Wednesday 27 September 2017

Staff Newsletter Issue 53

Contents

• Announcements
• News
• Opportunities
• CTIL news
• What's on
• Blogs
• From the editors

Long Service Awards

As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations, the University is delighted to announce the launch of a Long Service Awards Scheme.  This recognises the contribution of staff who have worked for the University for a significant period of time and have reached, or will reach, the key milestone of 15, 25 and 40 years of continuous service at the University in our 50th year.

For staff who have reached 25 and 40 years' service, a special celebratory event will take place at the Apex City Quay Hotel on Wednesday 15 November, hosted by the Principal.  Invitations have recently been sent out for this event. If you have reached one of these key milestones and not received your invitation, please contact your School/Professional Services HR Officer.

For those staff who have achieved 15 years of service, a drinks reception will be hosted locally within Schools and Professional Services. Invitations confirming these arrangements will be sent out over the coming weeks with the respective receptions taking place before Christmas.

Delayed release of email security feature

IT let you know that any potentially suspicious emails you receive would start to be tagged with 'UNVERIFIED SENDER' because a new security feature is being introduced. This change was postponed and will now go live tomorrow (Thu 28 Sep). More information.

New University Health Service opening hours

The University Health Service, based in the Support Hub, Old Technical Institute, is now open for students and staff Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm.

A doctor is available for minor ailments and injuries for 3 x 1 hour sessions each week.

For further information on the services offered visit www.dundee.ac.uk/healthservice

Changes to data protection laws

As you will no doubt have heard, UK data protection law changes on 25 May 2018. This change will impact upon the University and we should (and are) preparing for it.

We will provide updates on our progress in this newsletter, highlighting tools and templates as we develop them.

However, it’s important to remember that we’ve had data protection rules for many years. The new law builds on existing good practice in areas such as:

• making sure that your computers and mobile devices are encrypted and password-protected
• not emailing personal data in unencrypted attachments or the body of emails
• using Box to share information securely
• working with data in core systems as far as possible
• checking that the information you give to people when collecting their data is accurate and appropriate and that you are holding the information securely
• ensuring that research design takes account of personal data issues and the right safeguards in place to protect data
• locking information in desk drawers or offices when unattended and not printing information when you don’t need to
• shredding paper when no longer required, or arranging the uplift of confidential waste with Estates & Campus Services
• working with key contacts in Professional Services (eg Legal, Procurement, EDPU, UoDIT and/or RIS) to make sure that relevant legal and contractual controls are in place when dealing with suppliers or partners
• reporting data incidents quickly so we can mitigate their impact.

If you have any questions about the changes in the law or are unsure about any of the above, please contact Alan Bell, Head of Information Governance dataprotection@dundee.ac.uk.

Honorary degree nominations

Every year during Summer and Winter Graduation the University awards a small number of Honorary Degrees to individuals who have made an outstanding achievement or contribution in their field, and who have a link in some way to the University or to the wider city.  These recipients inspire our graduates to go out and follow their dreams and be the best that they can be and we're now inviting nominations to be awarded in 2018. 

If there's anyone you would like to receive an Honorary Degree then let us know by filling in the online form by 18 October 2017.

New electronic letterheads

Electronic letterheads in the new branding are now available from the Brand webpages: www.dundee.ac.uk/brand/assets/templates

There is one for each School and one for all Professional Services directorates, with the correct logos embedded.  They have sections that can be edited to add the specific discipline or research unit along with an individual’s contact details. There is also a version for use with pre-printed letterheaded paper. If you need printed headed paper please contact Creative Services creativeservices@dundee.ac.uk

Academic Skills Centre (ASC): developing students' academic skills and enhancing skills for academics

The Centre for the enhancement of Academic Skills, Teaching, Learning and Employability (CASTLE) has re-branded as the new Academic Skills Centre (ASC). This change of name is in response to student and staff feedback that ASC is more identifiable with what they do.

Their services prioritise the two key areas of developing students' academic skills and enhancing skills for academics. They will continue to deliver these services and to build on the successes of CASTLE, working collaboratively with student and staff partners, to support excellence in learning and teaching across the University.

Update: wifi everywhere, even outside

47 (+6) external access points are now offering you superfast wifi outdoors. A snapshot was taken on Mon 18 Sep, which showed that:

• 7080 devices were connected at 13:45 (peak)
• 4550 of these were to eduroam
• 1090 of these were to Student_Residences
• 1440 of these were to _TheCloud

Remember to connect to eduroam to speed up your internet in live locations.

The University and the EU referendum result - reminder

The University's webpage providing the latest information about the status of EU citizens and their families in the UK as the EU negotiations progress can be found at
www.dundee.ac.uk/hr/policiesprocedures/euinformationforstaffbrexit

Graduates win international Undergraduate Awards

Two University of Dundee graduates have won global honours at the Undergraduate Awards, the largest international academic accolade programme.

Martha Andrews has won the Architecture and Design award and Jordan Skrynka took the honours in the Psychology category. 

A further eight were Highly Commended read more, and be ready to encourage your students to enter when the nominations open in 2018.

Reputation management

We are keen to benchmark how the University of Dundee is perceived relative to other universities, and how those perceptions change over time.

If you haven't already, please take part in a short online survey about the reputation of universities www.theworld100.com/tracker/dundeestaff2017

Help us improve the website

A few weeks ago, Andrew Millar, Head of Web Services, invited staff to be part of the project to improve the University website. Re-read his message.

Launch presentations

The final two project launch sessions are taking place as follows, all welcome:

• Wed 27 Sep 2pm, Gannochy Lecture Theatre, Ninewells
• Thu 28 Sep 10am, Lecture Theatre 2, Dalhousie Building, City Campus

Top tasks workshops

The next phase is Top Tasks workshops which are taking place in the Dalhousie Building as follows:

• Mon 2 Oct 10-11am
• Tue 3 Oct 4-5pm
• Wed 4 Oct 10-11am
• Thu 5 Oct 12-1pm
• Fri 6 Oct 10-11am

Find out more and book your place

Join the mailing list

Web Services will be issuing a regular email newsletter to subscribers with information about what they are doing, giving access to work as they produce it, and asking for your feedback on specific issues as they arise.

Register for updates

Wellbeing Regardless

WHO? Any student with a long term condition eg arthritis, ME, epilepsy, MS, IBS, fibromyalgia, depression, etc. Maximum: 15 students.

WHAT?  A free course on how to manage your condition, take charge of your life and improve your wellbeing. Practical tips, peer support and fun.  Pain, diet, exercise, relaxation, stress, confident communication, resilience, and managing change.

WHEN?  Wednesdays for 1 hour 1-2pm for 4 weeks. From 24 Oct to 14 Nov.

WHERE? Dalhousie Building Room 1LG04. 

BOOK by 20 October 2017 to Dr Gaye Manwaring g.manwaring@dundee.ac.uk

Impaired colour vision

Are you affected by or interested in impaired colour vision?

The Digitally Augmented Perception Research Lab would like you to join their participant pool mailing list and receive notifications about upcoming studies and occasional news from the area.

Fully-funded leadership opportunity for students

Our students again have an opportunity to develop their ability to lead from a global perspective and play a part in tackling the biggest issues facing business, governments and societies worldwide.

The Common Purpose programme takes place in Dubai from 17-20 December 2017. It is fully-funded, and open to all students, with priority to those who have not previously travelled abroad for work or study.

Find out more uod.ac.uk/cp2017 or email commonpurpose@dundee.ac.uk

“The experience was great…. It's quite amazing how much a few days can change the way you think about the world ….”
Struan Robertson, Biomedical Science Student, Global Leader Experience Participant 2016

Introducing the Digital Learning Hub

To support eLearning across the University, CTIL have created a new website. In this resource you’ll find a growing collection of blog posts, support, service information and skills development. You can access it at learningspaces.dundee.ac.uk/ctil or from the welcome tab in My Dundee.

Video management pilot

CTIL are running a pilot of a new video management platform using a service called Panopto. This provides the ability to capture, edit and distribute video content for a range of activities from lecture capture to video-blogging. Read more about and find out how to join the pilot.

"Learning Spaces" - a Wordpress pilot

Learning Spaces is a new platform for providing WordPress sites for Learning and Teaching. This provides flexible web spaces for activities like class blogging, collaboration and portfolio work. Read more about and find out how to join the pilot.

Knit and Natter (Wednesdays)

The ‘Knit and Natter’ group meets every Wednesday in the glass room, 1st floor, Chaplaincy between 12noon and 2pm.

Pop in for some relaxing ‘me’ time and lively conversation. It’s very informal and everyone brings along their own wool and needles. All skill levels welcome. Members of the group include some who are very knowledgeable and don’t mind helping newbies to the craft.

Email Darienne at m.y.tosh@dundee.ac.uk for more information.

Macmillan Coffee Morning (Fri 29 Sep)

Taking place in the Tower Building Level 5 Meeting Room between 10am-12noon for cakes and goodies, a coffee morning to raise money for Macmillan, with the aim of beating the £1,000 raised last year.

A Taste of Scotland Welcome Party (Fri 29 Sep)

This popular event includes a haggis supper, highland dancers, bagpipes and ceilidh dancing with a fantastic live band. 

Fri 29 Sept, 7pm-11pm, Bonar Hall, tickets £8

Book now at uod.ac.uk/tasteofscotland (tickets limited).

Email internationalsupport@dundee.ac.uk

DUSA Mid Autumn Festival (Wed 4 Oct)

A fun-filled evening to celebrate the mid-autumn festival. Completely FREE with live performers, arts and crafts and traditional food and drink. 7.30-9.30pm floor 5 DUSA | the Union.

Organised by Dundee University Student Association, Dundee University Singaporean Society, Dundee University Malaysian Society, Dundee University International Society and Dundee Chinese Students and Scholars Association.

Cafe Science Dundee: How is Pollution Affecting Scottish Seals? (Mon 9 Oct)

This talk by Kimberley Bennett from Abertay University will explore health effects that long term pollutants cause in marine mammals, the latest findings on the dangers of these chemicals, and what can be done to avoid similar problems for humans and marine mammals in the future.

Café Science Dundee at Avery & Co. at 34 South Tay Street on Mon 9 Oct 7pm. This is a free event and there is no need to book in advance, but arrive early to avoid disappointment.

The Dundee Careers Fair (Tue 10 Oct)

This event is for all students and graduates, attended by local and national employers, from a wide range of sectors, and organisations with further study and professional training opportunities. They will be offering internships and summer placements, as well as graduate positions.

Encourage all your students, not just those in final year, to attend.

Full details on the Careers website

Bonar Hall  10.30am-2.30pm

The Margaret Harris lecture 2017: Strength in Silence by Martin Pistorius (Wed 1 Nov)

This year's Margaret Harris Lecture will be given by Martin Pistorius who will take a look at how we communicate with the world in different ways.  This takes place on Wed 1 Nov, 6pm in the Dalhousie Building.

Following an illness when he was a teenager Martin was left in a wheelchair and unable to speak.  He spent 14 years in institutions for people with profound mental and physical disabilities before rebuilding his life and learning to communicate via computer and communication boards.  He'll share his journey and explore the strength and unexpected lessons he has discovered within his silence.

Book your ticket

IT: Virtualisation and a change of location

IT Product Engineer Ian Angles gives his account of the recent VMworld conference in Barcelona.

Web: Content style guide launched

Web services have produced a content style guide so we can all take a clear and consistent approach to the content we produce. We aim to follow the style guide in these newsletters.

Read more on the Web team blog.

If you wish to communicate around the University, this fortnightly newsletter is just one way to do that. Please check our Methods of Internal Communication webpage, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

The next newsletter will be distributed on Wednesday 11 October - the deadline is 4pm on Friday 6 October.