Connection Issue 7

Issue 7 Summer

2008

The magazine of Buckinghamshire New University

ProfilePeter Moss & Mike Bellamy

ViewpointDr Catherine Wilson

FeaturePCSO training

Research round–up

Bucks New University’s recent media coverage has included regular mentions in regional media, with the Bucks Free Press’s education section featuring a range of University news, including the new student support package, a DVD produced by lecturer, Mike Rowbottom, and the launch of our new Motorsport Foundation Degree.

The launch of the Foundation Degree in Retail Management (Dreams) generated extensive coverage, including an item on the BBC website, whilst the launch of our PCSO training programme, resulted in articles in publications including The Times, Police Review, the Maidenhead Advertiser, and an item on BBC South Today.

University Business and Computer Business Review were amongst those to cover the

signing of our agreement with HP and Cisco, and the success of our textiles graduates generated features in trade publications Knitting and Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher.

The University appeared in the Independent’s Good University Guide for the fi rst time, having recently become a university, and was ranked fourth out of 113 universities for its spend on facilities.

Contents

Connection magazine was produced by the Marketing, Communications & Recruitment Directorate at Buckinghamshire New University. Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate at the time of going to press.

If you have any questions or stories, please contact the editor, Anne Whitehouse, on 01494 �05 249, email [email protected] Contributions may be edited for length or style.

Buckinghamshire New University, Queen Alexandra Road,High Wycombe HP11 2JZ.Telephone: 01494 522 141Fax: 01494 605 023Web: bucks.ac.uk

Designed and produced by Greens Ltd,www.greensdigital.com

Front cover image: May Ball 2008

© Buckinghamshire New University

Printed on a chlorine-free paper from amanaged forest.

This publication can be made available in alternative formatscall 01494 �05 249

Message from the Vice Chancellor 2

Bucks in the news 3

Student joins the Mongol rally 3

Bucks tops THE surveys 3

Profi le: Peter Moss and Mike Bellamy 4

Rugby Internationals launchsports strategy 5

Business round-up 6-7

News from the Faculty of Creativity & Culture 8-11

Staff attend AUA conference 11

News from the Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation 12-15

News from the Faculty of Society & Health 16-17

Research news 18-21

Campus redevelopment update 22

News in brief 23

University signs agreement with Chaplaincy 24

Council for Christian Muslims is launched 24

Obituary: Michael Reilly 24

Sports news 25

Graduates excel in textile art 26

Missenden Abbey has double celebration 26

Bucks TV 26

News from partner colleges 27 What’s on? Back cover

Message from the Vice ChancellorSo far 2008 has been characterised by rapid development for the University, and we are only part-way through it! We have made signifi cant strides forward with our campus redevelopment programme. The Gateway, our new building at the front of the High Wycombe campus, is taking shape; we are embarking upon the building of our new student accommodation in High Wycombe, and we have a new location for our Nursing courses which are moving to West London.

We have signed an agreement with ICT solutions providers, HP and Cisco, which is designed to transform the learning experience, not only for staff and students using the Gateway, but for those working in West London or studying remotely at home, in their workplace or overseas. We have launched an ambitious sports strategy that brings together our partnerships with a wide range of sporting organisations, and is designed to ensure that we succeed in becoming one of the best universities for sport in the South East.

This issue of Connection highlights some of our achievements. Our success has been marked by our students winning awards and two reports published by Times Higher Education as well as an extremely successful review of our Nursing provision by the Nursing & Midwifery Council.

For the fi rst time, we are including details of some of the research that is being undertaken at the University. Like our teaching and our business-facing activities, our research is immediately relevant, from concerns about rising levels of obesity to the preservation of High Wycombe’s furniture-based heritage.

The Profi le piece looks at two people who have been instrumental in taking the organisation forward, the Chair and Deputy Chair of Council, our governing body, Peter Moss and Mike Bellamy, who both retire this summer after between them many years of service to the University. We thank them both for the signifi cant contributions that they have made and look forward to welcoming their successors, Roy Darby and Brian Tranter, to their new roles.

Dr Ruth FarwellVice Chancellor and Chief Executive

Bucks in the news

A Buckinghamshire New University student is preparing for a journey he will remember for the rest of his life. On 19 July 2008, Thomas Chettle and his friend Jeff Pepper will set off on a 10,000 mile journey from London to Mongolia with only a small car to get them there.

The Mongol Rally was originally launched in 2001 when a pair of adventurous Englishmen embarked on a trip to Mongolia driving a Fiat 126. The offi cial rally began in 2004, with four teams completing the distance out of the original six. Attendance continued to climb, with 43 teams entering in 2005, 167 starting in 2006 and 186 in 2007.

This year there will be 300 teams taking part, and UK-based international development charity, Mercy Corps, will be the main benefi ciary of the fundraising rally. The two friends have called themselves ‘Team Swifty’.

Thomas said: “I want to get out there into the big wide open world to meet new people and experience different cultures which we will be passing through along the way. I have always wanted to do a fundraiser, so to combine raising money for Mercy Corps with a chance to travel is great!”

For more information visit teamswifty.com, willwemakeit.com/teamswifty or mongolrally.com

Student joins the Mongol rally University invests in lower income students

Bucks comes top in quality of life indexBuckinghamshire New University was ranked number one in an index designed to measure the quality of life of academic staff at 121 higher education institutions in the UK. The index, published by Times Higher Education in March, was designed as a tool for academics, particularly those looking for jobs.

The Halifax-Times Higher Education quality of life index used a variety of criteria to work out the most attractive universities for academic staff. It took into account factors such as the price of housing, local crime rates, the quality of local schools and traffi c fl ows, as well as average salaries and the proportion of staff on permanent or open-ended contracts.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University said: “We recognise that staff take into account a variety of factors when deciding where to work, and try to ensure that they are able to enjoy a balance between their working and home lives. Staff are attracted by our commitment to quality teaching and we recognise their commitment by offering opportunities for personal development, and part-time working options, for instance. Combined with the good schools and lifestyle aspects mentioned in the index, we can offer an attractive package. We are delighted that the University, and the region, have been recognised in this way.”

Buckinghamshire New University was ranked as one of the top ten British institutions investing in lower income students, in a survey published by Times Higher Education. The survey was performed by the Offi ce for Fair Access (OFFA) and reported on the amount of additional fee income, generated from top-up fees, that is currently being allocated to fi nancial support for lower income students.

Bucks was ranked eighth out of 123 higher education institutions, spending 35.5% of its additional income on student bursaries. Well over half of the institutions spend less than 20%.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, said: “The OFFA survey refl ects our core values which include putting students fi rst and inclusivity – education for all. We believe that access to higher education should be an option for all income groups, and understand what it costs to study at a university; our investment refl ects this.”

Did you know?OFFA, is an independent, non-departmental public body, which aims to promote and safeguard fair access to higher education for under-represented groups in light of the introduction of variable tuition fees in 2006-07. It is led by the Director of Fair Access, Sir Martin Harris, who reports to the Secretary of State for Education.

This year there

charity, Mercy

Dr Ruth Farwell on the Gateway building site

Page 2 Connection Page 3 Connection

Issue 7 Summer

2008

Bucks New University’s recent media coverage has included regular mentions in regional media, with the Bucks Free Press’s education section featuring a range of University news, including the new student support package, a DVD produced by lecturer, Mike Rowbottom, and the launch of our new Motorsport Foundation Degree.

The launch of the Foundation Degree in Retail Management (Dreams) generated extensive coverage, including an item on the BBC website, whilst the launch of our PCSO training programme, resulted in articles in publications including The Times, Police Review, the Maidenhead Advertiser, and an item on BBC South Today.

University Business and Computer Business Review were amongst those to cover the

signing of our agreement with HP and Cisco, and the success of our textiles graduates generated features in trade publications Knitting and Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher.

The University appeared in the Independent’s Good University Guide for the fi rst time, having recently become a university, and was ranked fourth out of 113 universities for its spend on facilities.

Contents

Connection magazine was produced by the Marketing, Communications & Recruitment Directorate at Buckinghamshire New University. Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate at the time of going to press.

If you have any questions or stories, please contact the editor, Anne Whitehouse, on 01494 �05 249, email [email protected] Contributions may be edited for length or style.

Buckinghamshire New University, Queen Alexandra Road,High Wycombe HP11 2JZ.Telephone: 01494 522 141Fax: 01494 605 023Web: bucks.ac.uk

Designed and produced by Greens Ltd,www.greensdigital.com

Front cover image: May Ball 2008

© Buckinghamshire New University

Printed on a chlorine-free paper from amanaged forest.

This publication can be made available in alternative formatscall 01494 �05 249

Message from the Vice Chancellor 2

Bucks in the news 3

Student joins the Mongol rally 3

Bucks tops THE surveys 3

Profi le: Peter Moss and Mike Bellamy 4

Rugby Internationals launchsports strategy 5

Business round-up 6-7

News from the Faculty of Creativity & Culture 8-11

Staff attend AUA conference 11

News from the Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation 12-15

News from the Faculty of Society & Health 16-17

Research news 18-21

Campus redevelopment update 22

News in brief 23

University signs agreement with Chaplaincy 24

Council for Christian Muslims is launched 24

Obituary: Michael Reilly 24

Sports news 25

Graduates excel in textile art 26

Missenden Abbey has double celebration 26

Bucks TV 26

News from partner colleges 27 What’s on? Back cover

Message from the Vice ChancellorSo far 2008 has been characterised by rapid development for the University, and we are only part-way through it! We have made signifi cant strides forward with our campus redevelopment programme. The Gateway, our new building at the front of the High Wycombe campus, is taking shape; we are embarking upon the building of our new student accommodation in High Wycombe, and we have a new location for our Nursing courses which are moving to West London.

We have signed an agreement with ICT solutions providers, HP and Cisco, which is designed to transform the learning experience, not only for staff and students using the Gateway, but for those working in West London or studying remotely at home, in their workplace or overseas. We have launched an ambitious sports strategy that brings together our partnerships with a wide range of sporting organisations, and is designed to ensure that we succeed in becoming one of the best universities for sport in the South East.

This issue of Connection highlights some of our achievements. Our success has been marked by our students winning awards and two reports published by Times Higher Education as well as an extremely successful review of our Nursing provision by the Nursing & Midwifery Council.

For the fi rst time, we are including details of some of the research that is being undertaken at the University. Like our teaching and our business-facing activities, our research is immediately relevant, from concerns about rising levels of obesity to the preservation of High Wycombe’s furniture-based heritage.

The Profi le piece looks at two people who have been instrumental in taking the organisation forward, the Chair and Deputy Chair of Council, our governing body, Peter Moss and Mike Bellamy, who both retire this summer after between them many years of service to the University. We thank them both for the signifi cant contributions that they have made and look forward to welcoming their successors, Roy Darby and Brian Tranter, to their new roles.

Dr Ruth FarwellVice Chancellor and Chief Executive

Bucks in the news

A Buckinghamshire New University student is preparing for a journey he will remember for the rest of his life. On 19 July 2008, Thomas Chettle and his friend Jeff Pepper will set off on a 10,000 mile journey from London to Mongolia with only a small car to get them there.

The Mongol Rally was originally launched in 2001 when a pair of adventurous Englishmen embarked on a trip to Mongolia driving a Fiat 126. The offi cial rally began in 2004, with four teams completing the distance out of the original six. Attendance continued to climb, with 43 teams entering in 2005, 167 starting in 2006 and 186 in 2007.

This year there will be 300 teams taking part, and UK-based international development charity, Mercy Corps, will be the main benefi ciary of the fundraising rally. The two friends have called themselves ‘Team Swifty’.

Thomas said: “I want to get out there into the big wide open world to meet new people and experience different cultures which we will be passing through along the way. I have always wanted to do a fundraiser, so to combine raising money for Mercy Corps with a chance to travel is great!”

For more information visit teamswifty.com, willwemakeit.com/teamswifty or mongolrally.com

Student joins the Mongol rally University invests in lower income students

Bucks comes top in quality of life indexBuckinghamshire New University was ranked number one in an index designed to measure the quality of life of academic staff at 121 higher education institutions in the UK. The index, published by Times Higher Education in March, was designed as a tool for academics, particularly those looking for jobs.

The Halifax-Times Higher Education quality of life index used a variety of criteria to work out the most attractive universities for academic staff. It took into account factors such as the price of housing, local crime rates, the quality of local schools and traffi c fl ows, as well as average salaries and the proportion of staff on permanent or open-ended contracts.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University said: “We recognise that staff take into account a variety of factors when deciding where to work, and try to ensure that they are able to enjoy a balance between their working and home lives. Staff are attracted by our commitment to quality teaching and we recognise their commitment by offering opportunities for personal development, and part-time working options, for instance. Combined with the good schools and lifestyle aspects mentioned in the index, we can offer an attractive package. We are delighted that the University, and the region, have been recognised in this way.”

Buckinghamshire New University was ranked as one of the top ten British institutions investing in lower income students, in a survey published by Times Higher Education. The survey was performed by the Offi ce for Fair Access (OFFA) and reported on the amount of additional fee income, generated from top-up fees, that is currently being allocated to fi nancial support for lower income students.

Bucks was ranked eighth out of 123 higher education institutions, spending 35.5% of its additional income on student bursaries. Well over half of the institutions spend less than 20%.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, said: “The OFFA survey refl ects our core values which include putting students fi rst and inclusivity – education for all. We believe that access to higher education should be an option for all income groups, and understand what it costs to study at a university; our investment refl ects this.”

Did you know?OFFA, is an independent, non-departmental public body, which aims to promote and safeguard fair access to higher education for under-represented groups in light of the introduction of variable tuition fees in 2006-07. It is led by the Director of Fair Access, Sir Martin Harris, who reports to the Secretary of State for Education.

This year there

charity, Mercy

Dr Ruth Farwell on the Gateway building site


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Peter Moss enjoyed his fi rst stint as a BCUC Council member from the end of the 1980s to the mid-1990s so much so that he came back again for a second go when he retired from full time work in 1999. He was elected Chair of Council in 2000, after the retirement of the previous Chair, Owen Harris, and has been re-elected every two years since. Now, he has served the maximum permitted term of eight years, and will step down after the Council meeting in July.

Peter has seen some signifi cant changes whilst in the Chair. Peter says: “I greatly enjoyed working with Bryan Mogford until he retired, being able to celebrate his huge achievements for the institution over many years. I was very pleased and proud that we were able to appoint such an able successor to Bryan as Ruth Farwell and am delighted with the way she is taking the institution forward. It has been very fulfi lling being here when university title was achieved and, after many twists and turns, seeing the start of the building work.”

The Council is responsible for shaping the vision and mission of the institution and for monitoring achievement. It has ultimate responsibility for all of the University’s activities. It is supported by a range of committees, dealing with issues such as audit, resources and governance. Council members are encouraged to get involved in the work of the University and attend key events such as graduation ceremonies.

Peter says: “I have always attached a great deal of importance to higher education, both as a parent, and as an employer looking for the next generation of talented employees. It has been particularly rewarding being involved in higher education which is crucially important for this community and

the country. The Government’s ambitions for widening participation fi tted well with what the University was doing naturally, and I am delighted to see engagement with employers growing and becoming more formalised.”

Peter’s own career was in the insurance industry, fi rst as an actuary and then in general management, with stints directing the Customer Services, HR and Facilities Management functions of Equity & Law. Peter now chairs the AXA Federation of Pensioners’ Associations, which looks after around 10,000 former employees

across the whole of the UK. In addition to this voluntary work, Peter enjoys reading, the theatre, playing bad golf and watching good rugby (Wasps and Leicester Tigers whenever possible). He has four very young grandchildren who he loves spending time with.

His advice to the University is to make the most of the building blocks that have or are being put into place, university title, the re-organization of the faculties, the overhaul of the course portfolio, the positioning of the University as business-facing and a new consolidated campus. “Higher education is becoming increasingly competitive, so the next few years will not be easy. The recent planning successes are an enormous boost, and along with improving the feedback from students, should really help the University to develop.”

Mike Bellamy has also made a substantial contribution to the University, spending ten years on Council, latterly as Deputy Chairman. Mike has chaired the HR and Governance Committees, and served on the Resources, Campus Development and Strategy Groups.

Mike says: “It has been a great privilege to be part of an organisation that’s going places. There have been many changes, including changes to the make-up of the governing body and the Senior Management Team, as well as university title and the campus redevelopment project. The recent planning successes will allow us to develop the campus to a high standard, which will be particularly important as facilities are becoming more important to students and their families.”

Like Peter, Mike is particularly interested in the University’s focus on widening participation, and its success in retaining students, through help with literacy, numeracy and study skills and better fi nancial advice. He is also impressed by the strong focus on the student experience, and the maintenance of high academic standards: “The University has been well-managed and assiduous in safeguarding academic quality, resulting in a sound record of HEFCE inspections.”

Mike has been instrumental in identifying new Council members, and encourages others to consider taking on a non-executive Council role: “It has been a very positive experience being involved in an organisation that has such exciting prospects. The next few years will see tremendous changes and improvements.”

Mike worked in the health service for over 30 years, spending the last 18 as a Chief Executive. Since leaving the NHS, he has worked as a management consultant for a range of organisations, including the National Cancer Action Team, as well as working for a start-up venture providing healthcare. Mike enjoys playing golf and supporting Wasps, as well as visiting his children and grandchildren in Holland and Australia.

Peter and Mike will be succeeded by Roy Darby and Brian Tranter, respectively. For more information on Council visit bucks.ac.uk

Profi le: Peter Moss & Mike Bellamy

Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley, both celebrated England Rugby Internationals and London Wasps players, were present to launch Buckinghamshire New University’s sports strategy in the company of a distinguished gathering from the sports industry. The celebratory event took place at Adams Park, home of the London Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, in May.

Joe Worsley, who is widely regarded as the best utility back row forward in the country, played an integral role in the England side that went all the way to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final. Simon Shaw, known as the ‘Gentle Giant’, has been one of the best locks in the Premiership for more than ten seasons, and has 34 England caps to his name. Bucks New University has developed an inclusive strategy which outlines its long-term vision for sport. It is a declaration of the University’s intentions to work with local, regional and national sporting partners to deliver sporting opportunities, and is a demonstration of the institution’s commitment to the provision of sport for students, staff and the local community.

The University’s sports strategy is distinctive due to the breadth of associations with whom successful working partnerships have been established. In recognition of the strength and success of each individual alliance, a series of special presentations

were made at the launch by Bucks New University to its partners.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University, said: “As a new generation university, Bucks is an outward-facing institution and has developed solid links with the region’s sporting and

business community. Our vision for sport is to be a university renowned for our support of sport through academic studies, individual participation and achievement, and through engagement with our community and our partners. We aim to be recognised as

a leading sports university by our students, the community and national and regional sporting bodies.” Wasps’s back row forward, Joe Worsley, commented: “I’m very pleased to be here and taking part in the launch of Bucks New University’s sports strategy. The University’s partnership with London Wasps is just one element of the strategy and it has been extremely successful at both the elite and community levels.” Simon Shaw, added: “The activities of the Bucks community team have meant that many youngsters have been able to become involved in our sport. We look forward to being part

of Bucks’s plans for sport going forward.”

England Rugby Internationals launch sports strategy

Events Management student and Paralympic Dressage competitor, Toby Pawson, speaking at the launch

Dr Ruth Farwell with Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley

Joe Worsley, who is widely regarded

in the country, played an integral role

which outlines its long-term vision for

a leading sports university by our

Worsley, commented: “I’m very pleased to be here and taking part in the launch of Bucks New University’s sports strategy. The University’s partnership with London Wasps is just one element of the strategy and it has been extremely successful at both the elite and community levels.”

Simon Shaw, added: “The activities of the Bucks community team have meant that many youngsters have been able to become involved in our sport. We look forward to being part

Sporting partners with their awards

It has been very fulfi lling being here when university title was achieved and, after

many twists and turns, seeing the start of the building work

Peter Moss Mike Bellamy


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Peter Moss enjoyed his fi rst stint as a BCUC Council member from the end of the 1980s to the mid-1990s so much so that he came back again for a second go when he retired from full time work in 1999. He was elected Chair of Council in 2000, after the retirement of the previous Chair, Owen Harris, and has been re-elected every two years since. Now, he has served the maximum permitted term of eight years, and will step down after the Council meeting in July.

Peter has seen some signifi cant changes whilst in the Chair. Peter says: “I greatly enjoyed working with Bryan Mogford until he retired, being able to celebrate his huge achievements for the institution over many years. I was very pleased and proud that we were able to appoint such an able successor to Bryan as Ruth Farwell and am delighted with the way she is taking the institution forward. It has been very fulfi lling being here when university title was achieved and, after many twists and turns, seeing the start of the building work.”

The Council is responsible for shaping the vision and mission of the institution and for monitoring achievement. It has ultimate responsibility for all of the University’s activities. It is supported by a range of committees, dealing with issues such as audit, resources and governance. Council members are encouraged to get involved in the work of the University and attend key events such as graduation ceremonies.

Peter says: “I have always attached a great deal of importance to higher education, both as a parent, and as an employer looking for the next generation of talented employees. It has been particularly rewarding being involved in higher education which is crucially important for this community and

the country. The Government’s ambitions for widening participation fi tted well with what the University was doing naturally, and I am delighted to see engagement with employers growing and becoming more formalised.”

Peter’s own career was in the insurance industry, fi rst as an actuary and then in general management, with stints directing the Customer Services, HR and Facilities Management functions of Equity & Law. Peter now chairs the AXA Federation of Pensioners’ Associations, which looks after around 10,000 former employees

across the whole of the UK. In addition to this voluntary work, Peter enjoys reading, the theatre, playing bad golf and watching good rugby (Wasps and Leicester Tigers whenever possible). He has four very young grandchildren who he loves spending time with.

His advice to the University is to make the most of the building blocks that have or are being put into place, university title, the re-organization of the faculties, the overhaul of the course portfolio, the positioning of the University as business-facing and a new consolidated campus. “Higher education is becoming increasingly competitive, so the next few years will not be easy. The recent planning successes are an enormous boost, and along with improving the feedback from students, should really help the University to develop.”

Mike Bellamy has also made a substantial contribution to the University, spending ten years on Council, latterly as Deputy Chairman. Mike has chaired the HR and Governance Committees, and served on the Resources, Campus Development and Strategy Groups.

Mike says: “It has been a great privilege to be part of an organisation that’s going places. There have been many changes, including changes to the make-up of the governing body and the Senior Management Team, as well as university title and the campus redevelopment project. The recent planning successes will allow us to develop the campus to a high standard, which will be particularly important as facilities are becoming more important to students and their families.”

Like Peter, Mike is particularly interested in the University’s focus on widening participation, and its success in retaining students, through help with literacy, numeracy and study skills and better fi nancial advice. He is also impressed by the strong focus on the student experience, and the maintenance of high academic standards: “The University has been well-managed and assiduous in safeguarding academic quality, resulting in a sound record of HEFCE inspections.”

Mike has been instrumental in identifying new Council members, and encourages others to consider taking on a non-executive Council role: “It has been a very positive experience being involved in an organisation that has such exciting prospects. The next few years will see tremendous changes and improvements.”

Mike worked in the health service for over 30 years, spending the last 18 as a Chief Executive. Since leaving the NHS, he has worked as a management consultant for a range of organisations, including the National Cancer Action Team, as well as working for a start-up venture providing healthcare. Mike enjoys playing golf and supporting Wasps, as well as visiting his children and grandchildren in Holland and Australia.

Peter and Mike will be succeeded by Roy Darby and Brian Tranter, respectively. For more information on Council visit bucks.ac.uk

Profi le: Peter Moss & Mike Bellamy

Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley, both celebrated England Rugby Internationals and London Wasps players, were present to launch Buckinghamshire New University’s sports strategy in the company of a distinguished gathering from the sports industry. The celebratory event took place at Adams Park, home of the London Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, in May.

Joe Worsley, who is widely regarded as the best utility back row forward in the country, played an integral role in the England side that went all the way to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final. Simon Shaw, known as the ‘Gentle Giant’, has been one of the best locks in the Premiership for more than ten seasons, and has 34 England caps to his name. Bucks New University has developed an inclusive strategy which outlines its long-term vision for sport. It is a declaration of the University’s intentions to work with local, regional and national sporting partners to deliver sporting opportunities, and is a demonstration of the institution’s commitment to the provision of sport for students, staff and the local community.

The University’s sports strategy is distinctive due to the breadth of associations with whom successful working partnerships have been established. In recognition of the strength and success of each individual alliance, a series of special presentations

were made at the launch by Bucks New University to its partners.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University, said: “As a new generation university, Bucks is an outward-facing institution and has developed solid links with the region’s sporting and

business community. Our vision for sport is to be a university renowned for our support of sport through academic studies, individual participation and achievement, and through engagement with our community and our partners. We aim to be recognised as

a leading sports university by our students, the community and national and regional sporting bodies.” Wasps’s back row forward, Joe Worsley, commented: “I’m very pleased to be here and taking part in the launch of Bucks New University’s sports strategy. The University’s partnership with London Wasps is just one element of the strategy and it has been extremely successful at both the elite and community levels.” Simon Shaw, added: “The activities of the Bucks community team have meant that many youngsters have been able to become involved in our sport. We look forward to being part

of Bucks’s plans for sport going forward.”

England Rugby Internationals launch sports strategy

Events Management student and Paralympic Dressage competitor, Toby Pawson, speaking at the launch

Dr Ruth Farwell with Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley

Joe Worsley, who is widely regarded

in the country, played an integral role

which outlines its long-term vision for

a leading sports university by our

Worsley, commented: “I’m very pleased to be here and taking part in the launch of Bucks New University’s sports strategy. The University’s partnership with London Wasps is just one element of the strategy and it has been extremely successful at both the elite and community levels.”

Simon Shaw, added: “The activities of the Bucks community team have meant that many youngsters have been able to become involved in our sport. We look forward to being part

Sporting partners with their awards

It has been very fulfi lling being here when university title was achieved and, after

many twists and turns, seeing the start of the building work

Peter Moss Mike Bellamy


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Business round-up

University is open4business

My Great Business Idea

Transforming great ideas into reality

HP and Cisco transform the learning experience

Dream degree for national retailer

Buckinghamshire New University is providing work-based degree level education for employees at Britain’s leading bed specialist, Dreams.

The Foundation Degree Retail Management (Dreams) incorporates the existing Dreams Training Package which is offered to new staff in the organisation, and builds upon the University’s reputation for developing modern vocational degrees that meet the needs of employers.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, said: “We pride ourselves on our work-based

Foundation Degrees that are designed in conjunction with employers, and enable students to gain qualifications whilst they are working and on the basis of their work experience. Offering Dreams’ managers this opportunity is a natural extension of our work, especially since Dreams’ head office is in our home town. It fits perfectly with the Government’s drive for greater participation in higher education and the need to enhance the skills base of the nation.”

Mike Clare, Founder and President of Dreams, and a Bucks New University Council member said: “The University’s pragmatic approach and understanding of the challenges we face has enabled us to launch a development programme which will enable staff to continue their education whilst also focusing on their careers. The Foundation Degree in Retail Management is a great way of demonstrating the importance we place on the retention of good people, and how important the University has been in this process”.

Nick Worthington, Chief Executive of Dreams added: “The Foundation Degree with Bucks

New University is a fantastic way of giving value and recognition to our staff for their work done to date and assisting with their personal growth. In return we will reap the benefits of increased skills and ability, maximise retention and allow our future stars to shine.”

The course began in mid April with 12 Dreams managers taking part. The course has been designed according to the guidelines laid down by Foundation Degree Forward, the national body that supports the development and validation of Foundation Degrees, and Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council that promotes skills development in retail.

Buckinghamshire New University has signed an agreement with ICT solutions providers HP and Cisco, which is intended to transform the learning experience.

HP and Cisco are now the primary suppliers of ICT products and services to the University. The companies are providing a converged voice, video and data network so students can collaborate using, among other methods, instant messaging, voice emails and streaming video. The new network will also free students from the need to be on campus to undertake their courses.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, said: “This new relationship will offer students creative ways of learning that will accelerate their progress and enhance the student experience. For example, our nursing

students will be able to work even more effectively when they are on placements in hospitals because HP and Cisco equipment will keep them connected with the campus and staff will be able to support them when they are away from the University.”

“Our collaboration with Cisco will change the way students, academics and administrators collaborate as well as position the university competitively to attract new students and drive innovation in the future,” said Martin Hess, sales director – UK & Ireland, HP. “Bucks New University has only recently acquired university status, but its far-sighted, technology-led approach will provide relevant courses to help students compete in their future workplace.”

Scot Gardner, public sector operations director – UK & Ireland at Cisco, said:

“Universities are now at the forefront of technological innovation so this is a natural association for both HP and Cisco. The solutions we build here will inform further solutions outside education, in business and the public sector.”

For further information on HP and Cisco visit cisco.com and hp.com

Did you know?Foundation Degrees were first introduced in 2001. They are designed to reduce skills shortages in the workplace, and work-based Foundation Degrees enable students to study whilst they are working. Successful students are able to progress to honours degree courses and/or management qualifications.

Bucks New University unveiled its new one-stop-shop for services to businesses in February. The launch of open4business took place at a special event for business contacts, staff and students, held at the Lane End Conference Centre.

Open4business marks a key stage in the University’s history and sends a clear signal to local industry that the University is ready to offer its services to organisations in the Thames Valley. At the heart of the services available is the Enterprise Directorate and it is here that businesses, individual entrepreneurs, public and voluntary sector organisations can find information and advice about the variety of services on offer – everything from Foundation Degrees to continuing professional development, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and support for business start-ups.

Professor Derek Godfrey, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research, Enterprise & Operations, commented at the launch: “Today’s event marks the special occasion of our new status in the world of enterprise. Bucks has a wealth of experience of teaching relevant skills to prepare students for the world of work, thus being responsive to industry needs, and as a result we can offer a range of business services that provide practical solutions tailored precisely to the individual organisation’s requirements.”

For further information call 01494 605 244, email [email protected], or visit bucks.ac.uk/open

In addition to launching open4business, the purpose of the event was to award prizes to the winners of Stage Two of the University’s My Great Business Idea competition, which is sponsored by Enrichment Technologies, Wycombe Enterprise Hub and the Institute of Directors. With a first prize of £5,000 the competition is open to all Bucks students and Bucks students from partner colleges and is part of a programme to recognise and develop entrepreneurial ideas which have commercial potential.

The competition was won by Premkumar Elangovan for his Next Generation CCTV

Systems, with second prize going to Kristina Allison for her EzyKneezy

product which is kind on your spine and soft on your knees, and third prize going to Indrachapa Bandara for the

EyEBB, the next generation of driver alert system. The runners-up were Greg Carr, Carl Batchelder, Jason Lawson, Mark Minogue, and William Wheeler for their Sport for Health business.

Visit bucks.ac.uk/mgbi for further information.

As part of their involvement in the CommercialiSE programme, which aims to support the Government’s drive to build closer ties between business and higher education institutions in the South East, three of our emerging entrepreneurs have gained valuable skills to help them transform their ideas into reality.

Mark Van Rensburg, Indrachapa Bandara and Premkumar Elangovan attended the CommercialiSE Fellowship Programme over three weekends and covered areas such as finding out if your product is viable in the marketplace; promotion and publicity; how to develop a business model; controlling your business using information and numbers, and how to raise money. Mark Van Rensburg, a Product Design graduate, invented several products during his time at Bucks including an integrated saucepan and colander. Mark said: “I thought the fellowship programme was fantastic and I learned about areas that I had never even thought of. I am making progress with my own business, and my goal is to launch my integrated saucepan and colander under my brand name van Rensburg by the end of the year.” Premkumar Elangovan commented: “The programme helped me to add business flavour to my academic research project. One of the useful aspects of the programme is the opportunity to speak to CEOs, bankers and venture capitalists. The programme has definitely motivated me to move my innovation to the next level.” Indrachapa Bandara added: “The course is geared towards the entrepreneur who wants to start his or her own business. It was very useful to inventors like me and helpful in covering how to establish and manage a business”. For further information on the next CommercialiSE Fellowship Programme email [email protected]

Page � Connection Page 7 Connection

Issue 7 Summer

2008

Business round-up

University is open4business

My Great Business Idea

Transforming great ideas into reality

HP and Cisco transform the learning experience

Dream degree for national retailer

Buckinghamshire New University is providing work-based degree level education for employees at Britain’s leading bed specialist, Dreams.

The Foundation Degree Retail Management (Dreams) incorporates the existing Dreams Training Package which is offered to new staff in the organisation, and builds upon the University’s reputation for developing modern vocational degrees that meet the needs of employers.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, said: “We pride ourselves on our work-based

Foundation Degrees that are designed in conjunction with employers, and enable students to gain qualifications whilst they are working and on the basis of their work experience. Offering Dreams’ managers this opportunity is a natural extension of our work, especially since Dreams’ head office is in our home town. It fits perfectly with the Government’s drive for greater participation in higher education and the need to enhance the skills base of the nation.”

Mike Clare, Founder and President of Dreams, and a Bucks New University Council member said: “The University’s pragmatic approach and understanding of the challenges we face has enabled us to launch a development programme which will enable staff to continue their education whilst also focusing on their careers. The Foundation Degree in Retail Management is a great way of demonstrating the importance we place on the retention of good people, and how important the University has been in this process”.

Nick Worthington, Chief Executive of Dreams added: “The Foundation Degree with Bucks

New University is a fantastic way of giving value and recognition to our staff for their work done to date and assisting with their personal growth. In return we will reap the benefits of increased skills and ability, maximise retention and allow our future stars to shine.”

The course began in mid April with 12 Dreams managers taking part. The course has been designed according to the guidelines laid down by Foundation Degree Forward, the national body that supports the development and validation of Foundation Degrees, and Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council that promotes skills development in retail.

Buckinghamshire New University has signed an agreement with ICT solutions providers HP and Cisco, which is intended to transform the learning experience.

HP and Cisco are now the primary suppliers of ICT products and services to the University. The companies are providing a converged voice, video and data network so students can collaborate using, among other methods, instant messaging, voice emails and streaming video. The new network will also free students from the need to be on campus to undertake their courses.

Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, said: “This new relationship will offer students creative ways of learning that will accelerate their progress and enhance the student experience. For example, our nursing

students will be able to work even more effectively when they are on placements in hospitals because HP and Cisco equipment will keep them connected with the campus and staff will be able to support them when they are away from the University.”

“Our collaboration with Cisco will change the way students, academics and administrators collaborate as well as position the university competitively to attract new students and drive innovation in the future,” said Martin Hess, sales director – UK & Ireland, HP. “Bucks New University has only recently acquired university status, but its far-sighted, technology-led approach will provide relevant courses to help students compete in their future workplace.”

Scot Gardner, public sector operations director – UK & Ireland at Cisco, said:

“Universities are now at the forefront of technological innovation so this is a natural association for both HP and Cisco. The solutions we build here will inform further solutions outside education, in business and the public sector.”

For further information on HP and Cisco visit cisco.com and hp.com

Did you know?Foundation Degrees were first introduced in 2001. They are designed to reduce skills shortages in the workplace, and work-based Foundation Degrees enable students to study whilst they are working. Successful students are able to progress to honours degree courses and/or management qualifications.

Bucks New University unveiled its new one-stop-shop for services to businesses in February. The launch of open4business took place at a special event for business contacts, staff and students, held at the Lane End Conference Centre.

Open4business marks a key stage in the University’s history and sends a clear signal to local industry that the University is ready to offer its services to organisations in the Thames Valley. At the heart of the services available is the Enterprise Directorate and it is here that businesses, individual entrepreneurs, public and voluntary sector organisations can find information and advice about the variety of services on offer – everything from Foundation Degrees to continuing professional development, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and support for business start-ups.

Professor Derek Godfrey, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research, Enterprise & Operations, commented at the launch: “Today’s event marks the special occasion of our new status in the world of enterprise. Bucks has a wealth of experience of teaching relevant skills to prepare students for the world of work, thus being responsive to industry needs, and as a result we can offer a range of business services that provide practical solutions tailored precisely to the individual organisation’s requirements.”

For further information call 01494 605 244, email [email protected], or visit bucks.ac.uk/open

In addition to launching open4business, the purpose of the event was to award prizes to the winners of Stage Two of the University’s My Great Business Idea competition, which is sponsored by Enrichment Technologies, Wycombe Enterprise Hub and the Institute of Directors. With a first prize of £5,000 the competition is open to all Bucks students and Bucks students from partner colleges and is part of a programme to recognise and develop entrepreneurial ideas which have commercial potential.

The competition was won by Premkumar Elangovan for his Next Generation CCTV

Systems, with second prize going to Kristina Allison for her EzyKneezy

product which is kind on your spine and soft on your knees, and third prize going to Indrachapa Bandara for the

EyEBB, the next generation of driver alert system. The runners-up were Greg Carr, Carl Batchelder, Jason Lawson, Mark Minogue, and William Wheeler for their Sport for Health business.

Visit bucks.ac.uk/mgbi for further information.

As part of their involvement in the CommercialiSE programme, which aims to support the Government’s drive to build closer ties between business and higher education institutions in the South East, three of our emerging entrepreneurs have gained valuable skills to help them transform their ideas into reality.

Mark Van Rensburg, Indrachapa Bandara and Premkumar Elangovan attended the CommercialiSE Fellowship Programme over three weekends and covered areas such as finding out if your product is viable in the marketplace; promotion and publicity; how to develop a business model; controlling your business using information and numbers, and how to raise money. Mark Van Rensburg, a Product Design graduate, invented several products during his time at Bucks including an integrated saucepan and colander. Mark said: “I thought the fellowship programme was fantastic and I learned about areas that I had never even thought of. I am making progress with my own business, and my goal is to launch my integrated saucepan and colander under my brand name van Rensburg by the end of the year.” Premkumar Elangovan commented: “The programme helped me to add business flavour to my academic research project. One of the useful aspects of the programme is the opportunity to speak to CEOs, bankers and venture capitalists. The programme has definitely motivated me to move my innovation to the next level.” Indrachapa Bandara added: “The course is geared towards the entrepreneur who wants to start his or her own business. It was very useful to inventors like me and helpful in covering how to establish and manage a business”. For further information on the next CommercialiSE Fellowship Programme email [email protected]

Page � Connection Page 7 Connection

Issue 7 Summer

2008

Video Production with Creative Writing student Rob Brandon, won the award for Best Experimental Film at the Exposures UK Student Film Festival 2007 for his fi lm Strings. This is the second consecutive year that an experimental fi lm produced in Buckinghamshire New University’s video department has received an award.

Rob said: “Festivals are great; everyone is there because they are interested in everyone else. It doesn’t feel like a competition. It’s just nice to be around people you admire and you would be surprised at the amount of people that admire you.”

The Exposures Festival has been hosted and organised by Cornerhouse, Manchester’s international centre for contemporary visual arts and fi lm, for over a decade. It has grown from being a modest affair in 1994 to a festival of exceptional size and calibre to meet the growing demand and changes in the industry. In 2005 the festival broadened its remit to include entries from all over the country, making it the UK’s only student fi lm festival of its kind.

The deadline for 2008 entries is 31 July. For more information visit exposuresfi lmfestival.co.uk

Two third year advertising students have been awarded a two-week work placement with a top London agency. The students were challenged by

MajorPlayers (the UK’s number one creative recruiter) to compete for the placements at Partners Andrew Aldridge by producing

the most impressive CV. The winners, Adam Burch and Jamie Evans, produced a CV on a medicine pill bottle, and a creative website.

Judge, Paul Snoxell, creative director at Partners Andrew Aldridge, commented: “I thought the standard of all the entries was delightfully high. However, Adam and Jamie’s CV came out tops on three counts: their self-branding

was clear, simple and memorable; their execution was excellent, from the tone of the copy to the charm of the wonky illustrations; and they used direct media adroitly, taking me from the physical world to a smart little website. It’s the way direct marketing is heading and the boys will certainly get a huge amount out of their placement at Partners Andrews Aldridge.”

Adam Burch and Jamie Evans said: “We’re really excited to have won this two-week stint at Partners Andrew Aldridge. Our decision to present our CVs on medicine pill bottles was inspired by the website that we had created for our coursework. We knew it would make a bit of a statement and hoped that it would raise a smile if not win us the placements!”

To see more of Adam Burch and Jamie Evans’ work, visit ideas-unit.comTo read more about MajorPlayers, visit majorplayers.co.uk

A partnership between Buckinghamshire New University and Eden, High Wycombe has brought about a brand new gallery for the University to showcase student work. The gallery offers the opportunity for shoppers and visitors to the centre to see the work of up-and-coming local artists.

Peter Slater, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Creativity & Culture, said: “The inaugural exhibition ‘fast bucks’ was the fi rst of many events which will showcase fresh, innovative and at times controversial works.”

Managed professionally by Fine Art students, the gallery enables students to experience the challenges of exhibiting in a public space. The venture forms part of their professional project module, where students are given the opportunity to experience the various aspects of running a gallery, such as curating, hanging, and publicising exhibitions.

Buckinghamshire New University students Rhys Howell and Jonas Kronow have contributed to a multi-agency campaign to encourage victims of domestic abuse to come forward and to deter repeat abusers from re-offending.

The students designed posters to encourage victims of domestic abuse to come forward and report it. The students’ artwork is being used on advertising around Buckinghamshire, following a campaign launch at the University’s Wellesbourne Campus.

Bucks student wins fi lm awardAdvertising students win placements

Students’ ad helps tackle domestic abuse

According to Women’s Aid, domestic abuse is the biggest killer of women aged 19-44

worldwide – more than war, cancer or road traffi c collisions. Abusive behaviour can range from destructive criticism and verbal abuse to physical violence.

New art gallery opens




worldwide – more than war, cancer or road traffi c collisions. Abusive behaviour can range from destructive criticism

Did you know?

Jarno Stegeman, Live Events lecturer, took 39 Music Industry Management students to Amsterdam to experience Bevrijdingspop, one of 13 free rock festivals celebrating the liberation of Holland after World War II.

The trip involved a site tour during the building stage and an interactive workshop in the local police station, as well as the festival itself. It was made possible by Hans Vos, senior project offi cer, who attended the Health & Safety at Events conference, held at Bucks’s Missenden Abbey Conference Centre last year.

Marcel Sukel, the festival promoter, and Jaap Tul, the senior health offi cer in charge of the ambulance service, made presentations and ran risk assessment workshops with the students.

Lecturers Nick Eade, Warren Bassett and Ruth Hickmott helped Jarno, and the aim is to run similar trips next academic year involving students from Music Management and from the new Events and Festival Management degrees.

Bucks goes Dutch!


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Video Production with Creative Writing student Rob Brandon, won the award for Best Experimental Film at the Exposures UK Student Film Festival 2007 for his fi lm Strings. This is the second consecutive year that an experimental fi lm produced in Buckinghamshire New University’s video department has received an award.

Rob said: “Festivals are great; everyone is there because they are interested in everyone else. It doesn’t feel like a competition. It’s just nice to be around people you admire and you would be surprised at the amount of people that admire you.”

The Exposures Festival has been hosted and organised by Cornerhouse, Manchester’s international centre for contemporary visual arts and fi lm, for over a decade. It has grown from being a modest affair in 1994 to a festival of exceptional size and calibre to meet the growing demand and changes in the industry. In 2005 the festival broadened its remit to include entries from all over the country, making it the UK’s only student fi lm festival of its kind.

The deadline for 2008 entries is 31 July. For more information visit exposuresfi lmfestival.co.uk

Two third year advertising students have been awarded a two-week work placement with a top London agency. The students were challenged by

MajorPlayers (the UK’s number one creative recruiter) to compete for the placements at Partners Andrew Aldridge by producing

the most impressive CV. The winners, Adam Burch and Jamie Evans, produced a CV on a medicine pill bottle, and a creative website.

Judge, Paul Snoxell, creative director at Partners Andrew Aldridge, commented: “I thought the standard of all the entries was delightfully high. However, Adam and Jamie’s CV came out tops on three counts: their self-branding

was clear, simple and memorable; their execution was excellent, from the tone of the copy to the charm of the wonky illustrations; and they used direct media adroitly, taking me from the physical world to a smart little website. It’s the way direct marketing is heading and the boys will certainly get a huge amount out of their placement at Partners Andrews Aldridge.”

Adam Burch and Jamie Evans said: “We’re really excited to have won this two-week stint at Partners Andrew Aldridge. Our decision to present our CVs on medicine pill bottles was inspired by the website that we had created for our coursework. We knew it would make a bit of a statement and hoped that it would raise a smile if not win us the placements!”

To see more of Adam Burch and Jamie Evans’ work, visit ideas-unit.comTo read more about MajorPlayers, visit majorplayers.co.uk

A partnership between Buckinghamshire New University and Eden, High Wycombe has brought about a brand new gallery for the University to showcase student work. The gallery offers the opportunity for shoppers and visitors to the centre to see the work of up-and-coming local artists.

Peter Slater, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Creativity & Culture, said: “The inaugural exhibition ‘fast bucks’ was the fi rst of many events which will showcase fresh, innovative and at times controversial works.”

Managed professionally by Fine Art students, the gallery enables students to experience the challenges of exhibiting in a public space. The venture forms part of their professional project module, where students are given the opportunity to experience the various aspects of running a gallery, such as curating, hanging, and publicising exhibitions.



Bucks student wins fi lm awardAdvertising students win placements

Students’ ad helps tackle domestic abuse


worldwide – more than war, cancer or road traffi c collisions. Abusive behaviour can range from destructive criticism and verbal abuse to physical violence.

New art gallery opens




worldwide – more than war, cancer or road traffi c collisions. Abusive behaviour can range from destructive criticism

Did you know?

Jarno Stegeman, Live Events lecturer, took 39 Music Industry Management students to Amsterdam to experience Bevrijdingspop, one of 13 free rock festivals celebrating the liberation of Holland after World War II.

The trip involved a site tour during the building stage and an interactive workshop in the local police station, as well as the festival itself. It was made possible by Hans Vos, senior project offi cer, who attended the Health & Safety at Events conference, held at Bucks’s Missenden Abbey Conference Centre last year.

Marcel Sukel, the festival promoter, and Jaap Tul, the senior health offi cer in charge of the ambulance service, made presentations and ran risk assessment workshops with the students.

Lecturers Nick Eade, Warren Bassett and Ruth Hickmott helped Jarno, and the aim is to run similar trips next academic year involving students from Music Management and from the new Events and Festival Management degrees.

Bucks goes Dutch!


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Film production students Mark Allard and David Thorne played an important role in securing funding of £700,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to support the rejuvenation of Micklefi eld Library in High Wycombe.

Mark and David produced a short documentary fi lm, including interviews

with local people and councillors, and demonstrating the importance of Micklefi eld Library to the area and its residents.

Mark said: “This is the best thing that could have happened. Micklefi eld has high levels of unemployment and low levels of qualifi cations, so it is essential that the

library does not close in that area. We enjoyed making the fi lm very much, but it is knowing that it has done something to help that is even better.”

The fi lm was submitted as part of the funding bid put together by charity Micklefi eld Matters Ltd, and supported by Buckinghamshire County Council. The library will be demolished in July 2008 prior to being rebuilt, and part of the new library will house a family learning centre which will help residents gain basic qualifi cations.

It’s hard to explain the desire to create music, however there are people for whom the motivation to create sound overshadows all the other drives. One of these is Polish student, Goosia Dziemitko Gwiazdowska. Fascinated with the possibilities of sound, Goosia and her friend, Czerwony Czerwinski decided to form the band, Margareds’ in 2006. Their debut album Kingdom of Patience, which was released in February, has already gained widespread acclaim.

Music Industry Management student Goosia is responsible for the vocals and lyrics, and the other half of the duo, Czerwony, is the song-writer, composing all his music in Poland. Czerwony’s love of music stems from the creative opportunities it provides whilst Goosia is a pure music enthusiast. Both believe that music offers an important

release, a haven, from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Goosia says: “My reason for studying at Bucks was very simple – to get as much knowledge and experience within the music industry and take those great skills back to Poland to develop my own music business.

“During my studies I have increased my knowledge in many areas, for example about the management of bands, negotiations, recording skills, the music industry itself, and understanding subcultures. It helps me with the promotion and management (both in Poland and England) of my own band, Margareds’, and our album, Kingdom of Patience.”

Margareds’ music can be found in most music stores in Poland and Kingdom of Patience is also sold through the internet. “Our main aim is to be sold in England too”, Goosia explains. “Margareds’ is gaining more and more audiences internationally, and we were really pleased to learn that we are being played over one of the most famous music podcasts in the US, Idyllic Music Podcast.”

Visit margareds.com, myspace.com/margareds, or virb.com/margareds for more information.

Bucks’s band sensation

Students’ video helps save library

Staff attend the 2008 AUA conferenceBy Rosemary Anderson, AUA branch co-ordinator

A representative sample of our University administrators assembled at York University on a brisk Sunday afternoon ready for the annual Association of University Administrators (AUA) conference. There were representatives from all three faculties and the Student & Academic Services Directorate.

Every year almost 1,000 administrative staff from universities at home and abroad assemble for this highlight of the AUA calendar. As well as presentations from the likes of Professor Derek Longhurst, Chief Executive of Foundation Degree Forward, Professor Philip Jones, Vice Chancellor of Sheffi eld Hallam University, and Ewart Wooldridge, Chief Executive of The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, there were fi ve working sessions scheduled across the three days.

There were 128 sessions to choose from, grouped under the themes: administration and management in higher education; higher education in society; the learning experience; and personal and professional development. This meant that there was plenty of choice with delegates attending sessions ranging from ‘Students’ Unions: what, why, how?’ to ‘The etiquette of electronic mail’.

Maureen Skinner, who was once our Research Registrar and is now at Thames Valley University, is the current AUA chair, so I think that we should claim some kudos for helping her on her way.

We were involved in some very interesting and informative work which we hope to apply to our work at Bucks New University, and we also made valuable contacts. As the University branch co-ordinator, I would encourage anyone who feels that this sort of event might be for them to consider joining the Association. Contact me for further details at [email protected] or visit aua.ac.uk

Graduates give advice to students

Students from the BA (Hons) Furniture Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts have been working with pupils at Knutsford School in Watford, who were studying Egypt and the treasures of Tutankhamun. The team produced sixty plaster casts of a scarab, a popular Egyptian object often buried with bodies. The children were shown each stage of a traditional gilding technique and then applied it to their scarabs.

Senior lecturer James Jackman’s drawing, The Dogana and San Maria della Salute, was awarded the Oxford Art Society Honorary Members’ Prize at the Society’s Open Exhibition held at the Saïd Business School in Oxford. The drawing in ink on watercolour paper is one of a series of architectural studies and was selected from over

300 entries. James has recently exhibited at Modern Art Oxford and in Oxford Artweeks 2008. View James’s work at oxfordartsociety.org.uk

Drawing wins Oxford Art Society prize

Students take The Cherry Orchard on tour

Conservation in action

Spatial Design students from Bucks New University showcased their work at Wycombe Swan Theatre. The Cinderella-themed work was displayed for the duration of the theatre’s pantomime Cinderella. Students from the course attended the red carpet premier of the pantomime and were there to meet and greet the public and talk about their work.

Students exhibit Cinderella-themed work

Third year Drama students put a new slant on a production of The Cherry Orchard that went on tour this March. Producer, Rachel Price said: “The play is fi lled with subtle comedy and enriching characters, which was exaggerated by the director’s vision of enhancing the play’s already comical interpretation.” The students ran workshops in local schools, and performed at the Beacon Theatre and Leisure Centre in Beaconsfi eld. The performances followed a production of Peter Pan at the beginning of the year.

20 students from the course spent three days cleaning sculpture at Waddesdon Manor. 12 pieces of sculpture were cleaned to remove bird droppings and green algae, then sprayed to prevent the green algae returning.

Bucks New University recently hosted its third Music & Entertainment Management Graduates Panel. The panel was organised by Head of Music Management Programmes, Teresa Moore, and was designed to provide current students with the opportunity to speak to recent graduates working in the music industry.

The session enabled students to hear about the opportunities available to them and gave them a chance to ask questions. Head of School, Frazer Mackenzie, who chaired the panel, commented: “Who better to hear about working in the industry from, than former students who have gone on to build their own successful careers. The calibre of our graduates and the careers they are carving out for themselves just goes from strength to strength, and there were a number of existing students who signed up for work experience on the day, which was an added bonus and very welcome!’.

The graduate panel comprised: Simon Sanett, who now works for trade body, The British Phonographic Industry; Gary Kett, who graduated in 2004 and is now working for Air management (home to Jamie Cullum); Felix Bechtolsheimer who started his own company (Fat Fox Records) whilst in his second year at university; 2003 graduate and digital technology manager, Mark Denby; Lara Baker, who is now the marketing and communications manager at The Association of Independent Music; Charles Fitzgerald who started his own artist management company (Fitz Management), and who jointly manages the Urban Music Awards; 2002 graduate, Faye Donaldson, product manager for Sony/BMG Entertainment; and Gary Clay who is now the European manager for EA games.

The overriding message was the importance of taking advantage of work experience. Teresa Moore commented: “An event like this serves to provide an invaluable insight into the industry. Bucks New University has been running its highly successful music management programmes for over fourteen years, and is recognised as a leader in its fi eld. Our graduates have forged careers in just about every sector of the music industry, as well as creating new music businesses.”

Peter Pan in rehearsal


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Film production students Mark Allard and David Thorne played an important role in securing funding of £700,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to support the rejuvenation of Micklefi eld Library in High Wycombe.

Mark and David produced a short documentary fi lm, including interviews

with local people and councillors, and demonstrating the importance of Micklefi eld Library to the area and its residents.

Mark said: “This is the best thing that could have happened. Micklefi eld has high levels of unemployment and low levels of qualifi cations, so it is essential that the

library does not close in that area. We enjoyed making the fi lm very much, but it is knowing that it has done something to help that is even better.”

The fi lm was submitted as part of the funding bid put together by charity Micklefi eld Matters Ltd, and supported by Buckinghamshire County Council. The library will be demolished in July 2008 prior to being rebuilt, and part of the new library will house a family learning centre which will help residents gain basic qualifi cations.

It’s hard to explain the desire to create music, however there are people for whom the motivation to create sound overshadows all the other drives. One of these is Polish student, Goosia Dziemitko Gwiazdowska. Fascinated with the possibilities of sound, Goosia and her friend, Czerwony Czerwinski decided to form the band, Margareds’ in 2006. Their debut album Kingdom of Patience, which was released in February, has already gained widespread acclaim.

Music Industry Management student Goosia is responsible for the vocals and lyrics, and the other half of the duo, Czerwony, is the song-writer, composing all his music in Poland. Czerwony’s love of music stems from the creative opportunities it provides whilst Goosia is a pure music enthusiast. Both believe that music offers an important

release, a haven, from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Goosia says: “My reason for studying at Bucks was very simple – to get as much knowledge and experience within the music industry and take those great skills back to Poland to develop my own music business.

“During my studies I have increased my knowledge in many areas, for example about the management of bands, negotiations, recording skills, the music industry itself, and understanding subcultures. It helps me with the promotion and management (both in Poland and England) of my own band, Margareds’, and our album, Kingdom of Patience.”

Margareds’ music can be found in most music stores in Poland and Kingdom of Patience is also sold through the internet. “Our main aim is to be sold in England too”, Goosia explains. “Margareds’ is gaining more and more audiences internationally, and we were really pleased to learn that we are being played over one of the most famous music podcasts in the US, Idyllic Music Podcast.”

Visit margareds.com, myspace.com/margareds, or virb.com/margareds for more information.

Bucks’s band sensation

Students’ video helps save library

Staff attend the 2008 AUA conferenceBy Rosemary Anderson, AUA branch co-ordinator

A representative sample of our University administrators assembled at York University on a brisk Sunday afternoon ready for the annual Association of University Administrators (AUA) conference. There were representatives from all three faculties and the Student & Academic Services Directorate.

Every year almost 1,000 administrative staff from universities at home and abroad assemble for this highlight of the AUA calendar. As well as presentations from the likes of Professor Derek Longhurst, Chief Executive of Foundation Degree Forward, Professor Philip Jones, Vice Chancellor of Sheffi eld Hallam University, and Ewart Wooldridge, Chief Executive of The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, there were fi ve working sessions scheduled across the three days.

There were 128 sessions to choose from, grouped under the themes: administration and management in higher education; higher education in society; the learning experience; and personal and professional development. This meant that there was plenty of choice with delegates attending sessions ranging from ‘Students’ Unions: what, why, how?’ to ‘The etiquette of electronic mail’.

Maureen Skinner, who was once our Research Registrar and is now at Thames Valley University, is the current AUA chair, so I think that we should claim some kudos for helping her on her way.

We were involved in some very interesting and informative work which we hope to apply to our work at Bucks New University, and we also made valuable contacts. As the University branch co-ordinator, I would encourage anyone who feels that this sort of event might be for them to consider joining the Association. Contact me for further details at [email protected] or visit aua.ac.uk

Graduates give advice to students

Students from the BA (Hons) Furniture Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts have been working with pupils at Knutsford School in Watford, who were studying Egypt and the treasures of Tutankhamun. The team produced sixty plaster casts of a scarab, a popular Egyptian object often buried with bodies. The children were shown each stage of a traditional gilding technique and then applied it to their scarabs.

Senior lecturer James Jackman’s drawing, The Dogana and San Maria della Salute, was awarded the Oxford Art Society Honorary Members’ Prize at the Society’s Open Exhibition held at the Saïd Business School in Oxford. The drawing in ink on watercolour paper is one of a series of architectural studies and was selected from over

300 entries. James has recently exhibited at Modern Art Oxford and in Oxford Artweeks 2008. View James’s work at oxfordartsociety.org.uk

Drawing wins Oxford Art Society prize

Students take The Cherry Orchard on tour

Conservation in action

Spatial Design students from Bucks New University showcased their work at Wycombe Swan Theatre. The Cinderella-themed work was displayed for the duration of the theatre’s pantomime Cinderella. Students from the course attended the red carpet premier of the pantomime and were there to meet and greet the public and talk about their work.

Students exhibit Cinderella-themed work

Third year Drama students put a new slant on a production of The Cherry Orchard that went on tour this March. Producer, Rachel Price said: “The play is fi lled with subtle comedy and enriching characters, which was exaggerated by the director’s vision of enhancing the play’s already comical interpretation.” The students ran workshops in local schools, and performed at the Beacon Theatre and Leisure Centre in Beaconsfi eld. The performances followed a production of Peter Pan at the beginning of the year.

20 students from the course spent three days cleaning sculpture at Waddesdon Manor. 12 pieces of sculpture were cleaned to remove bird droppings and green algae, then sprayed to prevent the green algae returning.

Bucks New University recently hosted its third Music & Entertainment Management Graduates Panel. The panel was organised by Head of Music Management Programmes, Teresa Moore, and was designed to provide current students with the opportunity to speak to recent graduates working in the music industry.

The session enabled students to hear about the opportunities available to them and gave them a chance to ask questions. Head of School, Frazer Mackenzie, who chaired the panel, commented: “Who better to hear about working in the industry from, than former students who have gone on to build their own successful careers. The calibre of our graduates and the careers they are carving out for themselves just goes from strength to strength, and there were a number of existing students who signed up for work experience on the day, which was an added bonus and very welcome!’.

The graduate panel comprised: Simon Sanett, who now works for trade body, The British Phonographic Industry; Gary Kett, who graduated in 2004 and is now working for Air management (home to Jamie Cullum); Felix Bechtolsheimer who started his own company (Fat Fox Records) whilst in his second year at university; 2003 graduate and digital technology manager, Mark Denby; Lara Baker, who is now the marketing and communications manager at The Association of Independent Music; Charles Fitzgerald who started his own artist management company (Fitz Management), and who jointly manages the Urban Music Awards; 2002 graduate, Faye Donaldson, product manager for Sony/BMG Entertainment; and Gary Clay who is now the European manager for EA games.

The overriding message was the importance of taking advantage of work experience. Teresa Moore commented: “An event like this serves to provide an invaluable insight into the industry. Bucks New University has been running its highly successful music management programmes for over fourteen years, and is recognised as a leader in its fi eld. Our graduates have forged careers in just about every sector of the music industry, as well as creating new music businesses.”

Peter Pan in rehearsal


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Motorsport degree programme unveiled

The Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation has launched the fi rst fully integrated Motorsport Foundation Degree course in the UK.

The course is supported by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) and was unveiled in January at the Autosport International Show at the NEC Birmingham. It will be offered from September, both at Bucks and at our partner college, North West Kent College. Driving elements of the course will be held at world famous racing venue,

Silverstone, and also at one of the UK’s top karting circuits, Buckmore Park, where Lewis Hamilton and many other Formula 1 drivers learned the sport.

The study programme combines the three strands of technology, management and sport science that are essential in motorsport today. The course will immerse the students in motorsport, giving them practical insight into the industry across a

wide spectrum of activities from F1 and superbike racing, to rallying and karting.

Professor Chris Kemp, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation, says: “The Motorsport Foundation Degree is an excellent programme and one which I’m proud to have been involved in developing. We are at the cutting edge of technology here at Bucks New University and the degree is unique as it is the fi rst fully integrated programme in the UK. Students enrolling in September will have a great experience.”

A group of full-time MBA students were invited to see production in action at the McVities biscuit factory in Slough.

One of the students said: “The visit to McVities gave us a great opportunity to experience and see how operations management works in a production context. We enjoyed walking around the factory and having the chance to ask the managers questions about the operations. It really brings the theoretical aspects of the MBA to life.”

MBA programme leader, Mohammad Ali, added: “We make sure our MBA students learn not only from each other’s

management experience, which is drawn from across different sectors and countries, but also directly from organisations who add value to their learning on the course. We are grateful for companies like McVities, who make this happen.”

MBA industry visit takes the biscuit!

Two students were presented with awards at a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) branch event held at the Chalfont Campus in March. Gillian O’Bryan (right) was presented with the Student of the Year award for her achievement on the CIPD Professional Development Scheme at Bucks. Clare Wooster (left) received the Student of the Year award for her achievement on the Certifi cate in Personnel Practice at Amersham & Wycombe College. The awards were presented by Michael Rose, Vice President Reward, CIPD, and Director of Total Rewards EMEA – UK, Aon.

Third year students on the School of Business & Management’s advertising course have been getting to grips with how to market environmentally friendly products.

Earlier this year they worked on a brief from marketing communications agency, Initials, for the launch of a new eco-friendly soap powder. The students role-played agency account handlers and planners, and produced strategies which students on the Faculty of Creativity & Culture’s advertising degree then developed into advertising ideas.

The students’ end of year project was to work on a live brief from DDB Tribal, currently the world’s number one digital advertising agency. Third year students, and selected fi rst year students, worked in teams to come up with a digital communications plan to launch a new eco-friendly car from Volkswagen. The teams then presented these ideas to the Tribal team at their London offi ces.

Lecturer, Vic Davies, said: “By building this type of work into the assessment programme students get real hands-on experience, and can also see how academic theory relates to practical real-time projects. We are already in discussion with other agencies to provide more of these student-centric, business-focused experiences for the new advertising and marketing communications degrees.”

The Mojo Barriers Education & Training Centre, part of the Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies, and based in the Students’ Union Venue, has been offi cially opened by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ruth Farwell, and Patrick Jordan, Mojo Barriers’ Managing Director, and an honorary graduate of the University.

The Mojo Barriers Education & Training Centre is the world’s only centre for training staff indoors on using pressure sensing equipment with the revolutionary Barrier Load Measuring System (BLMS), the most technically advanced piece of crowd

management safety equipment in use at major music and sporting events today.

The BLMS is the only commercially available crowd barrier that can measure load at specifi c points where there are people pressing against it, and with the help of specifi cally developed software can collate information to help improve site design for subsequent events or can be used for ‘real time’ assessment of audience behaviour.

The launch featured a full demonstration of the BLMS, led by Patrick Jordan, and Warren Tucker, who provides technological support for the Centre. Mojo Barriers, a worldwide market leader in the manufacture and provision of crowd control barriers and sponsor of the Centre, has donated the BLMS to Bucks New University to educate others in its use. As well as providing BLMS instruction to students, the Centre will also offer training to event organisers and Students’ Union representatives from other universities, as well as corporate training where required.

Dr Ruth Farwell said: “The Centre demonstrates Buckinghamshire New University’s commitment to making

technological advances at an international level and within the wider context of public safety at major events. It’s a really exciting project and I am very interested to see it in operation!”

Patrick Jordan commented: “The understanding of crowd dynamics at events has developed a lot in recent years and it is exciting to be part of a team that is continually pushing that development, with a view to making concerts and events safer for audiences. The BLMS has already offered us some fascinating insights as to what audiences actually experience at a range of events and I hope that this new Centre will help in the area of audience safety.”

The launch event also marked the offi cial retirement of Mick Upton, who, as founder of the Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies, was an instrumental and long-standing member of the University. Mick has handed over the headship of the Centre to Mark Hamilton, Chairman of the Rock Steady Group, one of the world’s leading event security companies.

MOJO Barriers training centre opensStudents, eco brands and business-facing assignments

Students win CIPD awards

Having ‘got her eye in’ teaching target marketing in the School of Business & Management for many years, lecturer Sue Matthews left to set up her own business selling traditional archery equipment, training would-be archers and running medieval events.

Unable to leave teaching totally behind, Sue volunteered to run an assignment for fi rst year Public Relations students encouraging them to develop a PR campaign for her new business.

The briefi ng took place in January and was followed by archery practice in the indoor shooting arena. The students presented their ideas to Sue via an exhibition of their work, including some cutting-edge blogging, which Sue is intending to implement with help from students Krzysztof Dargiewicz and Monika Kowalska.

Going for gold with Silver Arrow Archery


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Motorsport degree programme unveiled

The Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation has launched the fi rst fully integrated Motorsport Foundation Degree course in the UK.

The course is supported by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) and was unveiled in January at the Autosport International Show at the NEC Birmingham. It will be offered from September, both at Bucks and at our partner college, North West Kent College. Driving elements of the course will be held at world famous racing venue,

Silverstone, and also at one of the UK’s top karting circuits, Buckmore Park, where Lewis Hamilton and many other Formula 1 drivers learned the sport.

The study programme combines the three strands of technology, management and sport science that are essential in motorsport today. The course will immerse the students in motorsport, giving them practical insight into the industry across a

wide spectrum of activities from F1 and superbike racing, to rallying and karting.

Professor Chris Kemp, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation, says: “The Motorsport Foundation Degree is an excellent programme and one which I’m proud to have been involved in developing. We are at the cutting edge of technology here at Bucks New University and the degree is unique as it is the fi rst fully integrated programme in the UK. Students enrolling in September will have a great experience.”

A group of full-time MBA students were invited to see production in action at the McVities biscuit factory in Slough.

One of the students said: “The visit to McVities gave us a great opportunity to experience and see how operations management works in a production context. We enjoyed walking around the factory and having the chance to ask the managers questions about the operations. It really brings the theoretical aspects of the MBA to life.”

MBA programme leader, Mohammad Ali, added: “We make sure our MBA students learn not only from each other’s

management experience, which is drawn from across different sectors and countries, but also directly from organisations who add value to their learning on the course. We are grateful for companies like McVities, who make this happen.”

MBA industry visit takes the biscuit!

Two students were presented with awards at a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) branch event held at the Chalfont Campus in March. Gillian O’Bryan (right) was presented with the Student of the Year award for her achievement on the CIPD Professional Development Scheme at Bucks. Clare Wooster (left) received the Student of the Year award for her achievement on the Certifi cate in Personnel Practice at Amersham & Wycombe College. The awards were presented by Michael Rose, Vice President Reward, CIPD, and Director of Total Rewards EMEA – UK, Aon.

Third year students on the School of Business & Management’s advertising course have been getting to grips with how to market environmentally friendly products.

Earlier this year they worked on a brief from marketing communications agency, Initials, for the launch of a new eco-friendly soap powder. The students role-played agency account handlers and planners, and produced strategies which students on the Faculty of Creativity & Culture’s advertising degree then developed into advertising ideas.

The students’ end of year project was to work on a live brief from DDB Tribal, currently the world’s number one digital advertising agency. Third year students, and selected fi rst year students, worked in teams to come up with a digital communications plan to launch a new eco-friendly car from Volkswagen. The teams then presented these ideas to the Tribal team at their London offi ces.

Lecturer, Vic Davies, said: “By building this type of work into the assessment programme students get real hands-on experience, and can also see how academic theory relates to practical real-time projects. We are already in discussion with other agencies to provide more of these student-centric, business-focused experiences for the new advertising and marketing communications degrees.”

The Mojo Barriers Education & Training Centre, part of the Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies, and based in the Students’ Union Venue, has been offi cially opened by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ruth Farwell, and Patrick Jordan, Mojo Barriers’ Managing Director, and an honorary graduate of the University.

The Mojo Barriers Education & Training Centre is the world’s only centre for training staff indoors on using pressure sensing equipment with the revolutionary Barrier Load Measuring System (BLMS), the most technically advanced piece of crowd

management safety equipment in use at major music and sporting events today.

The BLMS is the only commercially available crowd barrier that can measure load at specifi c points where there are people pressing against it, and with the help of specifi cally developed software can collate information to help improve site design for subsequent events or can be used for ‘real time’ assessment of audience behaviour.

The launch featured a full demonstration of the BLMS, led by Patrick Jordan, and Warren Tucker, who provides technological support for the Centre. Mojo Barriers, a worldwide market leader in the manufacture and provision of crowd control barriers and sponsor of the Centre, has donated the BLMS to Bucks New University to educate others in its use. As well as providing BLMS instruction to students, the Centre will also offer training to event organisers and Students’ Union representatives from other universities, as well as corporate training where required.

Dr Ruth Farwell said: “The Centre demonstrates Buckinghamshire New University’s commitment to making

technological advances at an international level and within the wider context of public safety at major events. It’s a really exciting project and I am very interested to see it in operation!”

Patrick Jordan commented: “The understanding of crowd dynamics at events has developed a lot in recent years and it is exciting to be part of a team that is continually pushing that development, with a view to making concerts and events safer for audiences. The BLMS has already offered us some fascinating insights as to what audiences actually experience at a range of events and I hope that this new Centre will help in the area of audience safety.”

The launch event also marked the offi cial retirement of Mick Upton, who, as founder of the Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies, was an instrumental and long-standing member of the University. Mick has handed over the headship of the Centre to Mark Hamilton, Chairman of the Rock Steady Group, one of the world’s leading event security companies.

MOJO Barriers training centre opensStudents, eco brands and business-facing assignments

Students win CIPD awards

Having ‘got her eye in’ teaching target marketing in the School of Business & Management for many years, lecturer Sue Matthews left to set up her own business selling traditional archery equipment, training would-be archers and running medieval events.

Unable to leave teaching totally behind, Sue volunteered to run an assignment for fi rst year Public Relations students encouraging them to develop a PR campaign for her new business.

The briefi ng took place in January and was followed by archery practice in the indoor shooting arena. The students presented their ideas to Sue via an exhibition of their work, including some cutting-edge blogging, which Sue is intending to implement with help from students Krzysztof Dargiewicz and Monika Kowalska.

Going for gold with Silver Arrow Archery


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Students sleep on concrete

Four courageous Bucks New University students swapped the delights of the student bar for sleeping rough in High Wycombe.

The Public Relations Management and Advertising and Promotions Management students, Emily Bull, Rachel McNamara, Paris Buckley and Anna Broad, chose to highlight the plight of the homeless for a fundraising assignment for their degree courses. With the help of the High Wycombe police, and the CCTV monitoring service, the girls spent the night in the Corn Market.

Emily Bull said: “When you’re walking past a homeless person, you try to avoid eye contact, because you don’t want to get into

conversation with them. As a homeless person, it’s horrid, as everyone blanks you and pretends you’re not there”.

Rachel McNamara added: “We had more clothing, more blankets, more cushions and more food, than homeless people would, but it was still very, very cold. I can’t get my head round how they do it all through the winter.”

The initiative aimed to raise awareness and funds for London’s largest homelessness charity, St Mungo’s. The students were sponsored by their families and friends at Bucks New University and raised £520.

For more information on St Mungo’s visit mungos.org

The Bucks MBA was launched in Sri Lanka in February and received a warm welcome from the Sri Lankan Minister of Education, Mr Ariyaratne Hewage, and the Director of the British Council, Gill Westaway.

A collaboration between the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) and Bucks's School of Business & Management, it is designed to recognise professional entry routes onto the MBA and address management development needs in Sri Lanka. The MBA will be delivered by blended learning, with students able to study in Colombo or in the UK, making it a truly international experience.

Head of School, Dr Lorraine Watkins-Mathys, commented: “We look forward to working with our Sri Lankan partners on this exciting venture as it fits well with our existing strong links to professional bodies such as the CIPD, and provides great knowledge transfer opportunities between students and staff. “We are linking our MBA to different regions in the world, including the US, not merely by delivering in different parts of the world, but by encouraging MBA students to work together on international projects. In May we received a group of American MBA students from Cleveland Ohio, who worked with our full-time MBA students on market research projects sponsored by US companies.”

Bucks MBA launched in Sri Lanka

Over 100 horses were rescued from a farm in Amersham at the beginning of 2008. The Horse Trust in Speen was one of the organisations that rescued 17 of the animals, and Bucks New University, in their turn, helped the Horse Trust.

Dawn Pacey, Michael Birch, Yvonne Ansari and Nadia Jennings, advertising and public relations students, volunteered to turn their first year marketing assignment into a

full-blown satisfaction survey for the Horse Trust, working with Susan Lewis, Marketing Manager.

The hardy four spent three days of their guided learning week, standing out in rain, sleet and snow, getting visitors to complete questionnaires. Happily, for all concerned, it was an outright win with past visitors returning again and again and new visitors loving the experience.

Even better news is that the rescue horses are now thriving.

For more information on The Horse Trust visit horsetrust.org.uk

Satisfaction is high at the Horse Trust

Golf club management has raised its game with the launch of a major new educational drive, designed to heighten professional standards across golf and leisure establishments.

Bucks New University has joined forces with the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) to deliver an innovative online training programme, the Certificate in Golf Club Management, which provides a more clearly defined career path for the industry.

The series of training modules is aimed at individuals currently working in golf club management, as well as those planning a career move. Details of the course, which started in January, were unveiled at the GCMA Conference. The initiative was welcomed by Kate Hoey MP, former sports minister and guest speaker.

Ms Hoey said: “This new education programme reinforces the professional

status of golf club management and signals to employers at golf and leisure facilities the need to consider the importance of further qualifications and continuous professional development within the industry.”

Generous sponsorship has been granted to the GCMA by The R&A (golf’s world rules and development body and organiser of The Open Championship), England Golf and TORO.

University pioneers educational drive for golf club managers


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Students sleep on concrete

Four courageous Bucks New University students swapped the delights of the student bar for sleeping rough in High Wycombe.

The Public Relations Management and Advertising and Promotions Management students, Emily Bull, Rachel McNamara, Paris Buckley and Anna Broad, chose to highlight the plight of the homeless for a fundraising assignment for their degree courses. With the help of the High Wycombe police, and the CCTV monitoring service, the girls spent the night in the Corn Market.

Emily Bull said: “When you’re walking past a homeless person, you try to avoid eye contact, because you don’t want to get into

conversation with them. As a homeless person, it’s horrid, as everyone blanks you and pretends you’re not there”.

Rachel McNamara added: “We had more clothing, more blankets, more cushions and more food, than homeless people would, but it was still very, very cold. I can’t get my head round how they do it all through the winter.”

The initiative aimed to raise awareness and funds for London’s largest homelessness charity, St Mungo’s. The students were sponsored by their families and friends at Bucks New University and raised £520.

For more information on St Mungo’s visit mungos.org

The Bucks MBA was launched in Sri Lanka in February and received a warm welcome from the Sri Lankan Minister of Education, Mr Ariyaratne Hewage, and the Director of the British Council, Gill Westaway.

A collaboration between the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) and Bucks's School of Business & Management, it is designed to recognise professional entry routes onto the MBA and address management development needs in Sri Lanka. The MBA will be delivered by blended learning, with students able to study in Colombo or in the UK, making it a truly international experience.

Head of School, Dr Lorraine Watkins-Mathys, commented: “We look forward to working with our Sri Lankan partners on this exciting venture as it fits well with our existing strong links to professional bodies such as the CIPD, and provides great knowledge transfer opportunities between students and staff. “We are linking our MBA to different regions in the world, including the US, not merely by delivering in different parts of the world, but by encouraging MBA students to work together on international projects. In May we received a group of American MBA students from Cleveland Ohio, who worked with our full-time MBA students on market research projects sponsored by US companies.”

Bucks MBA launched in Sri Lanka

Over 100 horses were rescued from a farm in Amersham at the beginning of 2008. The Horse Trust in Speen was one of the organisations that rescued 17 of the animals, and Bucks New University, in their turn, helped the Horse Trust.

Dawn Pacey, Michael Birch, Yvonne Ansari and Nadia Jennings, advertising and public relations students, volunteered to turn their first year marketing assignment into a

full-blown satisfaction survey for the Horse Trust, working with Susan Lewis, Marketing Manager.

The hardy four spent three days of their guided learning week, standing out in rain, sleet and snow, getting visitors to complete questionnaires. Happily, for all concerned, it was an outright win with past visitors returning again and again and new visitors loving the experience.

Even better news is that the rescue horses are now thriving.

For more information on The Horse Trust visit horsetrust.org.uk

Satisfaction is high at the Horse Trust

Golf club management has raised its game with the launch of a major new educational drive, designed to heighten professional standards across golf and leisure establishments.

Bucks New University has joined forces with the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) to deliver an innovative online training programme, the Certificate in Golf Club Management, which provides a more clearly defined career path for the industry.

The series of training modules is aimed at individuals currently working in golf club management, as well as those planning a career move. Details of the course, which started in January, were unveiled at the GCMA Conference. The initiative was welcomed by Kate Hoey MP, former sports minister and guest speaker.

Ms Hoey said: “This new education programme reinforces the professional

status of golf club management and signals to employers at golf and leisure facilities the need to consider the importance of further qualifications and continuous professional development within the industry.”

Generous sponsorship has been granted to the GCMA by The R&A (golf’s world rules and development body and organiser of The Open Championship), England Golf and TORO.

University pioneers educational drive for golf club managers


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Partnership offers first ever PCSO work-based learning course

Buckinghamshire New University has joined forces with Thames Valley Police to provide a revolutionary work-based learning scheme involving the training of police studies degree students as part-time Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

This is the first time that a British university and police service have become involved in such a collaboration, which could help forge the way and raise standards for future neighbourhood policing activities across the country.

At a special event held at Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus, Assistant Chief Constable Nick Gargan from Thames Valley Police, Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, and the new PCSOs

acknowledged the successful partnership between the two organisations and its contribution to the local community.

Thames Valley Police provide practical PCSO training through the delivery of a comprehensive 10-week course, covering a diverse range of work-related skills including: race equality, dealing with children and young people, terrorism, criminal damage, health and safety, first aid, and neighbourhood policing. Bucks New University is responsible for the academic aspects of the course, through students’ undergraduate studies as well as tutorials in critical analysis, reflection and problem-solving.

Students completing the first year of their BSc (Hons) Police Studies and Combined courses underwent a rigorous interview

process, the same as any regular PCSO applicant, at the end of which ten successful candidates were appointed. The students are now fully-fledged members of Thames Valley Police PCSO division, each working 16 hours per week in High Wycombe and the surrounding areas.

Inspector Dave Gilbert, who is in charge of neighbourhood policing in High Wycombe, said: “The PCSOs are doing a great job and it’s reflected in the number of positive responses I receive about them on a weekly basis. They have all gone out of their way to engage with the communities they work in and have taken on a number of projects which has required a lot of work in their own time. They are an asset to the neighbourhood team.”

Stuart Norton, portfolio leader for Law, Criminology and Police Studies said: “The PCSO pilot scheme shows the commitment of Buckinghamshire New University to being an employer-driven university. The course has been extremely popular and so far has undoubtedly been a great success for all concerned; our students are given the opportunity to earn whilst receiving excellent relevant practical experience. Thames Valley Police are employing staff studying policing degrees and our local communities benefit through increased staff on their streets. It’s a true success story that demonstrates a genuine partnership based on active cooperation – most importantly of all it promotes community cohesion.”

Did you know?The PCSOs are using a Thames Valley Police car, which is supported by Buckinghamshire New University and clearly features both partner logos, demonstrating the long-term commitment and partnership between the two organisations.

NMC report commends Nursing programmes

Bucks is best at retaining studentsBuckinghamshire New University came joint second in a recent Nursing Standard survey designed to measure the universities that are best at retaining Nursing students. The University of Liverpool came top with an attrition rate of 6%; Bucks New University, Napier University, and the University of Central Lancashire were joint second at 9%. The average attrition rate identified by the magazine was 27%.

Did you know?Bucks is one of the best universities for student retention. Our overall drop-out rate is 12.6% compared to the national figure of 22%.

The Faculty of Society & Health has received a very positive review from the Nursing & Midwifery Council and health consultancy HLSP, following a two-day assessment that took place in April. The review covered Pre-registration Nursing programmes including the Overseas Nursing Programme, and Return to Nursing Practice.

The review examined five key areas: Resources; Admissions; Practice Learning; Fitness to Practice; and Quality Assurance. Admissions was marked Outstanding with the other areas all receiving Good outcomes. The final report stated that: “The School has an experienced, committed and enthusiastic team of lecturers and support staff who ensure that a high quality education

programme is managed, administered and delivered.”

Admissions processes were commended, particularly the assessment of candidates’ suitability, the support given to those with disabilities, and the Flying Start programme, which offers students with borderline numeracy and literacy skills the opportunity to develop the essential key skills needed to succeed in higher education.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Society & Health, Jaki Smart, said: “This is an outstanding result. Thank you to everyone concerned. This has been a concerted and sustained effort over many months, by all those involved from admissions, recruitment, registry, placements, admin, academics, students and placement colleagues – a massive team effort – well done!”

Student volunteering is celebratedBucks Students’ Union ran a student volunteering day to celebrate National Student Volunteering Week from 25 February to 2 March. Local volunteering

organisations, including Pyramid, Wycombe Youth Action, and Bucks Sport, came

to the University to increase awareness of their work,

and encourage young people to be part of the volunteering world.

The event was opened by London Wasps team members, Dan Leo and

Mark McMillan, both active volunteers in

the local community. Michael Paxman, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Buckinghamshire New University, said: “Many students are involved in local community

projects from

sports coaching with local schools and clubs, to singing carols at Christmas. We just need to challenge the stereotype that volunteering is all about working in shops, so that more young people get involved and enjoy the challenge.“

Portfolio leader, Stuart Norton, was given an award at the annual Volunteering Awards ceremony that took place in April. The award recognised his efforts to encourage students to volunteer which included organising teambuilding volunteering days open to all Policing students. Awards were also presented to student volunteers Vincent Lam, Sara Hirsi, Steve Marsh, and Mark Allard.

Michael Paxman said: “We are pleased to be able to offer teambuilding volunteering events like those which we have run with the Policing students, as a way for lecturers and students to get to know each other in a relaxed setting. If you think that your course group could really benefit from this kind of cohesion, then do contact me for more information.”

To find out more about volunteering email [email protected]

Stuart Norton receives his award from the Vice Chancellor

High Wycombe PCSOs Sarah Price and Babatunde Soledolu

Page 1� Connection Page 17 Connection

Issue 7 Summer

2008

Partnership offers first ever PCSO work-based learning course

Buckinghamshire New University has joined forces with Thames Valley Police to provide a revolutionary work-based learning scheme involving the training of police studies degree students as part-time Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

This is the first time that a British university and police service have become involved in such a collaboration, which could help forge the way and raise standards for future neighbourhood policing activities across the country.

At a special event held at Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus, Assistant Chief Constable Nick Gargan from Thames Valley Police, Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, and the new PCSOs

acknowledged the successful partnership between the two organisations and its contribution to the local community.

Thames Valley Police provide practical PCSO training through the delivery of a comprehensive 10-week course, covering a diverse range of work-related skills including: race equality, dealing with children and young people, terrorism, criminal damage, health and safety, first aid, and neighbourhood policing. Bucks New University is responsible for the academic aspects of the course, through students’ undergraduate studies as well as tutorials in critical analysis, reflection and problem-solving.

Students completing the first year of their BSc (Hons) Police Studies and Combined courses underwent a rigorous interview

process, the same as any regular PCSO applicant, at the end of which ten successful candidates were appointed. The students are now fully-fledged members of Thames Valley Police PCSO division, each working 16 hours per week in High Wycombe and the surrounding areas.

Inspector Dave Gilbert, who is in charge of neighbourhood policing in High Wycombe, said: “The PCSOs are doing a great job and it’s reflected in the number of positive responses I receive about them on a weekly basis. They have all gone out of their way to engage with the communities they work in and have taken on a number of projects which has required a lot of work in their own time. They are an asset to the neighbourhood team.”

Stuart Norton, portfolio leader for Law, Criminology and Police Studies said: “The PCSO pilot scheme shows the commitment of Buckinghamshire New University to being an employer-driven university. The course has been extremely popular and so far has undoubtedly been a great success for all concerned; our students are given the opportunity to earn whilst receiving excellent relevant practical experience. Thames Valley Police are employing staff studying policing degrees and our local communities benefit through increased staff on their streets. It’s a true success story that demonstrates a genuine partnership based on active cooperation – most importantly of all it promotes community cohesion.”

Did you know?The PCSOs are using a Thames Valley Police car, which is supported by Buckinghamshire New University and clearly features both partner logos, demonstrating the long-term commitment and partnership between the two organisations.

NMC report commends Nursing programmes

Bucks is best at retaining studentsBuckinghamshire New University came joint second in a recent Nursing Standard survey designed to measure the universities that are best at retaining Nursing students. The University of Liverpool came top with an attrition rate of 6%; Bucks New University, Napier University, and the University of Central Lancashire were joint second at 9%. The average attrition rate identified by the magazine was 27%.

Did you know?Bucks is one of the best universities for student retention. Our overall drop-out rate is 12.6% compared to the national figure of 22%.

The Faculty of Society & Health has received a very positive review from the Nursing & Midwifery Council and health consultancy HLSP, following a two-day assessment that took place in April. The review covered Pre-registration Nursing programmes including the Overseas Nursing Programme, and Return to Nursing Practice.

The review examined five key areas: Resources; Admissions; Practice Learning; Fitness to Practice; and Quality Assurance. Admissions was marked Outstanding with the other areas all receiving Good outcomes. The final report stated that: “The School has an experienced, committed and enthusiastic team of lecturers and support staff who ensure that a high quality education

programme is managed, administered and delivered.”

Admissions processes were commended, particularly the assessment of candidates’ suitability, the support given to those with disabilities, and the Flying Start programme, which offers students with borderline numeracy and literacy skills the opportunity to develop the essential key skills needed to succeed in higher education.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Society & Health, Jaki Smart, said: “This is an outstanding result. Thank you to everyone concerned. This has been a concerted and sustained effort over many months, by all those involved from admissions, recruitment, registry, placements, admin, academics, students and placement colleagues – a massive team effort – well done!”

Student volunteering is celebratedBucks Students’ Union ran a student volunteering day to celebrate National Student Volunteering Week from 25 February to 2 March. Local volunteering

organisations, including Pyramid, Wycombe Youth Action, and Bucks Sport, came

to the University to increase awareness of their work,

and encourage young people to be part of the volunteering world.

The event was opened by London Wasps team members, Dan Leo and

Mark McMillan, both active volunteers in

the local community. Michael Paxman, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Buckinghamshire New University, said: “Many students are involved in local community

projects from

sports coaching with local schools and clubs, to singing carols at Christmas. We just need to challenge the stereotype that volunteering is all about working in shops, so that more young people get involved and enjoy the challenge.“

Portfolio leader, Stuart Norton, was given an award at the annual Volunteering Awards ceremony that took place in April. The award recognised his efforts to encourage students to volunteer which included organising teambuilding volunteering days open to all Policing students. Awards were also presented to student volunteers Vincent Lam, Sara Hirsi, Steve Marsh, and Mark Allard.

Michael Paxman said: “We are pleased to be able to offer teambuilding volunteering events like those which we have run with the Policing students, as a way for lecturers and students to get to know each other in a relaxed setting. If you think that your course group could really benefit from this kind of cohesion, then do contact me for more information.”

To find out more about volunteering email [email protected]

Stuart Norton receives his award from the Vice Chancellor

High Wycombe PCSOs Sarah Price and Babatunde Soledolu


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Dr Keith Edwards, a joint appointee between Bucks New University and West London Mental Health Trust, has been working on two joint projects.

Student nurses and smokingTobacco smoking remains a major cause of disease and premature death in Western Europe and is an increasing health problem in developing countries, according to the World Health Organisation. Despite the health hazards, more than 1.2 billion people in the world are daily smokers.

Smoking among nurses is of particular interest for several reasons; the role of nurses is important not only to patients, but also to the general public as nurses play an

important role in advising about the hazards of smoking, and giving advice to those who want to stop. Nurses who smoke seem to be less willing to advise others, are more likely to hold attitudes that conflict with their advice, and may be less supportive of smoke free policies at healthcare facilities.

Dr Edwards’ project examined student nurses’ views and the results suggest that there are now fewer students coming in to nursing that smoke. Those that do are finding it increasingly difficult to reconcile their roles as health promoters and smokers.

Nurse prescribingNurse prescribing is one of the biggest changes in nursing history and controversy has surrounded its development. It has been suggested that giving nurses the power to prescribe can help speed up and improve patient care. Some parts of the medical profession, however, believe it can cause thousands of deaths. Despite this climate

of uncertainty and debate, nurses have taken on the challenge of extending their roles. This project was a reflective account of the introduction and evaluation of nurse prescribing within an Alzheimer’s disease treatment service, and has just been published in the Mental Health Practice Journal.

Partnership working

Connection

ResearchResearch conducted by Bucks New University on behalf of music industry campaign group agreenerfestival.com, has shown that music fans and festival-goers are waking up to green issues.

A survey was undertaken with 1,407 festival-goers across Europe. In the UK, 80% considered noise at festivals had an environmental impact, 82% thought waste had a negative impact, 56% thought festivals had a negative carbon footprint, 60% were worried about water, 53% were concerned with land damage and a whopping 84% thought travel and transport had a negative environmental impact.

48% of music fans in the UK said they would pay more for greener events and 36% said they consider a festival’s environmental policy before deciding to buy a ticket. Only 22% of European fans think about a festival’s environmental impact when buying tickets and just 41% would pay more for a ticket to promote green policies. 74% of UK fans said that they would travel on public transport if it was included in the price of a ticket; 78% of European fans would do this.

Agreenerfestival co-founder Ben Challis said: “In the last two years we have seen a significant rise in audience awareness of green issues, in particular the audience’s own carbon footprint. Travel to and from festivals is something we all have to tackle now, looking at better public transport

solutions as well as car sharing and other innovative solutions.”

The research was managed by undergraduate students on music and entertainment programmes, and was supervised by Teresa Moore, Head of Music & Entertainment Programmes and lecturer, Jarno Stegeman. Teresa Moore said: “In the past few years festivals like Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight Festival have worked hard to promote public transport and it now seems that the audience has digested this message and agrees – fans want to use public transport but the UK’s public transport infrastructure remains a concern.”

Moore added: “The rise in awareness of climate change is clear from the big rise in awareness of the impact of CO2 emissions. It is encouraging that the willingness to adopt public transport shows a shift in thinking towards practical action by the audience.”

However, 65% would still go to an event where their favourite band was playing even if the event was not environmentally friendly; this rises to 80% in Europe. Numbers supporting the use of re-usable crockery and refundable charges on beer cups were down in comparison to a survey undertaken in 2006.

For further information visit agreenerfestival.com

The School of Business & Management has joined forces with Ankara University and Warwick Business School in an EU-funded knowledge transfer project worth E340,000.

The project aims to enable the educational partners to learn from each other’s experience and knowledge of developing and delivering business education, whilst helping Turkish businesses to do more business with their European partners.

The project will deliver better training to small and medium-sized enterprises in Turkey, in particular targeting female entrepreneurs, and enhancing management development through the university curriculum and research exchange.

This will be achieved through a variety of activities, including: joint development of curricula designed to promote entrepreneurship and basic principles of managing within a market economy; promoting student exchanges; and engaging Turkish businesses in the training programmes and research. In addition, an open symposium will enable the partners to disseminate the outcomes of the research project to both the academic and business communities.

Dr Florin Ioras of the Centre for Conservation & Sustainability has been selected as an evaluator for projects funded by the European Commission, under its seventh framework programme for research and technological development. Known as FP7, the programme is the European Union’s main method of funding research in Europe from 2007 to 2013. The programme covers 10 themes; Dr Ioras and seven colleagues from Oxford, Belgium, France, Germany, Morocco,

Turkey, and the US, have been selecting projects for Theme 2 (Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Biotechnologies), looking for projects that will provide new, sustainable, safer, affordable, eco-efficient and competitive products.

Through this programme, Dr Ioras and Buckinghamshire New University have updated their background knowledge of the European research and development market, and have raised their awareness of potential partners in universities, research institutes, and industry.

The Twentieth-Century Furniture Research Group (TCFRG) held its fourth conference, Furniture-based archives and collections, at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The programme of lectures was aimed at users and providers of archival collections, ongoing and established digitisation projects, furniture historians, furniture conservators, design historians, curators, students, researchers, and others with an interest in primary research into 20th century furniture, related materials and design.

The event, chaired by Dr Clive Edwards of Loughborough University, was a great success. Feedback from the conference described the “excellent” lectures as both “interesting” and “enjoyable”. The day started with a presentation by Professor Jake Kaner, Sharon Grover, Emma Crocker and Lisa Hodgkins, all from Bucks New University. Other speakers included: Stuart Evans, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design; John Cross and Sue Newton-Short, London Metropolitan University; Peter Trowles, Glasgow School of Art; Catherine Grigg and Zara Luxford, Wycombe Museum; Gareth Williams, the V & A; and Oliver Heal from Bucks New University.

Music fans want green events Furniture conference held at the V&A

Joint project helps Turkish businesses

Buckinghamshire New University evaluates European projects

The TCFRG was formed in March 2001 and is led by Prof Jake Kaner. Its central aim is to promote and preserve furniture manufactured in the Chilterns throughout the 20th century, through a digitisation project entitled ‘Creation of High Wycombe Furniture Electronic Archive’. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the project will be completed in early 2009, when the archive of company records, photographs, designs, working drawings and film and voice recordings, will go online.


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Dr Keith Edwards, a joint appointee between Bucks New University and West London Mental Health Trust, has been working on two joint projects.

Student nurses and smokingTobacco smoking remains a major cause of disease and premature death in Western Europe and is an increasing health problem in developing countries, according to the World Health Organisation. Despite the health hazards, more than 1.2 billion people in the world are daily smokers.

Smoking among nurses is of particular interest for several reasons; the role of nurses is important not only to patients, but also to the general public as nurses play an

important role in advising about the hazards of smoking, and giving advice to those who want to stop. Nurses who smoke seem to be less willing to advise others, are more likely to hold attitudes that conflict with their advice, and may be less supportive of smoke free policies at healthcare facilities.

Dr Edwards’ project examined student nurses’ views and the results suggest that there are now fewer students coming in to nursing that smoke. Those that do are finding it increasingly difficult to reconcile their roles as health promoters and smokers.

Nurse prescribingNurse prescribing is one of the biggest changes in nursing history and controversy has surrounded its development. It has been suggested that giving nurses the power to prescribe can help speed up and improve patient care. Some parts of the medical profession, however, believe it can cause thousands of deaths. Despite this climate

of uncertainty and debate, nurses have taken on the challenge of extending their roles. This project was a reflective account of the introduction and evaluation of nurse prescribing within an Alzheimer’s disease treatment service, and has just been published in the Mental Health Practice Journal.

Partnership working

Connection

ResearchResearch conducted by Bucks New University on behalf of music industry campaign group agreenerfestival.com, has shown that music fans and festival-goers are waking up to green issues.

A survey was undertaken with 1,407 festival-goers across Europe. In the UK, 80% considered noise at festivals had an environmental impact, 82% thought waste had a negative impact, 56% thought festivals had a negative carbon footprint, 60% were worried about water, 53% were concerned with land damage and a whopping 84% thought travel and transport had a negative environmental impact.

48% of music fans in the UK said they would pay more for greener events and 36% said they consider a festival’s environmental policy before deciding to buy a ticket. Only 22% of European fans think about a festival’s environmental impact when buying tickets and just 41% would pay more for a ticket to promote green policies. 74% of UK fans said that they would travel on public transport if it was included in the price of a ticket; 78% of European fans would do this.

Agreenerfestival co-founder Ben Challis said: “In the last two years we have seen a significant rise in audience awareness of green issues, in particular the audience’s own carbon footprint. Travel to and from festivals is something we all have to tackle now, looking at better public transport

solutions as well as car sharing and other innovative solutions.”

The research was managed by undergraduate students on music and entertainment programmes, and was supervised by Teresa Moore, Head of Music & Entertainment Programmes and lecturer, Jarno Stegeman. Teresa Moore said: “In the past few years festivals like Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight Festival have worked hard to promote public transport and it now seems that the audience has digested this message and agrees – fans want to use public transport but the UK’s public transport infrastructure remains a concern.”

Moore added: “The rise in awareness of climate change is clear from the big rise in awareness of the impact of CO2 emissions. It is encouraging that the willingness to adopt public transport shows a shift in thinking towards practical action by the audience.”

However, 65% would still go to an event where their favourite band was playing even if the event was not environmentally friendly; this rises to 80% in Europe. Numbers supporting the use of re-usable crockery and refundable charges on beer cups were down in comparison to a survey undertaken in 2006.

For further information visit agreenerfestival.com

The School of Business & Management has joined forces with Ankara University and Warwick Business School in an EU-funded knowledge transfer project worth E340,000.

The project aims to enable the educational partners to learn from each other’s experience and knowledge of developing and delivering business education, whilst helping Turkish businesses to do more business with their European partners.

The project will deliver better training to small and medium-sized enterprises in Turkey, in particular targeting female entrepreneurs, and enhancing management development through the university curriculum and research exchange.

This will be achieved through a variety of activities, including: joint development of curricula designed to promote entrepreneurship and basic principles of managing within a market economy; promoting student exchanges; and engaging Turkish businesses in the training programmes and research. In addition, an open symposium will enable the partners to disseminate the outcomes of the research project to both the academic and business communities.

Dr Florin Ioras of the Centre for Conservation & Sustainability has been selected as an evaluator for projects funded by the European Commission, under its seventh framework programme for research and technological development. Known as FP7, the programme is the European Union’s main method of funding research in Europe from 2007 to 2013. The programme covers 10 themes; Dr Ioras and seven colleagues from Oxford, Belgium, France, Germany, Morocco,

Turkey, and the US, have been selecting projects for Theme 2 (Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Biotechnologies), looking for projects that will provide new, sustainable, safer, affordable, eco-efficient and competitive products.

Through this programme, Dr Ioras and Buckinghamshire New University have updated their background knowledge of the European research and development market, and have raised their awareness of potential partners in universities, research institutes, and industry.

The Twentieth-Century Furniture Research Group (TCFRG) held its fourth conference, Furniture-based archives and collections, at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The programme of lectures was aimed at users and providers of archival collections, ongoing and established digitisation projects, furniture historians, furniture conservators, design historians, curators, students, researchers, and others with an interest in primary research into 20th century furniture, related materials and design.

The event, chaired by Dr Clive Edwards of Loughborough University, was a great success. Feedback from the conference described the “excellent” lectures as both “interesting” and “enjoyable”. The day started with a presentation by Professor Jake Kaner, Sharon Grover, Emma Crocker and Lisa Hodgkins, all from Bucks New University. Other speakers included: Stuart Evans, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design; John Cross and Sue Newton-Short, London Metropolitan University; Peter Trowles, Glasgow School of Art; Catherine Grigg and Zara Luxford, Wycombe Museum; Gareth Williams, the V & A; and Oliver Heal from Bucks New University.

Music fans want green events Furniture conference held at the V&A

Joint project helps Turkish businesses

Buckinghamshire New University evaluates European projects

The TCFRG was formed in March 2001 and is led by Prof Jake Kaner. Its central aim is to promote and preserve furniture manufactured in the Chilterns throughout the 20th century, through a digitisation project entitled ‘Creation of High Wycombe Furniture Electronic Archive’. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the project will be completed in early 2009, when the archive of company records, photographs, designs, working drawings and film and voice recordings, will go online.


Issue 7 Summer

2008

A diagnosis of cancer turns a person’s life upside down, and although much can be done to support patients and relieve their symptoms, this depends upon assessment. Assessment is considered to be the key to effective cancer care, but, despite initiatives to enhance professionals’ assessment skills, research indicates that healthcare professionals do not accurately identify patients’ needs and concerns.

In 2004, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended that professionals should use assessment tools to improve accuracy and effectiveness. My experience as a cancer and palliative care nurse and my reading of the NICE guidance led me to ask two questions: Why is assessment of cancer patients so flawed? Will NICE’s recommendations concerning assessment tools work in everyday practice?

The research took place in two outpatient chemotherapy units and was undertaken with 38 patients and 10 nurses. The assessment tool was a well-established, widely used, valid and reliable quality-of-life questionnaire.

Data were collected in two phases. In Phase 1, nurses assessed patients as usual. An interim period of training and practice in using the tool followed. In Phase 2, the assessment tool was used. The nurse-patient interaction was observed, timed and tape-recorded. Interviews were then conducted with each nurse and patient.

Did the assessment tool work? Yes and no! Contrary to expectations, the tool didn’t lead to referrals to services such as counselling; it was not identifying needs, but allowing patients to articulate their experiences. The tool enabled patients to tell their stories and gave them control of the assessment agenda, which they valued.

Nurses found the tool unworkable; structured assessments took much longer, the tool exposed gaps in the nurses’ knowledge, and the Phase 2 assessments were emotionally draining. Nurses preferred their usual light-hearted, emotionally-neutral assessments.

The study provides insight into why the status quo in cancer nurses’ assessment practice persists, and suggests that a tool

might not be the solution. The findings, and my experience of conducting the research, indicate that improvements in assessment can be made through education, confidence-building, mentoring and attitude change.

The research was part-funded by the John Laing Foundation and the Band Trust/Florence Nightingale Foundation, and thanks go to Prof Jane Maher and the patients and nurses who took part.

Knowledge Mpofu, a second year PhD student in the School of Computing & Advanced Technologies, is investigating the factors that influence the adoption and diffusion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in small businesses in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, looking in particular at government policy and intervention strategies.

It is hoped that similar South African Development Community (SADC) countries will be able to gain insight into how government intervention can have an impact on the development of key economic sectors, such as small businesses and the tourism industry.

Knowledge Mpofu collected data over six months, finishing in February 2008, using semi-structured interviews as the main source. Document analysis and participant observation techniques were also employed.

The data collection presented some formidable challenges; although access to Zimbabwean establishments was

granted, recording the discussions with the participants was generally a sensitive issue in a politically restrictive environment. After registration as a Zimbabwean national doing PhD research in the UK, the researcher went through a thorough investigation and vetting process by government authorities.

Knowledge is actively seeking local and international organisations and individuals interested in technological innovation and development policy, maximizing the return from investment, employment creation, and the eradication of poverty in developing nations, through the use of ICT and small business development initiatives.

Staff in the Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation are undertaking a pilot research project that brings together two current themes in government policies. These are its concerns about the perceived obesity crisis, and an increasing awareness that children should not be ‘wrapped in cotton wool’.

The government is implementing a variety of initiatives in schools to encourage pupils to become more active and lose weight. It is also supporting the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, which states that: “Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an

essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances.”

However, there is little understanding of the potential link between these areas, or the role of formal and non-formal outdoor learning in enhancing wellbeing. So, this project will examine outdoor learning and its implications for young people’s wellbeing, researching young people’s experiences, and the perceptions of parents, guardians and teachers. It is also expected to provide policy directions.

The project began at the beginning of April with the appointment of research assistant, Ina Stan, a former full-time Bucks PhD student whose thesis topic is Group Interaction in the Outdoor Classroom: the Process of Learning in Outdoor Education. The project is directed by Prof Barbara Humberstone who has researched and published in the areas of sport, education and society, particularly in outdoor learning.

PhD students in the Cardiovascular Health Research & Enterprise Group are expected to publish their findings in advance of submitting their theses or shortly afterwards.

Recent publications include work by Lynette Hodges, Gavin Sandercock, Samantha Breen, Djordje Jakovljevic and David Nunan in: Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging; the International Journal of Clinical Practice; Physiological Measurement; the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation; the European Journal of Applied Physiology; and the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine.

Gay Donovan has recently presented a poster at the British Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation conference in Cardiff. Recent recruits to the Research Group include Johana Nayoan who is currently collecting psychological indices on post-heart attack patients in the Asian Heart Institute in Mumbai, and Nonsi Mathe who will be examining nutrition and coronary risk indices in rural and urban populations in Zimbabwe.

Dr Roger Dalrymple talks about his research into inter-professional learning “And what subject are you reading?” Not so long ago, where this question was posed to a student in higher education, the response would tend to be reasonably straightforward. The respondent would generally be ‘reading’ or studying a single, or occasionally combined, subject specialism – say medicine, physics or sociology – and this disciplinary identification would convey a good deal of information about a particular student experience. The student would tend to study alongside other subject specialists and would develop a cohort identity based largely on engagement with this specialism.

Certainly, such specific pathways and cohort identities remain in the higher education of 2008, but increasingly student pathways through the university experience have diversified and over-lapped. Students are increasingly likely to experience inter-professional learning

opportunities. This will reflect the realities of the work environments to which, in the case of work-based students, they already belong or which, in the case of full-time undergraduates, they will eventually join. The result is a less compartmentalised student experience and a cohort identity based not only on identification with a specific discipline, but also on common engagement with the higher order skills associated with study at university.

I am interested in exploring how this shift away from ‘reading’ subjects to ‘reading between (or across) the lines’ influences and enhances the student experience. The Faculty of Society & Health offers a number of programmes in which inter-professional learning opportunities are offered and the Faculty is in the process of validating new programmes in which such opportunities are central. I am currently working on two collaborative articles and related conference presentations on the experience of inter-professional learning.

The first paper, delivered at The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning conference, in May explores the impact on departmental

cultures of developing and offering programmes of inter-professional learning. What adaptations and revisions to their teaching provision do academic staff make where courses are designed with an inter-professional emphasis, and how conscious are they of any subject-specific dimensions to their teaching practice that resist extrapolation?

In the second paper (to be delivered at the Pedagogical Research in Higher Education conference, in June), I explore the inter-professional learning experience of a group of work-based professionals (drawn from public and private sector organisations) who are studying on a master’s programme in leadership and management. How far do these students consider their learning experience is enhanced by studying alongside professionals from disparate fields, and are they conscious of aspects of their professional knowledge and experience that cannot be generalised or communicated outside their specialism?

My intention is to relate the findings of these papers to the ongoing process of curriculum development in my faculty and to learn more about this growing trend of ‘reading between the lines’ – a trend which is sure to increase in the fast-changing landscape of higher education.

Viewpoint: Understanding cancer nurses’ assessment practiceDr Catherine Wilson, a new member of staff, reviews aspects of her recent PhD

Student explores ICT use in African countries

Staff investigate the role of outdoor learning

Bucks students publish earlyReading between the lines


Issue 7 Summer

2008

A diagnosis of cancer turns a person’s life upside down, and although much can be done to support patients and relieve their symptoms, this depends upon assessment. Assessment is considered to be the key to effective cancer care, but, despite initiatives to enhance professionals’ assessment skills, research indicates that healthcare professionals do not accurately identify patients’ needs and concerns.

In 2004, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended that professionals should use assessment tools to improve accuracy and effectiveness. My experience as a cancer and palliative care nurse and my reading of the NICE guidance led me to ask two questions: Why is assessment of cancer patients so flawed? Will NICE’s recommendations concerning assessment tools work in everyday practice?

The research took place in two outpatient chemotherapy units and was undertaken with 38 patients and 10 nurses. The assessment tool was a well-established, widely used, valid and reliable quality-of-life questionnaire.

Data were collected in two phases. In Phase 1, nurses assessed patients as usual. An interim period of training and practice in using the tool followed. In Phase 2, the assessment tool was used. The nurse-patient interaction was observed, timed and tape-recorded. Interviews were then conducted with each nurse and patient.

Did the assessment tool work? Yes and no! Contrary to expectations, the tool didn’t lead to referrals to services such as counselling; it was not identifying needs, but allowing patients to articulate their experiences. The tool enabled patients to tell their stories and gave them control of the assessment agenda, which they valued.

Nurses found the tool unworkable; structured assessments took much longer, the tool exposed gaps in the nurses’ knowledge, and the Phase 2 assessments were emotionally draining. Nurses preferred their usual light-hearted, emotionally-neutral assessments.

The study provides insight into why the status quo in cancer nurses’ assessment practice persists, and suggests that a tool

might not be the solution. The findings, and my experience of conducting the research, indicate that improvements in assessment can be made through education, confidence-building, mentoring and attitude change.

The research was part-funded by the John Laing Foundation and the Band Trust/Florence Nightingale Foundation, and thanks go to Prof Jane Maher and the patients and nurses who took part.

Knowledge Mpofu, a second year PhD student in the School of Computing & Advanced Technologies, is investigating the factors that influence the adoption and diffusion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in small businesses in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, looking in particular at government policy and intervention strategies.

It is hoped that similar South African Development Community (SADC) countries will be able to gain insight into how government intervention can have an impact on the development of key economic sectors, such as small businesses and the tourism industry.

Knowledge Mpofu collected data over six months, finishing in February 2008, using semi-structured interviews as the main source. Document analysis and participant observation techniques were also employed.

The data collection presented some formidable challenges; although access to Zimbabwean establishments was

granted, recording the discussions with the participants was generally a sensitive issue in a politically restrictive environment. After registration as a Zimbabwean national doing PhD research in the UK, the researcher went through a thorough investigation and vetting process by government authorities.

Knowledge is actively seeking local and international organisations and individuals interested in technological innovation and development policy, maximizing the return from investment, employment creation, and the eradication of poverty in developing nations, through the use of ICT and small business development initiatives.

Staff in the Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation are undertaking a pilot research project that brings together two current themes in government policies. These are its concerns about the perceived obesity crisis, and an increasing awareness that children should not be ‘wrapped in cotton wool’.

The government is implementing a variety of initiatives in schools to encourage pupils to become more active and lose weight. It is also supporting the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, which states that: “Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an

essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances.”

However, there is little understanding of the potential link between these areas, or the role of formal and non-formal outdoor learning in enhancing wellbeing. So, this project will examine outdoor learning and its implications for young people’s wellbeing, researching young people’s experiences, and the perceptions of parents, guardians and teachers. It is also expected to provide policy directions.

The project began at the beginning of April with the appointment of research assistant, Ina Stan, a former full-time Bucks PhD student whose thesis topic is Group Interaction in the Outdoor Classroom: the Process of Learning in Outdoor Education. The project is directed by Prof Barbara Humberstone who has researched and published in the areas of sport, education and society, particularly in outdoor learning.

PhD students in the Cardiovascular Health Research & Enterprise Group are expected to publish their findings in advance of submitting their theses or shortly afterwards.

Recent publications include work by Lynette Hodges, Gavin Sandercock, Samantha Breen, Djordje Jakovljevic and David Nunan in: Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging; the International Journal of Clinical Practice; Physiological Measurement; the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation; the European Journal of Applied Physiology; and the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine.

Gay Donovan has recently presented a poster at the British Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation conference in Cardiff. Recent recruits to the Research Group include Johana Nayoan who is currently collecting psychological indices on post-heart attack patients in the Asian Heart Institute in Mumbai, and Nonsi Mathe who will be examining nutrition and coronary risk indices in rural and urban populations in Zimbabwe.

Dr Roger Dalrymple talks about his research into inter-professional learning “And what subject are you reading?” Not so long ago, where this question was posed to a student in higher education, the response would tend to be reasonably straightforward. The respondent would generally be ‘reading’ or studying a single, or occasionally combined, subject specialism – say medicine, physics or sociology – and this disciplinary identification would convey a good deal of information about a particular student experience. The student would tend to study alongside other subject specialists and would develop a cohort identity based largely on engagement with this specialism.

Certainly, such specific pathways and cohort identities remain in the higher education of 2008, but increasingly student pathways through the university experience have diversified and over-lapped. Students are increasingly likely to experience inter-professional learning

opportunities. This will reflect the realities of the work environments to which, in the case of work-based students, they already belong or which, in the case of full-time undergraduates, they will eventually join. The result is a less compartmentalised student experience and a cohort identity based not only on identification with a specific discipline, but also on common engagement with the higher order skills associated with study at university.

I am interested in exploring how this shift away from ‘reading’ subjects to ‘reading between (or across) the lines’ influences and enhances the student experience. The Faculty of Society & Health offers a number of programmes in which inter-professional learning opportunities are offered and the Faculty is in the process of validating new programmes in which such opportunities are central. I am currently working on two collaborative articles and related conference presentations on the experience of inter-professional learning.

The first paper, delivered at The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning conference, in May explores the impact on departmental

cultures of developing and offering programmes of inter-professional learning. What adaptations and revisions to their teaching provision do academic staff make where courses are designed with an inter-professional emphasis, and how conscious are they of any subject-specific dimensions to their teaching practice that resist extrapolation?

In the second paper (to be delivered at the Pedagogical Research in Higher Education conference, in June), I explore the inter-professional learning experience of a group of work-based professionals (drawn from public and private sector organisations) who are studying on a master’s programme in leadership and management. How far do these students consider their learning experience is enhanced by studying alongside professionals from disparate fields, and are they conscious of aspects of their professional knowledge and experience that cannot be generalised or communicated outside their specialism?

My intention is to relate the findings of these papers to the ongoing process of curriculum development in my faculty and to learn more about this growing trend of ‘reading between the lines’ – a trend which is sure to increase in the fast-changing landscape of higher education.

Viewpoint: Understanding cancer nurses’ assessment practiceDr Catherine Wilson, a new member of staff, reviews aspects of her recent PhD

Student explores ICT use in African countries

Staff investigate the role of outdoor learning

Bucks students publish earlyReading between the lines


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Gateway building celebratedThe launch of the University’s partnership with HP and Cisco in February provided an opportunity to also celebrate the fi rst stages of the building of the University’s new Learning Resources Centre, to be known as the Gateway. The new state-of-the-art complex is being built at the front of the High Wycombe Campus and will offer a range of new facilities including a sports hall, gym, dance, music and drama studios, as well as the library and meeting rooms. The building has been designed by RMJM architects and is being built by HBG Construction Ltd, who presented an engraved trowel to the Vice Chancellor; the building will be completed by September 2009.

New location for Nursing provisionWith the completion of the Gateway building, the majority of the University’s provision will centre on the High Wycombe Campus. The exception to this is our Nursing provision which will move to a new site in West London. In May, the University settled on an ideal location for the West London Campus - a modern building located in Uxbridge. The new location is ideally situated for fulfi lling the University’s contract with NHS London, who required a London focus to our work and a site inside the M25. The West London site will enable staff and students to be closer to the clinical areas where students undertake their placements. Our agreement with HP and Cisco will ensure that staff and students are able to keep in touch with colleagues in High Wycombe through the most up-to-date technology. The move from Chalfont to Uxbridge will take place in the summer of 2009.

Wellesbourne development gets go-aheadBucks New University’s application for planning permission to develop the Wellesbourne Campus in

conjunction with George Wimpey Ltd was approved by the Secretary of State in April. This will enable the University to consider the next stages of its development plans, which will include more new build and refurbishment.

Student accommodation proposals approvedWycombe District Council’s Development Control Committee has approved proposals by Buckinghamshire New University and its development partners H2E Limited for new student accommodation on part of the former CompAir site in Hughenden. The approval followed a number of revisions that were made in response to concerns. In addition to reducing the height of the development, amendments included improving the detailed design, colour and materials of the buildings, incorporating a range of environmental measures, and providing parking spaces for use by visitors and disabled users. The University will be creating a liaison group which will provide an important link between residents and the University.

The student accommodation will be built and ready for occupation by September 2009. 504 rooms will be built in the fi rst phase, and a decision on whether to build the remaining fl ats will be taken after that. Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of the University said: “The provision of new student accommodation in the town is an essential component of the University’s future plans which dovetail with the Council’s vision for Wycombe. Buckinghamshire New University is on track to become a leading modern, business- facing, higher education institution that Wycombe can be rightly proud of and which will greatly benefi t the town.”

Refurbishment continuesRefurbishment work at the North Block, High Wycombe Campus, has continued and includes: the provision of new teaching rooms and social space on C fl oor; the provision of teaching rooms and space for student support activities on B fl oor; and the refurbishment of part of A fl oor to provide an expanded Students’ Union facility and a Student Centre for students needing to undertake administrative tasks. The Business Transformation Services, Enterprise, Finance, Human Resources, and Marketing, Communications & Recruitment Directorates have all moved to newly refurbished offi ces in the Owen Harris building.

Work has also begun on linking together the Red Shed and D Block. This is the initial stage of further work which will see the two buildings joined to Timberlake to form an integrated design. Completion or this stage will provide greatly improved resources for the Faculty of Creativity & Culture.

Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent & the Grenadines recently visited High Wycombe where he addressed his nationals that came to Buckinghamshire New University from all over the United Kingdom. In the presence of the High Commissioner, H. E. Cenio Lewis, the Consul of Northern Ireland, Christopher Stange, the Chair of the

National Committee of St. Vincent & the Grenadines Associations, UK, Jacqueline Roberts, and David Gay and Chauhdry Shafi que of Bucks New University, Dr Ralph Gonsalves gave an in-depth address on current developments in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, followed by a question and answer session. The Wycombe Steel Orchestra provided entertainment.

Campus redevelopment update News in brief

Graduate Chettina Fenech became the Bucks Free Press’s Bride of the Year in February, following an announcement at the Bellhouse Hotel Wedding Fayre. Chettina won a £500 bridal wear voucher, while husband-to-be Alex won a £200 voucher from Hire Class Menswear. Chettina completed a degree in Criminology & Sociology and then went on to a

postgraduate Psychology Diploma; she is now working as a senior fi nance co-ordinator. Chettina met Alex whilst she was working part-time during her studies. Her mum entered her into the competition, so Chettina was unaware of it until the couple had beaten hundreds of others and were in the fi nal twenty. The winning couple are getting married in July.

The Human Resources Directorate has appointed resourcing company Tribal as its recruitment partner. Tribal specialise in the public sector, providing services such as executive search and selection, interim management, and recruitment process outsourcing. Tribal will be undertaking roadshows and seminars later in 2008.

To mark Deaf Awareness Week in May and its theme, ‘Look at Me’, Pam Owen from the Disability Service was on hand at the High Wycombe Campus to answer questions on deafness. Apart from highlighting the fact that nearly 15% of the population have some degree of deafness, she was also promoting the RNID campaign ‘Don’t lose the music’. The campaign is supported by many celebrities, DJs, bands and musicians, and aims to stop young people from damaging their hearing through over-exposure to loud music. For further

information visit dontlosethemusic.com or contact Pam at [email protected]

The talent and creativity of postgraduate students from the Faculty of Creativity & Culture was celebrated at the MA end of year show. Furniture Design & Technology, Advertising, and Printmaking students exhibited work which they had completed over their year-long courses. The opening night featured a fundraising auction, with highlights including Vitra miniature chairs and full-size chairs donated by industry partners, including Ercol, KI and Morgan. MA Furniture Conservation & Restoration students exhibited their work at West Wycombe, St Lawrence Church.

Prime Minister visits University

Disability Service marks Deaf Awareness Week

Bucks graduate is Bride of the Year

Postgraduate students present end of year show

New recruitment company appointed

Did you know? The Control of Noise at Work regulations came into force for the music and entertainment industry in April. Pubs, bars, clubs and other venues now have to make sure that their staff’s hearing is protected from over-exposure to loud music.

Bucks students are now able to gain credit for part-time work, thanks to a new pilot employability scheme, known as Bucks Xtra! Designed to give students a head-start in the employment market, the scheme recognises

paid or voluntary work, undertaken at the University or in the community, by giving students extra credits at degree level. Students are assigned a mentor and are required to complete a short refl ective journal, and participate in an interview or discussion analysing their work experiences. For further information email [email protected] or [email protected]

Employability scheme gives credit for part-time work

Bucks Xtra!Get credit for the work you do

Employability Scheme


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Gateway building celebratedThe launch of the University’s partnership with HP and Cisco in February provided an opportunity to also celebrate the fi rst stages of the building of the University’s new Learning Resources Centre, to be known as the Gateway. The new state-of-the-art complex is being built at the front of the High Wycombe Campus and will offer a range of new facilities including a sports hall, gym, dance, music and drama studios, as well as the library and meeting rooms. The building has been designed by RMJM architects and is being built by HBG Construction Ltd, who presented an engraved trowel to the Vice Chancellor; the building will be completed by September 2009.

New location for Nursing provisionWith the completion of the Gateway building, the majority of the University’s provision will centre on the High Wycombe Campus. The exception to this is our Nursing provision which will move to a new site in West London. In May, the University settled on an ideal location for the West London Campus - a modern building located in Uxbridge. The new location is ideally situated for fulfi lling the University’s contract with NHS London, who required a London focus to our work and a site inside the M25. The West London site will enable staff and students to be closer to the clinical areas where students undertake their placements. Our agreement with HP and Cisco will ensure that staff and students are able to keep in touch with colleagues in High Wycombe through the most up-to-date technology. The move from Chalfont to Uxbridge will take place in the summer of 2009.

Wellesbourne development gets go-aheadBucks New University’s application for planning permission to develop the Wellesbourne Campus in

conjunction with George Wimpey Ltd was approved by the Secretary of State in April. This will enable the University to consider the next stages of its development plans, which will include more new build and refurbishment.

Student accommodation proposals approvedWycombe District Council’s Development Control Committee has approved proposals by Buckinghamshire New University and its development partners H2E Limited for new student accommodation on part of the former CompAir site in Hughenden. The approval followed a number of revisions that were made in response to concerns. In addition to reducing the height of the development, amendments included improving the detailed design, colour and materials of the buildings, incorporating a range of environmental measures, and providing parking spaces for use by visitors and disabled users. The University will be creating a liaison group which will provide an important link between residents and the University.

The student accommodation will be built and ready for occupation by September 2009. 504 rooms will be built in the fi rst phase, and a decision on whether to build the remaining fl ats will be taken after that. Dr Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of the University said: “The provision of new student accommodation in the town is an essential component of the University’s future plans which dovetail with the Council’s vision for Wycombe. Buckinghamshire New University is on track to become a leading modern, business- facing, higher education institution that Wycombe can be rightly proud of and which will greatly benefi t the town.”

Refurbishment continuesRefurbishment work at the North Block, High Wycombe Campus, has continued and includes: the provision of new teaching rooms and social space on C fl oor; the provision of teaching rooms and space for student support activities on B fl oor; and the refurbishment of part of A fl oor to provide an expanded Students’ Union facility and a Student Centre for students needing to undertake administrative tasks. The Business Transformation Services, Enterprise, Finance, Human Resources, and Marketing, Communications & Recruitment Directorates have all moved to newly refurbished offi ces in the Owen Harris building.

Work has also begun on linking together the Red Shed and D Block. This is the initial stage of further work which will see the two buildings joined to Timberlake to form an integrated design. Completion or this stage will provide greatly improved resources for the Faculty of Creativity & Culture.

Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent & the Grenadines recently visited High Wycombe where he addressed his nationals that came to Buckinghamshire New University from all over the United Kingdom. In the presence of the High Commissioner, H. E. Cenio Lewis, the Consul of Northern Ireland, Christopher Stange, the Chair of the

National Committee of St. Vincent & the Grenadines Associations, UK, Jacqueline Roberts, and David Gay and Chauhdry Shafi que of Bucks New University, Dr Ralph Gonsalves gave an in-depth address on current developments in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, followed by a question and answer session. The Wycombe Steel Orchestra provided entertainment.

Campus redevelopment update News in brief

Graduate Chettina Fenech became the Bucks Free Press’s Bride of the Year in February, following an announcement at the Bellhouse Hotel Wedding Fayre. Chettina won a £500 bridal wear voucher, while husband-to-be Alex won a £200 voucher from Hire Class Menswear. Chettina completed a degree in Criminology & Sociology and then went on to a

postgraduate Psychology Diploma; she is now working as a senior fi nance co-ordinator. Chettina met Alex whilst she was working part-time during her studies. Her mum entered her into the competition, so Chettina was unaware of it until the couple had beaten hundreds of others and were in the fi nal twenty. The winning couple are getting married in July.

The Human Resources Directorate has appointed resourcing company Tribal as its recruitment partner. Tribal specialise in the public sector, providing services such as executive search and selection, interim management, and recruitment process outsourcing. Tribal will be undertaking roadshows and seminars later in 2008.

To mark Deaf Awareness Week in May and its theme, ‘Look at Me’, Pam Owen from the Disability Service was on hand at the High Wycombe Campus to answer questions on deafness. Apart from highlighting the fact that nearly 15% of the population have some degree of deafness, she was also promoting the RNID campaign ‘Don’t lose the music’. The campaign is supported by many celebrities, DJs, bands and musicians, and aims to stop young people from damaging their hearing through over-exposure to loud music. For further

information visit dontlosethemusic.com or contact Pam at [email protected]

The talent and creativity of postgraduate students from the Faculty of Creativity & Culture was celebrated at the MA end of year show. Furniture Design & Technology, Advertising, and Printmaking students exhibited work which they had completed over their year-long courses. The opening night featured a fundraising auction, with highlights including Vitra miniature chairs and full-size chairs donated by industry partners, including Ercol, KI and Morgan. MA Furniture Conservation & Restoration students exhibited their work at West Wycombe, St Lawrence Church.

Prime Minister visits University

Disability Service marks Deaf Awareness Week

Bucks graduate is Bride of the Year

Postgraduate students present end of year show

New recruitment company appointed

Did you know? The Control of Noise at Work regulations came into force for the music and entertainment industry in April. Pubs, bars, clubs and other venues now have to make sure that their staff’s hearing is protected from over-exposure to loud music.

Bucks students are now able to gain credit for part-time work, thanks to a new pilot employability scheme, known as Bucks Xtra! Designed to give students a head-start in the employment market, the scheme recognises

paid or voluntary work, undertaken at the University or in the community, by giving students extra credits at degree level. Students are assigned a mentor and are required to complete a short refl ective journal, and participate in an interview or discussion analysing their work experiences. For further information email [email protected] or [email protected]

Employability scheme gives credit for part-time work

Bucks Xtra!Get credit for the work you do

Employability Scheme


Issue 7 Summer

2008

A new organisation dedicated to developing community cohesion and integration between Christians and Muslims in the High Wycombe area has been launched. The Council for Christian and Muslim Relations, High Wycombe, was launched at Buckinghamshire New University by leading members of the Christian and Muslim communities.

The Council has been established with the fi rm support and involvement of local Church leaders, imams, and lay civic fi gures. The aims are to promote mutual respect and understanding amongst the communities of High Wycombe, and to raise awareness of the need to build good relations between people of different faiths.

Chauhdry Shafi que, Director of Equality and Community Cohesion at Buckinghamshire New University and Chairman of the Council, commented: “In the world we live in today, the need for actively building really strong and positive relationships between people of different faiths has never been greater. This is particularly so for our multifaith communities of modern Britain where people of many different religions, ethnic and cultural

backgrounds live side by side in places and are therefore vulnerable to events and media debates having a damaging impact on their social cohesion.

“I believe that through the work of the Council for Christian and Muslim Relations, people of all faiths will take the opportunity that lies with us to work together to help build a ‘one-community’ which is genuinely based on mutual respect and understanding – a community that we can all have equal pride in with shared hopes and values.”

Sports Management & Rugby Studies students from Buckinghamshire New University staged a tag rugby festival at Adams Park, in April.

The aim of the festival was to give local schools a competitive opportunity to play tag rugby following a programme of coaching from the students. The festival was the culmination of all their hard work and was planned, organised and delivered by the students in partnership with the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

Liz Tapper, Sports Strategy Manager at the University, said: “It’s great to see how the programme of coaching and competition has enabled local children to experience rugby, to learn the basic skills and to develop an enthusiasm for the game. With the support of London Wasps and the RFU, the rugby festival was an exciting event and I hope many of the youngsters will continue in the sport be it at a competitive or recreational level.”

Bucks New University’s Chaplaincy signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the Chaplaincy and a covenant between the regions’ churches, at an event attended by church leaders, Chaplaincy council and team members, and staff from the University and its Students’ Union.

The covenant is a promise between the churches that support the Chaplaincy, and was signed by representatives from the Church of England, the King’s Church, the

Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, the United Reformed Church, the Baptist Church and Roman Catholic Church. It cites a commitment to work and act together, build on inter-church co-operation and offer appropriate support to all members of the University of any faith or none.

Chaplaincy Coordinator, Gwen Collins said: “It is such an encouragement to have leaders of churches from across the county and beyond coming to our

university to sign this renewed Covenant. It is a clear signal of their continuing commitment to support chaplains working here alongside students and staff. The University response to that in signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Chaplaincy is also a great encouragement – a historic day, in fact!” The Memorandum of Understanding builds upon and develops the relationship between the University and the churches, clarifying the responsibilities of both.

By Tom Lydon, in memory of Michael Reilly, a fi rst year student who died of meningitis at his home in Chelmsford, Essex, just before Christmas.

‘Come on England’, was the cry, followed by yet another rendition of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Draped in our nation’s colours, Mike and I, plus a few other mates, stood with an arm round each other’s shoulders screaming at the TV during England’s campaign during the Rugby World Cup last autumn. Yet after the heartache of losing in the fi nal, Mike was still singing the songs and cheering proudly, and getting the rest of us to keep smiling after the fi nal whistle.

Mike didn’t just release this passion through rugby; he carried it through everyday life. It was a passion and spirit to just get on with life and enjoy it for what it is and he managed to infuse this spirit into every person he met.

A memorial day was organised in honour of Mike’s life, held at Chalfont Campus in January. It was a truly fi tting tribute to a great man. The whole day went off perfectly. Everybody enjoyed a great rugby tournament and the tributes carried on long into the night.

Even though Mike was only with us at University for a few months, his impact will be felt for many years to come, even after Chalfont Campus has closed. I, like everybody else who knew him, was devastated when he passed away, but his life has taught us all to keep singing and cheering, even after the fi nal whistle.

We had a fantastic rugby tournament with Mike’s old college, Writtle men’s, winning the overall cup on the sunny day at Chalfont. Over 200 people attended the day with even more attending in the evening. The total raised at the memorial cup was an astonishing £941.48, which will all be going to help research into meningitis.

Special thanks go to Jamie Grimshaw and the rugby captain Tom for makingthe Memorial Day happen.

For further information on meningitis visit meningitisUK.org

The passion of Mike

University signs agreement with Chaplaincy Sports students host tag rugby festival

Bucks wins SESSA fi nal

Buccaneers win tug of war

Buckinghamshire New University’s 1st XV recently won the fi nal of the SESSA (Southern England Students’ Sports Association) Men’s Rugby Challenge Cup Final. The Final took place at the home of London Wasps Rugby Club, Adams Park, in April.

In a thrilling game against the University of Portsmouth, Bucks New University won by 22 points to 10. Player of the match was captain, Thomas LeMehaute, who scored both tries. The Bucks New University team is coached by the London Wasps Community team.

Bucks New University’s American football team, The Buccaneers, beat fi ve other teams in a tug of war held in High Wycombe High Street to mark the opening of the new Eden shopping centre. Centre manager, Daniel Tomkinson, led the Eden team. The tug of war was organised by Wycombe District Council, and the other teams were from Buckinghamshire County Council, Chiltern Railways, Mix 107, and the High Wycombe sea cadets.

Council for Christian and Muslim Relations is launched

for the game. With the support of

Did you know?The Equality & Community Cohesion Directorate has hosted a number of lunchtime seminars for staff exploring a variety of faiths, including talks by policy adviser and former journalist Syed Mohsin Abbas, and Rev David Picken, Area Dean of Wycombe and Vice-Chair of the Council for Christian and Muslim Relations. Courses on Islam & the Muslim Culture are part of the staff development calendar.


Issue 7 Summer

2008

A new organisation dedicated to developing community cohesion and integration between Christians and Muslims in the High Wycombe area has been launched. The Council for Christian and Muslim Relations, High Wycombe, was launched at Buckinghamshire New University by leading members of the Christian and Muslim communities.

The Council has been established with the fi rm support and involvement of local Church leaders, imams, and lay civic fi gures. The aims are to promote mutual respect and understanding amongst the communities of High Wycombe, and to raise awareness of the need to build good relations between people of different faiths.

Chauhdry Shafi que, Director of Equality and Community Cohesion at Buckinghamshire New University and Chairman of the Council, commented: “In the world we live in today, the need for actively building really strong and positive relationships between people of different faiths has never been greater. This is particularly so for our multifaith communities of modern Britain where people of many different religions, ethnic and cultural

backgrounds live side by side in places and are therefore vulnerable to events and media debates having a damaging impact on their social cohesion.

“I believe that through the work of the Council for Christian and Muslim Relations, people of all faiths will take the opportunity that lies with us to work together to help build a ‘one-community’ which is genuinely based on mutual respect and understanding – a community that we can all have equal pride in with shared hopes and values.”

Sports Management & Rugby Studies students from Buckinghamshire New University staged a tag rugby festival at Adams Park, in April.

The aim of the festival was to give local schools a competitive opportunity to play tag rugby following a programme of coaching from the students. The festival was the culmination of all their hard work and was planned, organised and delivered by the students in partnership with the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

Liz Tapper, Sports Strategy Manager at the University, said: “It’s great to see how the programme of coaching and competition has enabled local children to experience rugby, to learn the basic skills and to develop an enthusiasm for the game. With the support of London Wasps and the RFU, the rugby festival was an exciting event and I hope many of the youngsters will continue in the sport be it at a competitive or recreational level.”

Bucks New University’s Chaplaincy signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the Chaplaincy and a covenant between the regions’ churches, at an event attended by church leaders, Chaplaincy council and team members, and staff from the University and its Students’ Union.

The covenant is a promise between the churches that support the Chaplaincy, and was signed by representatives from the Church of England, the King’s Church, the

Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, the United Reformed Church, the Baptist Church and Roman Catholic Church. It cites a commitment to work and act together, build on inter-church co-operation and offer appropriate support to all members of the University of any faith or none.

Chaplaincy Coordinator, Gwen Collins said: “It is such an encouragement to have leaders of churches from across the county and beyond coming to our

university to sign this renewed Covenant. It is a clear signal of their continuing commitment to support chaplains working here alongside students and staff. The University response to that in signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Chaplaincy is also a great encouragement – a historic day, in fact!” The Memorandum of Understanding builds upon and develops the relationship between the University and the churches, clarifying the responsibilities of both.

By Tom Lydon, in memory of Michael Reilly, a fi rst year student who died of meningitis at his home in Chelmsford, Essex, just before Christmas.

‘Come on England’, was the cry, followed by yet another rendition of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Draped in our nation’s colours, Mike and I, plus a few other mates, stood with an arm round each other’s shoulders screaming at the TV during England’s campaign during the Rugby World Cup last autumn. Yet after the heartache of losing in the fi nal, Mike was still singing the songs and cheering proudly, and getting the rest of us to keep smiling after the fi nal whistle.

Mike didn’t just release this passion through rugby; he carried it through everyday life. It was a passion and spirit to just get on with life and enjoy it for what it is and he managed to infuse this spirit into every person he met.

A memorial day was organised in honour of Mike’s life, held at Chalfont Campus in January. It was a truly fi tting tribute to a great man. The whole day went off perfectly. Everybody enjoyed a great rugby tournament and the tributes carried on long into the night.

Even though Mike was only with us at University for a few months, his impact will be felt for many years to come, even after Chalfont Campus has closed. I, like everybody else who knew him, was devastated when he passed away, but his life has taught us all to keep singing and cheering, even after the fi nal whistle.

We had a fantastic rugby tournament with Mike’s old college, Writtle men’s, winning the overall cup on the sunny day at Chalfont. Over 200 people attended the day with even more attending in the evening. The total raised at the memorial cup was an astonishing £941.48, which will all be going to help research into meningitis.

Special thanks go to Jamie Grimshaw and the rugby captain Tom for makingthe Memorial Day happen.

For further information on meningitis visit meningitisUK.org

The passion of Mike

University signs agreement with Chaplaincy Sports students host tag rugby festival

Bucks wins SESSA fi nal

Buccaneers win tug of war

Buckinghamshire New University’s 1st XV recently won the fi nal of the SESSA (Southern England Students’ Sports Association) Men’s Rugby Challenge Cup Final. The Final took place at the home of London Wasps Rugby Club, Adams Park, in April.

In a thrilling game against the University of Portsmouth, Bucks New University won by 22 points to 10. Player of the match was captain, Thomas LeMehaute, who scored both tries. The Bucks New University team is coached by the London Wasps Community team.

Bucks New University’s American football team, The Buccaneers, beat fi ve other teams in a tug of war held in High Wycombe High Street to mark the opening of the new Eden shopping centre. Centre manager, Daniel Tomkinson, led the Eden team. The tug of war was organised by Wycombe District Council, and the other teams were from Buckinghamshire County Council, Chiltern Railways, Mix 107, and the High Wycombe sea cadets.

Council for Christian and Muslim Relations is launched

for the game. With the support of

Did you know?The Equality & Community Cohesion Directorate has hosted a number of lunchtime seminars for staff exploring a variety of faiths, including talks by policy adviser and former journalist Syed Mohsin Abbas, and Rev David Picken, Area Dean of Wycombe and Vice-Chair of the Council for Christian and Muslim Relations. Courses on Islam & the Muslim Culture are part of the staff development calendar.


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Missenden Abbey Conference Centre has double celebration!Buckinghamshire New University’s Missenden Abbey Conference Centre had two reasons to celebrate this spring. Firstly it announced the appointment of Anna Saxton, its new Business Development Manager, and secondly, the Abbey successfully retained its Gold Award for Food Hygiene following an inspection by the Environmental Health Offi cer.

Anna Saxton’s career includes eight years at the Kings Hotel in Stokenchurch, where she held the post of Conference & Banqueting Co-ordinator before progressing to Marketing & Events Manager. Anna said: “From the moment I fi rst walked through the doors of Missenden Abbey, I was instantly won over by its beauty, drama and history. I have many new ideas on driving the business forward; these include maximising our internet exposure, securing the loyalty of our existing customers and increasing our client base.”

Centre Director, Steve Crawford, is proud to have retained the food hygiene award:

“The Gold Award is highly regarded and is arguably harder to win a second time round. In addition to the physical improvements we have made in the kitchen, the Environmental Health Offi cer was particularly impressed with our training and overall management of this area. Success like this does not just happen; all our staff have worked very hard to retain the Gold.”

A student at one of Bucks New University’s partner colleges was named Britain’s best new digital photographer in the Channel 4 series Picture This.

Elizabeth Gordon, who is studying for an HND in Photography and Digital Imaging at Amersham & Wycombe College, was one

of six participants who went head to head over three weeks, stretching their creative and technical abilities in challenging photography assignments that were assessed by a panel of renowned industry judges.

The programme was aired during the fi rst three weeks of January, and the results were announced at the end of the Sunday evening

episode. The prize included publication of an exclusive book and a dedicated exhibition at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts in Gateshead.

Elizabeth said: “It has been very exciting to see my work in print, and I was so happy

to have the opportunity to exhibit my work at the BALTIC. I enjoyed taking part in the competition and am so pleased with the result. It is like getting a stamp of approval from industry professionals.

“The course has given me the confi dence to put myself out there as a serious photographer. Everyone on the course is very supportive which has helped me to develop my creative ideas and practical skills. I really enjoy being given an open brief and developing my own ideas to create a body of work. In the long term, I would like to work as a photographic artist.”

Elizabeth will be exhibiting her work at two shows during June with other members of her course: the Free Range Exhibition at The Old Truman Brewery, London from 13–16 June 2008; and the Amersham & Wycombe College End of Year Show, Amersham Campus from 16–20 June 2008.

To view Elizabeth’s work visit elizabethgordon.org.uk

Amersham & Wycombe student is Britain’s best new digital photographer Rebecca Holmes and Jill Flower,

who both graduated from Bucks New University last year, have excelled in their chosen areas of textile art.

Rebecca Holmes was awarded fi rst prize at the Knitted Textile Student Awards 2007, following in the footsteps of former Bucks

student, Edwina Holder, who took the title in 2006. As a result of winning her award, Rebecca was invited to exhibit at the Olympia Stitch and Craft Show in March this year.

Rebecca said: “I felt honoured just to have been chosen as a fi nalist for the Knitted Textiles Student Awards 2007, never mind winning fi rst prize! It’s great to see that

all my hard work has been rewarded. I feel very privileged as this will really help towards building my contacts in the knitted textile design industry.

“The BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design course at Buckinghamshire New University is one of the best in the country, with dedicated teaching, up-to-date equipment and materials, and a fun, vibrant atmosphere to work in. I would strongly recommend it to anyone wishing to study a textiles degree in a creative and enthusiastic environment. Also, the University is only 45 minutes away from central London which really helped me when researching for exhibitions, museums, fashion shows, materials and equipment for my degree.”

Jill Flower was one of just 20 students, selected by the Embroiderers Guild, to attend and exhibit her work as part of the Graduate Showcase at the high profi le Knitting and Stitching Shows that take place in England and Ireland. Jill graduated with a Diploma in Higher Education in Stitched Textiles from Buckinghamshire New University, having completed her three-year course at East Berkshire College.

Graduates excel in textile artRebecca Holmes and Jill Flower, who both graduated from Bucks New University last year, have excelled in their chosen areas of textile art.


Graduates excel

Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra opened Aylesbury College’s landmark new building in April, 45 years after she fi rst opened the College.

HRH offi cially opened the College on 18 July 1963, following the College’s move from temporary buildings to its Oxford Road site. She returned to the College to see the new building and to unveil a plaque to commemorate the offi cial opening. HRH met key College staff, learners, and guests from the region.

Principal and Chief Executive of Aylesbury College, Pauline Odulinski, said: “Aylesbury College has seen many changes over the years. Our new building, committed staff, excellent support and state-of-the-art equipment are key to ensuring that our learners receive the best possible start, and that we maintain high standards. We have recently celebrated a massive 14 place rise to position 21 in the Post-16 Achievement

and Attainment Tables released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. We are delighted that HRH Princess Alexandra was able to return to the College, to see the new building and to share in our continuing success.”

The College’s new building was completed in 2006, and is now an impressive landmark in the centre of Aylesbury. It includes a Learning Mall, comprising hairdressing and beauty salons and Hardings Training Restaurant, all of which enable students to learn about the ‘real’ world, whilst providing valuable services to the local community.

Aylesbury College’s new iconic building was designed by Bond Bryan Partnership, and was recently recognised as the best designed building in Aylesbury and the Vale, with an award for outstanding and exemplary design in Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Design Awards 2007. The new building was built by HBG Construction Ltd. For further information visit aylesbury.ac.uk

HRH Princess Alexandra opens partner college’s new building

Have you made any video footage you want to shout about? If so, then we are building a new platform for you.

Bucks Television will be online soon, and will be a great opportunity toshowcase your work on a dedicated video platform – no adverts, no spam, just your fresh movies.

Features will include: channels including fi lm, student life, music andevents; 24/7 scheduled content; video on demand features; and individualprofi les to quickly communicate, discuss and feedback on work.

For further information or to register and submit details of your work. visit bucks.tv or e-mail [email protected]


Issue 7 Summer

2008

Missenden Abbey Conference Centre has double celebration!Buckinghamshire New University’s Missenden Abbey Conference Centre had two reasons to celebrate this spring. Firstly it announced the appointment of Anna Saxton, its new Business Development Manager, and secondly, the Abbey successfully retained its Gold Award for Food Hygiene following an inspection by the Environmental Health Offi cer.

Anna Saxton’s career includes eight years at the Kings Hotel in Stokenchurch, where she held the post of Conference & Banqueting Co-ordinator before progressing to Marketing & Events Manager. Anna said: “From the moment I fi rst walked through the doors of Missenden Abbey, I was instantly won over by its beauty, drama and history. I have many new ideas on driving the business forward; these include maximising our internet exposure, securing the loyalty of our existing customers and increasing our client base.”

Centre Director, Steve Crawford, is proud to have retained the food hygiene award:

“The Gold Award is highly regarded and is arguably harder to win a second time round. In addition to the physical improvements we have made in the kitchen, the Environmental Health Offi cer was particularly impressed with our training and overall management of this area. Success like this does not just happen; all our staff have worked very hard to retain the Gold.”

A student at one of Bucks New University’s partner colleges was named Britain’s best new digital photographer in the Channel 4 series Picture This.

Elizabeth Gordon, who is studying for an HND in Photography and Digital Imaging at Amersham & Wycombe College, was one

of six participants who went head to head over three weeks, stretching their creative and technical abilities in challenging photography assignments that were assessed by a panel of renowned industry judges.

The programme was aired during the fi rst three weeks of January, and the results were announced at the end of the Sunday evening

episode. The prize included publication of an exclusive book and a dedicated exhibition at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts in Gateshead.

Elizabeth said: “It has been very exciting to see my work in print, and I was so happy

to have the opportunity to exhibit my work at the BALTIC. I enjoyed taking part in the competition and am so pleased with the result. It is like getting a stamp of approval from industry professionals.

“The course has given me the confi dence to put myself out there as a serious photographer. Everyone on the course is very supportive which has helped me to develop my creative ideas and practical skills. I really enjoy being given an open brief and developing my own ideas to create a body of work. In the long term, I would like to work as a photographic artist.”

Elizabeth will be exhibiting her work at two shows during June with other members of her course: the Free Range Exhibition at The Old Truman Brewery, London from 13–16 June 2008; and the Amersham & Wycombe College End of Year Show, Amersham Campus from 16–20 June 2008.

To view Elizabeth’s work visit elizabethgordon.org.uk

Amersham & Wycombe student is Britain’s best new digital photographer Rebecca Holmes and Jill Flower,

who both graduated from Bucks New University last year, have excelled in their chosen areas of textile art.


student, Edwina Holder, who took the title in 2006. As a result of winning her award, Rebecca was invited to exhibit at the Olympia Stitch and Craft Show in March this year.

Rebecca said: “I felt honoured just to have been chosen as a fi nalist for the Knitted Textiles Student Awards 2007, never mind winning fi rst prize! It’s great to see that

all my hard work has been rewarded. I feel very privileged as this will really help towards building my contacts in the knitted textile design industry.

“The BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design course at Buckinghamshire New University is one of the best in the country, with dedicated teaching, up-to-date equipment and materials, and a fun, vibrant atmosphere to work in. I would strongly recommend it to anyone wishing to study a textiles degree in a creative and enthusiastic environment. Also, the University is only 45 minutes away from central London which really helped me when researching for exhibitions, museums, fashion shows, materials and equipment for my degree.”

Jill Flower was one of just 20 students, selected by the Embroiderers Guild, to attend and exhibit her work as part of the Graduate Showcase at the high profi le Knitting and Stitching Shows that take place in England and Ireland. Jill graduated with a Diploma in Higher Education in Stitched Textiles from Buckinghamshire New University, having completed her three-year course at East Berkshire College.

Graduates excel in textile artRebecca Holmes and Jill Flower, who both graduated from Bucks New University last year, have excelled in their chosen areas of textile art.


Graduates excel

Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra opened Aylesbury College’s landmark new building in April, 45 years after she fi rst opened the College.

HRH offi cially opened the College on 18 July 1963, following the College’s move from temporary buildings to its Oxford Road site. She returned to the College to see the new building and to unveil a plaque to commemorate the offi cial opening. HRH met key College staff, learners, and guests from the region.

Principal and Chief Executive of Aylesbury College, Pauline Odulinski, said: “Aylesbury College has seen many changes over the years. Our new building, committed staff, excellent support and state-of-the-art equipment are key to ensuring that our learners receive the best possible start, and that we maintain high standards. We have recently celebrated a massive 14 place rise to position 21 in the Post-16 Achievement

and Attainment Tables released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. We are delighted that HRH Princess Alexandra was able to return to the College, to see the new building and to share in our continuing success.”

The College’s new building was completed in 2006, and is now an impressive landmark in the centre of Aylesbury. It includes a Learning Mall, comprising hairdressing and beauty salons and Hardings Training Restaurant, all of which enable students to learn about the ‘real’ world, whilst providing valuable services to the local community.

Aylesbury College’s new iconic building was designed by Bond Bryan Partnership, and was recently recognised as the best designed building in Aylesbury and the Vale, with an award for outstanding and exemplary design in Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Design Awards 2007. The new building was built by HBG Construction Ltd. For further information visit aylesbury.ac.uk

HRH Princess Alexandra opens partner college’s new building

Have you made any video footage you want to shout about? If so, then we are building a new platform for you.

Bucks Television will be online soon, and will be a great opportunity toshowcase your work on a dedicated video platform – no adverts, no spam, just your fresh movies.

Features will include: channels including fi lm, student life, music andevents; 24/7 scheduled content; video on demand features; and individualprofi les to quickly communicate, discuss and feedback on work.

For further information or to register and submit details of your work. visit bucks.tv or e-mail [email protected]


Issue 7 Summer

2008

What’s on?

Connection

Our University Open Days are open to everyone and are a real opportunity to sample the Bucks experience. Visitors and their guests will have the opportunity to talk to our staff and students, to fi nd out more about our courses and to look round our facilities. Staff will also be on hand for advice and will deliver presentations on subjects including applying to university and fi nancing higher education.

Open Days for the autumn will take place on Saturday 4 October and Wednesday 19 November. For further information call 0800 0565 660, email [email protected], or visit bucks.ac.uk/open_days

Wycombe Community Festival Saturday 28 June, 12pm–6pmWellesbourne Campus

Graduations 2008This year’s graduation ceremonies will take place from 8–12 September. Ceremonies for the Faculty of Creativity & Culture will be on Monday and Tuesday; Society & Health on Wednesday and Thursday; and Enterprise & Innovation on Thursday and Friday.

For further information visit bucks.ac.uk/graduation

Supporting disabled students to succeed: Breaking down the barriersTuesday 1 July 2008, High Wycombe Campus

Staff from the Faculty of Society & Health and the Disability Service will be hosting a disability conference designed to share best practice developed at Bucks. The conference aims to bring together academic staff, senior managers, healthcare professionals and allied support staff, to share models of good practice and to develop a greater understanding of the challenges and issues relating particularly to healthcare students.

For further information visit bucks.ac.uk/disabilityconferenceTeaching Matters!

Learning & Teaching ConferenceWednesday 11 June 2008, High Wycombe Campus 10am–4pm

Bucks New University’s fi rst annual Learning & Teaching Conference will provide a platform for those who teach or support teaching to share their expertise with colleagues, and to hear – and perhaps learn – from each others’ experiences. The main aim of the conference is to celebrate good practice and explore areas for development.

To register your interest email [email protected]

Part-time employment fairThursday 2 October, 11am–3pm

A chance for Bucks students to fi nd out about part-time employment opportunities offered by a range of employers.

For further information and to search our online database of vacancies visit bucks.ac.uk/latestvacancies

Enter the games arena!Saturday 14 June, 10am–3pm, Technology Centre, High Wycombe Campus, cost £4.00

An opportunity for anyone over 16 to play video games in a networked environment, using some of the latest virtual reality tools for a truly interactive gaming experience, in a social setting. Organised by not-for-profi t group, Multiplayer Arena, this is the second in a series of game events at Buckinghamshire New University, with more to follow in the autumn.

For further information visit multiplayerarena.org.uk, or email [email protected]

University Open DayWednesday 18 June 2008, 11am–4pm

Participants will include: Wycombe Steel Orchestra, salsa, tango and hip hop dancers, art exhibitions from local schools, children’s activities and a range of food.

The Festival is co-ordinated by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation (SV2G), the organisation that raises awareness of Caribbean heritage and culture within the community of Buckinghamshire. Entrance is free, but funds raised will be given to The Fire Fighters Fund (formerly the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund).

For further information or to get involved email sv2g.offi [email protected]

Faculty of Creativity & Culture Degree ShowHigh Wycombe Campus, Saturday 7 June, 10am–2pm; Monday 9–Wednesday 11 June, 10am–6pm; Thursday 12 June, 10am–2pm

A chance to see the work of over 300 fi nal year students, spanning the full range of the creative and cultural industries, from furniture and product design, to ceramics, glass, textiles, and graphics.

For further information email [email protected] or phone 01494 605 073.

provide a platform for those who teach or Participants will include: Wycombe Steel

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Connection Issue 7

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