Network News January 2013

Network News is a monthly newsletter produced during term time for teaching and support staff whose work involves DMU’s UK, undergraduate and postgraduate collaborative programmes, as well as overseas partners that help students gain advanced entry to DMU programmes.

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In this edition:

2 Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visits Confetti 3 College Principal proud of legacy 4 student to put on Drama Festival 5 Leicester College forms partnership with Leicester Arts and Museums Learning 7 Distinguished Lecture Series Network News

Contents Leicester College is awarded the Matrix Standard Leicester College is awarded the Matrix Standard Leicester College is proud to

announce that it has been re-awarded 1 the Matrix Standard and will remain an accredited organisation for a further three years. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visits Confetti The Matrix Standard is assessed by the Government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and is the 2 unique quality standard for organisations to assess and measure their advice and support services, which ultimately supports individuals in their choice of career.

Leicester College Principal Areas at Leicester College, including the Careers, Welfare and Re-engagement proud of legacy teams, as well as the; Information Centres, Customer Call Centre, International Office and Learning Mentors, were all recognised for achieving the Matrix Standard during the assessor’s visit at the end of 2012. 3 Jane Rodd, the Matrix Assessor, who was very complimentary about Leicester College, said: “I’ve never allocated the standard to such a large selection of teams Leicester College student in the same organisation, proving that the college has made a ‘big step change’ to to put on Drama Festival reflect the changing environment to support learners.”

Good practice and outstanding strengths that were above and beyond the 4 standard’s requirements were identified in Student Services, noting how the team are very visual and embedded throughout the wider college. The Student Services teams’ contribution to meeting the changing needs of learners, especially in areas Leicester College forms of retention and progression, as well as meeting the employability agenda, were partnership with Leicester recognised as excellent. Arts and Museums Learning The visibility of IAG (Information Advice and Guidance) was acknowledged as being 5 well known and respected throughout the wider college, providing an open-ended and impartial service to all learners, with committed and high quality staff available to help. Enhance Your

Employability Week Linda Burman, Student Support Manager at Leicester College, said: “I’m extremely pleased with the journey that everyone has experienced and I’m very proud of the 6 professionalism and commitment my colleagues have demonstrated.”

She continues: “I was particularly pleased when the assessor, Jane Rodd, referred to Distinguished Lecture Series the high level of co-operation and natural partnership that exists between the curriculum areas and service areas across the college. Jane commented that this is a particular strength at Leicester College.” 7 1 Network News

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visits Confetti

The Deputy Prime Minister was visiting Confetti on the day he announced that over 300 jobs will be created and protected in Leicester and Nottingham thanks to £5.77m funding for local companies from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. He visited Nottingham to see how investment from Nottingham’s City Deal will be used to continue to grow and provide training and jobs for 16-24 year olds in the digital sector, and to hear plans for development of the Creative Quarter.

Craig Chettle said:“The Confetti Media Group offers young people real industry training, real opportunities and real jobs in the creative and digital . There he met higher students sector. Working in particular with our partners; De on Music Technology, TV and Film and Gaming Montfort University, South and Technology courses. Nottingham Trent University, we aim to nurture our students into a future that’s directly connected to the Following the tour of Confetti the Deputy Prime Minister business of Britain. As such, we were delighted the had a private meeting with Ewan Lamont, the CEO of Deputy Prime Minister was able to hear first-hand Antenna member business, Legendary Games, and with about their experiences and career ambitions and 2nd year Games Technology student Victoria Husted. how the opportunities created by City Deal They discussed with the Deputy Prime Minister their investment will be so vital, both to their career career progressions and he listened to Victoria’s success and to the economic growth of our city.” experiences of being a Confetti student and her

ambitions for the future. The Deputy Prime Minister commented:“The City

Deal is giving more control over money to folk here in Ewan Lamont said:“It was invigorating to meet a Nottingham - aiming to create 1,000 Apprenticeships minister who was genuinely interested in your business and 10,000 jobs across the city and help tackle youth and wanted you to succeed. I thanked him for the unemployment. Places like Confetti are throwing recent industry tax break, for the support the their doors open, educating students and taking them Technology Strategy Board has given Legendary Games on. The creative industry, as it is being practiced and for the new Creative Quarter initiative which should here, puts Nottingham on the map and I am soon really start to help creative industries in the city.” delighted places like this exist outside of London.”

Higher education student, Victoria Husted said of her The Deputy Prime Minister toured Antenna, and its experience of meeting the Deputy Prime Minister: businesses, including film company, Spool. Head of “It was an amazing opportunity. I felt really proud to be Spool, Penny Linfield showed him footage from able to tell him why I chose to study at Confetti and why Spool-edited productions such as the multi-award I feel its important to have companies like Ewan’s on our winning ‘This Is ’ series and the recent film doorstep. Me and my fellow students really feel part of ‘Nativity 2’ in the Dolby Theatre. The Deputy Prime a really exciting creative industry that will benefit us in Minister then continued through Antenna into the our future careers.” neighbouring Confetti Institute of Creative 2 Network News

Leicester College Principal proud of legacy

Leicester College Principal, Maggie Galliers retired in Not only that, she said: “I

December after leading the college, which is one of think one of our greatest the biggest in the country for ten years. During her assets has been our time with the college Maggie oversaw a £60 million response to employers in transformation of its campus and a record Leicester, discussing their percentage of students achieve their qualification needs and filling the gaps aim. educationally.

Maggie said that her successor, Verity Hancock, “one of our biggest would find the college in the best shape it has ever challenges to that has been been in on taking over the role from January. creating courses that don’t start and end in a typical academic year, from Maggie also commented: “I am incredibly proud of September to the following summer, and being able to where the college is today. It has gone from strength access people in their workplace when they might be to strength. When I started in was judged as on a night shift. satisfactory, and at its last Ofsted it was good with outstanding features. It has a can do, go to culture We found solutions to meet these needs and I think and an excellent reputation locally and nationally. It that has contributed to the college’s success - being as has a success rate of 87.5 percent of students flexible and agile as it’s possible to be. We are national leaving with the qualification they came here to specialists for training people in the print industry and get - that’s the highest in its history. footwear design, among others, and that’s something we take very seriously.” The college which has 27,000 students and is spread across three campuses in the city, has grown in Mrs Galliers said she was looking forward to many ways during Mrs Gallier’s ten years in charge. retirement and spending more time with her husband walking and kayaking. “We’ve spent £60 million on refreshing the estate, rebuilding and refurbishing so that it has state-of-the However, she added: “I won’t be leaving education -art-facilities, including the creation of Abbey Park altogether. It’s still going to be very much on my mind.” Campus, which was completed in 2009 and opened by Princess Anne. She is President of the Association of Colleges and Chairwoman of the National Institute of Adult In financial terms it has grown considerably, with a Continuing Education. She also sits on the board of turnover that has gone from £32 million to £54 Ofqual, the exam regulator. million currently. Martin Ward, the college’s Chairman of Governors, As well as all these developments, Mrs Galliers said, said: “We would like to thank Maggie for all she has one of her greatest joys has been working with other done to establish Leicester College as one of the best colleges and sixth forms in the city to ensure choice and most successful colleges in the country. for young people. “Over ten years, she has led with passion, energy and She said it was especially important that they had integrity and has helped create the college that developed courses that fitted in around people Leicester and needs and deserves. already working and responding to the needs of businesses. Educational Partnerships would like to wish 3 Maggie a very long and happy retirement. Network News

Leicester College student to put on Drama Festival

Darren Kay, a student on ’s BA Professional Studies in Performing Arts, run in collaboration with Leicester College is preparing to give the worlds quickest theatre festival its UK premiere.

Darren is putting on the 14/48 Festival, where 14 plays are written, directed, rehearsed and performed within two days.

The format—pioneered by playwright Michael Neff and actor Jodi-Paul Wooster, in Seattle, America, in 1997 – has seen more than 500 short plays created around the world.

Darren, 22, is staging the event at the Y Theatre, in Actors, directors and writers from across the region Leicester, in May. have already signed up to take part.

"I heard about 14/48 while volunteering at the Y Darren said: "I'm really excited about putting on the first during the comedy festival this year," he said. 14/48 Festival in the UK.

"A girl I was working with is a friend of one of the "The hard planning will begin on my return from the founders in Seattle. States. It will be an amazing opportunity for all of the

young people involved. "The idea is for directors, actors and writers to collaborate on 14 original plays and take them right "Hopefully, it will also be a great boost for the Leicester through the creative process. arts scene.

"It sounded like such an interesting idea and that "Also, by performing at the Y Theatre, all of the money planted a seed in my head." Darren approached from ticket sales will go to the YMCA to help fund other mobile phone firm O2's Think Big scheme and was projects for young people in the area.” given a £300 grant.

Bill Eyres, head of O2 Think Big, said the company was "I was so pleased when they got back to me and right behind the scheme. said they really liked my idea," he said.

He said: “Darren impressed us with his commitment to "It doesn't sound a lot, but £300 will pay to hire the making a real difference to his community and we wish Y Theatre for a weekend. him every success.”

"I'll also have a bit left over to put towards an air For more information go to: ticket to Seattle.

http://www.o2thinkbig.co.uk/ "I plan to go there in the new year to see how a 4 14/48 festival is put together."

Network News

Leicester College forms partnership with Leicester Arts and Museums Learning

Leicester College has formed an exciting partnership with Leicester Arts & Museums Learning, enabling learners to be inspired and energised by the work of one of the twentieth century’s most influential German photographers.

“ARTIST ROOMS: August Sander” was open from 29 September 2012 until 6 January 2013 and drew together 175 photographs and a wide range of archival material from the collections of Tate, National Galleries of Scotland, Anthony d’Offay and Gerd Sander.

Prior to the exhibition, Learners from the Creative Arts, Media and Photography departments at Leicester College researched photographic techniques and influences of Sander to create their own pieces. Their work was then exhibited across the city and displayed digitally in New Walk Museum & Art Gallery.

Lecturer in Media and Photography at Leicester College, Paul O’Leary said: “This partnership will not only present an engaging and challenging project for our learners, but will also raise the August Sander, Young Farmers (Jungbauern) 1914. profile of photography in the city and showcase the ARTIST ROOMS Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. incredible talent we have here at Leicester College.” “This opportunity, generously funded by the Art Fund,

has allowed us to create a new partnership with The learners had the opportunity to gain valuable Leicester College and their learners. advice and tips from contemporary artist Gareth

McConnell, who delivered workshops and took part “Our aim is to inspire them with the work of August in a lively discussion with Gerd Sander, grandson of Sander and for them to realise the significant impact it August Sander and curator of the exhibition. The can have on their own work; to excite and fuel their photographs also displayed in a free exhibition at passion for photography. We want to positively engage Leicester College’s St Margaret’s Campus until 18 young people with contemporary art that will have a January 2013. lifelong meaning and impact on their lives.” For project

details, dates and locations, you can visit: Learners’ images will be exhibited at Leicester

People’s Photographic Gallery from 18 March -12 www.leicestercollege.ac.uk/augustsander or April 2013.

www.leicester.gov.uk/augustsander 5 Lisa Jacques, Learning Officer – Contemporary Visual Arts, Arts and Museums Learning, said: Network News

Enhance Your Employability Week

Use the expertise of the Careers and Employability team to Enhance Your Employability during our week of activities in January 2013!

Follow discussion about EYE Week on Twitter by using the hashtag #eye13

Monday 28 January

Come along to the Frontrunners| and Unitemps| Open Event in the Campus Centre Building Also, Health and Life Sciences Careers Clinic between 11am and 1pm in the Edith Murphy Building 00.06. Please book an appointment at the Student Advice Centre.

Tuesday 29 January

Visit the Work Experience and Job Fair| any time between 10.30am and 2.30pm on the second floor of the Campus Centre Building #jobfair1

Wednesday 30 January

Go to the first EYE Series presentations| of 2013: Enterprise Rent-A-Car - 1pm to 2pm in Hugh Aston 2.07 Parenthèse Internships (Open to Business Faculty students) - 3pm to 4pm in Hugh Aston 2.09 Also, student drop-in clinics on the day: Art, Design and Humanities student drop-in clinic between 10am and 12pm in Clephan 0.24 Technology student drop-in between 3pm and 5pm in Gateway House 4.13. No need to book, just drop in. Business and Law careers clinic between 10am and 12pm in Hugh Aston 0.73. Business school students welcome.

Thursday 31 January

"Be Your Own Boss" and find about self employment and freelancing from the Campus Enterprise Opportunities team at their open event. EYE Series presentations| of 2013: MyKindaCrowd - 1pm to 3pm in Queens Building 1.10 Tune into Demon FM from 1pm-1.30pm to join in on the hottest topics around Employability and get your questions answered live on air by the Careers and Employability team. Also, Business and Law careers clinic between 12noon and 2pm in Hugh Aston 0.73. No need to book, just drop

in. Law School students welcome.

Throughout the week: Careers Interviews are available between 10am and 4pm in the Student Gateway - email: [email protected]| or telephone 0116 257 7595 to book an appointment 6 Network News

Distinguished Lecture Series

Professor Martin Narey

Child neglect, care and adoption

Wednesday 6 February, 6.00pm, Hugh Aston Building Professor Martin Narey has worked with disadvantaged young people for much of his working life and has led both the Prison Service in England and Wales and Barnardo's, the UK's biggest children's charity. Drawing on that experience he will make the case for society to respond to child neglect and abuse more quickly and argue the need for us to take more children into care. He will rebut the assumption that local authority care is damaging to children and challenge the presumption that time spent in care leads to time in prison in later years. Building on that he will explain why - as the Governments Advisor on Adoption - he has urged Michael Gove and David Cameron to rescue adoption from its seemingly terminal decline and establish it as the right option for thousands more neglected children.

Please book online or contact the Events Team on (0116) 250 7452 or email: [email protected]

The secret rulers of the world - the Apollo Moon landings, conspiracy theories and critical thinking skills

Thursday 21 February, 7.30-8.30pm, Hugh Aston Building

In what is sure to be a controversial, but fascinating lecture, Mr Anu Ojha, of the National Space Academy programme investigates conspiracy theories.

In our technology driven yet post modern society, the number of people that believe that the Moon landing took place in the Nevada Desert, that the Royal Family are reptiles and that the 9-11 attacks, either never happened or were controlled demolitions, is ever increasing, even though many if these views have little acceptance within the academic community. Why is this the case?

Are scientists part of the global conspiracy or are things not quite as they appear? Who cares what people choose to believe? And what are the ramifications for modern democracy in an increasingly media-driven society? The truth is out there…

This lecture is run by Leicester Lit and Phil Society and sponsored by the British Science Association.

Non members are welcome to attend individual lectures on payment of £3 at the door. 7

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