Shortlisted for University of the Year Autumn 2017 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU Issue 14 Forecast: A Bright Future NORTHUMBRIAUNIVERSITY NEWS TURN Student Central TO PAGE 3 opens its doors Northumbria among best universities in UK orthumbria has been for the award, which recognises has enhanced the University’s global research with real global impact. scheme with Northumbria nominated for the exceptional performance as well as reputation for academic excellence. Experiential learning is a stylistic Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust prestigious University bold, imaginative and innovative Progress was notable in 2015/16 trait of Northumbria, and was clearly allowing those with healthcare of the Year award in the initiatives that have advanced the with significant investment in demonstrated with the launch of the experience to become nurses in Ninfluential Times Higher Education institution's reputation during the research and teaching. Strong results Business Clinic in 2015/16, where just 18 months was a UK-first, (THE) Awards 2017. academic year 2015/16. University in the latest Research Excellence students enhance their learning and an example of Northumbria Described as the ‘Oscars of UK of the Year is arguably the most Framework propelled Northumbria and employability by providing free responding to demand and leading Higher Education’, the awards attract significant and hard fought of all into the top 50 in the UK for research consultancy advice to real business the sector. Following the success of hundreds of entries each year that the categories – the award that power. The University’s reputation clients. This pioneering initiative this initiative, a number of similar exemplify talent, dedication and all universities aspire to win. The has since been further enhanced previously contributed to Newcastle courses have been launched across innovation across all aspects of nomination is therefore a clear through a significant investment Business School at Northumbria the country by other institutions. university life. Northumbria is one of acknowledgment of Northumbria’s in new multi-disciplinary research securing the THE Business School just six institutions to be shortlisted continued focus on quality, which themes to facilitate ground-breaking of the Year award in 2015. A nursing TURN TO PAGE 2 Ebola New Future learning INSIDE diagnosis Architechture at University breakthrough Studios Library 4 6 14 NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 2 NORTHUMBRIA NEWS CONTENTS NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 4 6 14 35 Students working together in the University Library News 1-3, 8, 12, 21 Northumbria ahead Health 4, 5, 13, 16-17 Feature: New Architecture Studios 6-7 Business and Law 10, 11, 18-20, 31 in latest National Science and Environment 22-23, 27, 30 Culture 24-29 Student Survey Feature: Best of the Conversation 32-33 Sport 34-36 The National Student Survey (NSS) asks final year students at all UK universities to rate their experiences of studying at their chosen FRONT COVER academics, alongside Ryder, offer university. They are questioned on the quality of their course, construction digital services and Growth in the reputation of has seen commissions in the UK the facilities they use and how they have been supported in their Northumbria’s post-graduate and Europe, Middle East, Far East offering, alongside investments in and Australasia. High-profile personal development, with their answers helping to influence the scholarships, saw a 44% increase in projects include the Sydney Opera students choosing the University House and the M+ Museum in choice of university for prospective students. during 2016/17 – double the market Kowloon, Hong Kong. growth. The institution was also Professor Andrew Wathey orthumbria scored 85% Architecture, Electronic and Electrical National Student Survey 2017 show among the few universities to see the CBE, Vice-Chancellor and overall satisfaction, Engineering, History, Information that the strong emphasis placed entry tariff points for undergraduate Chief Executive of Northumbria higher than the sector Services, Journalism and Sociology. by the University on education students rise as more highly qualified University, said: “To be overall average of 84%. The NSS results follow the University and learning continues to benefit students applied. shortlisted for these highly NIn response to specific questions the securing a Silver Award in the our students, something the Silver At the same time, a successful coveted awards is a hugely University outperformed the sector in Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Award in the Teaching Excellence initiative to widen participation significant achievement for the application of information learned, The award recognises the delivery of Framework recognised. in Higher Education saw more everyone at Northumbria, opportunities to work with other high-quality teaching, learning and “Northumbria is now in the top students join Northumbria from and a clear testament to the students and the prompt provision of results for Northumbria students, 50 institutions in the UK for Good low-income households, with hard work and commitment assessment feedback. The University’s and consistently exceeds rigorous Honours, outperforming the sector the gap between areas with the of staff across the entire IT and library resources were also rated national quality requirements for UK for the first time in 2015/16 and has lowest and highest participation University. Our nomination ahead of the sector average. Higher Education. also risen 30 places in the HESA rates dropping from 18% in is a clear acknowledgement A number of Northumbria’s Over the last 12 months, the Employment measure to now rank top 2011/12 to 5% in 2015/16. Further of the significant progress we subjects were also highly rated for University has also been making in the North East.” acknowledgement of the University’s are making in delivering our overall student satisfaction, including a significant £52m investment in “We have outstanding students, innovative approach to learning and strategic vision as a new kind of Human and Social Geography, which the student experience including a and it is only right that we continue teaching has seen BIM Academy, excellent university.” scored 100%. Physical Geography new state-of-the art Computer and to invest in making their experience a joint venture with architects Winner of the University of the and Environmental Science scored Information Sciences building and a at Northumbria one of the best Ryder Architecture, recognised Year award will be announced on 96%, and Anatomy, Physiology and new Architecture building, as well as a in the country.” with a nomination in the THE’s Thursday 30 November. Pathology scored 95%. Accounting, new centralised student service facility, Most Innovative Contribution to Psychology, and subjects Allied to Student Central. Business – University Collaboration DISCOVER MORE Medicine all scored 94%. Professor Peter Francis, Deputy DISCOVER MORE category. The unique partnership Other subjects that scored 90% Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria sees Northumbria’s students and www.northumbria.ac.uk satisfaction or above include University, said: “The result of the www.northumbria.ac.uk Autumn 2017 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU NORTHUMBRIA NEWS 3 Student Central at City Campus Library opens for business An exciting new development which transforms the Student and Library Services space at City Campus has opened to students. ver the last nine this final phase of Student Central, months, a multi-million Professor Jane Core, Director of pound investment has Student and Library Services, said: transformed the original "The completion of the Student O1969 Library into a light and airy Central project is really exciting, space designed to host all of the bringing further improvements in award-winning support services that the way that students access our students need, in one place at the services and facilities. heart of campus. The new Student "Students previously had to navigate Central marks the next stage of their way into support across 18 the transformation of professional different locations or offices in nine services dedicated to offering an buildings. Over the last 18 months outstanding student experience at we have introduced more consistent Northumbria. and seamless approaches to students Ask4Help, located in the middle of accessing services by creating new Student Central, enables students to teams, investing in technology, and access face to face support around; so shaping new ways of working accommodation, applying for jobs, which puts students at the heart of assessments, change of student status, what we do. With Student Central counselling, course information, locations at City Campus East and disability, money and finance, using Coach Lane Library now joined by the University Library and more. the exciting development at City A new Student Central Commons Campus Library our students will area on the ground floor offers enjoy the best possible experience comfortable and informal spaces for and have greater opportunities to group activity, and will host a range excel in their time at Northumbria." of events for students throughout the academic year, including DISCOVER MORE employer presentations. Speaking about the opening of www.northumbria.ac.uk Student Central at City Campus The Student Central Commons which offers space for informal group work and events NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 4 HEALTH How we developed a cheap, accurate, • Ebola is a severe, often