Life December 2012

Meet the carer of the future – a robot

Page 3

Movie star glamour at graduations

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A mid-winter feast from

Jean-ChristophePage 9

Season’s Greetings

Online www.beds.ac.uk Email [email protected] December 2012

Life

02 Life – December 2012

CommuniCations team ContaCtsRose taylorHead of Communications & [email protected]

Kevin CunninghamCommunications officer [email protected]

simon Wesson Communications assistant [email protected]

Caroline Jacobi Communications administrator [email protected]

Darren matthews events manager [email protected].

ContRibutoRsJohn o’brien, Cherrelle emanuel and natalija al-mutava

Got a news story? Please contact the comms team.

News Online www.beds.ac.uk

More than 700 prospective students travelled from as far afield as Bletchley, Salisbury and Hereford to the University’s open days at the Bedford and Luton campuses on 17 November.

The event kicked off with welcome talks hosted in Luton by the Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell and in Bedford by Deputy Vice Chancellor (External Relations), Professor Ashraf Jerwaid, and the University’s new Dean of Education and Sport, Dr Sally Bentley.

Visitors were then invited to attend course-specific talks, presented by senior academics in subjects including Teacher Training, Performance Arts, Social Care, Business & Management and Sports Studies.

Visitors were also encouraged to find out about the sporting and social scene.

John Smith’s Bookshops, who supply books and stationary to Bedfordshire students at special discount rates, were also on hand to talk about their services.

Prospective students received a complimentary £20 John Smith’s voucher to spend in store or online.

University staff were on hand to talk about student support services.

Bill Rammell said: “Deciding which university to go to and which course best suits you can be a hard decision, so it’s important to come to open days like ours to get a real feel for what’s on offer.

“I’m delighted that the University of Bedfordshire had so many visitors both at Luton and Bedford and that we were able to help potential students move closer to making an informed choice.

“All the evidence shows that students who do attend our open days are impressed by the opportunities here and are much more likely to apply. It is very encouraging that numbers for the open day were so high.”

Dr Bentley, who was attending her

first Bedfordshire open day, having recently joined from Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln, said:

“I’m delighted that so many prospective students, their families and friends visited us today.”

“Open days are a great opportunity to showcase the variety of courses offered here at Bedfordshire and to present our great facilities.”

Jade Williams (18), from Hereford, visited with her mum, Amanda, and said: “I want to study Sports Management next autumn and I’m really impressed by the variety of courses offered at Bedfordshire. Other universities only offer one type of sports-related management course, so Bedfordshire is one of my top two uni choices now.

“The course tutors were really helpful and took the time to talk us through the course options.”

Arnette Sarpong (39), from Bletchley, Bucks, said: “I’m interested in a degree in Education Studies and am very glad I came along to the open day. The tutors gave me lots of valuable information and I’m looking forward to making my application to study at Bedfordshire.”

“All the evidence shows that students who do attend our open days are impressed by the opportunities”

University throws open doors to would-be students

Professor ashraf Jerwaid welcomed open day visitors to the bedford campus

A conference held in London last month and chaired by Professor Carsten Maple, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, discussed progress on a semi-autonomous robot.

The machine, which is being worked on by a team of experts from across Europe, can already fetch drinks and open doors. In instances where it is unable to carry out a programmed task by itself, it can make a call to a care worker or family member who can assist it remotely through a computer.

The experts want to ensure the robot is useful enough to take the place of a care worker, making it easier for an elderly person needing care to stay in their own home.

The robot – or the Multi-Role Shadow Robotic System for Independent Living (SRS) – has been developed by 12 partners from industry and academia and was built at the Fraun Hofer Institute in Germany. It has been tested in a flat and by elderly people.

On Thursday, 29 November policy makers and experts from industry and academia met to discuss the project at the Future Healthcare: Technology Supported Assistive Living in the

Life – December 2012 03

Meet the carer of the future – a robot

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A robot that can do simple tasks around the house is no longer as far fetched an idea as it once seemed.

spirited law debates prove student engagement students put forward strong arguments for and against giving prisoners the right to vote, and dropping juries from criminal trials, at a debate at the university’s Law school.

the first annual Crown Prosecution service invitational Debate heard from students from bedford and Luton as well as the universities of Derby and Hertfordshire.

“Voting is a privilege, and not a right,” said Hannah Harvey, a first-year computer studies student from the university of Derby.

Lewis Gittens, a second-year law student from the university of Hertfordshire, argued that society had changed since the 1867 law depriving prisoners of the right to vote.

Grace mowatt, also from Hertfordshire, concluded: “Voting is a fundamental aspect of democracy.”

in the second debate, on criminal trials without juries, the university of bedfordshire’s two campuses took opposing sides.

sanah sultan and Zaherah saghir, third-year law students from Luton, argued in favour.

their fears included that juries can be “influenced by publicity”, have “biased views” and be “open to jury tapping”.

but tasneem attia and Rebecca Corbett disagreed.

the perception of judges in england and Wales is that they are stereotypical “pale, male and stale” argued tasneem, asking how then could they represent society.

and Rebecca stressed that being tried by a jury was a “fundamental aspect of a fair society”.

Debate judges Dr shane sullivan, the university’s LLb course leader; baljit ubhey, Chief Crown Prosecutor; and Judge bridge from Luton Crown Court, agreed.

the pair were voted winners and received the Chief Crown Prosecutor’s trophy and a week’s work experience with the Crown Prosecution service.

bonne chancethe university’s Digital marketing team has been shortlisted in the Chartered institute of marketing’s excellence awards 2012.

the team has been shortlisted in the education category for their 2012 Digital marketing Clearing campaign, which was managed in partnership with agency statistics into Decisions.

the award winner will be announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 6, march 2013.

“It is estimated that 37 per cent of the European population will be 60 or over in 2050”Home conference, at the House of Lords.

Professor Maple said: “It’s all about end users. People are ready for robots but they really want them on their own terms. A lot of people are still wary. If we don’t get the users (the elderly and the care workers) involved then it will be seen as just a cost-saving exercise rather than a genuine tool to help.”

Asked if robots as helpers for the elderly was the future, Professor Maple, who is also co-director of the University’s National Centre for Cyberstalking Research, said: “Most definitely. But I don’t think it’s going to happen in the next year, more likely in a few years.”

Europe currently has the highest proportion of elderly people in the world, and this is projected to remain the same for at least the next 50 years. It is estimated that 37 per cent of the European population will be 60 or over in 2050, almost double the 20 per cent of 2000.

With fewer young people and family members available to provide care, health care organisations are looking for ways to address the issue of wellbeing in elderly people. SRS is believed to be one answer to ensure good quality of life for older people living on their own.

Professor Carsten maple


Online www.beds.ac.ukNews

Colin brings movie-star glamour to graduation

It’s not every day you hear the James Bond theme at a graduation ceremony. Mind you it’s not every day you get an internationally renowned movie star attending, either.

But that’s what happened in November as Luton actor Colin Salmon – who has starred in Resident Evil, three James Bond films and TV series Arrow - attended a ceremony at St Mary’s Church to be made Honorary Doctor of Business Arts.

Colin, who wowed viewers on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, demonstrated his moves with a high kick when collecting his award, to cheers and applause from the audience, who included graduates from the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science.

As they left the ceremony, the famous 007 tune was played on the organ.

It was not the only ceremony last month, hundreds of graduates from four faculties celebrated the end of years of hard work at six more ceremonies.

Child Nursing student Kirsty McLoughlin had two reasons to celebrate when she received the Tony Wood Prize for the Faculty’s most outstanding final year student, alongside a first class degree.

Kirsty was selected for the University College London Partners training programme, filling one of only two paediatric spaces in the country, and is working on Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Koala Ward in London.

“I’ve worked three years for this moment and I’m so happy to finally get here,” said Kirsty.

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell told graduates: “Education is a most powerful transformative force which can be used to create opportunities and change lives. I urge you to be the best you can be, do the best you can do, become all you can become, and give the most you can give.”

A long journey to graduationSeven students who completed their MBA at partner institute Majan University College in Oman travelled thousands of miles to attend their graduation.

Madusha Pihilladeniya said: “It was hard work as I was working while studying and looking after my daughter, who was one at the time. But it has all been worth it.”

Khaldoon Al Mjamae, 27, said: “It’s my first time in the UK and it’s been my dream to visit here ever since I was a boy. I can’t believe that I am graduating.”

Shahla Alzadjali, 28, said: “I was encouraged by my sister who did the same course. I wanted to have a better career and a better education and make my family proud.

Adam is a star performerA former soldier who made a career move was rewarded with the prize for the best overall performance in the Department of Applied Social Studies at his graduation.

Adam Potter, who studied Social Care, “achieved an excellent balance between the academic rigour we look for in a social work student and the ability to establish positive relationships with others”.

A first-class first for MinaMina Patel is the first person to receive a first class Masters Degree in the University’s Project Management course - which has been running for three years.

Wolverhampton-born Mina did so well that she’s been welcomed back as visiting lecturer.

Mina, who studied Law before taking the Masters, said: “This was a business degree, so there were a lot of things that were new to me. I learnt so much about leadership and management skills. Being welcomed back as a lecturer is something you do not expect when you come to university.”

“I wanted to have a better career and a better education, and I wanted to make my family proud”Kirsty McLoughlin received the Tony Wood Prize

Mina Patel achieved a First in the Project Management MSc

Adam Potter – best overall performance

Graduates from Oman collected their degrees

It has been wall-to-wall smiles at St Mary’s Church over the past few weeks, as hundreds of the University’s students graduated. Caroline Jacobi and Simon Wesson reports.


NewsPrizewinners take tea with the Dean Six Business School students were treated to tea with the Dean after winning £1,000 each from mobility and telecommunications infrastructure group Abertis.

The award is given to students who have shown the best academic progress in their courses.

They were congratulated by the Dean Dr Sonal Minocha and tutors at a special tea party.

Jigna Tailor, a 19-year-old Advertising and Marketing Communications student uses public transport to get to the University from her home in Leagrave and can now afford driving lessons thanks to the prize.

She said: “I feel honoured to have been chosen to be one of the six to win this prize and it’s something that has motivated me to work

even harder as I realise hard work is definitely recognised and rewarded.”

Business Management student Alyce Hale, 20, from Flitwick, was ‘shocked’ to get the award.

“I was always pretty average at school and never thought much of myself academically. But it’s really nice having my family be so proud of me. I’m really happy I won the prize.”

Dr Minocha said: “I was delighted to hear the stories of each of the Abertis prize-winners. They are individuals who are extending themselves beyond their degrees to making a contribution to their communities.

“I am very proud that our courses are developing people who are not only academically excellent but who are confidently and passionately shaping futures for our communities and cities alike.”

Colin brings movie-star glamour to graduation

Professor to help human rights committeeThe rights of asylum-seeking children in the UK could be improved thanks to a Bedfordshire Professor, who has been appointed as a Specialist Adviser to Parliament.

Professor of Child Welfare Ravi Kohli, picture right, has been selected by the Joint Committee on Human Rights to assist in its report on the rights of unaccompanied migrant children and young people in the UK.

Professor Kohli, who is the University’s Head of Department of Applied Social Studies, is internationally renowned for his work with refugee children. He will be assisting the House of Lords and the House of Commons for the cross party select committee.

The Professor said it was an “honour” to be appointed.

“It’s the first time in the UK that the Human Rights Committee has met specifically to consider the quality of care for asylum-seeking children, so it’s very exciting,” he said. “There are no countries in Europe that are taking this type of human-rights-based approach with children, so it will be amazing to try to make a difference.”

The committee launched this latest inquiry in September, with a particular focus on offering support and protection to those who are seeking asylum or have been the victims of trafficking. It expects to produce a report by the spring of 2013.

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell with Colin Salmon, right

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Top of class – Dr Sonal Minocha with the prizewinners



From a new VC to the UK’s first trauma course – it’s been quite a yearJanuary• The year began with Professor Les Ebdon

announcing he was to step down from his role as Vice Chancellor.

• A £3million initiative to support top students with scholarships and bursaries was launched.

• The University was awarded funding worth £650,000 for a joint project with the University of Oxford to improve the reliability of unmanned aircraft used to fly over disaster zones (pictured below).

February • The Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies

and Science developed a new technique to use radio waves to power electronic devices.

• Professor Alan Sinclair was named as the National Clinical Lead for Diabetes in Older People at the Department of Health.

March• A ground-breaking research project

enabling smartphones to scan books and produce the text on to the screen was set up at the Research Institute for Media Art and Design.

• The Bedford campus welcomed 100 local pupils to try out anti-doping tests, similar to those used during London 2012, at the sports science labs.

April • Co-Director of the University’s National

Centre for Cyberstalking Research, Professor Carsten Maple, spoke at the House of Lords to raise awareness about the dangers of stalking.

• Former Government Higher Education Minister of State Bill Rammell was appointed Vice Chancellor.

May• Bedfordshire students swam the equivalent

of the English Channel and back to raise £1087 for Sport Relief.

• Three graduates won Gold at the Sony Radio Academy Awards: KISS FM presenters Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom for the Breakfast Show of the Year; and producer Matt Fisher, as part of the BBC Radio 1Xtra team, for best station imaging.

• Professor John Brewer traveled to UEFA to present findings from a study into the effect of hot and cold temperatures on the judgement of football referees.

June/ July/ August/ September• The University’s latest student

accommodation block – Wenlock Court - was opened, boasting en suite and wi fi facilities for all 274 residents.

• Olympic fever took hold. More than 200 staff and students volunteered for London 2012; Professor John Brewer explained the rules of handball to HRH Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and PM David Cameron (pictured above); and Senior Midwifery Lecturer Jane Logan (pictured below) represented the NHS in Danny Boyle’s Opening Ceremony.

October • Bedford campus was chosen for the

International Digital Dance Festival in April 2014.

• Beds SU announced its new name for all sport teams – the Bedfordshire Bulls.

• The Centre for Computer Graphics and Visualisation celebrated its 25-year anniversary with research grants worth £1million from the European Commission, which will enable the centre to find ways for cancer specialists to optimise the treatment of cancers and give patients greater control over their healthcare.

November• The country’s first trauma course for

healthcare professionals was setup at the Aylesbury campus.

• John Smith’s Bookshop, which is partnered with the University, was officially opened.

Professor James Crabbe has been selected for two prestigious appointments – aimed at making the arts, opera and music accessible to more people.

He has been made a member of the Royal Opera House’s (ROH) ‘Bridge’ Advisory Board and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, in the City of London.

In his role as a member of the advisory board, Professor Crabbe, who is Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science, will help to provide links between the arts and education sectors, aiming to get more young people in the East of England interested in arts and opera in particular.

The ROH, a major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, London, is leading the Bridge programme in parts of the East and South East regions.

“I am really excited to be a member of this advisory board, as it will enable the University to be involved in helping every child and young person from Bedfordshire to north Kent to have the opportunity to experience the richness of the arts,” Professor Crabbe said.

“We have some outstanding arts and performance facilities on our campuses in Luton and Bedford, and I would like our staff and students to work with the ROH Bridge programme in developing creative and cultural education networks and projects in Bedford and Luton.”

Meanwhile, the Worshipful Company of Musicians is the only City of London Livery Company devoted to the performing arts. It can trace its roots back as far as 1350 and supports young musicians through fundraising, prizes, scholarships and performance opportunities.

Professor Crabbe said: “I am delighted to be part of this important Livery Company in the City of London, and look forward to helping the growth of music in its widest aspects, at the University and beyond. In medieval times, guilds were confraternities of workers, for example in the 13th century, guilds of students and of masters led to the formation of universities in Bologna, Paris and Oxford.

“Today, the Company has many ways to foster music and the performing arts, not least in supporting young musicians, called Yeomen.“Having been a freelance recording producer and engineer, and having worked with the BBC, music is one of my passions. Indeed, one of my recordings of Magdalen College Choir, Oxford performing Evensong is still available on CD.”

Prof Crabbe will be admitted into the Company at a special ceremony at Cutlers’ Hall in the City of London early next year.

Professor James Crabbe

Professor is chosen for coverted roles

The sound of angelic choir singers resonated around a candle-lit St Mary’s Church at the beginning of the University’s carol service earlier this month.

As the Luton Youth Cantores Choir processed up the aisle, giving full voice to Once in Royal David’s City, the lights were brightened and the piano played, giving the signal to the capacity audience to join in.

The Carols by Candlelight ceremony was a traditional service, designed to give all in attendance a flavour of how the UK celebrates Christmas. It was based on the Kings College Cambridge ‘Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols’, and Reverend Andrew Goodman joked that we in Luton “like to think we do it quite well in comparison”!

Religious classics were mixed with interpretations of various Christmas songs by Beds SU Chinese Student Christian Fellowship, and the University’s singing and performing society, Stage Addicts.

There was also a selection of readings, including one from Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell.

The night finished with the choir’s performance of Hark the Herald Angels Sing, before mince pies and mulled wine were provided by the Vice Chancellor’s office.

As Life went to press, Christmas Conversations and Carols – by Candlelight, took place at St Paul’s Church in Bedford. University staff, students and local residents enjoyed a festive programme featuring Beds SU Theatre Society, Bedford Choral Society and Fusion Youth Singing.


Cantores light up carols serviceStaff, students and the community came together to mark the season of Advent, filling St Mary’s Church for the University’s annual Carols by Candlelight service. Simon Wesson reports

Wimbledon serves up a treatTourism students had an ace time when they visited The All England Tennis Club at Wimbledon last month.

Organised as part of an annual trip for second-year and postgraduate students, the day involved a tour around the grounds; an explanation of how the courts are prepared for the major tournament - while sitting on No. 1 Court; a visit to the press room; and a special visit to Centre Court to see the new roof.

The students also toured the museum (which they will base their first assessment on) and heard a talk about marketing and branding the championships from the Club’s Education Department.

Denise Cardwell, a Senior Lecturer in Tourism, told Life that all the students really enjoyed their trip on Tuesday, 6 November.

She added: “It is always a great day and this one was excellent. It is geared to marketing and branding, which is useful for the students’ first assessment.”

Full house at Carols by Candlelight

Students who are considering self-employment as a future career will be putting their business plans in front of a Dragons’-Den-style panel in the hope of winning £1,000 worth of market research.

The undergraduates taking part in the Bedfordshire Edge Entrepreneurship Award will have to submit a plan for a new business, social enterprise, commercial product or invention, and then face the panel with their concept, demonstrating appropriate entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.

The competition, which is delivered by experienced businessmen and women, is part of the B-innovative programme and covers a range of topics including company formation, intellectual property rights, defining markets, developing products and services, costing and pricing, and raising investment.

The aim is to win research from sponsors Marketest, a quantitative market research company which has a wealth of experience with start-ups, start-up entrepreneurs and existing companies launching a new product or service.

Lucy Slade-Pedrick, Project Manager at the Knowledge Hub, which runs the B-innovative programme, a series of business seminars for students, said: “This Award, sponsored by Marketest, enables our students to gain real insight into the markets they are proposing to enter. The market research will help them to make better commercial decisions and make their business ideas more successful in the long term.”

Facing the dragons

Students showcase artwork at airportPrints produced by Latvian students and alumni from the University’s Art and Design department are currently on display at London Luton Airport.

The show at the Airport’s Gateway Gallery cover themes of distance, travel, nostalgia and folktale.

The artists, Nelda Karklina, Laima Vanaga, Liva Cabule and Zane Aldere showcased their prints at an exhibition in the University’s Gallery Space earlier this year.

The free exhibition runs until the end of January 2013.



Lea Manor Youth Centre worker Kevin Mullins was rewarded for his youth and community work in Luton last month at the Youth Work Week 2012 awards.

Kevin, who recently achieved a First Class Honours Degree in Youth and Community Studies, went to the London headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, for the glitzy gala, and told Life he was amazed to win.

“I was honoured just to be nominated,” said the 35-year-old, who originally hails from Shannon, County Claire in Ireland and has

lived in Luton for more than 10 years.“The whole event and experience was incredibly

humbling and I was shocked and fit to burst with pride when I was named the winner. I am very lucky to work with some truly inspirational young people and the award I won is for them and my colleagues who have supported me.”

His achievements include setting up Street RAP (Robbery Awareness Project), which encourages young victims and the perpetrators of robberies to work together, and The Lea Manor Friendship Scheme, where youngsters aged 14 to 19 help with the care of disabled people aged 11 to 25.

Kevin’s next focus is to travel to areas on the receiving end of terrorism attacks and to look at community cohesion in such places. He will bring his findings back to help improve Luton.

A University of Bedfordshire graduate has taken home The National Youth Agency’s Youth Worker of the Year award

High praise – Kevin Mullins

Graduate wins youth work award

Join Teri’s Team

“I was shocked and fit to burst with pride when I was named the winner”

Hatters manager grilledLuton Town Football Club’s press conference swapped the usual surroundings of Kenilworth Road for the University last month ahead of the Hatters’ FA Cup Second Round tie against Dorchester Town.

Manager Paul Buckle visited the Media department, at the Luton campus, as he faced 40 journalism students, as well as local reporters.

Buckle, who has been with the Conference team since April, was quizzed about the match by BBC Three Counties Radio, Luton News and other media.

A grilling followed, as the undergraduates enquired about numerous topics varying vastly from the upcoming match, to player rotation and squad depth to name but a few.

41-year-old Buckle, who normally holds his conferences in a small office in the football ground, said: “I wasn’t expecting to see so many faces. It was certainly a very good challenge for me, as normally it’s just the local press.

“The students are trying to go into a profession, so I can see why they were so eager and why they asked so many interesting questions. Sometimes in football, it’s always the same old questions, but the students have obviously thought about it.”

Timothy Collings, Senior Lecturer in Sports Journalism, organised the event and was pleased with how it went.

“I thought the students asked Mr Buckle some

good questions. In terms of experience it was excellent and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.”

Luton Town went on to win the match 2-1 and have been drawn at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup Third Round. The game is due to be played at Kenilworth Road on 5 January 2013.

Bedfordshire student Teri Manning, 20, is putting something back into her community becoming a charity manager to help young homeless people in Luton.

The second year HR Management student, has taken on the new role at Team V in addition to her studies, to raise awareness of homelessness among 18-25 year olds in Luton.

She said: “I have seen first-hand the devastating effects youth homelessness has. Some of my friends have gone to the street and didn’t know where to find help.”

The former Barnfield South Academy pupil added: “I hope our work will have a lasting effect and show young people experiencing hard times that organisations such as Team V can help them.”

Teri was appointed local manager last month and is one of more than 100 Team V volunteer mangers across the country.

Teri has approached local organisations such as The Hat Factory and Luton Central Library to enquire about exhibition spaces for her future projects.

She is also taking the message to the streets. Teri led local volunteers including Bedfordshire students on a day in Luton town centre last month to raise awareness about local youth homelessness and to sign a petition against the Government’s housing benefit cuts.

Teri welcomes more volunteers to get involved with her future projects. Contact Teri by email at [email protected] or phone 07816 589 356.

This month, Life is featuring Jean-Christophe’s main course recipe for slow braised honey and cider caramelised pork belly.

In 2007 the University awarded Jean-Christophe an honorary Doctor of Arts for dedication to his craft and outstanding achievements in cooking – one of just three chefs to ever receive such an accolade.

In addition to numerous TV appearances and owning and managing a string of successful restaurants over the past 15 years, he also owns a cookery school, the Novelli Academy, at Tea Green near Luton.

Look out for the final instalment of our series in January’s edition.


A mid winter feast from J-C

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Jean-Christophe Novelli devised three recipes exclusively for Life. Featured here is the main course

Jean-Christophe Novelli

Slow braised Honey and cider caramelised pork belly (Serves six – eight)

IngredIents 1.5kg pork belly with rind removed but fat left on (keep out of fridge for two hours before cooking)

2 large onions peeled and sliced 4 sprigs of thyme 2 garlic cloves crushed in their husk Salt and pepper ½tsp caraway seeds ½tsp fennel seeds 1 star anise 2 bay leaves 1 litre dry cider 100ml runny honey 8 medium onions cut into quarters

Method 1. In a hot pan, seal the pork belly on both sides 2. Drain off the fat and discard 3. Add the sliced onion and shake the pan, cover

and cook for a couple of minutes until the onions are soft.

4. Add the thyme, garlic, caraway, fennel, bay leaves, a little seasoning, the honey and the cider

5.Bring to a fast boil and skim the top of the juices.

6. Cover and cook in a pre-heated oven at 160°C for 1 ¼ hour

7. Add the rest of the onions and cook for a further 20 minutes or until the pork is cooked (the pork is ready when the bones can be easily removed from the belly) .

8. When the pork is ready, remove the onions and keep warm

9. Glaze the pork with the cooking liquor and return uncovered to a high oven, for a couple of minutes

10. Repeat step 9 for a couple of times or until the pork is nicely glazed and the top is shiny.

11. Remove the meat from the pan and leave to rest for 10 minutes before serving

12. Skim any excess fat from the braising liquor (if needed) and reduce to the consistency of a sauce.

13. Cut and serve the pork with mash potatoes and celeriac, the onions reserved and a little of the sauce

More than 180 undergraduates and staff from the University’s Business School heard the Mayor of Atlanta speak about his life’s journey during a lecture at the Houses of Parliament, pictured above.

They were attending the second Leadership Futures lecture - part of an ongoing programme aimed at providing imaginative and practice based management education.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed gave an “inspiring” view of his path from his aspirations as a 13-year-old, right up to his inauguration as the 59th Mayor of Atlanta - the capital of civil and human rights movements in America.

Drawing comparisons with the diversity of his audience, Mayor Reed highlighted the changes brought to Atlanta’s population where black people account for 54 per cent of the population, and where inclusion and diversity are embedded in the city.

Dr Sonal Minocha, Dean of the Business School concluded the event - opened by Rt Hon. Keith Vaz MP - highlighting that diversity and youth leadership were “a shared passion between the speakers and our University’s vision”.

She said: “The future of our campuses, communities and cities alike will be shaped by our students who are

tomorrow’s managers, practitioners and leaders.”The Leadership Futures series continues into 2013

with high profile speakers each month sharing their journey of struggle and success with students and staff thus giving visibility and credibility to the Business School’s practice based vision.

For further details on the Leadership Futures series please contact Tim Priestman, Projects Executive,

Business School on [email protected]

News


Online www.beds.ac.uk

Students heard Mayor Reed deliver Leadership Futures lecture at the Houses of Parliament

Mayor of Atlanta inspires University undergraduates

MSc Tourism and Events Management students are hosting a MAD Hatters Tea Party on 14 January 2013 in aid of the Railway Children charity.

Railway Children works with and supports children living on the streets in the UK, India and across East Africa, who are forced to leave homes that have become unbearable through poverty, abuse, violence or neglect.

The event takes place at The Tree House, Vicarage Street, Luton campus, between 10.30 am – 2.30 pm.

Tickets cost £3 each, on sale from 2 January 2013. This includes tea, coffee, cakes, entertainment, hat competition, board games and much more. Raffles, books and DVDs can also be bought at the event.

As this is a charity event, if you have any Christmas leftover (boxed) cakes or biscuits and any unwanted gifts – these would be much appreciated as a donation before the event.

Tickets will be on sale from Alexandra Barat-Abrams (room J103, Vicarage Street, Luton campus) from 2 January. Food donations and unwanted gifts can also be dropped off at this location.

For further information visit: [email protected]

You can also message us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MadCharityTeaParty?ref=tn_tnmn

We very much look forward to see you there and don’t forget to bring your hat!

Don’t forget your hat!

“We very much look forward to seeing you there”

Mayor Kasim Reed and Dr Sonal Minocha

Hurling and Gaelic football now par for the coursePE students will soon learn to teach Gaelic sports. The University has signed an agreement with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to launch a new course, which will equip 50 final-year BA (Hons) Physical Education Studies undergraduates to teach Gaelic Games in secondary schools.

Dean of the Faculty of Education and Sport Dr Sally Bentley said: “It’s great to be part of bringing international sport to local children through the expertise of our trainee teachers.

“Games such as hurling and Gaelic football will enliven and extend children’s opportunities to participate in sport and enjoy the social and health benefits of team games. It also

provides our graduates with a unique edge in the employment market.”

Ian Roberts, a Professional Development Manager for PE and Outdoor Learning at the University, said: “Having trained PE teachers for more than 100 years, the University is always trying to stay ahead of the game. Gaelic sports are highly innovative, so we are excited to offer our students training in these sports.”

Ciara O’Brien, the GAA’s Community Development Administrator for Hertfordshire, said: “This is a really encouraging sign that Irish sports will stay alive in Britain.”

The course will start next month at the Bedford campus.


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Aspiring actors at the University of Bedfordshire are being encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Matt Smith, aka Dr Who, and use the National Youth Theatre (NYT) as a pathway to success, thanks to a new collaboration.

Projects are in the pipeline to give students access to the NYT and take part in performances.

The alliance was set up with the help of Campus Living Villages, which runs the University’s student accommodation, and is in partnership with the NYT.

Campus Living Villages invited Professor of Dance Helen Bailey to a gala fundraising event for the NYT last week, where she heard the BAFTA-nominated actor speak of his time

there, and how it encouraged him to go on to university.

The Head of the Division of Performing Arts and English was also lucky enough to meet Matt, the eleventh incarnation of the Doctor, and said he was as wacky as his character.

She added: “It was very good for the University to be represented at a prestigious event like that.”

The Professor meets the Doctor

Gaelic Games – coming to the Bedford campus

Governor raises £2,000 for charity by sleeping on the streetsAs a trustee for homeless charity Centrepoint, University of Bedfordshire Governor Jane Creasy jumped at the chance to find out first-hand what homeless youngsters endure - and by spending a night on a London street she also raised money for the charity.

“I often sit in boardrooms and meetings, looking at the work of the charity from a distance so I was pleased to be able to get out and do something,” said Jane.

Centrepoint helps young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless, initially by providing them with safe places to sleep. The ultimate goal is to provide the youngsters with tools for independent living, along with health programmes, life skills and learning opportunities, so getting them off the street and back on their feet.

Jane set up her shelter of cardboard, sleeping bag and pillow behind Liverpool Street Station on a chilly November evening, and spent the whole night sleeping on the street. She wasn’t alone, though - there were lots of other volunteers doing the same thing in a cordoned-off square, so it was much safer than

rough sleepers normally experience.“You don’t get a lot of sleep,

though,” said Jane. “London never sleeps and there were always lorries coming past. It does get quieter at around 3am, but the problem is the cold that comes up from the street. The trick is to make sure you’ve got plenty of cardboard underneath you.”

Jane raised nearly £2,000 for Centrepoint and she also gained a valuable insight into the lives of the young people she strives to help.

“It makes you realise that, for these young people, even beginning to think about going to university or life after homelessness is incredibly hard. For a young person, it just makes them very vulnerable,” said Jane. “There are around 80,000 young people experiencing homelessness in this country - youngsters who don’t have a stable home and may be sofa-surfing with friends and family, or sleeping rough. Doing a good deed makes you realise how lucky you are and how many need help.”

To find out more about the issues of youth homelessness and Centrepoint’s work, visit www.centrepoint.org.uk

Actor Matt Smith with Prof. Helen Bailey

Jane Creasy


Sports Online www.beds.ac.uk

EvEnts –january 2013Raise & Give (RaG) Week at Bedford and Luton campusesMonday 14 – Friday 18 january 2013

Find out the latest events on Beds SU website: www.bedssu.co.uk/

Official opening of licenced bar at Beds SU, Bedford campusthursday 10 january 2013 Ceremony at 5pm

Contacts: Daniel Login, President Beds SU [email protected]

or Graham Dean, Commercial Services Manager, Beds SU [email protected]

University of Bedfordshire Teaching Fair at Bedford campus Friday 11 january 2013 8.30am – 2pm

Contact: [email protected]

Intrepid explorers tell their storiesA coral reefs expert and an intrepid explorer who conquered Mount Everest discussed problems facing the environment at a free lecture hosted at the University last month.

Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science Professor James Crabbe and businessman Partha Dey joined forces to highlight environmental issues, from the highest mountain to the deepest ocean.

Prof Crabbe said: “It’s not every day you share the platform with someone who has climbed Everest. Our presentations were an appreciation of some of the feelings as well as the issues of what it is like to go to the extremes of the planet, under the ocean and to the top of a mountain.”

Mr Dey, Managing Director of Luton based logistics and road transport company National Sameday Limited, scaled Mount Everest in 2011 to research global warming. He was awarded an honorary degree from the University in the same year.

“I wanted to give the audience a real insight into what it was really like climbing Mount Everest and the conditions we have to face,” said Mr Dey.

For the second year, the packed theatre was entertained by host Stewart White, the BBC Look East anchor.

A selection of Torch Bearers and Games Makers, including many representing the University, had the best seats – ones made in Luton for the Olympic Stadium – on the stage.

They were within touching distance of big names such as Pommel Horse double Olympic medallist Louis Smith, Olympic bronze medallist boxer Anthony Ogogo, and Northampton Saints and England rugby star Paul Grayson, who came up to collect, and give out, prizes.

The big honour, East Sports Personality of the Year,

went to Olympic gold-medal-winning long jumper Greg Rutherford.

As the Marshall Milton Keynes Athletics Club member received his award from former badminton great Gail Emms, he said he was “amazed” to see off competition from fellow nominees Victoria Pendleton, Ben Maher and Etienne Stott.

Other notable prize winners on the night included Jonnie Peacock, who picked up the Disabled Sports Personality of the Year, following his memorable gold medal in the T44 100m final; Team GB Cycling’s Iain Dyer, from Norfolk, who was Coach of the Year; Young Sports Personality of the Year went to Norfolk’s 16-year-old swimmer Jessica-Jane Applegate for her gold in the Paralympic 200m freestyle; and the Team of the Year award went to Red Bull Formula One team, presented by the University’s Professor John Brewer.

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said he could not think of a time when the sports awards were more significant than the year in which the Olympic Games were held in the UK, with British athletes winning more medals than ever before.

Praising the achievement of the sporting greats assembled, he described them as “an inspiration to us all”.

For a full list of winners visit www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality/20599971

University confirms its place as host of sporting excellenceOlympic and Paralympic idols joined a host of local sporting stars to fill the University of Bedfordshire theatre as “one great year was condensed into one great night” at the BBC East Sports Awards

We all stand together – The University hosted the BBC East Sports Awards

BBC host Stewart White and Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell Partha Dey

Life December 2012

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