29 June 2007

NEWS

Frog molecule could provide drug treatment for brain tumours
A synthetic version of a molecule found in the egg cells of the Northern Leopard frog (Rana pipiens) could provide the world with the first drug treatment for brain tumours, according to research by Ravi Acharya (Biology & Biochemistry).

Ban on smoking in public is just the start, says expert
More legislation to restrict smoking could follow next month's ban on smoking in public places, says Linda Bauld, the head of a new tobacco control research group set up at the University this week.

Three-wheeled CLEVER vehicle to be exhibited at Royal Society
The CLEVER vehicle, the three-wheeled, metre-wide car developed by a team of European scientists, is to be one of the exhibits at the prestigious Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition this year.

Professor to serve as Indian Visitor
Chris Garland, head of the University's pharmacology group, has been invited by the British Pharmacological Society to serve as this year's AstraZeneca-BPS Indian Visitor.

Two sets of identical twins graduate with identical first class degrees
2000 students graduated from the University this week, attending ceremonies in Bath Abbey. Amongst them were identical twins Hannah and Louisa Jeffery, who both graduated with first class Biochemistry degrees, having also attained identical grades at A level. Another set of identical twins, Nikhil and Nehal Mehra, also graduated with first class degrees in Economics.

Honorary graduates
This summer's honorary graduates are Dr Edward Gilby, Consultant Oncologist at the Royal United Hospital; Professor Michael Dickson, one of the founders of Buro Happold, the worldwide engineering firm started in Bath; Ray Kelvin, the entrepreneur who set up the Ted Baker retail empire; criminologist Professor Rod Morgan; Professor John Willis, who has contributed extensively to the science of solid mechanics; and UN translator Sergio Viaggio.

Graduate vox pop
Some of this week's graduates share their thoughts on their proud day.

In memory of Mike Hibbard
University staff share their memories of Mike Hibbard, who died suddenly last week.

Business award for artistic entrepreneur
Tessa Webb, a student from the University of Bath in Swindon's Women into Enterprise scheme, has won top prize in a local competition for businesswomen.

SEMINARS & CONFERENCES

Executive overview of Matlab
The University now has a new Matlab Site Licence, following some months of negotiations. In order to provide the University's Senior Management with an understanding of The MathWorks TAH (Total Academic Headcount) Matlab License, an executive overview will be given by Chris Denly, Academic Account Manager, MathWorks on Monday 2 July at 12.30 in BUCS Conference Room 2South. Please note that a buffet lunch will be provided: therefore, please notify your intention to attend. Vicky Elmes, ext 6257

New dimensions of political competition in France
The 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections provide an opportunity to take the political pulse of the French nation. In the light of the election outcomes, the University is holding a one-day conference on 6 July which aims to investigate the processes of political change in France and the reasons behind them.

WEEE & RoHS Regulations workshop
A business event organised by Research & Innovation Services will take place on campus on 17 July, bringing industry, government, advisory and compliance experts together, to provide south west businesses in the south west with the compliance information that they need.

UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC)
The major funders of infection research in the UK have come together under the auspices of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) to launch a new joint funding initiative. It will provide funds of up to £16.5 million to support research in this area. An open meeting for potential applicants is being held in London on 17 July.

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INFORMATION

Review of student disciplinary procedures
Senate agreed earlier this month that a review of aspects of the student disciplinary procedure should take place under the chairmanship of Mark Humphriss, University Secretary. The review will cover those matters handled by Student Services, the residences, Security, BUCS, the Library and the Students' Union.

Imaging, Design & Print Services Open Day
Imaging, Design & Print Services are holding an open day on Thursday 12 July from 10am-4pm. Come and see the recently refurbished department, which will be officially opened by the Vice-Chancellor at 2.30pm. More details will be published on the homepage next week.

Physics is latest department to move its web pages over to new design
Physics has become the latest department to move its web pages over to the new design agreed by Executive late last year.

New look for the internal homepage and news system
The design of the news pages has been altered to fall in line with the corporate look for University webpages.

Times Higher Awards 2007
There are 20 awards in total; candidates/institutions may enter or nominate from one or more of the categories. The deadline for entries is 29 June.

Higher Education Volunteering Awards 2007 - nominations now open
The awards were set up to reward and recognise exemplary volunteering projects and student and staff volunteers who have shown significant commitment to or exceptional execution of volunteering activities.

Summer Holiday Playscheme
This year the University Playscheme will run from Monday 30 July to Friday 24 August at St Martins Garden Primary School. Parents are welcome to use the Care4 Voucher Scheme. Please note that if sufficient numbers do not pre-register by 9 July, the playscheme will have to be cancelled.

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

RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT

RICE seeks healthy men for Alzheimer's study
The Research Institute for the Care of the Elderly (RICE) is looking for two healthy men aged between 61 and 65 to act as controls for a particular study which matches the responses of healthy volunteers to patients who have Alzheimer's disease.

Stress and growing up
Volunteer parents and their children are needed for a Department of Psychology research project on stress hormones and development.

Acute exercise project
Men aged between 18 and 34 years are needed for a research project investigating the effect of acute exercise on energy hormones.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Emergency life support Tuesday 10 July

IN THE MEDIA

• Linda Bauld (Social & Policy Sciences) was interviewed on GWR and Bath FM about new smoking legislation and the recently formed tobacco control group.
• Richard Whitman (European Studies & Modern Languages) appeared on Bath FM discussing Tony Blair's legacy.
• Tony Trueman (Marketing & Communications) talked to GWR about the University's graduation ceremonies at the Abbey this week.

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SPORT www.teambath.com/news

Student trio selected for European under-23 Championships
Three University of Bath students have been named in the Great Britain team to contest the European Under-23 Championships in Hungary next month. Sprinters Craig Pickering (Sport & Exercise Science) and Ryan Scott (Sports Performance) - both coached by Malcolm Arnold – fill two of the three 100m berths in the squad. They are joined in the GB squad by Sport & Exercise Science student Susie Hignett, who is selected to run the 5000m at the Euros in Debrecen.

Bath scullers just miss Henley Women's Regatta final
The University of Bath double sculls crew of Sian Ripley and Anna Davidson reached the semi-finals of the event at last weekend's Henley Women's Regatta.

Five Team Bath badminton players selected for World University Games
University of Bath students make up more than half of the GB badminton team for this summer's World University Games in Thailand.  Mariana Agathangelou (Coach Education & Sports Development), Rachel Howard (Psychology) and Heather Olver (Coach Education and Sports Performance) are selected for the women's quartet for the Games. Harry Wright (Sports Performance) and Matt Hanson (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) make up half of the GB men's team heading to Bangkok for the World University Games in August.

Become a qualified Fitness Professional over the summer break!
The Team Bath National Fitness Academy delivers a variety of vocational education programmes that provide you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to work in the health, sports and fitness industries.  Over the summer break the National Fitness Academy will be delivering its full-time summer school certificates.

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