University news

Windows 7 software has now been installed onto all of the General Teaching Area PCs, with the exception of 8W which will be done as soon as it is convenient. We are now about to start the process of deploying the software.

Ten staff members from Nintendo visited the University this week to take advantage of the state-of-the-art language laboratories and a CPD course co-ordinated by Julia Tuff (Politics, Languages & International Studies). Practical sessions gave the delegates training on key aspects of interpretation including note-taking skills, public speaking skills as well as consecutive, liaison and simultaneous interpreting, which will help them complete their duties in Japan.

In June KT Champion funding awards were made to assist with showcasing events, secondments and travel.

Westwood Nursery currently have places available for children in our Baby Room, Nursery Room and Pre-School Room. Situated on-site with good facilities, they offer all their children excellent care within a stimulating and structured environment. You can also now take advantage of the Nursery Plus Scheme which allows staff to exchange a deduction from their salary, prior to tax and national insurance in return for nursery care.

A big welcome to all those who joined us in June

Professor Mike Adams, Chair in Strategic Risk Management at the School of Management, has been awarded the Professor Kenneth Black Jr. Distinguished Service Award at the 47th Annual Meeting of the International Insurance Society (IIS) in Toronto, Canada, 19-22 June, 2011. The award recognises Professor Adams’ contribution to the continued growth and development of the International Insurance Society (IIS) and his academic work in the fields of insurance and risk.

Dr Tess Ridge, Social & Policy Sciences, has founded a new international journal, Families, Relationships and Societies (FRS), which she will co-edit. Published by The Policy Press it will aim to advance scholarship and debate within the growing field. The first issues will be published in 2012 with submissions invited from subject areas across the social sciences and related life course disciplines.

Two MSc Management students, Adam Gayton and Stefan Schneider have won the Oxford University Press Bryman and Bell Prize 2011 for outstanding research work. The award recognises the student who has had the most significant achievement with a business research project or shown the greatest improvement over the course of the academic year.

The Researcher Development Unit have launched a new e-Learning module, giving advice and information to researchers on careers outside academia. On the course researchers will be encouraged to broaden their horizons in terms of career choices and they will gain practical tips to help secure their ideal job.

Bath Venturers Cricket Club – the University’s staff and postgraduate side – made it three titles in as many years in the annual quadrangular Universities Twenty20 cricket competition held at the University of Bristol’s Coombe Dingle sport facilities. This year, as in the two previous years, Bath won all three of their games, and have now won the last ten games they have played in the tournament, which has now been running for 12 years.

Dr Tess Ridge (Social & Policy Sciences) has founded a new international journal, Families, Relationships and Societies (FRS), which she will co-edit. Published by The Policy Press it will aim to advance scholarship and debate within this growing field. The first issues will be published in 2012 with submissions invited from subject areas across the social sciences and related life course disciplines.

Team Bath is delighted to host a ‘bobsleigh taster session’ at the STV’s push start track. The session entitles you to have up to six goes on the bobsleigh travelling 90 metres down the push start track. Sessions take place 2pm – 4pm although participants need to be ready by 1.30pm. Each session is for a maximum of 16 people, costing £25 per person. If you would like to attend e-mail Sarah Stone by Wednesday 13 July or call her on ext. 3690.

New SU president David Howells takes you through the highlights of this June’s Open Day.

The Avon Pension Fund are concerned that high profile publicity about public sector pension schemes over the past few weeks may have caused concerns amongst many of its members. Consequently they have issued an update urging people not to prematurely opt out of Local Government Pension Schemes and seeking to put the potential changes in perspective.