University of Dundee
20th January 2016 - Issue 11
Staff Newsletter
 
From the editors ...

As this is our first newsletter of 2016 - Happy New Year!

This semester we are continuing to bring you announcements and news from around the University.

Selected "What's On" information will be featured here, but we have started a Friday Events mailing to feature everything from the main University Events webpage. Please check your inbox, and let us know if you didn't receive it.

Contact the editors internal-comms@dundee.ac.uk.

Announcements
TEDx Dundee returns

TEDxDundee 2016 will take place on Saturday 21 May, organised by The Enterprise Gym.

The theme is 'Progress through change', and the team is currently looking for nominations of speakers and potential sponsors. 

Visit the website for more information and to get in touch www.tedxdundee.com/.

Student Support Hub (OTI Building)

The Health Service, Student Funding, Counselling Service, Disability Services and Occupational Health now make up the Student Support Hub, located within the Old Technical Institute (OTI) Building, behind the Tower Building.

Bike sales, hire and repairs on campus

The EBS Cycle Centre offers bike sales, hire and repairs on campus, with discounts for UoD students and staff!

Find them on campus next to the Dalhousie building (75 Old Hawkhill, Dundee, DD1 5EN) or, for more information, please call 01382 884414 or email info@ebscyclecentre.co.uk.

TV screens around the University

At the University we use a variety of ways to communicate to students, staff and visitors.

The Internal Comms team is currently reviewing "Digital Signage", more commonly known as the TV screens. 

We want to know what YOU want to see on these screens - please vote for one or more options by clicking the links below.

Please email internal-comms@dundee.ac.uk if you have any other suggestions.

Please also get in touch if you are responsible for digital signage in your area.

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Staff Christmas Party

Just in case you missed it... the staff Christmas party video can be viewed on the DUSA YouTube channel!

News
Dundee named among the world's most international universities

We've been named among the world’s 'most international’ universities by the Times Higher Education.

To compile the new table, THE examined the diversity of a university’s student body and the extent to which its academics collaborate with international colleagues, to give a picture of how global an institution really is - and Dundee was placed at 123rd in the Top 200 of the rankings!

The University was also recently placed in the Top 200 of Times Higher Education’s (THE) latest overall World University Rankings.

Read more.

Photo of the winners
Stephen Fry Award winners

The Great War Dundee (GWD) Commemorative Project  won the Stephen Fry Award for Excellence in Public Engagement with Research 2016, and was presented at the Discovery Days last week.

Historians Dr Billy Kenefick and Dr Derek Patrick co-founded the GWD project and, alongside partner groups, are coordinating the city-wide approach to commemorate the conflict. Their research has led to startling discoveries about Dundee’s contribution to the war effort as well as a greater understanding of the conflict’s impact and legacy in the city.

Pictured from left - Derek Patrick, Billy Kenefick and their colleagues Matthew Jarron (Museum Services) and Caroline Brown (Archive Services).

Read more

Student Shortlisted for Woman Ahead Young Woman of the Year

University of Dundee student, Jean Tina Lui, took part in The Enterprise Gym (TEG) Enterprise Challenge in 2012-13 and 2013-14 (and was subsequently named the TEG Champion 2013-14) has been shortlisted for the Women Ahead Young Woman of the Year Award! Tina will be interviewed for the award in February. She and her team (also current students) have started their social enterprise, VisConn following their experience at The Enterprise Gym. Find out more about VisConn and The Enterprise Gym.

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DUSA Presented the Scottish Party Leaders Debate

On Monday 18 January, DUSA hosted a packed debate between the Scottish Party Leaders, in advance of this May's elections to the Scottish Parliament.

You can watch some of the live streamed event on the DUSA TV YouTube channel, starting about 46 minutes into the video.

Teaching Lead for Anaesthesia shortlisted for National Adventure Awards

Dr Paul Fettes, Consultant Anaesthetist & Honorary Senior Lecturer (and teaching lead for Anaesthesia) successfully organised and took part in a massive manpowered endurance adventure relay over 130 mountains in Scotland all above 1000m high.

Participants had to run, kayak and cycle between the mountains carrying Archie’s rabbit, a baton equiped with GPS, in aid of the Archie Foundation to raise money for a new childrens' theatre suite at Ninewells Hospital & Medical School. More information can be found online.

Paul has since been nominated and shortlisted for the National Adventure Awards under the charity category! We would like to invite staff and students to vote for him to win

Well done, Paul!

What's on
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Saturday Evening Lecture Series Programme 2016

The Saturday Evening Lecture Series (SELS) is back for 2016 with an exciting programme which includes Professor Mike Ferguson, author Christina Lamb and menswear fashion designer Patrick Grant. Find out more on the brand new SELS website​.

Learn Chinese (Mandarin) in 2016

Do you want to learn Chinese this year? Languages for All (School of Humanities) offer various classes for all levels, from complete beginners to improvers and intermediate - there even courses for kids!

Not on campus? There's a new (credit bearing) intensive beginners distance learning course (via MyDundee and Skype) starting in February.

Find out more about learning Chinese.

Fore more information or to book email Fiona Woodward at f.s.woodward@dundee.ac.uk.

ISE Beginners Flamenco Course (Thu 21 Jan)

An introduction to the basics of this highly expressive art! Learn about the complex rhythms through clapping (palmas), fluid arm and hand movements and the intricate sequences of percussive footstamps. Beginners Flamenco course runs from 21 January to 24 March, 5.45-7.00pm at ISE.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and hard soled shoes with a solid heel (no stilettos). Over the duration of the 10-week course you will learn a short piece of choreography. For more visit the ISE website. ISE members £70 / non-members £75.

British Sign Language (Mon 1 Feb)

The British Sign Language course (run by Languages for All, School of Humanities) has been confimed and will start on Monday 1 February (6-7pm) for six weeks, at a cost of £75.

If you're interested, please contact Fiona Woodward by email or on ext 84535.

Driving Electric Vehicles - Training Day (Thu 4 Feb)

Did you know that the University has an electric 'pool' car for staff to use on University business? It can be booked online, but if you need training then you're in luck - the Energy & Environment Office is delivering a training day for driving an electric vehicle on Thursday 4 February.

Training will be delivered in 2-hour one-to-one driving sessions in the 'pool' car (Nissan Leaf), and there are four places available - please email Trudy Cunningham at t.z.cunningham@dundee.ac.uk by Friday 29 January to secure your place. If there is a large demand further training may be arranged (the training is funded by Transport Scotland). 

Nicherin Buddhism (Thursdays)

If you practice Nicherin Buddhism or would like to find out more please come to the Quiet Room, Chaplaincy on Thursdays at 12.30pm to chant and talk about Buddhism. For more information contact Elspeth Barker at e.c.z.barker@dundee.ac.uk​. Staff and students very welcome.

Your Help Required
Participants Required for Dissertation (Eye-Tracking)

Chara Voulgarakis is a fourth year psychology student recruiting native English speakers for an eye-tracking experiment for a psychology of language dissertation. Participants will take part in one fun-filled 30 minute session.

People with known cognitive / visual / language impairments (e.g., dyslexia, colour-blindness), or with hard contact lenses are unable to take part in the study. If you are interested or would like more information please contact Chara at h.voulgarakis@dundee.ac.uk.

Volunteering Awards Nominations

The University is holding its annual Volunteering Awards and Celebration on Monday 22 February 2016 and nominations for awards are now open! To see the categories, and to nominate, visit the Careers website. Deadline Wednesday 26 January 2016.

Working with Internal Comms

If you want to promote something to an internal audience, please visit our webpage for advice on the different ways to do this.

An archive of newsletters can also be found on our website.

To contact the editors, please email internal-comms@dundee.ac.uk

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The University of Dundee is a Scottish Registered Charity, No. SC015096

 

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