News events -July 05

University Updates

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University Updates - the weekly e-news bulletin for University staff

Contents:

A French class at Widcombe Juniors
Final year students have been giving after-school French classes

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:
"There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart."

Charles Dickens - English novelist (1812-70) birthday - 7 February

Next University Update:
16 February 2007

Copy deadline:
14 February 2007

Been away on holiday/sabbatical?
View previous University Updates

9 February 2007

NEWS

Human proteins evolving slowly thanks to multi-tasking genes
Many human proteins are not as good as they might be because the gene sequences that code for them have a double role which slows down the rate at which they evolve, according to new research co-authored by Laurence Hurst (Biology & Biochemistry) published in PLoS Biology.

Funeral directors sponsor death research centre
Academics from the Centre for Death & Society (CDAS) have signed a unique sponsorship deal with the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) to help support research, education and policy development in the social aspects of death, dying and bereavement.

University students launch French club for local schoolchildren
Junior school children at a Bath school have been given the opportunity to learn French at a new after-school language club launched by students from European Studies & Modern Languages.

School of Management round-up
A monthly e-newsletter, bringing the latest stories about the School's staff, students and alumni.

Biomimetics network set up by Julian Vincent gives award
The career development of a promising biomimetics researcher has just been boosted by the award of the first BIONIS Biomimetics Award; the BIONIS Network was set up in 2002 by Professor Julian Vincent (now at University of Bath), Professor George Jeronimidis and Phil Sheppard.

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INFORMATION

Unions and University reach agreement on new pay structure
The University and three unions are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement over the implementation of the new pay structure.

Learn Spanish in Alicante
Under the Cooperation Agreement between the Universities of Bath and Alicante, there are opportunities for members of staff to acquire basic language skills, or to improve those that they already have, whilst learning about Spanish culture. You can attend a two- or four-week course in July or August. Fees and accommodation are free of charge. For more information and application forms, please email S.Stanford@bath.ac.uk  The closing date for applications is 23 February.

Campus speed limits changing to 15 mph after complaints
A new speed limit of 15 mph will be introduced on almost all campus roads this month in response to complaints by pedestrians of inconsiderate driving.

Update: A new framework for assessment
A number of papers have been prepared for the meeting of Senate on 14 February 2007, and are made available to the University community online. Comments received from staff in response to the consultation announced by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching) on 15 December 2006 are also available.

Nominations for honorary degrees
The next round of nominations for the award of honorary degrees will be considered by the Honorary Degrees Committee in March. The submission deadline for nominations is Friday 23 February 2007.

University awards 2007 - your chance to nominate
The following University awards have been established to encourage and recognise significant contributions by staff to the academic lives of students.

Staff and students to be asked about future of campus
The University is undertaking a review of commercial activities on campus including retail, conference, hospitality and accommodation and sports facilities. The aim is to put in place a coherent strategy and structure for these activities so they provide excellent service for students and staff whilst also generating reliable, independent and sustainable income for the benefit of the University. Focus groups for students have already been held and a group for staff will take place on 20 February.

Union Shop - staff training
The Union Shop will resume closing for staff training on Wednesdays from 10:30am - 11am. This is a vital opportunity for the staff to extend their product and procedures knowledge, whilst completing formal NVQ training which will benefit our customers in the long-term.

Chinese cookery
A cooking session will be held next Friday 16 February, outside Fresh Oriental. Come rain or shine, (though fingers crossed for good weather!) it will run from mid-day until 2pm. There will be money saving promotions, product sampling, as well as the opportunity to taste the authentic oriental food prepared by the Korean chef.

New staff in January 2007
The 'New Starters' update gives the name, job title and department of all new members of staff at the University who started in the previous month.

Free Saturday campus tours for prospective students reintroduced
The University has reintroduced Saturday tours of its campus for prospective students.

Sophos Anti-Virus upgrade
On 28 February Sophos will end support of Sophos Anti-Virus 4.xx and the Remote Update software. All users (particularly those who have Sophos Anti-Virus installed at home) will therefore need to upgrade to the latest version of Sophos Anti-Virus before this time. Full installation and upgrade instructions can be found at http://www.bath.ac.uk/bucs/antivirus/setup

Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs

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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

IN THE MEDIA

  • Laurence Hurst's research into the evolution of human proteins has been published in Nature magazine and on websites in Australia, Netherlands, India, America, Germany and the UK.

WHAT'S ON

Full details: http://www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on/

Monday 12
13:15 PM BICS seminar
17:15 PM Life in Antarctic extremes: How humans & animals cope
19:30 PM Water, plants & buildings: humankind's biophilia since earliest times
19:30 PM Bath Science Cafe: Solar system discoveries

Tuesday 13
12:15 PM Midweek Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar: Bend it or bust, the science of the swerving free kick
13:15 PM Flux response technology
14:15 PM Near-field optical microscopy in biology
16:30 PM Can mining support biodiversity conservation?
18:30 PM Faith Forum: The Prophet Moses

Wednesday 14
BOWSS Bollywood dance
11:00 AM Politics with Economics placements conference 2007
17.15 PM GULP lecture: Erasmus Darwin and the Lunar Society
17.30 PM GULP lecture: Religion and conflict in Northern Ireland

Thursday 15
12:15 PM Women's Development Network
13:13 PM Still relevant? - Faith/religion
14:15 PM Generic Skills Training - Preparing for the viva
19:00 PM Long term information management - Looking into the abyss

Friday 16
07:30 AM Solutions to help your business grow

Saturday 17
10:00 AM Making large scale work
21:30 PM Rag Week - Launch Party featuring Pat Sharp

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ARTS www.bath.ac.uk/icia

Contact ICIA on extension 6777 for all tickets and bookings.

PERFORMANCES

  • The world premiere of Niki McCretton's SPACE 50 takes place at ICIA's Arts Theatre (Sat 10 Feb), before its national UK tour this spring and autumn. This brand-new theatrical piece unpicks humankind's astonishing journey to the heavens, with text written by Andrew Smith, author of the bestselling book Moondust. SPACE 50 is an ICIA commission.
  • Hofesh Shechter presents deGENERATION  (Sat 17 Feb), a triple bill of explosive and intense dance pieces from one of the UK's rising talents. Hofesh, who was born in Israel, creates supremely expressive dance, packed full of ideas, in a highly charged atmosphere.
  • Annie Whitehead Quintet (Sat 24 Feb). This jazz giant executes a powerful mixture of infectious African grooves, blustery free jazz with bursts of driving blues.

EXHIBITIONS AT THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM

SPORT www.teambath.com/news

Wilkinson says it's great to be back in England action
England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson told a press conference at the University of Bath on Wednesday that it was great to be back in action in England colours at the weekend. 

Asha teams-up with Irene van Dyk
TeamBath netballer Asha Tett, currently on a placement year as part of her Coach Education and Sports Development degree, will be picking up tips from the best shooter in the world when she plays alongside Irene van Dyk in New Zealand. 

Hannah wins junior bronze
Team Bath judo player Hannah Sinfield, who is studying Sports Performance, collected a bronze medal in the junior competition at the Belgian Ladies Open. 

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Dame Kiri Te Kanawa receives honorary degree Dr John Beeching with cassava plants Student racing car