Spring 2017

International Partnership Student Newsletter Welcome to the Spring 2017 edition of your UCLan partnership student newsletter!

As always, we are keen to share with you all the latest news from the University, and in this edition you can watch for yourselves the inauguration ceremony of our new Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, be inspired by more success stories of both students and staff, read all about the first Science Festival at UCLan Cyprus, as well as award ceremonies at our overseas partners. We hope you enjoy your newsletter, and if you want us to feature your stories, successes, events or pictures in our next edition, please send your contributions to us at [email protected] What’s been happening at UCLan over the past few months

Vice-Chancellor Mike Thomas (left), Chancellor Ranvir Singh (centre), and Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the University Board, David Taylor (right)

Historic ceremony to mark inauguration of new Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor On 20 January the nationally acclaimed broadcaster Ranvir Singh was inaugurated as the new Chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) at a special ceremony held at Preston Guild Hall which also marked the inauguration of Professor Mike Thomas as the University’s fourth Vice-Chancellor.

Ranvir was brought up in Preston, completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism at UCLan in 2000. She is now known to millions as a presenter on Good Morning Britain, ITV Evening News and News at Ten, and the Tonight programme. She also has her own primetime series for ITV, Real Stories with Ranvir Singh. In 2013 she received a UCLan Honorary Fellowship for her contribution to broadcasting, and in 2015 she was Asian Media Personality of the Year.

For Professor Mike Thomas the ceremony symbolised the completion of his first year at UCLan’s Vice-Chancellor. It was a year in which he oversaw the University’s move into the top 3.7 per cent of all worldwide universities and further established UCLan’s position as an anchor institution within the local community, helping support the development of the city of Preston.

Commenting on the appointments, David Taylor, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the University Board, said: “Both Ranvir and Mike bring inspiration and vision at a time of increased competition and change within the higher education sector.”

Watch Ranvir’s inspirational address and highlights of the ceremony at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4pOhJK9o-k International students give UCLan the thumbs-up The University of Central Lancashire has Liz Bromley, UCLan’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate and International Strategy), said: “UCLan’s international students are received a top rating from our international very much part of the fabric of the University community and it’s students for student satisfaction, scoring fantastic to see that 91% of our international students are so very happy with their experience at UCLan. 91 per cent in the International Student Barometer survey, placing us in the top six “More than 44,000 international students studying in the UK took part in the International Student Barometer survey, which is well amongst other modern universities in the UK. respected and taken seriously by potential applicants, so it’s absolutely brilliant to see UCLan do so well. UCLan was ranked top in the country for “fair and transparent assessment of work”, “explanation of marking criteria”, and “We aim to inspire all of our students to reach their potential and satisfaction with assignment feedback”. Other areas where the develop as global citizens. By continuing to invest in excellent staff, University scored highly were for “course academic content” cutting-edge technology and developing our campus through the (91.7% satisfaction) and “quality of lectures” (91.5%), while for ambitious Masterplan, I feel confident our satisfaction levels will go “accommodation costs” UCLan was rated second in the country. from strength to strength.”

May we wish all our students a very happy Chinese new year of the Rooster! Happy new Tim Steele, UCLan’s Executive Director (International Strategy and Partnerships), delivers a new year message on YouTube at: year of the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DASf_EoL3u8&feature=youtu.be If you can’t view it on YouTube try accessing it via the official UCLan Rooster WeChat account:

International visitors discuss future relationship In November the University of business development opportunities. They establishment, together with Hebei Central Lancashire welcomed then met with Preston City Council Mayor, University, of the Joint School of Media Councillor John Collins, and High Sheriff Communication and the Creative Baogang Cao and Hongbo Zhang of Lancashire, John Barnett MBE DL. Industries. Both universities wish to from the Hebei Academy of Social strengthen the link between Hebei and Sciences to Preston to discuss The University has close links to Hebei Preston, supporting the “One Belt One potential new ways of working following the creation of the Hebei Road” initiative in China and the together. University-UCLan Joint School of Northern Powerhouse agenda for the UK. Media, Communication and the Creative Industries. “We were delighted that the Mayor of The visitors, who are also members of the Preston and the High Sheriff of Lancashire Hebei provincial government, spent two Tim Steele, UCLan’s Vice President were able to meet the delegation from days learning about UCLan’s current (International Operations), said: The link Hebei Academy of Social Sciences as we international partnerships, areas of research with Hebei province has become very start to look at ways in which Preston and and innovation, knowledge transfer and strong over the past five years since the Hebei can work together.” Japanese culture festival returns to Preston for third time The University of The Deputy Director of Japan Foundation London, Karate, stalls of Kabuki face painting and kimono Tomoki Akazawa, visited the University for the trials to liven up the whole day event. Central Lancashire has event and to learn more about UCLan, which celebrated Japanese boasts the UK’s largest Study Abroad programme Mr Akazawa, who opened the event and gave a language and culture in Japan with the largest number of partner guest lecture to UCLan students about how institutions for student exchanges. engaging with Japan is beneficial to their futures, at its third annual said: “I would like to thank UCLan for its very Bunkasai Japanese Students of J-Soc (Japanese Society), UCLan’s warm hospitality and for giving the Japan Cultural Festival. largest paid student society, and the University’s Foundation the opportunity to participate in its Japanese Department also put together language Japan Day. I was very impressed to see how activities, performances such as J-Pop and enthusiastic its students are about studying traditional Japanese dances, Cosplay, calligraphy, Japanese language and culture.”

UCLan named in the Best Global Universities Rankings 2017 The University of Central Lancashire’s increasing global reputation has been boosted again after it was named in the Best Global Universities Rankings 2017.

Published by the American media organisation, US News and World Report, the prestigious league table ranks institutions from more than 60 Northern Powerhouse countries based on their academic research performance and their global and national reputations.

Minister breaks ground Vice-Chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: “It’s a great achievement to be named among the world’s top higher education institutions and on UCLan’s flagship one we’re very proud of. This year we have featured in four major global engineering centre world rankings and this is very encouraging for us.” This success follows on from recent excellent success in the Times Higher Northern Powerhouse Minister, Andrew Percy Education World University Rankings, QS World Rankings and the MP, visited the University recently to mark the Centre for World University Rankings when UCLan was named in the construction phase of UCLan’s £30 million top 3.7 per cent of all worldwide universities. plus Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC).

Due to open in 2018, the EIC will deliver a range of key objectives including reclaiming Lancashire’s role as a national centre for advanced manufacturing, ensuring that local skills reflect social and economic needs, and increasing the number of females in engineering careers. Through the EIC the University also aims to produce an increase of 500 locally trained graduates per year in areas such as aerospace, mechanical and oil and gas safety engineering.

The Minister’s visit comes a week after UCLan was announced as an official Northern Powerhouse partner, joining an elite list of regional leaders who strongly believe in the potential to grow the northern economy bringing investment and new jobs into the region. UCLan rewarded for collaboration NEW course with China to prepare students for The University of Central Lancashire’s pioneering work in China has been recognised at the prestigious Department of International Trade Greater medical school China Awards. The Awards honour any company or The University’s Executive Director organisation in the North West which (International Strategy and Partnerships), has made a significant contribution to Tim Steele, said: “UCLan is delighted to developing business or relationships with have been a finalist for this prestigious China, Taiwan or Hong Kong during 2016. award. It is recognition of our continued innovative approach to working in UCLan was named as a finalist in the collaboration with Chinese institutions on educational links category for its successful important Chinese government agendas British Council-funded midwifery project and acknowledgement of our continued in collaboration with Hangzhou Normal development within China.” University. UCLan wins prestigious

Times Higher Education Award The University of Central for unique digital arts project Lancashire has launched a new In November the University was crowned a winner at the 2016 Times Higher Education undergraduate foundation (THE) Awards for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts for its Global Sound Movement course at its West Cumberland (GSM) project, a unique digital arts initiative that captures the sounds of rare and exotic Medical Education Centre musical instruments from remote villages across the globe for commercial use with profits donated back to the communities. (WCMEC) to prepare local and international students for Led by UCLan’s Faculty of Culture and the Creative Industries, the project travels to a career in medicine. international areas where music is intrinsic and unique to the communities’ individual culture, creating a way for remote, economically deprived communities to showcase their rare and distinctive music to a global audience and providing local musicians with a The WCMEC is a collaboration between sustainable income stream which could help lift them out of poverty. UCLan, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cumbria Partnership NHS The GSM project, which Foundation Trust, and NHS Cumbria Clinical brought together a Commissioning Group. The foundation multi-disciplinary team of course in medical sciences will give future staff and students in a highly medical students the chance to gain further collaborative process of qualifications ready to apply for medical teaching, learning and school. research, was praised by the judges for realising UCLan’s Dr Temba Mudariki, Lecturer in Medical innovative vision of learning Sciences, said: “West Cumberland Medical taking place “in the wild”. Education Centre promises to become the leading centre in the region to provide a good foundation for future healthcare professionals who wish to join medical National education award school. The programmes prepare students to gain access into medicine, physician for UCLan careers adviser associate and medical science degrees. We use state-of-the art facilities and equipment UCLan careers adviser, Monira Ahmed, has won a to prepare our students for their future roles British Muslim Award for her service to education. and studies.”

The part-time careers and graduate employability adviser said: Student Hritik Nautiyal said: “UCLan has “I was so honoured and very proud to have made the shortlist been very welcoming to us. The thought of of 10 alongside some very high profile academics so I didn’t studying in a different country was daunting think I’d have a chance of winning it. Being a finalist was such at first but the UCLan staff and the beautiful an amazing achievement, so to be named the winner was surroundings of West Cumbria make it look wonderful.” like it’s going to be a pleasant task ahead.”

The Services to Education Award 2017 is not the first award Alongside the new course, WCMEC will for Monira: last year she also scooped the national Careers run a new Master’s course in hospitalist Champion award. medicine from September 2017. UCLan professor recognised in Queen’s New Year’s Honours In January the University of UCLan for 15 years. Most recently she has co-led the UK arm of an international study Central Lancashire’s Professor into acute stroke care called HeadPost, and of Stroke Care was awarded last year was recognised with a Special the DBE (Dame Commander of Recognition Life After Stroke Award by the Stroke Association for her contribution to the Most Excellent Order of the improving the lives of stroke survivors British Empire) in the Queen’s through better stroke care and research. New Year’s Honours List for her Commenting on her award, Professor services to stroke and nursing care. Watkins said: “To be knighted is amazing and I can’t quite get my head around it. Professor Caroline Watkins, who is the only I’ve got a busy diary next year but I will of stroke care professor in the UK, has been a course not miss the chance to receive this nurse for nearly 40 years and has worked at honour from the Queen.”

UCLan triumphs at regional marketing awards In January the University celebrated UCLan broke new ground with its campaign, which aimed to put alumni experiences at the heart of a truly interactive, experiential and rich media success at the Northern Digital Awards campaign to share successful career journeys. It was one of the first UK after winning the Best Digital Marketing universities to utilise Buzzfeed as a recruitment tool through this channel and had the opportunity to reach around six million 18-24-year-olds a month Campaign – Public Sector Award for the during the campaign. digital execution of its “Career Yourself” campaign during last year’s autumn The annual event celebrates the very best of digital marketing campaigns and talent across the North and judges said they were “blown away” by UCLan’s open days. entry, describing it as a “real example of changing traditional internal mindsets”. UCLan sports expert UCLan Law opens India’s first Professor confirmed multi-sport museum as future President UCLan Senior Research Fellow, Professor Boria of prestigious Society Majumdar, has established the Fanatic Sports of Legal Scholars Museum (FSM), India’s first ever all-sport museum, in Kolkata, using his own vast memorabilia Professor Richard collection compiled over two decades. Taylor has been elected to become The FSM showcases collectables from cricketing legends such as Sachin President of a Tendulkar alongside football, hockey, tennis, golf and athletics. Visitors to the Museum can see around 1,000 items in display including Pele’s prestigious and 1970 World Cup jersey, Roger Federer’s signed cap, and Lionel Messi’s influential national boot. In addition, the Museum charts India’s cricketing history from its law society, the inception and the country’s Olympic history from the 1800s. Society of Legal Scholars, in two Indian cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly joined Olympic champion Abinhav Bindra and Paralympic medallists years’ time. Devendra Jhaijharia and Deepa Malik to officially open the Museum. The Society of Legal Scholars is the principal representative Professor Majumdar commented: “India has a rich sporting heritage body for legal academics in the UK and Ireland and its with some of the most dedicated fans in the world and yet we didn’t members also include members of the senior judiciary, have a dedicated museum for multi-sport. It has taken me the best part academic and professional lawyers and law makers. In his of two decades to bring this collection together to preserve India’s role as President, Professor Taylor, who has completed sporting history for future generations.” almost 40 years of service and is now Emeritus Professor at the University, will take the lead in the many and varied activities of the Society in promoting and supporting legal education as well as bringing the prestigious 2019 Society of Legal Scholars Conference to Preston.

UCLan Deputy Vice-Chancellor and former Dean of the University’s Lancashire Law School, Lynne Livesey, congratulated her former colleague. She said: “It is a richly deserved accolade and an affirmation of the incredibly high esteem in which Richard is held by his academic and practising peers across the discipline.”

Award-winning BBC journalist returns to Preston to deliver student masterclass Award-winning journalist and Conducting a series of guest lectures and massacre and Gulf Wars to the Rwandan masterclasses, Peter’s aim is to inspire and Genocide and conflicts in Nigeria, Bosnia, former head of the BBC’s equip the next generation of talented Somalia and the Middle East. Africa Bureau, Peter Burdin, young journalists for life in the fast lane. has made a welcome return In recognition for his work in news and As editor of the BBC’s World Affairs Unit, documentary programming, Peter is the to his home town of Preston Peter line-managed household names proud owner of several Sony awards for to share his expertise and including John Simpson, Fergal Keane and his accomplishments including his Jeremy Bowen and covered some of the coverage of South Africa’s first democratic top tips for breaking into most noteworthy global news stories of elections and the funeral of Nelson the industry. our time, from China’s Tiananmen Square Mandela. Student news and successes

PhD student wins place on major international diplomacy programme

UCLan PhD student, Priscilla Jung Kim, has been accepted onto a prestigious young leaders programme Doctorate dream which serves to train young professionals in for UCLan student international policy.

A Nigerian student from the University The Young Leaders Programme is part of of Central Lancashire has achieved his the Centre for Strategic and International life-long dream of working in academia Studies (CSIS) Pacific Forum, which provides informative and innovative by being awarded a doctorate in analysis of political and strategic company-community relations. developments in the Asia-Pacific region. By participating in the programme, Nnadozie Izidor was awarded his PhD from UCLan Priscilla will be afforded an unparalleled for UCLan as the programme attracts in December for his research into how multi-national opportunity to develop relationships, applications from all over the world and companies engage with local communities in observe the foreign policy-making is highly competitive. Over the years, the developing countries, focusing on his home country process and voice her viewpoint within CSIS Young Leaders project has provided of Nigeria, and has now secured a job as lecturer. elite circles of policy specialists. a springboard into the diplomatic world for all its participants and it is highly The 35-year-old said: “I’ve always wanted to make Professor Hazel Smith, Director of the likely that it will also help Priscilla my mark in academia and now I‘ve been given International Institute of Korean achieve her goal of representing the the chance. One of my works has already been Studies at UCLan and Priscilla’s PhD United States in policy-making in East published and three other journals have agreed to supervisor, said: “This is a major Asia – one of the key strategic regions publish my work.” accolade for Priscilla, her research and for US foreign policy.”

UCLan wins gold and silver in national forensic science competition Two UCLan students have scooped the top two prizes at a national forensic science competition by winning gold and silver awards.

Recent Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation graduate Nia Davies-Sheldon won the top prize, and current third year student Jessica Ramm was handed silver in the forensic science category at the annual WorldSkills UK Skills Competition Finals.

The competition attracts more than 80,000 visitors each year and aims to inspire young people and adults to be ambitious in their pursuit of skills to the highest level.

Kevin Pritchard, Course Leader of UCLan’s BSc in Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation, said: “UCLan has a history of doing very well in this competition and this year is no exception. I am very proud of Nia and Jessica’s achievements and their success is testament to all of the hard work they’ve put in.” Accolade for UCLan medical student Jamal Khudr, a second-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) student at UCLan, has been awarded the certificate for best oral presentation at the 2016 North West Student Research Conference.

Jamal (pictured above, right, with his academic supervisor Dr Jorge Garcia-Lara) overcame strong competition from 50 students from eight North West institutions, including fourth and fifth year students from the University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool.

Commenting on his award Jamal said: “Presenting at the conference gave me an opportunity to see the wide array of research being carried out by medical students both in the UK and around the world. The potential to examine the large-scale impact of health and disease on human populations to advance medical research and education is limitless.”

UCLan graduate Creative students shortlisted is first editor of for 2017 North West Royal new website for Television Society Awards football fans

Eight undergraduates from the University of Central Lancashire have been nominated for the 2017 shortlist of the Royal Television Society’s North West Student Awards.

The University is guaranteed success in the animation category as all three nominations are UCLan students, while two of the nominations are in the drama category, two in the comedy and entertainment category, and one in the short film category. A sports journalism graduate John Holloway, Head of UCLan’s School of Journalism, Media and Performance, from the University of said: “It’s wonderful news to have so many of our very talented students shortlisted Central Lancashire will head for this year’s North West Royal Television Society Awards. We have a great tradition for winning prizes at both regional and national level in this competition and this year’s up a new website launched cohort have an excellent opportunity to improve on that.” by Trinity Mirror aimed at London football fans.

Tom Marshall-Bailey, who graduated from UCLan in 2013, is the editor of Football.London, which launched recently and features in-depth news on the six Premiership clubs based in and around London – Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, Watford and West Ham United.

The 24-year-old said: “Being named editor of Football.London is an honour and I am so excited at the challenge of leading a team to deliver an innovative website. I learnt plenty at UCLan, but if I was to take just one thing away from my time there it would be the advice from my lecturers of never being ready to give up and always willing to take on new ideas.” Overseas news and information Award ceremonies November saw award ceremonies at our partners in Hong Kong, In December, the award ceremony took place for 50 graduates in City University of Hong Kong (School of Continuing and Professional Law, Project Management and Construction Project Management at Education) (SCOPE), and Vocational Training College (School for our strategic partner in Mauritius, UoM Enterprise Ltd, officiated by Higher and Professional Education) (VTC). Liz Bromley, UCLan Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Planning and International Strategy) and supported by Judith Willis, Academic Head At SCOPE, more than 300 students graduated with Bachelors and of UCLan-UoM Enterprise Ltd. Masters degrees in a range of Fire Engineering and Language programmes …

And in January an award ceremony was held for over 90 students graduating from UCLan programmes delivered at the International College of Engineering and Management in Oman in subject areas including Health, Safety and Environmental Management, Fire Safety Engineering, Well Engineering and Facilities Management. … while almost 200 students from VTC received their Bachelors degrees in subjects including Advertising and Marketing UCLan congratulates all graduates and students at our overseas Communications, Building Services and Sustainable Engineering, partner institutions and wishes them continued success in their Building Surveying and Quantity Surveying. future careers. International Journalism students help make charity fair a success International Journalism (IJ) Three current first and 12 second year students responded to a call for help from UCLan’s students past and present from course leader at GDUFS, Matt Horn MBE, who has been involved with Guangdong International Volunteer Expat Services (GIVES) for the past 12 years. UCLan partner, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies GIVES is currently focused on helping autistic charities in Guangzhou. It is the second year (GDUFS), played a major role in that current IJ students have played a major role as volunteers on the day, helping set up helping make a charity fair a big stalls in the iconic location beside the Canton Tower. success in Guangzhou in December. The current students were joined by three IJ graduates who also played a key role in organising the volunteer effort both before, during and after the event.

The volunteers were on site from 8am until around 8pm and combined it with work for an assessment reporting the event. All of them spoke about how much they had enjoyed the day, the opportunity to make new contacts and use their English language skills. They also gained an understanding of the importance of volunteering and charity work.

Matt Horn said: “They all worked very hard on the day and we would have struggled without their input. It was also great to see some of the news stories and videos they were able to produce the following week. I hope that volunteering will be something they continue to do in the future.”

(Article courtesy of Matt Horn MBE, Course Leader – BA Hons International Journalism, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies) http://www.uclancyprus.ac.cy/en/ UCLan’s first Cyprus Science Festival aims to emulate Preston cousin Aiming to replicate the success the General Director of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, of UCLan’s Lancashire Science Mr Konstantinos Karageorgis; President of Festival, the University’s Cyprus the Cyprus Society of Physics, Dr Demetris Campus welcomed over 2,000 Philippou; and the Director of Kiteon Planetarium and Observatory, Dr George students to the first ever Cyprus Droullias. Science Festival in December. Commenting on the event, UCLan Cyprus Students from primary, secondary, high school Rector, Professor Melinda Tan, emphasised and technical colleges attended alongside the University’s pledge of striving to be a over 1,000 members of the general public civic anchor between education and the to experience and enjoy over 30 hands-on community: “The Cyprus Science Festival demonstrations linking aspects of science, was a major success for us and, like our technology, engineering and mathematics to event in Preston, really helped to everyday life via experiments, practical demonstrate UCLan’s institutional demonstrations and exciting competitions. commitment of being an accessible and publicly-engaged university. We are Cypriot support for the event was widespread, determined to support educational outreach with speeches on the opening day being efforts on the island and act as a catalyst in made by the Director of Secondary Education, nurturing the development of new ideas in Dr Louis Kyprianos; the Representative of young and enquiring minds.”

Inaugural annual dinner with the judiciary

On 20 January the Law School of UCLan Cyprus held its inaugural Annual Dinner at the Cleopatra Hotel in Nicosia.

The event was attended by various members of the judiciary, the legal profession and academia as well as law students, and enabled guests to gain a realistic insight into what it is like to attend a formal dinner held in London at one of the four Inns of Court or at the Law Society of England and Wales. Given that some UCLan Cyprus law students are planning to pursue post-graduate legal studies in London and other parts of the UK, the Annual Dinner gave these students an enjoyable taste of what awaits them. UCLan Cyprus 12 - 14 University Avenue The Annual Dinner was preceded by a key note speech delivered by the distinguished guest Pyla, 7080 Larnaka, Cyprus of honour, Mr Justice Myron Nicolatos, President of the Supreme Court of Cyprus, who then +357 24 69 40 00 took questions from the students on subjects such as ethics, the rule of law and the maxim +357 24 81 21 20 that “justice delayed is justice denied”. http://www.uclancyprus.ac.cy/en/ UCLan Cyprus would like to thank the President of the Supreme Court for his key note speech, as well as Harris Kyriakides LLC, L Papaphilippou & Co LLC, and Chrysses Demetriades & Co Follow us: LLC, who kindly sponsored this historic and educationally enriching event. Until next time...

We hope you’ve enjoyed catching up with UCLan news and events in this Spring 2017 edition of the International Partnership Student Newsletter. The next edition will be Autumn 2017, published around November, and we want to include more from you so if you have anything you want to tell us about, or if there’s anything in particular you want to know about UCLan, get in touch with us at: [email protected]

Meanwhile, keep studying hard, and our very best wishes for the rest of the academic year 2016-17. Bye for now!

UCLan International blog www.uclan.ac.uk www.uclan.ac.uk/international

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