Medway School of Science School Board

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE SCHOOL BOARD

MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE SCHOOL BOARD 2008/2009 SESSION WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2008 IN NELSON 008 Commencing 2:00pm

Present: Martin Snowden Mike Thomas Richard Blackburn (Chair) Lucie Pollard John Mitchell Paul Amuna Steve Williams Fakhar Khalid Simon Richardson Lynne Spencer Dave Wray Richie Simon Stuart McNaughton Joshua Boateng Paula Carey Judith Allgrove Ian Slipper Mark Allen Birthe Nielsen Paul Dyer Bruce Alexander Florence Lowry Mike McGibbon Dennis Douroumis Azizur Rahman Samer El Daher Mike Leach Ted Vidgeon Andrew Haggart Atiya Raza Solomon Habtemariam Debbie Bartlett Jeanette Swan-Wallis Mark Edwards John Nicholson Brian Banks (Notes) Milan Antonijevic Theresa-Marie Colley Lisa Benee Monem Jemni

Apologies Veronica Habgood Steve Leharne Catherine Goodwin Nicola Hunn Mike Sharp John Spencer Ivor Evans Lauren Pecorino Pat Harvey Bernadette Oakenful Francis Zotor Tim Acott Andrew Larkin Devyani Amin Colin Hills Lawrence Harbige Andy Mendham Bettina Karsten

Martin welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that undergraduate numbers were slightly down on last year, although offers are still being made. Post graduate numbers should see a substantial increase. Retention is the key, so please ensure that all students get a good welcome to the University and especially to the school, this bonhomie should be maintained throughout

2. MINUTES

The minutes for the meeting held on 21 May 2008 were AGREED as an accurate record.

3. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising

of 3 Minutes of The Science School Board All documents can be found on the common drive: Science school public on 'Me-share\Share\Cl' 4. INDUCTION WEEK

P.Dyer gave a short presentation on Induction Week. A staff handbook will be published shortly. Students will be grouped into rooms so Programme Leaders will need to check rooming throughout the week. Induction information is now on the school website. Please ensure students are at the right place at the right time. School Feedback will be obtained. Lucie Pollard is allocating personal tutors.

Martin proposed a vote of thanks to Paul and the Induction Group for all their hard work.

5. HEALTH & SAFETY

Paul Amuna reported on Health and Safety Issues

. Analysis of the safety statement shows an improvement on last year . This year’s focus will be on standard operating procedures . There will be a risk assessment workshop for post grads . An updated lab manual is being published . Waste collection remains an ongoing issue. . The ethics committee continue to screen project titles. . The completely new Risk Assessment forms must be completed with the aid of the guidance notes. . Projects being carried out remotely should have a covering letter from the host institution. . New DSE forms available.

6. LEARNING and QUALITY

Lucie Pollard reported on the achievements of the Learning and Quality Committee meetings, especially now representatives are attending from student services and partner colleges. The committee has considered a number of papers (e.g. retention), addressed plagiarism and distance learning. A number of new programme validations and five year reviews have taken place.

7. RESEARCH & ENTERPRISE

Dave Wray and Simon Richardson reported on Research and Enterprise: Two committees have been established 1. Screening research degree applications 2. Looking at new revenue streams. Joshua has introduced a programme of lunchtime presentations. Birthe is managing the seminar series, a full programme is booked for this year and next year is filling up fast. A research day is scheduled for 9th January whre the keynote speaker will be from NICE. Page 2of 3 Minutes of The Science School Board All documents can be found on the common drive: Science school public on 'Me-share\Share\Cl' There are currently 55 PhD students and an income to date of £290k

The school has been awarded a Business Development Manager, this will be advertised and appointed soon. The role will be to facilitate the transformation of ideas into research grants.

A conference will take place in Cairo on the 18/19 October on Biotechnology and Pharmacology. This will be a joint venture between the two Universities, with the intent of establishing a research culture. MSA are keen to improve their research profile.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Lynne Spencer reported that registration is going very well, students need to be completed in admissions before moving to records. Outstanding students will be highlighted in reports. The student centre will be open all weekend on 21/22 September.

International Students will be required to have their passports and visas photocopied.

Equivalent level qualifications will not impact on students until next year.

Martin thanked Paula and Pauline for all their endeavours with timetabling. Please check the timetable frequently as changes are being made. Will all course coordinators liaise over timetabling, PLEASE.

9. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

3rd December 2008 5th February 2009 27th May 2009

of 3 Minutes of The Science School Board All documents can be found on the common drive: Science school public on 'Me-share\Share\Cl'