Animation graduate wins Oscar nomination:
Farnham graduate Adam Foulkes was nominated for the Best Animated Short Film Category at this year's Oscars.
Maltese student wins River Island competition:
A bright future in fashion beckons for Rochester fashion student Amanda Abela who has won first prize in a national competition sponsored by fashion brand River Island.
Neil Bottle exhibits Middle East inspired textile collection:
Neil Bottle from UCA Canterbury will open a new exhibition of printed textiles inspired by the landscapes of the Middle East at Contemporary Applied Arts, London, in March.
Maidstones' animation students produce documentaries about local community groups:
Inspired by documentary director/film maker Kim Hopkins, BA Animation Arts students at Maidstone are working with local residents to produce mixed media documentaries about local identity and characters.
Design students scoop plethora of awards:
Students from UCA Epsom have taken away gold, silver and bronze awards in a competition organised by one of the country's largest paper merchants.
Pot luck for Ashley Howard in Winchester:
Ashley Howard, Senior Lecturer in Ceramics at UCA Farnham, has opened his latest ceramics show at Hampshire's Winchester Cathedral. 15 colourful ceramic fonts will be displayed inside the Cathedral until 2 April.
Course leader exhibits prints:
Randal Cooke, Course Leader in Printmaking at Maidstone, was the featured artist at this year's Originals 09, the annual printmaking exhibition held at the Mall Galleries in London.
Mature student snaps top photography prize :
A third year Applied Arts BA student from UCA Rochester is enjoying success having won first prize in a Kent photography competition.
UCA holds green towns talk:
The Centre for Sustainable Design (CfSD), Farnham is hosting a free talk on the 'transition towns' movement which has seen communities across the globe working together to reduce their dependency on oil and cut carbon emissions.
Advertising pro's go head to head in new lecture series :
KesselsKramer, one of the Netherlands' most prestigious marketing agencies, known globally for its work with fashion brand Diesel, has opened an exhibition and month long lecture series at UCA Farnham.
Performance art study day in Farnham:
The Photography and Fine Art departments at UCA Farnham will present a performance art study day to the Maltings arts centre in Farnham.
This is your newsletter:
Funding for professional qualifications
By Linda Huckle
As part of the University's commitment to a culture of lifelong learning, it runs a Professional Qualifications Funding scheme which, during the current academic year, funded a total of 40 members of staff to study for a professional, accredited qualification. The type of qualifications funded are varied and awarded across the University functions. This year the qualifications included Doctorates, MA's, Foundation Degrees, PhD's, Management Diplomas, MSc's, Post Graduate Diplomas and role specific qualifications in areas such as accounting, personnel pPractice, counselling, and facilities management.
Successes and achievements
Combining study and work is an achievement in itself and we asked those who were funded to share experiences regarding the impact their studies had on their roles and careers at the University. A selection of the many responses received are detailed below showing how individuals from different roles have applied their knowledge to their work:
Craig Martin (Lecturer in Contextual Studies, Farnham) is studying for a PhD and felt that it had been a "wonderfully, invigorating experience – it has assisted me in working with students to focus their theoretical ideas into a coherent substantive argument and the variety of research methods that I have developed has directly impacted on my teaching, specifically in giving students the tools to carry out their research."
Similarly, Sallyanne Theodosiou (Lecturer in Graphic Design, Epsom) who has now completed her MA in Art & Design in Education has found that the experience has been "motivating, enabling me to think more critically about the way we teach and how to develop and improve the student and tutor experience."
Common experiences shared were those of increased motivation, developing a desire to learn, an enhancement of skills and seeing the benefits applied in the workplace. Nathan Scrimshaw told us that being given the opportunity to study for a qualification has "reinvigorated my career and showing me the direction I want it to take, it has also allowed me to progress within the University." Nathan has recently taken up a secondment as Digital Project Officer at Canterbury and feels that his work will exploit the breadth of his degree as well as the depth – he feels he now has a career and ambitions and is eager to pursue them as a direct result of his studies.
Vicky Marriner, (IT technician, Farnham) has almost completed her Foundation Degree in IT which has given her insight into how applications and programs work, enabling her to have a greater understanding of the harmonisation project and the IT benefits that will come from this. Similarly, Nick Power, (Web Programmer, Maidstone) is studying for a BSc in Computing and Systems Practice and has learnt new coding techniques and ideas that he can use in his job role, which will inform his future work in the new systems and structures to come as a result of the University title.
Studying for a professional qualification whilst working is not something to be taken on lightly – it is extremely hard work, but at the same time rewarding. Many of those who are undertaking professional qualifications have commented how the support from their own line managers and colleagues has been invaluable as it is hard to study alongside everything else. However, despite the challenge of trying to fit everything in, staff felt that the experience had been worthwhile with real and tangible benefits to both staff members and the University. Lorraine Ishmael-Byers, (Disability Support Manager, Epsom), has been studying for a qualification in British Sign Language explained that "being able to have signed conversations with deaf students as a result of my studies, despite all the added personal benefits of gaining a qualification, is what it all about." The positive impact on enhancing the student experience, our core business, whilst increasing the professionalism of our staff is key to the success and growth of the University.
We hope this small selection of experiences will give you a flavour of the many achievements of UCA staff. The Professional Qualifications Panel and Learning & Development team wish every success to all staff who are undertaking professional qualifications and congratulate those who have achieved their qualifications.
Applying for Funding in 2009/10 Academic Year
All essential information for staff considering applying for professional qualification funding, including the criteria for application, can be found in the Learning & Development Policy. This can be accessed via the Learning & Development section of the website –
www.ucreative.ac.uk/development
or directly from the staff portal – look in the Document Store in the Learning & Development folder, then the Professional Qualifications sub folder. A new funding application form, which will include a checklist to assist applicants and their managers will be available from March 2009.
The deadline for applications for 2009/10 academic year is 22nd May 2009. Please ensure that your completed application form, with supporting statement from your line manager is sent to Learning and Development, Human Resources, Farnham by this date.
If you have any questions about the professional qualifications scheme, please call the Learning and Development team on 1471/2978/8698/7467 or email us on ldev@ucreative.ac.uk.
Interview with David Burt, Academic Registrar
David took up his new post as Academic Registrar back in December and immediately began shaping his vision for the newly formed Academic Registry. He is now keen to share this vision with the rest of the university.
UCA secures £1 million from HEFCE to lead Cultural Olympiad
The University for the Creative Arts is leading a consortium of 13 universities to deliver a series of cultural events, known as the Creative Campus Initiative, in the run up to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
ILM Award in Management (Level 5) now available to staff
In January, Learning & Development successfully obtained approved centre status from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), enabling delivery of courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications.
Marketing and Communications shortlisted for two HEIST awards
UCA's Marketing and Communications department has been shortlisted for two HEIST awards - the main marketing awards in the education sector.
Equality and Diversity
Equality and Diversity Advisor Penny Alder gives an update on the issues facing the university.
UCA students to mentor in local schools
School students in Medway and Kent who have the ability to go to university, but not necessarily the expectation or family experience of it, are to be offered mentoring by UCA students.
Students to learn from animation stars
The UCA Farnham animation department is hosting a series of lectures by some of the industry's most renowned animation stars.
Contemporary artists add value to fine arts course
The Fine Arts course at UCA Farnham has launched a lecture series hoping to give students exposure to some of the UK's rising stars of contemporary art.
One tonne electric horse hangs up his acting shoes
A three metre tall horse sculpture made by UCA Canterbury's Anthony Heywood is set to hang up his acting shoes after featuring in a BBC film.
RAE funding outcomes announced
Following successful RAE results, the University has maintained its research funding with an increase of 1.8%.
Medway's first academy school scheduled to open in September 2009
The proposed Strood Academy, of which UCA is the lead sponsor with Medway Council as co-sponsor, will be opening its doors to students in September of this year.
New faces on the Board of Governors
Four new governors have joined the UCA Board of Management.
Appointments to the AHRC peer review college
Kathleen Rogers, senior lecturer for Digital Film and Screen Arts at Farnham, and Dr Judith Rugg, Reader in Fine Art Theory, and Research Coordinator at Canterbury have both been appointed to serve on the Arts and Humanities Research Council peer review college.
Funding for professional qualifications
As part of the University's commitment to a culture of lifelong learning, it runs a Professional Qualifications Funding scheme which, during the current academic year, funded a total of 40 members of staff to study for a professional, accredited qualification.
Explorations in the cultural history of AIDS
Post Graduate Associate Dean Richard Sawdon-Smith was the officially invited artist at an HIV and culture conference in Mexico City.
UCA helping British businesses tackle the economic downturn
UCA Farnham television lecturer Sean Walsh will present a series of live online discussion programmes, specifically designed to help small and medium sized businesses weather the recession.
Lizzie Farey presents Spirit of the Air
Spirit of Air presents a new body of expressive willow works by UCA Canterbury alumnus Lizzie Farey including a series of large scale wall-based and suspended works.
Any Questions at UCA Canterbury
UCA Canterbury played host to BBC Radio 4's Any Questions on 6 February, in a broadcast which saw racism, dancing, and bank bonuses among the topics discussed.
Appointments to the AHRC peer review college
Kathleen Rogers, senior lecturer for Digital Film and Screen Arts at Farnham, and Dr Judith Rugg, Reader in Fine Art Theory, and Research Coordinator at Canterbury have both been appointed to serve on the Arts and Humanities Research Council peer review college.
