UCA hosts Dragon's Den star at business breakfast:
The Rochester campus hosted 20 managers from leading companies in Medway on 3 September for a breakfast business with entrepreneur Rachel Lowe.
Poet Jane Weir to launch new book at Crafts Study Centre:
The book entitled 'Walking the Block' was inspired by hand-blockprint textile artists Phyllis Barron and Dorothy Larcher, whose work and archives are held by the Centre.
Autopsied car on display at MA Show:
The affinities between art and engineering will be explored in a unique new sculpture exhibited at the Canterbury campus of the University for the Creative Arts.
Glass exhibit Czechs in at Crafts Study Centre:
Czechmade, an exhibition by leading Czech glass artists and their students will run at the Crafts Study Centre until 25 October.
Subterranean winners:
Six students at the University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury were nominated as stage one prize winners in the competition 'Underpass' run jointly by UCA and Canterbury City Council.
Sparkling new graduate wins prestigious Goldsmiths Award:
A recent graduate from the University's Rochester campus has won the annual Goldsmiths' Company Silversmithing Award at the Business Design Centre, London.
Canterbury attitudes to mental health evaluated at live art performance:
A live art performance led by University for the Creative Arts lecturer Lucy Panesar explored attitudes towards mental health in Canterbury.
Olympic break-dance hopes for Farnham graduate:
Former student Tim Butt will lead the UK delegation to Beijing in September to compete in the first break-dancing competition be held in conjunction with the Olympics Games.
Leading-edge Sustainability Conference:
Academics, technology providers, designers and entrepreneurs will converge in Sweden this autumn to discuss the latest developments in sustainable product innovation and design.
Sustainability - Opportunities for Creative Industries:
One of the key people behind a green revolution at Philips Consumer Electronics will be sharing his expertise at a lecture hosted by the Farnham campus.
MAKE Lecture Series 2008:
This year's MAKE Lecture Series kicks off with a touchstone event at UCA Rochester on Thursday 18 September at 5pm.
ucreative update
Our long journey has now culminated in the launch of the University for the Creative Arts. I am delighted to become Britain's newest Vice-Chancellor and want to thank all staff who have contributed to our collective achievement in becoming a distinctive specialist University.
On 2 September I made a 234-mile journey to all our campuses to meet with the media and local dignitaries, and unveil signs bearing our new name.
Student Union representatives Zach Fihosy and Matt Plummer were also on hand to meet the press and pose for photos, as were Dianne Taylor, Paul Coyle, our Executive Deans.
We began our journey in Canterbury, then moved on to officially launch the University in Maidstone, Rochester, Epsom and Farnham. Newspapers, radio and TV stations covered the launches across Kent and Surrey.
Although the weather didn't lend itself to celebration, it was an extremely positive day with the press in Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester fully behind their communities becoming university towns for the first time. The reception in Canterbury was also very positive and I am looking forward to watching the press cuttings over the coming weeks.
So far interviews have been broadcast on Invicta Radio, KMFM, Eagle Radio, Delta FM and BBC Southern Counties and local newspapers have begun carrying positive stories, demonstrating the pride in having a new University in the town.
Staff Celebration
By now you should have all received your invitation to the staff celebration event in London on 29 October. We will be among the first visitors to the newly refurbished Saatchi Gallery and I am looking forward to seeing you all there on what promises to be a lively event.
Christmas Closing
Although it might be a little early to start thinking about Christmas, I am sure that you will be pleased to mark the Christmas closing dates in your diaries. We will close at 2pm on Wednesday 24 December and reopen again on Monday 5 January – a longer stretch than normal in recognition of everyone's contribution to university title.
Autumn Roadshows
Executive are planning to hold Autumn Roadshows on each campus on the following dates:
17 October 2008 – Maidstone, 12.30pm
23 October 2008 – Farnham, 12.30pm
29 October 2008 – Epsom, 12.30pm
30 October 2008 – Canterbury, 12.30pm
31 October 2008 – Rochester, 12.30pm
The Roadshows will be presenting a user-friendly version of the Strategic Plan, and providing opportunities for questions and discussion.
New appointments
At the last meeting of Executive several new appointments were confirmed.
Update from the Pro Vice-Chancellor Corporate Resources
As we commence the new academic year, I thought it important to update you on the budget for the new financial year and the implications it might have on various departments.
Excellence in Leadership & People Management Awards
The Excellence in Leadership & People Management Awards have now been presented. Congratulations to all those staff who were nominated and those who received the award, an excellent achievement.
Leadership Conference 2008. Were you there?
Over 100 of our managers attended the University's inaugural Leadership conference held on the 21st July at the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea.
Charity benefits from Joyce's Golf marathon
The Motor Neurone Disease Association has received a £1,320 boost thanks to the golf swing of Maidstone relief receptionist Joyce Paterson.
Lesley Millar to receive 2008 Japan Society Award
Lesley Millar, Professor of Textile Culture at UCA Epsom is to be awarded the 2008 Japan Society Award for significant contribution to Anglo Japanese Relations.
Green revolution? Energy Manager takes up post
Since taking up the newly create post of Environment and Energy Manager in July, Tony Grace has been busily working to develop a series of initiatives aimed are making UCA a more environmentally friendly place.
Student scoops UR Idea award with designer smog gear
Product Design Sustainable Futures graduate Adam Langdale has won first prize in this year's "Ur Idea" competition. He designed a range of anti pollution designer clothing.
New student team for UCA
A new student team is in place to take on the challenge of our first year as a university. (top from left) Zack Fihosy, Charlie Elms, (bottom from left) Maria Pryor and Matt Plummer are the new Students' Union team for 2008/9.
