Open for business!Three-way collaboration through KTPs

Disability Equality Scheme

Campus developments – latest news

2

Connection magazine was produced by the Marketing & Student Recruitment Department of Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (BCUC). Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate at the time of going to press.

If you have any questions or stories, please contact the editor, Anne Whitehouse, on 01494 605249, email anne.whitehouse@bcuc.ac.uk Contributions may be edited for length or style.

BCUC, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe HP11 2JZ Telephone: 01494 522141 Fax: 01494 605023 Website: www.bcuc.ac.uk

Designed and produced by Euro RSCG Riley Website: www.eurorscg-riley.co.uk

Front cover image: Examples of architectural door curtains courtesy of Envirotech

© Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College

Printed on chlorine-free paper from a managed forest.

This publication can be made available in alternative formats. Call 01494 605249.

Message from the Director2007 shows signs of being a significant year for BCUC. Although we’re barely into the New Year, there are already signs of things happening which are helping us to meet some of the objectives we set ourselves in our new Strategic Plan. These particularly relate to obtaining university title and to campus redevelopment.

The visit as part of our assessment for university title took place at the end of January. I emailed staff at the end of the visit to thank them for their commitment and the energy they put into making the visit go well. I would like to reiterate that here – and emphasise that this is not just about those who actually attended the meetings with the assessors, but all those behind the scenes who made it work so smoothly.

I really don’t think that the visit could have gone any better. The difficult part now is waiting for the outcome. A report of the visit has to be considered by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and a recommendation made to the QAA Board. We don’t know when we will be notified officially of the outcome, but it is not likely to be until after Easter. As soon as we have received the formal notification, I will let all staff know as quickly as possible.

Although the planning application for housing at Wellesbourne was rejected by Wycombe District Council, our governing body, the Council, has confirmed that we are still committed to consolidating our campuses at Queen Alexandra Road. The phasing of what we do will depend on the flow of funds, but we thought it was important that refurbishment work should start as soon as possible and according to plan.

By September 2008 we intend to refurbish North Block with three floors of new teaching rooms, refurbish Main Block to create new accommodation for faculty

staff and refurbish Owen Harris for central support department staff. We are also making provision for a room for staff to meet together outside the context of their normal day to day activities and away from students.

We will endeavour to ensure that the works take place without too much disruption to our activities. However, there will be some inconvenience and I thank you for your patience and understanding.

I’ve been at BCUC for a year now, and I’d like to thank all those who sent me their best wishes on the anniversary of my arrival. Having attended awaydays for three of the four schools in the Faculty of Society & Health, I am conscious that I should be doing another round of visits to all the schools and departments.

One of the things that I am particularly keen to talk about is what we can do to ensure that we recruit students at all levels and modes. You will have heard in the media recently that full-time undergraduate applications through UCAS are up nationally compared with last year. Unfortunately that is not the case at BCUC, although we are less dependent than others on applications through UCAS because of our work-based foundation degree provision.

Nevertheless, we need a big effort in converting those applications we do have into offers and enrolments. As long as we keep focussed on maintaining student numbers, I see no reason why 2007 shouldn’t be BCUC’s year.

Dr Ruth Farwell Director and Chief Executive

This spring issue of Connection sees the introduction of some new sections. We have a profile of a staff member and a section for you to share your views or experiences. We’ve also included a couple of full-page articles so that issues of real importance can be explored in more depth.

There’s a new section summarising some of the media coverage we’ve had over the last few months; please get in touch if you’re approached by the media, have news that would make a press release, or see an opportunity for the media to use your expertise.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue. Please keep sending your contributions to me – it won’t be long before the next issue!

Anne Whitehouse, Editor.

ContentsMessage from the Director P2

Editor’s note P2

New BCUC website P3

BCUC in the news P3

Marketing news P3

Profile: Jill Grinstead P4

CRDM obtains ISO 9001-2000 P4

Three-way collaboration through KTPs P5

Ask the audience – student voting P6 system goes live

New library of leisure P6

Does e-learning hit the mark? P6

Developing inclusive education P7

Student volunteers raise money P8 for local charity

Dance award for student P8

Emma Crumpton wins CIPD prize P8

Sports stars speak to students P9

IoD director meets advertising alumni P9

My Great Business Idea stage 1 P9

BCUC lecturer in UN talks P10

New system stops driver fatigue P10

Can we recover from mental illness? P10

Viewpoint: Barbara Humberstone P11

BCUC goes to Beaconsfield School P11

Three designs selected in street P12 seating competition

Furniture designs to last a lifetime P12

News in brief P13

Campus redevelopment P14

New café opens P14

Missenden Abbey update P15

Books P15

What’s on P16

3

As the BCUC world awaits the news on university title, here in Marketing we are planning our moves and stratagems with optimism.

Our invigorated external website is vital to our future success and is the number one place that future students and potential business partners visit to see what we have to offer. It will be good to have a bright new shop window to the outside world.

After a very competitive European tender process, we have appointed a new agency to manage our media advertising and help us develop our new generation university brand. Five agencies were asked to present and from these five the final two were selected to make a further presentation to the Senior Management Team.

On the basis of this rigorous and exhaustive process we selected SMRS, an agency with an established reputation in the Higher Education sector. SMRS impressed us with their knowledge of student recruitment and their creative but relevant approach to developing brand advertising for new universities.

I hope you like our undergraduate prospectus for 2008-09. It contains strong images which really capture the spirit of the University College and its three great new faculties. The student recruitment officers and student ambassadors will use it extensively at HE Fairs.

This is sure to become a collector’s item as our last prospectus as a university college. When we get our new status we will sticker the cover announcing our arrival as “the new university in Bucks”. It almost seems a shame as it looks so nice this year-however that’s Marketing!

BCUC in the newsBCUC staff and students appeared in a variety of media over the last few months. The Times Higher Education Supplement announced two of the recent senior appointments.

BCUC was named as one of Design Week’s Hot 50 – people and organisations that have made a contribution to design beyond what might be expected of them. Furniture design alumni Wayne Pottinger and Nathalie Cole were top of The Daily Telegraph’s article on new design talent.

Student Mark Williamson’s gold medal win at the National Skills Competition was mentioned in Further Education Today,

and a full-page profile of student Fiona Ralston appeared in Everything Aerospace, published by The Independent. George Fieldman offered expert comment for BBC News Online on research by Duke University Medical Center into the part of the brain that predicts altruism.

External Liaison Manager, Russell Harbison appeared on national Polish television and in two Polish newspapers during a recent recruitment tour to the country, and staff member Jo Sharp’s mathematics prize was commended in the Derby Evening Telegraph. Meanwhile, Society & Health staff Julie Welch and Kate Allen were spotted in the Bucks Limited Edition trying on hats at the magazine’s winter fashion event.

Marketing newsBy Peter Thomas, Head of Marketing & Student Recruitment

New BCUC websiteBCUC’s new website will go live at the beginning of April. The new website will feature improved navigation and fresh content to make it more appealing to prospective students and other external users.

Web Marketing Manager, Jessica Chappell said: “In an increasingly competitive marketplace we need to ensure that our website is attractive, easy to use, and providing the information that our customers need. We have undertaken research through focus groups, interviews and analysis of our competitors, and are confident that the new site will serve BCUC well.”

The project led by Helen Fletcher, Head of Learning and Information Services, was a joint project between Marketing and Fiona Richardson and the web team. The project board, chaired by Deputy Director (Operations), Derek Godfrey, comprises representatives from the Senior Management Team, Marketing and the faculties.

The project focussed on four key areas: courses; student life; business; and research, and involved improving copy and images for 111 top level pages.

The new website includes:

• a new dynamic design

• a new search facility to enable potential students to search for courses more intuitively

• a virtual chat facility

• an online open day booking form

• an online prospectus

• a gallery facility to enable current students to showcase their work.

Daryl Irvine, Creative Director at web solutions company ChameleonNet, said: “The biggest challenge was to create a dynamic and engaging design that identified BCUC as a unique proposition in the education sector. It is only because of BCUC’s willingness to explore more adventurous designs that we have managed to achieve a vibrant yet easy to use website that reflects the aims and direction of the university college.”

The design concept for the new home page

4

As University College Secretary and Clerk to the Council, Jill Grinstead has a rather unusual role within the University College. A member of the Senior Management Team, she facilitates interaction between BCUC’s executive management and its governing body, advising the Council whilst maintaining objectivity.

BCUC’s Council holds the University College’s taught degree awarding powers and has ultimate responsibility for financial solvency, the strategic direction of the institution in terms of its ‘educational character’ and setting an employment framework for staff. The Council is comprised of 19 members:

13 independent and co-opted members, two representatives nominated by Senate (the highest academic committee), two elected staff representatives, the Director, and the President of the Students’ Union.

Jill said: “Council members can serve a maximum of two four-year terms and generally participate in around six meetings a year, but sometimes many more. We look for a mix of skills and experience – senior management in business or the public sector, professional expertise in human resources or accountancy, for instance.”

Jill joined BCUC in January from London Metropolitan University, where she was Director of Quality and Standards, a role that involved harmonising procedures and regulations and taking the new university through its first Quality Assurance Agency audit.

Prior to that, she had joined London Guildhall University in 1994 as Academic Registrar and Secretary to the Board, and was responsible for planning the legal and constitutional changes entailed in the merger of London Guildhall University with the University of North London to form London Metropolitan University.

She has also worked for three national bodies: the Council for National Academic Awards; the Economic and Social Research Council; and the Higher Education Quality Council. Jill’s work involved travel in the United Kingdom and overseas and, over time, she visited almost all the universities in the UK. This included visits to BCUC in the 1980s.

Jill started her career as a drama teacher in secondary schools in and around Brixton and Streatham before going on to lecture in drama at Edge Hill University. “Being a drama lecturer has always stood me in good stead,” said Jill.

“You need certain management

and interpersonal skills to direct

and put on a play, and these are

transferable to other work settings.

For example, they are valuable in

getting the most out of a meeting

and helping the decision-making

process. Having the confidence to

move large numbers of people,

equipment and props into the right

place enabled me to embark on

educational project management

such as quality assurance audits.

Also, when you tell a story through

drama you have to keep in mind

the big picture whilst paying

attention to the little things.”In her spare time, Jill is an enthusiastic skier and hill-walker and takes advantage of London’s matchless opportunities to hear music and opera.

Profile Jill Grinstead, University College Secretary and Clerk to the Council

The Centre for Rapid Design and Manufacture (CRDM) has become the first BCUC department to obtain an internationally recognised quality standard that ensures customers receive high quality service.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001-2000 requires demonstrable progress in overall quality over time, and also takes into account customer satisfaction, requiring companies to proactively seek feedback from their customers.

Nick Lewis, the ISO 9001-2000 team leader said: “Ensuring the conformance of our processes and systems was quite a challenge, but we have been able to obtain our accreditation within eighteen months. The standard will help us to grow and to provide the level of service which our customers now demand.

“We decided to do this to distinguish CRDM from the competition, but we found the disciplines required by ISO 9001

helped improve our efficiency. Already the dividends have begun to arrive with new orders from companies including Rolls Royce.”CRDM employs more than thirty-five people. Besides producing prototype tools and components for industry, CRDM is heavily involved with research and development. For further information visit www.crdm.co.uk

CRDM obtains ISO 9001-2000

5

Examples of architectural door curtains, courtesy of Envirotec

Making a significant contribution to the region is at the heart of BCUC’s vision, and BCUC has a long history of strong industry links. We work with the business community in a variety of ways, including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), collaborations which help businesses develop and grow by accessing the wealth of knowledge and expertise in the UK’s universities.

KTPs are three-way partnerships consisting of a recent graduate (known as an associate), a university, college or research organisation (known as the knowledge base), and a company. Associates work for one-three years on a project identified as critical to the success and growth of the business. They are supported by academics in the knowledge base who are provided with the opportunity to tap into industry links and develop knowledge in new areas.

Launched in 1975 as the Teaching Companies Scheme, the KTP programme is currently funded by fifteen Government organisations led by the Department of Trade and Industry, and the partner businesses. In 2005/06, over £36.5m was awarded by the Government, with an additional £54m coming from participating companies. Projects range from research into interactive exhibitions and performances to the modelling of high performance engines and new methods of drug application. BCUC’s Business Enterprise Unit has ambitious targets for KTPs.

Graham Bennett, Head of Enterprise, said:

“We are aiming to have 12 active KTPs by the end of this year. Our role is to assist from the idea stage, through the application process and during the project. We hope to develop KTPs with, and across, the faculties. We ran an event in January for staff and around 40 companies and it is likely that a number of KTPs will result.”

One of the current KTPs is with Envirotec Ltd, a High Wycombe-based manufacturer of high quality air curtains which are used at the entrances to buildings to create warm air barriers and reduce the amount of outside air coming in.

Envirotec’s products are used by organisations all over the country, ranging from large retailers and shopping centres to airports and libraries. The KTP enabled the company to design a door control system which improved energy efficiency and took up less space.

Steve Brown, Operations Director at Envirotec, said:

“In addition to improving the efficiency of our door curtains, the KTP with BCUC has enabled us to formalise our research and development and work towards ISO 9001 accreditation. The collaboration between the company, BCUC and the graduate, is one that I would recommend to any organisation looking to develop new ideas or projects.”For further information contact Gordon Hooker at gordon.hooker@bcuc.ac.uk, visit www.beproductive.co.uk, or come along to an information session: Enterprise & Innovation, 25 April; Society & Health, 1 May; Creativity & Culture, 8 May; all at Missenden Abbey 6.30-8pm.

Three-way collaboration through KTPs

Project idea

Short project outline

Assessment by KTP adviser

Long application form

Assessment by Partnership Approval Group

Funding and continued input from KTP adviser

The KTP application process

6

Ask the audience – student voting system goes live

A website developed jointly by BCUC and The University of Surrey has been named ‘Website of the month’ by the Higher Education Academy’s Hospitality Leisure Sport and Tourism Network.

The result of a Fund for the Development of Teaching and Learning (FDTL) 5 project, the website facilitates a co-operative approach to sharing images and encourages the use of these images to improve teaching and learning.

The Image Enriched Learning in Tourism (IELIT) database provides free access to over 2000 tourism images ready to be used in lectures and seminars. All the images are copyright free, free of charge for use in teaching, and filed by tourism modules.

Website: www.tourismimages.org.uk For more information or to contribute, email dorin.festeu@bcuc.ac.uk

How well does our e-learning provision match up to that of our competitors? BCUC is undertaking a benchmarking project to find out about our progress and that of the sector.

A steering group has been established to ask questions of senior management, committees and key academic and support staff. Their research will provide us with a detailed picture of e-learning provision at BCUC, highlighting what we do well now and areas that we need to improve.

Over 70% of students have made use of Blackboard this academic year, and with

so many students involved, we need to ensure that our provision meets the strictest standards. But there’s more to e-learning than Blackboard. Other exciting projects include: video conferencing; blogs; wikis; pod- and vodcasting; and e-portfolios.

Deputy Director (Academic) David Gay said: “The University College is already recognised as a sector leader in aspects of e-learning. It is our aim to provide the highest quality of e-learning and meet with national standards of benchmarking and excellence. This process will enable us to shape innovation and good practice in the future.”

Does e-learning hit the mark?

New library of leisure

An exciting new development in electronic assessment is being piloted this year. The University College has purchased a student voting system designed to enhance the learning experience in lectures and to provide instant feedback to students.

Each student is given a radio frequency handset which transmits their answers to a receiver at the front. Tutors can use PowerPoint to create pre-prepared questions, or ask questions as they occur to them during the class.

The system, known as Qwizdom, allows tutors to gauge opinion and understanding of a topic as they teach it. The objectives of the pilot are to:

• create a stimulating learning environment

• enhance student performance

• reduce assessment retakes

• improve retention

• build students’ confidence by encouraging participation

• stimulate student and tutor interaction in lectures.

Steve Millard from the School of Business and Management said: “Qwizdom encourages a greater response from those that might otherwise feel shy about responding to a ‘hands up’ request. The system works well in larger lectures, giving periodic breaks in delivery to conduct quick quizzes or surveys, thereby involving students more, and providing a means to vary and blend learning activities.”

The college owns four sets of 50 handsets. A successful pilot could result in the purchase of further handsets and the Qwizdom system becoming a permanent feature in BCUC lecture theatres.

To book handsets call Campus Services on ext. 5021.

7

BCUC has always been committed to encouraging people from a wide range of backgrounds to take up the benefits of higher education. An inclusive environment is not only of benefit to all staff and students, it’s also a requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 2005.

The DDA of 1995 sought to end the discrimination which many disabled people face, by giving disabled people rights in the areas of employment, education, access to goods, facilities and services, and buying or renting land or property.

The 2005 Act extended the law to cover all the activities of the public sector, and higher education institutions were required to develop disability equality statements and action plans. The legislation aims to make everyone think proactively about equality, rather than being reactive to individual requests.

BCUC has appointed Pam Owen, as Disability Adviser (Staff Development) to ensure we meet the Act’s requirements. It has also developed a Disability Equality Scheme and action plan setting out ways in which we plan to improve our support for disabled staff and students.

BCUC’s Disability Equality Scheme was endorsed by the Equality and Diversity Committee, Senate and the Council at the end of last year. Our commitment to improving provision is set out in a short booklet, Be Yourself: Developing Inclusive Higher Education – A Guide for Everyone, which has been issued to all staff.

Pam Owen says:

“Everyone needs to be thinking about the changes they might need to make in their areas. There are a number of adjustments that can be made relatively easily – offering publications in alternative formats, giving notes out before lectures to help dyslexic students, or asking participants about access needs when organising an event.” Pam is running a series of training sessions which all staff are encouraged to attend. Sessions include practical guidance on the individual’s role and the role of the department, and the opportunity to experience life with a visual impairment.

Developing inclusive education

Students are being asked to respond to a brief questionnaire posted on Blackboard, which asks them about their experiences at BCUC and invites them to join a focus group. The Staff Disability Focus Group which met last year will reconvene soon and is looking for new participants. Contact Pam Owen for more details at powen01@bcuc.ac.uk

Training sessions for March will be on Thursday 8, in the Phoenix Room at Wellesbourne, and Monday 26 in the Garden Room at Chalfont, both from 2-4.30pm. To book a place use the course booking form on BCUC Extra, or call Sharon James on ext. 3586.

In the last academic year, 945 students at BCUC and its partner colleges declared a disability.

The majority of the Equality Act, prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race or religion, has been approved by Parliament. The final part, covering sexual orientation, is expected to come into force on 6 April.

A new Commission for Equality and Human Rights is being formed, replacing the Disability Rights Commission, Commission for Racial Equality and Equal Opportunities Commission.

How to get involved Did you know?

Dia

betic

ret

inop

athy

, cou

rtes

y of

the

RNIB

8

Just before Christmas, student volunteers planned, organised, promoted and participated in a fashion show to raise money for Bucks-based charity Sign.

The charity supports profoundly deaf people with mental health problems, so that they can live in the community, take part in activities, and live a fulfilled life. Forty percent of deaf people experience some form of mental health problem, largely due to their isolation, difficulty communicating, and lack of access to everyday services.

Sign provides supported accommodation, advocacy, outreach services and training, to ensure that fewer deaf people develop mental health issues, and to empower

deaf people to make choices that improve their lives.

Students were involved in all aspects of the fashion show, from promoting it beforehand, to transforming the Main Hall at High Wycombe, by setting up a catwalk and changing areas, changing the lighting, and creating a bar area where refreshments and snacks were served.

Six students modelled 24 outfits, and the evening finished with the opportunity to buy from a wide range of clothes at discounted prices. £335 was raised for Sign.

For further information on volunteering visit www.bcsu.net/volunteering

BCUC student Jill Kemp has been awarded a prestigious Carl Alan Award in recognition of her services to dance teaching. Known internationally as the ‘Oscars of the dance world’, the Carl Alan Awards have been presented since 1954 and are the top accolade for dancers across the world.

Jill was presented with her award at the International Dance Teachers’ Association Dinner, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London in February. The award recognised Jill’s freestyle dance teaching. It was presented by Len Goodman, head judge on the BBC television series Strictly Come Dancing.

Jill was in good company; another award winner was Arlene Phillips, the choreographer and creator of dance troupe Hot Gossip, and another Strictly

Come Dancing judge. The evening was compered by film star legend Miss Shirley Anne Field.

Jill said: “To win a Carl Alan Award is the pinnacle of every dancer’s career. There were a vast array of stars at the ceremony including Donnie Burns, Lionel Blair and a number of dance champions. It was a real honour to have my work recognised in this way.”

Jill is currently studying for an MA in Leadership and Management; she also teaches on the foundation degree in dance teaching, and is married to Chris Kemp, Executive Dean, Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation. She is Principal of the Jill Foster Dance Centre, which runs classes in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, and is one of the largest dance schools in the country.

A former student from the School of Business and Management has won a national prize for the best examination performance in Specialist and Generalist Personnel and Development. Emma Crumpton (née Strickland) was a student on the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) programme. She was awarded her prize at the CIPD national conference.

Emma received a cheque for £250 from Mike Kelly, CIPD Vice President (Membership and Education), and was accompanied to the ceremony by senior lecturer, Andrew Leleux.

Andrew commented: “It was a very proud moment for us. All the CIPD students have full-time jobs and have to squeeze their

academic work into their limited spare time. It is a demanding course and Emma has excelled.

“The CIPD programme at BCUC is one of our flagship courses, and has achieved remarkable successes in the past few years. Last year another of our students, Laura Hall, received the same award as Emma, and there was a similar achievement three years before that.”

A new master’s degree in Human Resource Management started running this October with an initial cohort of 16 students ‘topping up’ their CIPD qualification by undertaking a dissertation. The full intake of full- and part-time students will start in September 2007.

Student volunteers raise money for local charity

Dance award for student

Emma Crumpton wins CIPD prize

Len Goodman and Jill Kemp

9

Students on the work-based foundation degree in Sport and Leisure Management recently invited three guest speakers to Wellesbourne Campus.

Yoofi Derby (David Lloyd Leisure tennis professional), Sally Mapley (Bucks County Sports Partnership) and Ben Bartlett (Chelsea Football Club Ladies’ Manager) all spoke about current issues in their industries – raising the profile of ladies’ football, for instance.

The event was attended by 60 students and staff, and followed visits by two

distinguished footballers in December. Former Wycombe Wanderers boss John Gregory spoke to Sports and Business Management students about his career as a footballer and football manager at Northampton Town, Aston Villa, Derby County, Bolton Wanderers and QPR.

Eamonn Dolan, acting manager for the Football Academy at Reading FC, spoke about sports science and coaching. Eamonn’s professional football career included stints at West Ham, Birmingham and Exeter.

Nine students were awarded prizes in the first stage of BCUC’s annual business idea competition.

My Great Business Idea is designed to help students recognise and develop an idea which has commercial potential. Run by the student enterprise team in the Regional Development Unit, the competition is open to all BCUC and partner college students.

The prizes were awarded at the February Business Club dinner, which brings together students, staff, alumni and local business people. Winning ideas included: a hydration system for sportspeople; sustainable furniture; a tennis table for disabled people; camping equipment for commercial use and use in disaster areas; and a website for sports enthusiasts.

The competition is run in two phases, with a prize pool of £5,000 for stage one and £10,000 for stage two. It is sponsored by the Institute of Directors, Urenco Enrichment Technology, and High Wycombe Enterprise Hub.

Stage two involves developing a detailed business plan, and entrants do not need to have participated in stage one; the closing date is 27 April 2007.

Please visit www.bcuc.ac.uk/RDU for more information.

Director General of the Institute of Directors, Miles Templeman visited BCUC in January to see the work of three of the first cohort of alumni from the MA in Advertising.

Steven Shen, Lee Briggs and Sarah Coles presented their work to Templeman, staff from the Faculty of Creativity & Culture and this year’s MA cohort.

Templeman said: ”I hope BCUC’s students will become IoD members in the future. Marketing is a large part of our directors’ programme, since part of becoming a fully-fledged director is understanding that part of the business. BCUC is very good academically and in its orientation to the world of work.”

The links with industry were also championed by the students and course leader Bruce Sinclair, who said: “Part of the MA syllabus is delivered in industry. We see it as a reciprocal relationship of benefit to the students and the agencies they work in.”

Templeman began his career in advertising, working on brands such as Daz, Ribena, Lucozade and Levi’s jeans. He later moved on to general management, becoming managing director of Threshers and the Whitbread Beer Company, before undertaking a series of non-executive directorships and consultancy roles.

© N

ewsq

uest

Sports stars speak to students

My Great Business Idea stage 1

“The event brought together a very interesting range of industry professionals,” said sports lecturer, Paul Morgan. “It also provided our full-time students with a greater insight into the industries which many of them hope to work in.”

IoD director meets advertising alumni

Steven Shen, Lee Briggs, Miles Templeman, Sarah Coles and Bruce Sinclair

Product Design student Mark Van Rensburg

1 0

An event to bring together higher education and health care workers took place at the Ramada Hotel, Ealing. Organised by Dr Keith Edwards of the Faculty of Society & Health, in conjunction with West London Mental Health Trust, the topic was recovery from mental illness.

An audience of 76 mental health nurses, service users, carers, occupational therapists, social workers, a psychiatrist and pharmacist, saw a short film of services provided in Acton.

This was followed by a debate led by Dr Keith Edwards, exploring the concept and process of recovery, and best practice in recovery-oriented services. Dr Edwards said: “For service users it is about moving from seeing oneself as a passive recipient of mental health services, to seeing oneself as an increasingly autonomous, self-directing and valued citizen.

“It is the process of rediscovering what was lost – rights, roles, responsibilities and decision-making. Service users are faced

with recovering not just from a mental disorder, but also from the effects of being labelled mentally ill.”

The event ended with participants examining what they might need to do differently to meet the challenge of helping people recover. Edwards said: “It was felt that there is hope. People do recover and get on with their lives, but the infrastructure and many values within the service need to change to promote a recovery perspective.”

Falling asleep while driving is a major cause of road accidents. Indrachapa Buwaneka Bandara and Chris Hudson from the Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation are developing a system to warn drivers when their sleepiness is becoming a danger to driving.

Bandara says: “Sleepiness increases the risks of a motorway crash, either because the motorist falls asleep, or because attention to driving has reduced. Detection of driver alertness and an ability to warn them before they reach a dangerous state of sleepiness is therefore important.”

It has been suggested that eye blink and eye movement tracking is the most reliable method for detecting human fatigue,

and so the system involves a high speed eye blink tracking system, able to detect and track eye blink duration.

A simple driving simulator is used to test driver performance by recording steering wheel movements, speed variations and reaction time. These parameters indicate driver alertness and compare the percentage eye closure and eye blink duration to predict driver fatigue.

The system has been tested on 12 different subjects with an accuracy rate of 98%. Subjects were asked how much sleep they had had the night before, and simple reaction tests were performed before and after the simulations. More tests need to be made for different periods of the day and different age groups.

Future developments are likely to include the development of an eye-blink detector which can be deployed on a mobile phone headset to warn drivers when danger occurs. The system may also be used by astronauts and pilots.

Dr Trevor Dixon from the Faculty of Creativity & Culture attended the 55th session of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee.

The IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations, with 167 governments as members, and is responsible for improving the safety and security of international shipping and preventing marine pollution from ships.

Dr Dixon represented the Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea (ACOPS), and since the 1970s has contributed to the development of various IMO conventions which have significantly reduced pollution from shipping and offshore oil and gas installations.

Dr Dixon acted as an expert adviser to journalists during the recent Napoli incident in Devon, advising on the likely impacts of pollution. He has also recently attended a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea at the House of Lords, examining key issues related to the forthcoming Marine Bill.

Can we recover from mental illness?

The

sink

ing

Nap

oli,

© J

oego

ugh/

Dre

amst

ime.

com

New system stops driver fatigue

BCUC lecturer in UN talks

1 1

The normal 6th form timetable at The Beaconsfield School was abandoned in February as students took part in their annual three-day conference. This year the programme was bigger and better than ever before as students sampled over 35 different workshops provided by a number of different presenters.

BCUC provided the core of the programme, with workshops ranging from nursing skills, to fine art and a textiles course on knitting. Lecturers also provided expert advice on computer games development, travel and tourism, social work, psychology, creative writing, and business and commerce.

Presenters from the local community provided insights into Islam and Quakerism and Bucks Fire Service gave advice on safer driving. The British Army ran a decision-making workshop where students had to devise a plan to evacuate British nationals from an imaginary war zone.

Deputy headteacher Nigel Dudding said: “The three days were a huge success and we would like to thank everybody who took part, particularly Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College for their generosity in supporting the event. The students really enjoyed their experiences.” BCUC’s contribution was facilitated by the Regional Development Unit.

Professor Barbara Humberstone from the Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation reflects on five weeks spent as visiting professor in the Department of Law and Management at the University of Mauritius.

Viewpoint

I was involved in a number of academic activities, including the setting up and teaching of the Outdoor Recreation Education module for full- and part-time students on the degree in Leisure & Tourism Management.

The module focused upon the traditions, theories and application of outdoor learning, and how this might be practised within Mauritian culture and its unique environment. Although the students were familiar with tourism concepts, they were unfamiliar with the concepts and activities of outdoor learning.

The module provided the participants with knowledge of outdoor learning and how they might make it accessible to local young people through various outdoor and adventurous activities. Leadership, environmental principles and practices, and risk and safety, were amongst the elements considered.

Each cohort visited the renowned windsurfing centre at Le Morne, to hear from the centre manager and see how the safety of windsurfers and kitesurfers is managed. An excursion into the wild, unspoilt Black Forest Gorges National Park was planned and undertaken by the students. This provided the opportunity to practise group leadership, risk assessment and outdoor activity facilitation.

I presented my research at BCUC to the University and engaged in debate around the value of forms of qualitative research for a variety of research projects.

It was an honour and a privilege to meet and engage with staff and students at the University. I would like to thank those at BCUC and the University of Mauritius who enabled me to undertake this work, and the Mauritian people who are so warm and welcoming.

BCUC goes to Beaconsfield School©

Wst

eyn/

Dre

amst

ime.

com

Did you know?The School of Sport, Leisure and Travel is launching a new part-time, work- based MA in Professional

Development (Outdoor Learning) in September (subject to validation). For further information contact Fiona.McCormack@bcuc.ac.uk or barbara.humberstone@bcuc.ac.uk

1 2

The design of the seating for the Eden Development in the centre of High Wycombe came a step closer to being revealed in February when the five shortlisted designs were whittled down to three.

Dr Lynn Jones from the Faculty of Creativity & Culture presented the work of six students to the steering group responsible for selecting the street furniture that will be used in the new Multiplex shopping

and leisure centre. Representatives from commissioning consultancy Insite Arts, the Eden Development, Wycombe District Council and local furniture manufacturers also had the opportunity to examine drawings, models and prototypes which were exhibited at the High Wycombe Campus.

Dr Jones said: “The students had been selected from 20 applicants, and they all worked really hard to hone their

entries in readiness for the presentation. All the designs were presented as individual entries and as a collaborative whole. Following a long, anxious wait, we were called into the Board Room to hear who would go through to the development stage.”

The successful entries were: Neil Parsons and Will Prangley’s The Great Chair, comprised of super-size abstracted elements of a Windsor chair; Brian Siarey’s crushed metal seating, Penny Crush; and Emily Martin’s Public Squares, made with concrete bases and CNC tops.

All five entries were highly commended, and the steering group recommended that the two that were not taken forward for Eden should be considered for other developments. These were: Nicola Hassenpflug’s Golden Pipe, designed to direct people between different parts of the town; and Alex Tapner’s Pump, based on the Wycombe tradition of weighing its mayors.

Sam Wilkinson, commissioning consultant from Insite Arts, commented: “I commission artworks all the time all over the country and I rarely see such a high standard of intellectual thinking and clarity of communication and presentation. It is hard to believe that some of these entries are from second year BA students. Other artists around the country could learn a lot from them.”

Three designs selected in street seating commission

Final year students on the MA Furniture Design and Technology course exhibited their work at furniture manufacturer, Vitra, at the end of January.

Alys Walton exhibited her work which aims to increase product longevity in order to reduce waste. Alys said: “By considering factors that add value to an object – familiarity and the history or story behind it – I hope to encourage the owners to keep my products longer.”

Alys’ work includes small tables, and a long store, a series of drawers that can be used in many formations and situations within the home.

Alys is now working for Morgan Furniture in Chichester as a senior furniture designer. All 11 MA students now have design-related work, some of them in design consultancies.

Furniture designs to last a lifetime

1 3

All change at the ChaplaincyFive new members have joined the High Wycombe Chaplaincy team over the last year. The new team are: Stewart Morris, Dave Pignon, Revd Dr Gwen Collins, Major Tony Frost and the team administrator Carrie Franklin.

At Christmas the Chaplaincy arranged carol-singing sessions on all three campuses. Staff and students were accompanied by a brass quartet and piano accordion, and over 500 mince pies were distributed.

The Chaplaincy team can be found in the drop-in centre at the gym office at High Wycombe or can be contacted by email at chaplain@bcuc.ac.uk

Ministers meet Muslim communityTwo government ministers came to BCUC in December to hold a public meeting with High Wycombe’s Muslim community.

Tony McNulty, minister for police and security (Home Office) and Phil Woolas, minister for community cohesion and race relations (Department for Communities and Local Government) answered questions on a range of topics including the Iraq war, terrorism, and the wearing of veils.

The meeting was chaired by Chauhdry Shafique, BCUC’s head of equal opportunities and community development. The audience of 150 included local imams, church leaders, the acting chief constable of Thames Valley Police, the leader and chief executive of Wycombe District Council, and chairman of the local Race Equality Council.

National Student Survey Final year students are currently being asked to complete questionnaires as part of the National Student Survey (NSS). The NSS is targeted mainly at undergraduates and will include students on health-related courses for the first time.

Results are published on the Teaching Quality Information (TQI) website, and are used by prospective students to help choose courses, and by Higher Education Institutions.

Please encourage students to complete the questionnaire. All responses are confidential. For more information visit www.thestudentsurvey.com

Building foundations in community developmentAn exciting and innovative degree course for

community development workers was launched

at BCUC in January.

Supported by Wycombe District Council and the

Council for Voluntary Service, the Foundation

Degree in Community Development is designed

to meet the needs of community development

workers within the Thames Valley region.

The degree provides students with the knowledge

and skills needed by local councils, public sector

agencies and the voluntary and community sectors.

It combines class-based study at BCUC with

work-based learning, and offers the opportunity

to progress to an honours programme after

two years. For further information email

jane.griffin@bcuc.ac.uk

Selling Creativity & CultureStudents from Creativity & Culture came

together in February to develop a range of

audio and visual materials, designed to ‘sell’ the

faculty to parents, teachers and prospective

students of all ages.

The students’ brief involved defining BCUC’s

key selling points – the student experience,

course culture, professional links, creative

opportunities, and good tuition – and using them

to market the wide range of courses offered by

the faculty.

Participants included second and third year

undergraduates and postgraduate students.

They were asked to make the faculty stand out

from the crowd, whilst making sure that the

proposition they communicated was deliverable.

The week of workshops involved assessing their

own courses, working with alumni and presenting

and reviewing the materials produced.

General Open DayThe next General Open Day will be taking place

on Wednesday 20 June from 11.00-16.00.

Our General Open Days are open to everyone

and offer visitors the opportunity to talk to staff

and students, to find out more about our courses,

finance, and the university experience, and to

look around our facilities.

Any staff members or students with ideas are asked

to contact Jayne Lester in Marketing & Student

Recruitment, email jayne.lester@bcuc.ac.uk

We will also be looking to recruit student helpers

to work on the day. Further information will be

included in the next edition of Connection.

There will also be an Open Day for Nursing on

2 June at Chalfont Campus from 11.00-14.00.

Details of Open Days taking place in March, April

and May are in the ‘What’s on’ section.

Top prize for new playwrightPedro de Senna’s play The Tragedy of Ismene, Princess of Thebes has won the Selecao Brasil em Cena, a national competition for new playwrights in Brazil. Pedro’s play beat 310 other entries. The short-listed 12 were presented in rehearsed readings, with members of the public and the directors of the twelve short-listed plays selecting the winner. Pedro won a cash prize, and his play will be performed later in the year at the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Rio’s equivalent of the Barbican.

There’s no business like snow businessWellesbourne staff Luke Sullivan, John Ide and Doug Guy built a super-size snowman in February. The spirit of enterprise and innovation clearly runs through all the activities undertaken at Wellesbourne – the eyes were made of chocolates, the mouth of cat food, the buttons pimento cherries, and the nose a carrot. The hat was provided by Campus Services and the scarf by Gary Peters.

News in brief

Gary, John and Luke with the snowman

1 4

What has been happening over the last three months?

Two substantial parts of floors C and E in the Main Block have been cleared and refurbishment has begun. These areas will become faculty offices for academic and administrative staff, and will represent the first phase in bringing together staff onto one campus and in line with our new organisational structure.

What will be happening during the spring and summer?

Staff will move into the refurbished sections of C and E floors in April. The first staff to move in will be from the schools of: Computing and Advanced Technologies; Arts and Media; Design and Craft; and Music, Entertainment and the Moving Image; they will be joined by staff from the schools of Human Sciences and Law, and Community Health, Education and Social Care in August.

Refurbishment of floors D and E in the North Block will take place from June-September, to provide new seminar rooms and two lecture theatres.

Demolition of the front of the building will take place from the beginning of the summer. This has been delayed to allow the Design show to take place as normal at the end of June, and will pave the way for the new Learning Resources Centre which will combine: sports and fitness facilities; music, drama, video and dance studios; extensive computer rooms; electronic and paper-based information resources and learning support; and a suite of study areas and group study rooms.

How should staff find out more?

I’m doing a roadshow of presentations to staff directly involved in the moves. The first one took place in November and the next will be in March. Details will be sent to those staff affected. If you have any questions, please contact me or your line manager.

Will there be much disruption?

Our decant strategy has been designed to minimise disruption by trying to ensure that work is done at the most convenient times, freeing up space to enable the work to be done in phases, and only moving staff once wherever possible.

The noisiest work for this phase has now taken place so there shouldn’t be too much more inconvenience in that respect. Car parking arrangements for staff will not change until the summer, but we will be making sure that only staff, and students with disabilities, are parking on the High Wycombe campus.

Some inconvenience is inevitable, but the outcome will be an attractive campus that reflects the quality of work undertaken at BCUC and enables us to truly compete with other higher education institutions.

What is happening to the Wellesbourne Campus?

The Wycombe District Council Development Control Committee rejected, in December, the joint application made by BCUC and George Wimpey to develop quality housing on the Wellesbourne Campus. We are finalising our response to this decision and will be taking this forward in March. Whatever the outcome, we remain committed to the redevelopment of the Queen Alexandra site.

Campus redevelopmentExecutive Dean (Change Management) Trevor Nicholls talks about the latest developments at High Wycombe

The new café on B floor will open on Monday 5 March. Known as Beats and managed by the Students’ Union, the café will serve a range of hot and cold food, and will be open from 8.30am through until early evening.

Tristan Tipping, Commercial Services Manager, said: “Beats will provide a modern and attractive eating space for staff and students alike. We have developed the menu with our customers in mind and look forward to offering freshly prepared salads and baguettes alongside home-cooked favourites with a contemporary feel and at great value. We will offer a ‘grab and go’ service for busy staff members, whilst downstairs in Café Direct others can choose a conventional, plated, hot meal.”

Throughout the week commencing Monday 5 March, the Students’ Union will be launching the café with menu-tasting sessions, special offers and a Fair Trade promotion. A dedicated staff lounge will be made available following the completion of all the building work.

New café opens

Matthew Kitching, Mal Edgson and Paul Goodhall from the Students’ Union with Martin Briggs, Deputy Director (Campus Consolidation) (centre)

1 5

It’s been a busy time at BCUC’s Conference Centre, Missenden Abbey.

Ian Wallace recently retired from his role as Chef de Partie after over 20 years’ service. Ian’s initial plans are visits to Australia and China. The Abbey team wish him a long and happy retirement.

As part of its commitment to the environment, Missenden Abbey has recently changed its electricity provider to a company that produces all of its electricity from renewable sources.

All the bedrooms are being refurbished, with warmer colours and new artwork helping to make the rooms even more inviting. An additional guest computer has been installed in the reception area,

in response to customers’ requests. Coupled with the free wifi facility, this means guests are only a click away from keeping in touch with the office.

Just before Christmas a stampeding herd of cattle - well three actually but one was particularly frisky - broke into the grounds of Missenden Abbey. Not wishing to see any harm to the cattle, or damage to the grounds, Nicole Sadd (business development manager), Martin Brown (technician), and Steve Crawford (centre director) quickly grabbed umbrellas and set out to ‘head them off at the pass’.

After some coaxing, the cattle were safely sent back to their adjacent field. The three herdsman walked back with a definite swagger considering it a job well done!

By Chris Kemp, Iain Hill, Mick Upton and Mark Hamilton

Compiled by the staff of the Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies, this new book comprises a series of case studies on different aspects of crowd management.

Using seminar work carried out in Berlin and Groningen with the Centre’s partner Yourope, and work undertaken over the past four decades with industrial partners, the book showcases a credible academic research programme that was only likely to be accepted by industry if it could be understood by those at the forefront of event safety management.

Chris Kemp said: ”To produce academic work without a focus on the practical and vocational would not suffice. The introduction of the Licensing Act of 2003 pushed the industry and academia closer together and enabled the Centre to pursue a number of projects – degrees at all levels, short courses and research.”

The previous published report by the centre, A Comparative Study of Crowd Behaviour at Two Major Music Events, compared the findings of reports made at two major live music events, Eminem at the Milton Keynes Bowl and Robbie Williams at Knebworth House.

Case Studies in Crowd Management is published in April by Entertainment Technology Press. The Health, Safety and Security at Events conference will take place at Missenden Abbey on 24 and 25 May. For further details email nick.eade@bcuc.ac.uk

In an age of media saturation, advertising no longer needs to push information at customers. With customers increasingly ‘clued-up’ about methods of persuasion, advertising has developed new approaches that reach beyond the traditional realms of TV, press and billboard communications.

Ads to Icons features cases of ‘pull’ advertising – digital campaigns, live events and social networks, formed as a response to an advertising brief. It examines 50 cases from five continents, including in-game and interactive digital advertising, Nike 10k runs and unified on- and off-line campaigns.

The book also contains four essays that profile: the new media landscape; the new job landscape; the significance of getting closer to consumers; and the dividing line between advertising and marketing.

Ads to Icons is aimed at students of advertising, marketing, graphics and media studies, and at people new to the industry. Examples of the world’s best advertising campaigns are highlighted to reveal how they have made ads into cultural icons.

Ads to Icons is published on 3 May by Kogan Page.

Missenden Abbey update Case Studies in Crowd Management

BooksAds to Icons: How Advertising Succeeds in a Multimedia Age By Paul Springer, Head of Research, Creativity & Culture

For further information on staff development events, call Wendy Lennon on 01494 450049 For further information on Staff Association events, call Isabelle Foley on 01494 603049 For further information on Open Days, call the Marketing Department on 01494 605256 For further information on Blackboard training, e-mail shoole01@bcuc.ac.uk or jluker01@bcuc.ac.uk

JNC = John North Centre HW = High Wycombe CC = Chalfont Campus WB = Wellesbourne Campus MA = Missenden Abbey

Event Venue Time

Mar

ch

5677789

12141415162021212122242628

2829

Beats café opensOpen Day – DesignAccelerating Time Management Reading GroupOpen Day – Business and LawDisability AwarenessECDL briefingDyslexia AwarenessAcademic Writing GroupBlackboard Basics and Trouble Shooter ILM Introductory DiplomaMurder Mystery DinnerMentoring New StaffOpen Day – NursingOpen Day – Music, Tourism and SportBlackboard Basics and Trouble Shooter Mental Health AwarenessOpen Day – NursingDisability AwarenessOpen Day – Police Studies, Technology, Human Sciences,

Arts and Media, and SandwichTop 10 Tips for Blackboard and Trouble Shooter Little Shop of Horrors

HWHWJNCJNCCCWBJNCHWJNCJNCJNCCCJNCCCWBJNCCCCCCCHW

JNCDuke of York’s

09.00 -12.30 - 16.3009.30 - 12.3017.30 - 19.0012.00 - 16.0014.00 - 16.3015.30 - 17.00 13.30 - 16.0017.30 - 19.0013.00 & 15.0009.30 - 16.3019.30 - 13.30 - 16.3011.00 - 14.0012.00 - 16.0013.00 & 15.0013.30 - 16.3011.00 - 14.0014.00 - 16.3012.00 - 16.00

13.00 & 15.0019.30 -

Apr

il 4111819252525

2526

Blackboard Theme Day - Electronic AssessmentBlackboard Basics and Trouble Shooter Top 10 Tips for Blackboard and Trouble ShooterAppraisal Skills for AppraiseesOpen Day – Music, Tourism and SportTop 10 Tips for Blackboard and Trouble ShooterRecords Management, Data Protection and Freedom of InformationKTP information evening (Enterprise and Innovation)ILM Introductory Diploma

JNCCCCCJNCWBCCJNC

MAJNC

13.00 - 13.00 - 15.0013.00 - 15.0009.30 - 11.3012.00 - 16.0013.00 & 15.0009.30 - 12.30

18.30 - 20.0009.30 - 16.30

May

1122

48999

111416161617

22 & 232324

24 & 252930

Managing Difficult SituationsKTP information evening (Society and Health)Blackboard Theme Day - Discussion BoardsOpen Day – Technology, Human Sciences,

Arts and Media, and Sandwich Appraisal Skills for AppraisersKTP information evening (Creativity and Culture)Blackboard Basics and Trouble ShooterOpen Day – Music, Tourism and SportReading GroupECDL BriefingInduction DayLearning Resources InductionAcademic Writing GroupTop 10 Tips for Blackboard and Trouble ShooterDisability Awareness – Induction SessionHealth & Safety InductionTop 10 Tips for Blackboard and Trouble ShooterHealth & Safety InductionHealth, Safety and Security at Events conferenceDisability Awareness – Induction SessionBlackboard Theme Day – Multimedia

JNCMACCHW

JNCMAJNCWBJNCJNCMAHWJNCJNCCCCCJNCWBMAHWJNC

09.30 - 16.3018.30 - 20.0013.00 -12.00 - 16.00

09.30 - 16.3018.30 - 20.0013.00 - 15.0012.00 - 16.0017.30 - 19.0015.30 - 17.0009.45 - 16.0013.00 - 14.0017.30 - 19.0013.00 - 15.0009.30 - 11.3010.00 - 12.3013.00 - 15.0010.00 - 12.3010.00 - 17.3014.00 - 16.0013.00 -

What’s on Staff Development General Open Day Staff Association