is the star of the show, actor Tim Healy, with Vice Chancellor, Dr George Holmes. Culture Secretary sees special effects in action The then Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham, had an insight into special effects and media when he visited the University recently. His visit included seeing a special effects workshop, in the Innovation Factory, then a brief tour of the recently refurbished photography and media studios where he talked to teaching staff and students. Mr Burnham, MP for Leigh, said: ‘For young people who are just starting out on their career, or for people who may not have had the chance for further study in early life, the University gives them the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. ‘The courses it offers will help to prepare people for a rapidly changing digital world.’ Building partnerships Chief Executive of the Insitute of Financial Accountants (IFA), David Woodgate and the International Director (IFA), Malcolm Dean, visited the University in May to discuss the development of the existing strategic partnership between the two parties.The visit also resulted in the renewing of the agreement originally signed in 2003. Honorary Fellow is new Laureate Honorary Fellow, Carol Ann Duffy, has been named as the new Poet Laureate, the first woman to be appointed in the 341-year history of the post. She has taken over from Andrew Motion and will serve 10 years in the position.The author, who is best known for her collection The World's Wife, is also the first Scot to be named Laureate. Ms Duffy received an Honorary Fellowship from the University, then Bolton Institute, in 1994, with which she had been associated since the 1980s. 4 The agreement formalises the mutual recognition of qualifications. However, the partnership extends into a range of other activities, including the sharing of contacts and overseas providers. Discussions focused on how to further extend this relationship. A joint conference, joint publicity and more progression routes in the form of Master’s programmes for IFA members are now under consideration. Professor Peter Marsh, Deputy Vice Chancellor, said: ‘Our relationship with IFA is a very good example of the relationships we seek to establish with professional bodies. It goes much further than a mutual recognition agreement by also actively developing the strengths and interests of both parties into practical outcomes.’ David Woodgate added: ‘This closer type of partnership clearly meets the needs of our members worldwide.The IFA look forward to developing this relationship, built up over the previous six years, even further.’ Key partners in £30m research hub The University is a key partner in a new £30 million research centre set to make the North West an international hub for materials chemistry research. The 'virtual' Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC) was recently launched by the Rt. Hon John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.The KCMC brings together leading edge academic research and expertise in the Universities of Bolton, Liverpool and Manchester with the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory. It will provide a single point of access for industry to a wide spectrum of multi-disciplinary research in applied materials chemistry, in order to achieve innovative knowledge transfer for companies of all sizes. Materials chemistry covers a broad range of science and technology competencies that are crucial in delivering product innovations in fields as diverse as bio-medical devices, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, coatings, electronic materials and renewable energy sources. The University of Bolton's areas of KCMC research expertise focus on smart materials, which include medical, technical, fire retardant and intelligent materials, as well as smart micro-systems. Initial funding of £8m from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is matched by £7m of academic commitment and resources by the academic partner institutions.This investment will provide the North West with an internationally renowned capability in materials chemistry and is set to leverage further industry and international grant income in excess of £15m over the next five years. Said Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Marsh: 'The KCMC pulls together key innovators in materials chemistry research, an area that has great potential for our region's development as a worldwide-recognised centre of expertise. 'Our scientists, working within our world-leading Centre for Materials Research and Innovation, already have an established reputation for working in partnership with industry in the development of new products and processes.This is an exciting opportunity for them to develop that strength.' Said Professor Elias Siores, Director of CMRI: 'KCMC is the largest R&D collaboration initiative that CMRI has been involved in. With the appointment of a new Chair in Materials Chemistry and the wider team here at Bolton we have the capability to make a very significant contribution to developing and strengthening the smart materials industry.' Speaking at the launch, the newly appointed Director, Dr John ContiRamsden, said: 'The creation of the Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry provides a unique opportunity for the UK chemistryusing industry to harness the knowledge and expertise of our world class science base as a key driver in delivering the innovative products and process required in the future.' The investment will create up to 20 new high-value jobs and establish many new opportunities for work-based training that will enhance the science skills and expertise of UK chemistry-using companies.The initial focus of the centre will seek to create over 200 new collaborations between UK-based companies and the knowledge base embedded in the academic partner institutions. With a dedicated team of 15 new project scientists, the KCMC will work in collaboration with industry on translational research projects that will enable companies to develop new commercial opportunities. An independent knowledge transfer team hosted by Chemistry Innovation – the knowledge transfer network for the UK chemistry-using industries – will develop and manage the collaborative research projects, drive increased industrial R&D spend and ensure the services of the centre are effectively linked to industry need. 5 Building up our economy A portfolio of innovative, recession-beating initiatives has been launched by the University to help students, graduates and businesses move swiftly to face the current economic challenges. Bringing expertise to the marketplace and embedding enterprise within its schools, the University is taking a 360-degree approach to supporting its local economy. Our current initiatives are featured here on Pages 6, 7 and 8. Funding the skills to compete The University will be helping to combat the current economic downturn with a £250,000 share of government funding. Match-funding the government’s Economic Challenge Investment Fund (ECIF) allocation, the University has been developing a halfmillion pound programme targeting graduates, businesses and the unemployed. Through the ECIF funding the University will focus on individuals and companies who want to improve and develop their skills through training courses. The Business and Development Partnerships team at the University is working with its partner colleges, Bolton Council's Skills Board and Job Centre Plus to identify companies and individuals who may need support. Three areas being targeted are: • new graduates, focusing on experience and essential personal skills 6 • the existing workforce, helping to upgrade skills and ensure organisations remain competitive • the recently unemployed, offering training which extends to retraining for new careers Mike Lomas, Head of Business and Development Partnerships, said: 'The current economic climate is challenging and here at the University we are well placed to offer the facilities and the training that will address some of the issues faced by the local economy.The courses are at different levels, and aimed at different sectors including business, digital media, creative industries, IT and construction. Our aim is to maximise the benefit to individuals and organisations in the Bolton area.' The money has been made available through the £27m ECIF initiative, set up by the government to help higher education institutions and their partners to address some of the problems caused by current economic conditions. Flying start for budding entrepreneurs Dragons’ Den winner and iTeddy creator, Imran Hakim, is supporting a new Flying Start programme aiming to hone the skills of tomorrow’s University of Bolton graduate entrepreneurs. With the Northwest Development Agency and the National Council for Graduate Enterprise, the University is a launching a business start-up programme run solely for final year students, postgraduates and graduates of up to five years on, from the North West, who have a business concept or idea they would like to develop and launch within 12 months. The first three-day course ran at the University in June. Said Andy Smith, University head of commercial enterprise: ‘Imran Hakim is helping us target top-level keynote speakers for events associated with the Flying Start programme. ‘This is an ideal opportunity for graduates with entrepreneurial zeal. It offers a range of opportunities, from mentoring to advice from the success stories.The skills they will learn, such as having a working understanding of contracts, will always stand them in good stead.’ Schools build on professional strengths Developing enterprise and innovation products for today’s economic climate has been at the core of a new tranche of projects for the University’s schools. Enterprise champions are being developed for all schools, helping to develop an enterprise culture by raising awareness, motivation and insight into entrepreneurial opportunities for students and graduates. And the University is increasing projects designed to support and develop a range of knowledge exchange activities designed to create economic and social benefit. With a £200,000 funding allocation from the Higher Education Council for England’s HEIF4 fund, the University is launching the following projects: School of Arts, Media and Education: A range of developments including a production company, to give students added professional experience of working within their creative industry; Bolton Business School: Focus on professional experience for students, including developing work-placement modules within subject areas’ curriculums; School of Built Environment and Engineering: An innovative training programme set up through a partnership of Bolton housing and education providers, the Bolton Employer-Led Regeneration Training Initiative, already shortlisted for the Homes and Communities Academy Awards – Skills for Better Places; School of Games Computing and Creative Technologies/Business, Logistics Innovation and Systems Research Centre: A scheme to build new partner businesses within the aerospace, automobile and manufacturing sectors, giving advice and support in areas such as knowledge management. Emphasis will be placed on generating new professional doctorates and the creation of at least two knowledge transfer partnership schemes; School of Health and Social Sciences: Funding to target the Bolton Centre of Academic Excellence in Community Health and Wellbeing project. Working with Bolton Primary Care Trust and Bolton Council’s Bolton Health, Higher Education and Leisure Collaborative Working group, HSS will aim to establish an on-campus, co-location of the Diagnostic and Treatment Centre and Sports and Leisure Complex in a Health and Wellbeing Centre, due to open in 2011. 7 Coopers Chartered Accountants, at the University of Bolton. Beating the 'credit crunch' and building a business in challenging economic circumstances was the theme of the free event which attracted business owners, directors, managers, and professional advisers. Pictured, BBS director, Bob Barratt, introduces speakers. SMEs’ rush to join Innovation scheme More than 20 small-to-medium size businesses (SMEs) have already signed up to work with the University through a new £4 million Innovation Vouchers scheme launched last autumn. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme launched the two-year scheme to help support and grow the region’s economy. BBS in action Bolton Business School has been using its sector knowledge and contacts to deliver recession-focused seminars for both students and companies. At its latest collaborative event with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) guest speakers addressed Employability in Recessionary Times. Part-time MBA students, staff and CMI members from the local business community were enlightened and entertained on topics from tips on CV preparation, presentation and ‘mental toughness’. Peter Moran, course leader for the part-time MBA, who helped arrange the event, said: ‘I was very pleased to welcome so many CMI members from outside the University, especially Roger McCartney, the CMI’s regional manager.’ The University and the CMI are discussing how to further integrate some of the qualifications offered by the University of Bolton with those offered by the CMI, in line with the University’s aim of integrating academic endeavour with professional practice. Creating and Raising Finance in Today's Climate was the title of a seminar hosted by Bolton Business School, in conjunction with CLB The scheme aims to encourage business to engage proactively with the North West knowledge base, including colleges and universities, to remain competitive in the face of current global challenges. This project is a voucher scheme that will work with businesses who do not normally engage with the knowledge base (further and higher education institutions and the wider public sector), with the aim of resolving issues which would increase productivity and/or competitiveness. The NWDA says many SMEs are not aware of the potential benefits of collaborating with the knowledge base and might not know how to access the expertise that is available to them in the region. The Innovation Vouchers scheme addresses the lack of interaction by intervening to encourage SMEs to work with the knowledge base by reducing the costs and by brokering the contact between SMEs and the experts in the region.The voucher, valued at up to £3,000, and support should help to ensure that many SMEs will then continue to work with further and higher education providers long into the future. The scheme runs for two years and the next call for funding bids is due in August. Scriptwriters’ conference inspires Celebrated writers Willy Russell and Debbie Horsfield were among guest speakers in a two-day conference held recently at the universities of Bolton and Huddersfield. Nearly 200 students attended the first Northern Student Scriptwriters’ Conference where they heard from writers, producers, directors and scriptwriting experts from the world of TV, film, radio and theatre. The conference was organised by the University of Bolton’s School of Arts, Media and Education and the School of Music, Humanities and Media at the University of Huddersfield. For two days students took part in masterclasses, workshops and question-and-answer sessions where they learned about writing for the different media as well as the business end of scriptwriting. Themes covered included writing and producing for TV, film, theatre and radio; developing story ideas for TV; the concept of the ‘calling 8 card’ script; BBC Writersroom and the development of new writing for the theatre. Jane Stuart, creative industries liaison co-ordinator at the University of Bolton, said: ‘This has been a very popular and successful conference and students have been inspired by the speakers as well as learning a lot of practical information from people working in the business. We’re looking forward to planning another conference next year.’ New age for a unique partnership The University has appointed the Octagon Theatre Bolton's new artistic director, Olivier award-winning David Thacker, to the position of Visiting Professor of the Dramatic Arts, building on a unique, professional partnership between the two organisations. Already David is working closely with three University subject areas, bringing his expertise to students studying on the Media, Writing and Production programmes, the Creative Writing programmes and those studying for BAs in English or Film and Media Studies. David brings to the Octagon, and the University, a wealth of experience and career acclaim. He has directed over 100 theatre productions, including plays by William Shakespeare, Arthur Miller, Samuel Beckett, Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov,Tennessee Williams, Tom Stoppard and Eugene O'Neill. He has worked at eight producing theatres, including the Royal Shakespeare Company (Director-in-Residence),The Young Vic (Director), the Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster (Theatre Director), and the National Theatre. Seven of his productions have transferred to the West End. David is also a prolific television director. He has directed more than 30 TV productions, including episodes of The Vice, Silent Witness, Foyle's War and Waking the Dead. He has also directed films, such as Measure for Measure, A Doll's House, Broken Glass, The Mayor of Casterbridge and Faith. He has directed well-known names such as Joseph Fiennes,Vanessa Redgrave, Juliet Stevenson and Patrick Stewart. He has also worked alongside Richard Eyre, Peter Hall,Ted Hughes, Arthur Miller and Willy Russell. Having already developed the next season's programme for the Octagon he is also busy developing his role with the University and its 'fantastic, unique partnership' with his theatre.The University is the Octagon's principal sponsor, creating a professional partnership which brings real-theatre experience to students studying performance-related subjects – from sound engineering to scriptwriting. 'I will be engaging in anything that is regarded as "dramatic arts",' said David. 'So while I won't be taking part in anything to do with novels, for example, I will have a close involvement in plays and screenplays.' David has already been sharpening the performing talents of final year creative writing students, who have been practicing their reading aloud skills ready for their final readings. And he has delivered two seminars on playwriting and the process of putting together a theatre programme for a season. The new season, featuring plays such as Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, All My Sons by Arthur Miller and Ibsen's Ghosts, is part of a programme which David hopes will 'move and inspire audiences'. Students at the University will have an opportunity to explore A Midsummer Night's Dream – it is the focus of a module created especially to take advantage of the opportunities its production in Bolton affords them. David is leading seven sessions on the play, which will involve students coming to rehearsals and taking part in a final session. And, together with the University, he is exploring new ways the two organisations can use and develop the theatre space, bringing new creative ideas to their communities. Said School of Arts Media Education Director, Sam Johnston: 'As a Visiting Professor, David is already busy enriching the student experience with his work across dramatic arts subject areas. His own career experience, especially in theatre and television, brings a depth of professional knowledge applicable to the studies of many of our students. His vision for what he wishes to achieve with us is exhilarating and we are thrilled at the opportunities we are developing for us to work ever-closer with the Octagon. What the Octagon brings to us, and what we will be bringing to the Octagon, is a unique partnership focused on learning and sharing knowledge, which we believe will benefit all our communities.' 9 Screen success beckons for student, Joe Acclaimed author at her University Acclaimed author Janette Jenkins has been visiting the University, talking to students about her creative journey. Janette, an Honorary Fellow and alumni of the University, said: ‘Writing can be a lonely business and hard work. I think it’s important for aspiring writers to understand the serious commitment involved and I hope I can give them some insights into the process, and some inspiration too.’ Student Joe O’Byrne is set for big screen success after being offered a distribution deal for a film he has written, produced, acted in and financed. The film, Lookin’ for Lucky, which was shot on the estates of Bolton, is being backed by digital distribution company Diva.ag for screenings at selected UK cinemas, as well as online and DVD distribution. It is one of a number of successes for Joe, a student on the University’s teacher training course. He has had plays performed at The Lowry in Salford and at Manchester’s Library Theatre and is planning to take one of them, The Bench, to venues across the North West. Another work by Joe, Rank, is on at The Lowry, in June. An earlier script, for a four-part TV drama, caught the attention of famous Bolton-born writer Jim Cartwright, who worked to get it commissioned through his production company, Destiny Films. Joe says that at one point actor Pete Postlethwaite had been attached to the project as lead after reading the script.The plans stalled at development stage, but Joe remains confident it will get into production. Joe turned to acting in his late 30s when he decided to change careers after working in retail management for 15 years. Influenced by northern writers Jimmy McGovern and Alan Bleasdale, Joe’s tales of working class life on the fictional estate of Paradise Heights are loosely based on his experiences of living and working in Bolton and Salford. He said: ‘I turned to writing and acting when I realised there were so many stories to tell, about ordinary people, and this was the best way to do it. I’ve been incredibly busy with teaching, writing, acting and directing, as well as studying on the teacher training course at Bolton. It looks like the hard work is starting to pay off with these recent successes, but I’m in it for the long haul. It’s rare that success comes overnight – it’s a lot of hard graft and sacrifice.’ Joe, who also teaches drama at Warrington Collegiate, has no intention of easing up. As well as promoting his film and stage projects he is busy working on new script ideas for theatre and TV. 10 Taking the theme of inspiration to publication, Janette gave practical advice to aspiring writers and recounted her own experiences, from her beginnings as a writer to her life now, dealing with publishers and giving readings. Janette completed a degree in literature and philosophy at the University of Bolton in the early 1990s, before going on to further study on the University of East Anglia’s prestigious MA Creative Writing course. She is the author of three novels, Columbus Day, Another Elvis Love Child and her most recent, Angel of Brooklyn, which has been selected by Waitrose as its Book Club choice for this September. First theatre success for Mark A play by Mark Murphy, graduate of the University’s MA Creative Writing course, has been selected for 24:7, Manchester’s festival of new theatre. The play, Out of Dead Air, will be performed at Pure in the Printworks from 20 – 26 July. This is the first time the play has been performed and Mark recognises that study at the University gave him the boost he needed to develop his creative writing. He said: ‘I’d been writing for a number of years and did a couple of adaptations, which were performed by a local amateur group and at my children’s school. I realised that if I wanted to make any progress as a writer I needed to develop my knowledge and craft. I found out about the creative writing course at the University of Bolton and did a couple of degree modules first, to find out what was involved. ‘I really enjoyed it so when I found out the University was going to run an MA course in dramatic writing I jumped at the chance. I know for sure that what I learned over that year, and the support and encouragement of the teaching staff, has been key to my development as a writer.’ Photography graduate scoops major awards Since graduating in 2005 with a degree in photography, Andrew Biraj has won a clutch of major awards. In 2008 he was selected for the prestigious World Press Photo JoopSwart Masterclass. Established in 1994, the award brings together 12 promising young photographers, nominated by 18 independent selection committees, for a week of intense study with some of the most experienced photojournalists in the field. In the same year Andrew also won first prize in the National Press Photographers’ Association Best of Photojournalism awards in the Environmental Picture Story category; and won the Press Award, with Karen McVeigh of The Guardian, in the One World Media awards.These were in addition to two other awards he won in 2007. As a young student Andrew, from Bangladesh, took a course in management as his family wanted him to study a subject with a clear career path. But he had already started taking pictures and, eventually, he changed direction and started on a photography course at the South Asian Institute of Photography in Pathshala. ‘The environment of Pathshala and its alternative educational system changed my views,’ said Andrew. While on the course he attended a major photography festival and visited exhibitions by world renowned photographers. It was at this time that he decided he wanted to become a professional photographer and heard about the photography degree course at Bolton. He came to the University in 2004-2005 as an exchange student. ‘It was the first time for me in any European country and it was a huge culture shock’, he says. ‘But the teaching staff were very supportive and I got on really well with the other students.’ Since completing his degree studies at Bolton, Andrew, now 26, has not looked back. He returned to Bangladesh and took a job on a local newspaper before branching out into freelance work and, in June 2008, he was signed up by Reuters. Since then he has travelled across the region and worked in Myanmar, Cambodia, India and the UK. In 2008 he was in Myanmar to cover the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis for the New York Times. ‘That was very difficult as I had to do a lot of travelling to reach the really devastated areas,’ he said. ‘As the military junta controlled journalists’ access, I had to do a lot of my work secretly. But for me, it was one of my most memorable assignments.’ Andrew emphasises that, as a social documentary photographer, his main focus is to tell the stories of ordinary people in his region of the world. He said: ‘It’s great to win awards but my main drive is to take the pictures of incidents in life as I witness them.That is the responsibility of a social documentary photographer.’ 11 First International Fellow arrives International Fellowship PhD student,Wazed Ali, has joined the University for a year as part of his three-year research project, working to develop a wide range of antimicrobial textiles that will be resistant to bacteria, such as MRSA. Wazad, who has been based for two years at the prestigious Indian university, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi, is sponsored by the University of Bolton for the duration of the project. He is the University’s first International Fellowship recipient, an award launched in 2005 to further knowledge exchange with newly industrialised countries. Within his research programme, Development of Natural Product Based Antimicrobial Textile Products for Healthcare and Hygiene Applications, Wazad's aim is to harness the properties of natural materials. The goal is to create antimicrobial textiles using biodegradable and environmentally-friendly natural products such as aloe vera and neem extracts.The neem tree, common on the Indian subcontinent, is a rich source of medicinal compounds. It is known to have insect control, antimicrobial and medicinal properties. In India, neem has been in use since ancient times as a traditional medicine against various human ailments, such as eczema.The developed materials would be used in hospitals. Currently, antimicrobial textiles are only effective against a small number of bacteria and no textile available provides a complete shield against a range of pathogenic bacteria, which are highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with infected textiles, such as hospital pillowcases. Wazad is supervised at Bolton by Dr Subbiyan Rajendran and is based within the Centre for Materials Research and Innovation (CMRI). His supervisor at IIT, a university ranked among the world's top 50, has been Dr Mangala Joshi, from its Department of Textiles Technology. Said Dr Rajendran: 'We are delighted to welcome Wazad to Bolton and see how well his research work is developing. 'We look forward to working with him over the next 12 months. We are grateful to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK for funding his travel and living expenses. 'This project has been a first for CMRI and has proved to be a great stride forward in developing our research relationship with IIT.' Wazad has received two grants; the University of Bolton International Fellowship award and a Commonwealth Scholarship Commission grant, to help cover expenses, including tuition fees and travel costs.Together they total almost £27,000. Computer rage now an everyday expression of anger Swearing and shouting at your computer, hitting the keyboard and smashing the mouse have become everyday expressions of anger and stress relief, according to a study presented by the University of Bolton's Dr John Charlton at the recent British Psychological Society Annual Conference. Dr Charlton questioned 126 participants on how frequently they 12 expressed anger at their computer and to provide a written description of one such incident. He found that the majority of people had become angry three or four times each month, and more than 10 per cent reported anger occurring ten times or more. Overall, around 54 per cent of people had expressed this anger in verbal aggression towards their computing equipment. But 40 per cent of the participants had actually engaged in physical aggression towards the computer. People reported that anger against computers was most often linked to two triggers – unsatisfactory work progress and time pressures. Said Dr Charlton: 'Although the study did not look at health factors, habitual, unrestrained expression of anger is known to be a significant cause of ill-health. However, moderate outbursts of anger, in the form of shouting at a computer, might actually be beneficial.' Watching TV linked to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Watching media coverage of traumatic events such as 9/11 can cause negative stress reactions or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). Individuals can be significantly affected by media events even though they were not present and only watched them on television. These are the findings of a study by Dr Pam Ramsden of the University of Bolton who presented her research at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference recently. Dr Ramsden asked participants to fill in a questionnaire to assess Post Traumatic Stress symptoms after viewing four traumatic events. They were also questioned about their previous experiences of trauma. Nineteen per cent of the 89 participants in the study were significantly affected by media events and scored high on clinical measures of PTSD.There were also high correlations with the number of times they had viewed the events in the media.These participants had experienced no previous trauma in their lives. Dr Ramsden said: 'Acts of violence erode our sense of security and create intense feelings of anger, fear and helplessness. Watching these events and feeling the anguish of those who are directly experiencing them can impact on a certain percentage of individuals causing longer lasting effects. It is important that additional support and guidance is provided in communities at times of extreme violence and terroristic acts.' University research spotlights social cohesion A research project studying social cohesion in Bolton's Asian community has been launched by the University, supported by funds from a local Rotary Club. Postgraduate student, Abdul Siddique, will use a one-year scholarship to study the impact of the government's current model for social cohesion on the town's Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. Finance for the research has come from a development fund set up by the University in 2008 to provide student scholarships.The fund was created using £100,000 from the Marriott Trust, donated by Bolton Le Moors Rotary Club. For the project Mr Siddique will carry out interviews with members of the Asian community, including community group leaders and representatives. His research will include a focus on young Asians to see how the government cohesion agenda has affected their lives. Carole Truman, Professor of Health and Community Studies, said: 'This is an important project that will benefit the Bolton community. Results from the study will help the local authority, community groups and voluntary organisations to further enhance, accelerate and support current cohesion activity.This will ensure resources and funds are focused on activities and events that really promote cohesion and bring closer Bolton's vision for its future.' Mark Allanson, the University's Director of External Affairs, said: 'All projects funded by the Marriott Trust have to meet specific requirements and the University's Alumni and Development Office work closely with academic staff and the Marriott Trust team to ensure every project application meets these requirements. 'We are particularly grateful to the Trustees of the fund and to Bolton le Moors Rotary Club for their support. Not only does it support an internationally renowned area of research at the University, but it provides a wonderful opportunity for a young and ambitious research student to further his knowledge and personal development.' Mr Mervyn Porter, Chair of Trustees for the Marriott Trust, added: 'We have developed an excellent relationship with the University and are proud that the legacy John Marriott left will be of benefit to Bolton and to a student at the University. We look forward to supporting further important work.' The Marriott Trust fund was established using a legacy donated by John Marriott who joined Bolton Le Moors Rotary Club in 1978 as a founder member. Pictured are postgraduate research student Abdul Siddique and Carole Truman, Professor of Health and Community Studies. 13 Artist in Residence shows town its future An exhibition of photographs by Ian Beesley, (pictured right) course leader for the MA in International Photojournalism, Documentary and Travel Photography, is being held at Bradford 1 Gallery until early August. 14 The photographs have been taken as part of Born in Bradford, a groundbreaking research programme in which 10,000 babies, born in the city between 2006 and 2009, will be tracked from birth, through childhood, until they become adults. Ian was appointed artist in residence for the project in 2008 and has been taking photos of parents, especially fathers, and their babies. He has also been working to engage the local community in the project, explain its aims, raise its profile and encourage participation, ownership and understanding of the medical research behind the study. The aim of Born in Bradford is to collate a wide range of information about babies born in the city, which has high levels of illness and disease and the highest infant mortality rate in the UK.This information will then be used to help in the understanding, and prevention, of illness and disease affecting both children and adults. Ian said: 'This has been a rewarding residency and also, quite probably, one of the most challenging due to the complexity of the issues involved and the sheer size of the research programme. I am already working on the second stage of the project, which will involve visiting Marpur in Pakistan to photograph families there as many Asian families in Bradford come from in and around that region.' Ian has been working closely with the medical research team and the midwifery staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary. He has also received a major Arts Council grant for the project in addition to support from Bradford City Art Galleries and Museums and the University of Bolton. 15 BAE student, Matt, flying high Scheduled maintenance expert at BAE Systems and PhD student, Matt Bell, has been presented with the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Young Persons Achievement Award. Matt was presented with his award in a ceremony in London in recognition of his development work on aircraft maintenance systems. The focus of Matt’s work is Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM), a process to ensure military aircraft are maintained effectively and efficiently. While working on the Nimrod MRA4 project at BAE Systems, Matt was also a part-time student on the University’s MSc course in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and used his research assignment as the basis for developing a bespoke solution to the project’s requirements and toolsets. Matt said: ‘When I was looking for a course that would support my work and extend my skills and knowledge in the field of logistics, the MSc at Bolton offered the right balance of academic knowledge and industry experience. My MSc project gave me the basis for developing the maintenance framework at BAE Systems and this has been further developed into a form that can be utilised in other projects across the company.’ After completing his MSc, Matt decided to continue his studies at Bolton, supported by BAE Systems. He is now carrying out PhD research around implementing a complete RCM capability that can be utilised throughout BAE Systems and Matt reports that the project is showing excellent results across the business. Pictured, Matt and a Nimrod MRA4 over the Welsh coast. (photo courtesy of BAE Systems) Citation of Excellence for research on the psychology of perceived inflation A research paper by Rob Ranyard, Professor of Psychology in the School of Health and Social Sciences, has been recognised in the 2008 Citation of Excellence Awards by Emerald Management Reviews. Now in their thirteenth year, these distinguished annual awards recognise the 50 outstanding articles published by the top 400 management journals in the world. ‘A key feature of these awards is the unique way in which the Emerald Management Reviews database works. Over 15,000 article reviews are added annually, so being singled out as one of the top 50 is quite an honour,’ said Debbie Spurgeon, Emerald Executive Editor. Rob Ranyard was lead author of the paper, published in a special section of the Journal of Economic Psychology that he edited. It was an international collaboration with colleagues from the Universities of Leeds,Trento and Trieste.The citation comments that the originality and value of the research was that it ‘presents an intriguing review of inflation studies from 1986 and interesting research topics for the future. Ideal for the student of prices’. Prof Ranyard said: ‘Drawing on relevant literature from a diverse range of academic disciplines we presented a conceptual framework 16 intended to further our understanding of perceptions and expectations of price changes and inflation. Based on this framework, we provide a detailed review of the literature and an analysis of open issues in current research. ‘The review was primarily concerned with individuals’ perceptions and expectations of price changes and inflation, which can influence individuals’ economic behaviour - for example, spending and saving decisions.The main insight from the review was that while consumers may have a limited ability to store and recall specific prices, and even succumb to a number of biases in the way in which they form perceptions and expectations of global price changes, they do seem to have some feel for, and ability to judge and forecast, inflation. How they achieve this, however, is still an open question. Our Economic Psychology and Decision Research group at Bolton is currently researching some of these questions with our Italian colleagues.’ References Ranyard, R, Del Missier, F., Bonini, N., Duxbury, D., & Summers, B. (2008). Perceptions and expectations of price changes and inflation: A review and conceptual framework. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29, 378-400. (46) Ranyard, R. (2008). Foreword to the Special Section: Perceptions and Expectations of Price Changes and Inflation. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29, 375-377. Micro-world project wins prestigious Leverhulme grant University scientists Professors Jack Luo and Guosheng Shao have won a prestigious Leverhulme Trust research grant to develop a cutting-edge technology – a lab-on-a-chip system. Lab-on-a-chip technology is an exciting new development. It integrates biosensors, microchannels and microfluidics on a single chip no larger than a few square millimetres. It can manipulate biosamples and reagents down to a few picolitres with great precision, perform biochemical reactions and identify and detect diseases, virus or bacteria within a few minutes. It is expected to transform clinical diagnosis, DNA sequencing, and biochemical laboratory procedures. The scientists aim to create the lab-on-a-chip using low cost, high quality piezoelectric thin films and for it to be a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device. Professor Luo, in collaboration with his former colleagues at Cambridge University, has been developing a unique SAW-based lab-on-a-chip technology using the sputtering deposited zinc oxide (ZnO) piezoelectric thin films. This technology utilises surface acoustic wave as an actuation force to pump and mix liquids, and to perform biosensing on a small chip. The single SAW-based lab-on-a-chip technology allows a great degree of miniaturisation of the system and simplification of sensing and readout of the results. The Leverhulme Trust research funding will allow the two scientists from the University of Bolton to take one step further to develop a technology to synthesise nanostructured ZnO thin films for SAW device fabrication, using chemical solution methods.The piezoelectric and electrical properties of the ZnO thin films could be enhanced dramatically using embedded high quality nanostructures, and the films can be produced at a fractional cost of the sputtering deposited ones, as they can be synthesized chemically on large scale, low cost glass or plastic substrates with no need for sophisticated equipment. Said Professor Luo: 'We are honoured to receive this prestigious award from the Leverhulme Trust. We will develop a technology for a high performance lab-on-a-chip system which will greatly improve diagnosis with great accuracy and reliability, and develop a method to synthesize high quality ZnO films with the applications beyond the acoustic wave devices for electronic devices with great commercial potential.' The grant package totals more than £86,000 to support a PhD studentship for three years to conduct the proposed research. 'This is an exciting opportunity for a postgraduate student in a rapidly evolving research field,' said Professor Luo. Pictures above, Professors Guosheng Shao and Jack Luo. International scientists head for Bolton The University is hosting the sixth International Auxetics Workshop.This continues the successful series of Annual Auxetics Workshops and Biannual Conferences held in Poland, Malta and the UK, at Exeter and Bristol. Auxetics are logic-defying materials that work in the direct opposite of all other stretchable materials in that they expand when stretched. The Workshop will also include the 6th AuxetNet Young Researchers Forum, which was inaugurated in Bolton as part of auxetics network, AuxetNet, which was led by Kim Alderson of the University of Bolton’s Centre for Materials Research and Innovation. The Forum allows PhD students and early career researchers to present their work to an international audience. Delegates from the US, Europe and the Far East are expected to converge on Bolton for the four-day workshop, which will focus on the processing, properties and modelling of auxetics and related systems, including negative thermal expansion. For further information go to: www.bolton.ac.uk/conferences/auxetics2009/ or contact Prof Kim Alderson, AUXETICS 2009 Chairman, email: [email protected]. 17 Bolton represents North West in contest A team of students from the School of the Built Environment and Engineering represented North West colleges and universities in this year’s Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Student Challenge final. Twelve teams from around the UK competed in the final, which was held at the CIOB headquarters near Ascot.The challenge was designed to give students an opportunity to showcase their construction skills and knowledge in front of potential employers, CIOB members and other key members of the profession. The theme for the final was the provision of facilities for the ageing population. Students were briefed on the project requirements at the start of the day and each team was then required to present their proposals in the afternoon. Roger Seeds, Undergraduate Programme Leader in the School of the Built Environment and Engineering, accompanied the students on the day. He said: ‘The Bolton team did extremely well in a very tough final.Though not placed in the top three they had to deal with the issues and pressures of a real working brief, giving them valuable experience which they can take with them when they finish their studies.’ McCarthy & Stone (Developments) Ltd, who worked with the Institute at the Student Challenge, praised all of the finalists for the high quality of their submissions and presentations. Pictured are University of Bolton/CIOB NW Student Challenge team members Hemesh Halai, Patrick McStay, Carl Murphy and Tony Rigby with Roger Seeds, Undergraduate Programmes Leader. Fine Arts students create for Liverpool company A prestigious commission for a public artwork, won by two Fine Art students at the University, has been installed in the foyer of Novartis’ new manufacturing facility in Liverpool. The commission was awarded to Ruth and Linda Brown in September 2007 after Novartis Vaccines invited students from across the North West to propose ideas for an artwork that would represent the company’s work and core values. Ruth and Linda, who are due to graduate this summer, submitted their proposals as part of the public art module of their degree course and have worked over the past 18 months to realise their idea. Linda said: ‘This has been a huge achievement for both of us. We’ve learned a great deal, not just in terms of making a piece of public art, but also dealing with all the other related issues such as working with the customer, interior designers, issues of health and safety, finance and the longevity of the work itself.’ The imagery used for the piece is based on biological culture slides of the flu virus, which incorporate Novartis’ corporate values into the Liverpool skyline.The design 18 was transferred from an original computer image onto curved glass panels using a process called glass manifestation. Ruth said: ‘This has been a good, live, learning experience and we’ve seen how theory and practice go hand in hand – that ‘s something you can’t fully appreciate unless you are working on a real project. Many aspects of the artwork’s development were learned during the process of its creation and installation.’ Prize to honour famous steeplejack The Fred Dibnah Memorial Appeal is to sponsor a University student prize, in honour of the famous steeplejack. The prize will celebrate Fred Dibnah MBE's interest in engineering and construction. There will also be a trophy, both to be presented to the best University engineering and built environment student on alternate years. The appeal, which was run by Bolton Civic Trust, is also donating copies of Fred's books, which the School of Built Environment and Engineering will use in fundraising initiatives. Said the School of Built Environment and Engineering Director, Alan Cornthwaite: 'Fred Dibnah's passion for engineering and construction was an inspiration to everyone who saw his television programmes or had the pleasure of meeting him. 'The University is proud to receive this award and have a role in honouring the memory of Fred Dibhah MBE – a national institution.' Pictured with a cheque for the prize fund donation are, from left: University Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr Peter Marsh; Alan Cornthwaite; Civic Trust; Fund Treasurer, Alan Gill; and Trust and Fund Chairman, Brian Tetlow. Below, the party with copies of Fred's books. Conference celebrates Bill Naughton A conference celebrating the work of acclaimed Bolton playwright Bill Naughton is to be hosted by the University, Bolton Museum and Archive Service, and the Octagon Theatre. The University has issued a call for papers to be presented at the conference, which will be held at locations across the three institutions, on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 November 2009. Keynote speakers are Neil Sinyard (Professor of Film Studies, University of Hull), Stephen Lacey (Professor of Drama, Film and Television at the University of Glamorgan) and David Thacker (Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre, Bolton). Erna Naughton, Bill Naughton's widow, will also be attending. Organisers are planning a book on Bill Naughton's work, drawing on the best papers submitted at the conference, to be published in 2010, the centenary year of his birth. Born in Ireland in 1910, Bill Naughton moved to Bolton with his family in 1914. He is famous for writing some of the most enduring British 'kitchen sink' dramas such as The Family Way and Spring and Port Wine, besides the internationally renowned depiction of the swinging 60s in Alfie. He has produced work in other media, including radio and TV drama in the 50s and 60s, winning the Prix Italia for his radio play The Mystery in 1974. He also wrote fiction, with a number of novels and around 200 short stories, many of which are still used in schools today, especially those in the collections Late Night on Watling Street and The Goalkeeper's Revenge. In his final years, Bill Naughton's autobiographies attracted attention with their reflections on his childhood in Ireland and his later life in London and the Isle of Man. But he mostly wrote about his life in Bolton in and around the 1920s. Bill Naughton died in 1992. For further information see: www.bolton.ac.uk/Conferences/BillNaughton/Home.aspx 19 Children explore books at University As part of Bolton’s Children’s Book Award, 200 pupils from schools across Bolton, Bury and Blackburn took part in three days of workshops at the University. They worked on creative ways to explore the themes of the seven books shortlisted for the Award. Activities included scriptwriting, mask-making, creating posters, creative writing and working with textiles. Sessions were organised by Laurette Evans, Communities Liaison Officer and run by support staff and students at the University. ‘The workshops aim to help instil a love of books and reading,’ said Laurette. ‘By exploring different ways of interpreting stories, and working with media which the children may not be able to access in the classroom, we wanted to broaden their reading experience. At the same time, by spending a full day on campus, the children had an opportunity to experience University life.’ The winner of this year’s Book Awards will be announced in a ceremony at the Festival Hall in late June. Leisure Lives conference builds on success The second Recording Leisure Lives conference took place in Bolton recently, presented by the University and Bolton Museum and Archive Service in partnership with the Leisure Studies Association. Once again the conference was inspired by the photographs taken by Humphrey Spender during Mass Observation’s Worktown project in Bolton in the late 1930s. Delegates saw a special exhibition on sports and games, mounted to coincide with the conference, in the Museum’s Worktown Gallery.The links between the conference and Mass Observation were further in evidence in its aim of drawing attention to the everyday aspects of sports, games and pastimes in people’s leisure lives in twentieth century Britain. Recording Leisure Lives conferences are concerned not only with the history of leisure but also with the ways in which leisure is recorded, archived and, from a museum curator’s position, collected. In keeping with the spirit of the recording of everyday leisure lives there was an on-going presentation throughout the day of images of street games and sports in China taken by students of the University of Bolton’s MA Photography course. In addition to providing an insight to leisure lives in another country, these images formed the basis of the workshop on documentary photography. 20 Keynote papers included a presentation by Dorothy Sheridan, Development Director of the Mass Observation Archive. Before taking this post Dorothy was Director of the Mass Observation Archive for a long period and was thus able to give a fascinating talk on the relationships between leisure and Mass Observation, liberally interspersed with anecdotes and memories of its development, including some relating to Tom Harrisson, a founder of the Mass Observation project. Presentations were heard from academics across the country, touching on every subject from sport to the pub to film and the cinema to knitting. Also included was Exhibition and inhibitions: working-class boys and leisure in the 1920s and 1930s by Melanie Tebbutt, Director of the Manchester Centre for Regional History at Manchester Metropolitan University and author of Working-class Masculinities in the Interwar Years:Youth, Leisure and Identity, (forthcoming 2010). Academics from around the country presented dozens of papers on subjects as diverse as gambling, holidaying and knitting within ‘makedo-and-mend’ as they explored the social history of our leisure lives and their representation and recording. For a full account of the conference themes and events go to: www.bolton.ac.uk/HSS/NewsAndEvents/Home.aspx Celebrating cultural diversity Students from around the world celebrated their cultural diversity at the University’s recent International Evening. More than 100 students from 34 countries representing Asia, China, the Middle East, India, Europe, South America and Africa joined together for the event.Visitors were entertained to an eclectic mix of music from around the world as well as a demonstration by Iranian dancers and a display of traditional Indian Kathak dance. Prashana Mahendran from Sri Lanka, in the second year of an accountancy degree course, said: ‘The International Evening is a wonderful way of meeting people from different countries and has given me a chance to learn more about their food, fashion and culture.’ Emmanuel Matsika from Zambia, a research student at the University and president of the international society, added: ‘Many of our international students are in the UK for the first time when they come to the University.The society helps them to settle in and also gives them a chance to meet people and make new friends.’ The Society, which is open to all students at the University, also organises social events and trips to places of interest around the UK. Film premiere honours for Jamie Award-winning student Jamie Coles joined actors and media professionals at a film premiere and awards ceremony in Manchester city centre recently. Jamie, a student on the University’s Media, Writing and Production course, was invited to attend the event as a runner-up in the Environment Agency Tomorrow’s World film competition. The aim of the competition was to create a short film designed to convey to business leaders important messages on climate change. The contest also provided an opportunity for students at universities across the North West to showcase their talent. Jamie’s script, Where’s the Water Gone? came second and earned him the invitation to the awards event where he joined TV producer Phil Redmond, DJ Terry Christian, actor Pete Postlethwaite, filmmakers and media professionals for the premiere of the two winning films. Jamie said: ‘I got through to a shortlist of five and had to pitch my idea to a panel of film and media professionals which was pretty daunting. I was disappointed not to win but it was a great opportunity and it gave me some real experience of how the media industry works.’ Kerry Fletcher, a student on the same course as Jamie, was also shortlisted but did not get through to the final stages. Students teach pupils how to stop the bullies Students have been helping children combat bullying in a unique programme for schools in the town. Pupils have been taking part in role-playing sessions, interactive computer games and workbook exercises, designed to teach them the effects of bullying and ways to combat the bullies. Community Fund’s Best Outstanding Project award to the University and the CSEF. Pictured are pupils from Top O’th’Brow County Primary School, Bolton with student Summaya Patel and Megan Lescure, classroom assistant, at an anti-bullying session. The programme, now in its fourth year, is run at the University, in partnership with the Children’s Safety Education Foundation (CSEF). Students have been visiting schools as part of the University’s volunteering programme and delivering sessions to schoolchildren for one to two hours a week, over a 10-week period. Students take part in training sessions at the University to prepare them for delivery of the programme and familiarise them with the material used. In 2006 the work of the anti-bullying programme was recognised through the presentation of the Higher Education Active 21 Leadership Academy launched at University Bolton’s Leadership Academy has been launched at the University, starting a ‘cream of the crop’ leadership and volunteer programme for Bolton’s leading schools and colleges’ champions of sport. Wheelchair rugby paralympian Rob Tarr joined the launch celebrations and spoke at the event. Forty young people, age 14-19, have applied for and been selected for the prestigious programme, which will give the town’s top-flight young sport leaders the opportunity to hone their coaching and mentoring talents with the best in their borough. The launch event day included the youngsters’ first Sports Coach UK course. The programme is being run by Bolton School Sport Partnerships in close partnership with the University. Part of Step into Sport, a UK-wide programme of sport mentoring and coaching development, Leadership Academies are designed to provide high quality support and development for young leaders and volunteers that are committed to actively volunteering within their school and/or community settings. The programme aims to increase the quantity, quality and diversity of young people engaged in leadership and volunteering, with consequent benefits to schools, clubs, the community and the young people involved. Delivering the programme, run at the University, will be Sam Inman, Further and Higher Education Sport Co-ordinator based at the University of Bolton and Scott Warrington, Community Development Manager at St Joseph’s High School and Sports College. Said Melita Mather, Partnership Development Manager for Thornleigh Salesian School Sport Partnership: ‘We had a packed day of activities for the launch where our programme participants will be well on their way to becoming sport champions, as coaches, mentors and volunteers in their schools and communities. ‘This is a rolling programme, which will grow and develop each year to provide generations of sport champions in the coming years.’ Health mela partnership The University is hosting a health mela in October through its partnership with Lancashire Gujarat Health Users Forum and the community health forum. The event aims not only to promote partnership between local communities, health professionals and health organisations, but also to engage communities and to empower them to take charge of their own health. Around 60 different disciplines, including complimentary practitioners in areas such as reflexology and reiki, will be taking part in the event. 22 University helps footballer in his Deaflympics preparation Local footballer Paul Mills has been using the University’s facilities and expertise to help in his preparation for the Deaflympics to be held in Taiwan this September. Paul has been selected for the Great Britain deaf football squad. Following his selection, Paul’s coach contacted teaching staff at the University’s Department of Sport and Exercise Science to ask if they could measure Paul’s fitness levels and a series of fitness-testing sessions were arranged. Using the facilities at the Sports Science lab, tests have been carried out to measure Paul’s aerobic capacity, lung function and body composition. Results from the tests have enabled him to gauge his readiness for the Deaflympics, make any necessary changes to his training programme and monitor his progress over the coming months. Andrew Fallone, Programme Leader Sport and Exercise Science, said: ‘We were more than happy to offer Paul the use of our facilities here at the University and hope that measuring his fitness levels has helped him to prepare, both physically and psychologically, for the Deaflympics in September.’ Paul plays for Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Everton Deaf FC and Rochdale Deaf FC. He is a student at Bolton Community College. Pictured is fitness testing for Paul Mills at the University’s sports science lab (picture courtesy of The Bolton News) Karthick shines in UK contest student representative and was President of the International Society in 2007-08. He has also arranged sponsorship enabling five children, from poor families in his home town of Tiruttani, to continue with their education when they turn 14. Karthick said: ‘I have had the opportunity to do so many things to improve myself personally and meet so many people from all over the world while studying at the University of Bolton.The town has become a second home for me, I always find good people and never miss my home food here!’ Student Karthick Kanchi Govarthanam recently joined other international students from universities across the UK for the London finals of Shine 2009. Karthick, from India and a research student in technical textiles, was selected as the North West regional runner-up in the competition, which celebrates the successes and achievements of international students studying in the UK. In addition to his studies, Karthick has worked part-time for Creative Support in Bolton and Salford, supporting people with mental health issues and learning disabilities. He is currently serving on the University’s Board of Governors as Professor Subhash Anand, Karthick’s director of studies at the University’s Centre for Materials, Research and Innovation, said: ‘Karthick is currently working on the project to develop a new fabric for knife-proof clothing. He is a very dedicated, intelligent and hard-working research student and we are extremely proud of his success in the 2009 international student awards.' Nearly 1,500 students from 118 countries entered the competition. They were invited to write an account of their time studying in the UK. Judges were looking for entries that reflected how the students’ experiences in UK institutions and communities have helped them to develop new life skills, influenced their interests and goals and also, how the students have contributed to life in the UK. Sports student sets Olympic sights These are busy times for Jatinder Rakhra. A student on the University’s foundation degree in Sports and Fitness Management, he is also a wrestler who has set his sights on competing in the 2012 Olympics. As both scholar and athlete, Jatinder manages a hectic schedule of studying combined with a training programme that requires him to spend a lot of time at training camps abroad, mainly in Eastern Europe. This has not affected his commitment or work-rate however. Stuart Steen is the Course Leader for the Sport and Fitness Management Foundation Degree and Jatinder’s personal tutor at The Manchester College, where he is currently based on his University foundation degree. He said: ‘Jatinder is an extremely hard-working student. Many of the high-level wrestling competitions are held in Eastern Europe, which means he spends a lot of time abroad. In spite of these pressures, and with the necessary support, he continues to achieve high standards in his academic work and in the wrestling arena.’ In 2007, 20-year old Jatinder came tenth in the World Junior Championships in Beijing. More recently, he has finished third in major tournaments in Austria and Russia, he represented Great Britain at the Junior Grand Prix in Azerbaijan and at the European Senior Championships in Vilnius. All these trips have been within the space of three months and were followed by a tough two weeks at a training camp in Russia. Jatinder’s goal now is to step up to senior level and prepare for the London Olympics. ‘In the UK, wrestling is one of the less well known Olympic sports,’ said Jatinder. ‘However, that may change if I do well in 2012. I’m determined to achieve at the highest level and I’ve had fantastic backing from my course tutors at college, which has allowed me to continue with my studies while still training and competing.’ After travelling to Poland for a tournament at the end of May, Jatinder will be spending the summer in Russia in preparation for the European Junior Championships to be held in Georgia and the World Junior Championships taking place in Turkey. 23
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