Creative Enterprise Day:
Schools across Kent and Medway take part in Rochester workshops.
Prestigious Placement for Printmaker:
Maidstone student will spend this summer in Vermont, USA.
Masayo Ave Exhibition:
An insight into the work of internationally-renowned designer Masayo Ave at Epsom.
OpenAdTalent Win:
Success for a Farnham BA Advertising and Brand Communication student at the OpenAdTalent pitch.
V&A Textile Commission:
Canterbury's NDAD Course Leader Neil Bottle has work acquired by the V&A.
Students' MAD Idea:
Students reach the final of regional competition with their new design idea.
Who's Who in Science and Engineering:
Leading biographical publisher recognises Canterbury Lecturer.
Challenge Canada:
Students at the University for the Creative Arts at Farnham win film competition to take up televised trip of a life-time.
Forthcoming events:
ucreative update
At the Autumn Executive Roadshows I identified several milestones for the University for this academic year, and it is now clear that we have already achieved several of these goals.
Firstly, we gained an excellent report from our Institutional Audit of October 2007, particularly identifying our success in "the University's considered and measured approach to managing the process of merger which has, through the careful management of risk and judicious prioritisation of action, ensured the maintenance of standards and quality".
Secondly, our University Title visit went well in January 2008. We have now received a letter from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills indicating that they are satisfied that we meet the criteria for University Title. University Title will be formally granted by approval of the actual title we wish to adopt. We have now submitted our proposal to the Privy Council, supported by a summary of the consultation process undertaken.
We are proposing that our title will be University for the Creative Arts and the majority of HEI's and other stakeholders we consulted supported this proposal. A small number of institutions objected to this title and DIUS may advise the Privy Council either to approve our preferred title or to approve our second preference University for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester.
We hope to hear within the next few weeks. Until then, we cannot make any public announcements. However, I think that we can quietly congratulate ourselves and begin planning our celebrations, focusing upon a party for all staff to be planned for October 2008 to launch our new University in style.
Investors in people
A third milestone identified for this year was the retention of our Investors in People status. The University was visited by two IiP Assessors on 7, 8 and 9 April. The purpose of the visit was to review the progress the University has made in meeting the national standard laid down by IiP and, to make a recommendation to the IiP recognition panel on our suitability for retaining recognition. The assessors met with over 40 staff including myself, to discuss and explore the evidence to support each of the 10 indicators contained within the IiP standard.
Immediately following the visit, the lead assessor provided a written report to the Quality South East Recognition Panel for consideration and a final judgement as to our suitability to retaining IiP recognition.
I am delighted to report that the panel has endorsed the recommendations of both assessors, that the University has achieved the IiP national standard and therefore continues to be recognised as an Investor in People. The recognition panel made the following comment:
"The panel is pleased to support the recommendation that the University be recognised. Clearly significant change has occurred since the merger and the early assessment visits. The strengths and areas of good practice evidence that a considerable amount of work has been undertaken to a high standard."
The journey to retaining recognition has been long and hard and continuing to meet the IiP Standard demonstrates the University's on-going commitment to best practice in people management and acknowledges that the University and its staff are working together to a common goal.
Strengths and areas of good practice identified in the assessors' report include:
- A strong commitment to learning and development
- Clear emphasis on the importance of planning (e.g. 5 year strategic plan, operational plans, sustainability plan) which is becoming embedded in the culture of the organisation
- Improving cross campus liaison and the integration of different cultures
- The introduction of the new PDR process has introduced a wider application of the value of looking at performance and development on an on-going basis
The Assessor's report also included a number of quotes from staff including:
- "There is a real commitment to training and development; my manager wants me to exceed and excel"
- "There are lots of team meetings when we share good practice"
- "I have to lead by example and provide the vision and leadership for the team"
- "My manager takes the time to listen to any problems we may have and to offer solutions"
- "Setting up groups within the Library to look at particular key objectives and coming forward with ideas for implementation"
- "The induction was very good and was subject to an agreed timetable. I had time with each member of the team, health and safety training and a corporate induction day"
- "Members of staff feel more attached to the college; morale has improved in our department"
- "I have been able to improve the way in which I manage staff as a result of attendance on management development activity"
- "Regular team meetings have made a big improvement"
- "I am more willing to let staff get involved in cross-team activity because I can see how this increases their motivation"
I would like to thank all staff for their contribution in achieving this award but particularly those staff who participated in the visit, for their commitment and enthusiasm in providing the evidence to support our achievement in retaining the Investors in People recognition. They included:
- Sharon Carter – College Resources Manager
- Tony Glenville - Course Leader Fashion Promotion
- Dianne Taylor – Head of College
- Andrew Varley – College Registrar
- Kevin Liggett – Director of Studies – UCU Representative
- Thomass Atkinson – Director of Studies
- Matthew Lynch – Supervisory Technician
- Sam Best – College Finance Officer
- Stella Kay – Course Leader NDAD
- Phillip Marsh – Audio Visual Technician
- Kerry Fox – College Officer
- Mary Heagren – Receptionist
- Mark Hunt – Deputy Director – Strategic Planning
- David Buss – Deputy Director – Quality & the Student Experience
- Anne Reimers – Fashion Theory Tutor
- Alan Cooke – Pro Rector Corporate Resources
- Caroline Scott – Course Leader Photography
- Vanessa Crane – Head of Library & Learning Services
- Rosemary Lynch – Director of Library & Learning Services and Deputy Head of LLS
- Paula Clark – Careers Service Manager
- Annamarie McKie – College Librarian & Asst Director of LLS
- Gwyneth Wilkey – College Librarian & Asst Director of LLS
- Jane Bryder – Assistant Liaison Librarian
- Georgina Osborne – Senior LLC Assistant
- Becky Daniels – LLC Assistant
- Lorraine West – Senior LLC Assistant
- Denise Ward - Production Manager
- Tracey Ashmore – Study Skills Adviser
- Gillian Bunn – Production Technician
- Kay Dobbs – Fashion Shop Technician
- Lesley Dorras – College Officer
- Chris Coekin – Lecturer in Photography
- Steffi Klenz – Lecturer in Photography
- Frances Teasdale – Acquisitions Manager
- Jan Cole – Careers Advisor
- Clive Seabrook – Reprographics Assistant
- Nicki Linscott – LLC Assistant
- Julia Cook – Academic Liaison Librarian
- Lincoln Woods – LLC Electronic Systems & Services Manger
- Angela Fisher – Head of Human Resources
- Debbie Miles – Careers Media Officer
- Albert May – Buildings Manger
- Mike Aslin – UNISON representative
- Roni Brown – Deputy Head of College
I would also like to thank the members of the Forum for Organisational Development (FOLD) who have been instrumental in developing and achieving the changes necessary to ensure our retention of IiP. The assessor also commended FOLD for the quality of its work. The members of FOLD are:
- Helen Anderson - Deputy Head of Marketing & External Relations
- Roni Brown - (Chair) Deputy Head of College Farnham
- Angela Fisher – Head of Human Resources
- Kathleen Godfree – College Registrar Canterbury
- Hilaire Graham – Director of Teaching & Learning
- Sara Jackson - Learning & Development Manager
- Richard Jones – Resource Manager Farnham
- Rosemary Lynch – Director of Library & Learning Centres & Deputy Head of LLS
- Bob Russell – Deputy Head of College Epsom
- Dianne Taylor – Head of College Rochester
The assessors report also identifies opportunities to improve and build upon our achievements and these will be taken forward through the FOLD.
Research Assessment Exercise
A fourth milestone was the submission to the RAE2008, for which we submitted 61 staff. The underlying figures suggest a significant improvement in both the quality of research and the volume of research undertaken at an international level. Comparative analysis suggests:
- 30 staff (FTE) are undertaking internationally recognised research (140 outputs) compared with 7 staff and 38 outputs submitted in 2001
- We have progressed from 15% of staff in the submission undertaking recognised internationally or internationally excellent research (2* and 3*) to nearly 70% since 2001
Student Recruitment
At our Autumn Roadshow I also identified Student Recruitment for 2008/09 as a key priority for us this year. I am pleased to say that, overall, we are achieving good application rates to our courses and all staff are working hard in selecting and advising potential students to join our University in September 2008. All staff are aware of the importance of achieving our target student numbers as this helps to achieve financial stability as well as demonstrating the academic credibility and quality of our courses.
Spring Executive Roadshows
I will be talking to all staff at the Spring Executive Roadshows about the long term sustainability and development of our University, summarising our current position, the challenges we face and our vision for the future. Executive will also be identifying the academic principles which will underpin our future development and growth.
I hope that you will be able to attend the Roadshows which will be held on the following dates at 12.30pm:
- 15 May - Maidstone, Lecture Theatre
- 16 May - Rochester, Lecture Theatre 2
- 21 May - Canterbury, Cragg Lecture Theatre
- 22 May - Epsom, Lecture Theatre
- 27 May - Farnham, Lecture Theatre
I look forward to seeing you there.
Professor Elaine Thomas
Rector
Honours from Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council
The University for the Creative Arts, Rochester, has scooped the College Trophy at the Goldsmiths' Craftsmanship and Design Awards.
Meeting the Learning Need
The second in a series of features from the Learning and Development Team. This time, L&D provide an update on the many opportunities available to help meet our learning needs.
Photography PhDs a First for Maidstone
Eva Kalpadaki and Nigel Green are Maidstone's first PhD graduates.
New team in Marketing & Communications
Head of Marketing and Communications, Kevin Wilson, provides an update on his team and their role.
Peruvian Mountains no Match for Maria
The Web Team's Maria Tannant is in training to trek Peru for the charity Breast Cancer Care.
Commendation at Conference for Teaching and Learning
The University's contribution to the Centre for Learning and Teaching in Art and Design (CLTAD) Conference in New York has been commended.
Bespoke Careers Advice Products
Find out more about the new personal branding products for University students available from the Careers Service.
QAA publishes glowing report
The body responsible for maintaining standards in higher education praised the University in a report published in March.
Branding Review Feedback
The period of staff consultation on the brand review has now come to an end. Our Pro Rector Research for Development, Seymour Roworth-Stokes, reports the findings of the recent staff survey and responds to the issues raised.
The Falling of the Monumental
Richard Davies, Director of Studies in Fine Art at Canterbury, is set to visit China this month. We discuss his work, the current climate in Beijing and his invitation to act as Visiting Professor.
Centre for Sustainable Design to Host Eco-Innovation Conference
Entrepreneurs, researchers and policy makers will be convening in Farnham on 21 May to exchange ideas on how environmental issues can be tackled through design and technology.
Memory and Touch
A conference organised by Professor Lesley Millar and the University at Epsom will mark the opening of a major new exhibition at RIBA London on Wednesday 7 May.
Rural Research and Strategy Partnership
The University at Farnham has joined forces with four other research institutions in the region to form the Rural Research and Strategy Partnership (RRSP).
Creative Graduates into Companies Initiative
Knowledge Transfer Manager, Clare Wunderly provides an update on CGCI initiative, which recently closed.
Equality and Diversity Update
Featuring information on the two ticks scheme, health issues at work and accessible formats for your documents.
Pioneering Green University
Martin Charter, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Design at the University, will sit on the advisory board of the world's first sustainability university.
