MARITIME THRILLS AND SPILLS

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ISSUE 1

JANUARY 08

ALL STARGRADUATIONSCIENCE OF SPORT

I am delighted to introduce

the first edition of ISSUE,

the new termly magazine

from Southampton Solent

University (SSU).

ISSUE will tell the story of the University over

the years to come as it continues to grow and

develop a distinctive niche for itself in the

education sector.

SSU already has many success stories to tell

and in this edition of ISSUE we celebrate the

success of those who recently graduated, tell

how we are beginning to deliver our own new

stylish curriculum, as well as some of the

stories of the bright sparks we attract to study

here. On top of this, there are the talented staff

whose work we showcase and the areas of the

University where world class excellence is the

key to our success.

I hope that you will enjoy reading our story

as much as I hope that you will feel able to

contribute to our success.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van Gore

WELCOME1. STUDYING STYLE

2. BRIGHT SPARKS

4. SPORT GETS SCIENTIFIC

6. SLICK TRAINING SPILLS INTO WARSASH

8. GRADUATION 07

12. CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

13. SPEEDING TOWARDS SUCCESS

14. SOLENT PEOPLE 16. JOBS JOY FOR STUDENTS

17. MILLAIS GALLERY

CO

NT

EN

TS

HOW TO CONTACT US:Send your news, views, queries and comments to:thePressandPROfficer,SouthamptonSolentUniversity,EastParkTerrace,SouthamptonSO140RBT.02380319040E.press.office@solent.ac.uk

Designed and published by:SouthamptonSolentUniversity’sMarketingandCommunicationsService.Printed by:CedarPress.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Lisa Wilson FundAtamovingceremonyfivemorestudentsreceivedbursariesfromtheLisaWilsonScholarshipFund.Sofar,27studentshavebenefitedfromthecharitysetupbytheWilsonfamilyinmemoryoftheirdaughter,andSouthamptonSolentUniversitygraduate,whodiedinacarcrashfiveyearsagoduringhertriparoundtheworld.

Theawardsareforstudentswhohaveovercomeadversityandcanshowwhytheyneedextrafundingwiththeirstudies.

DuringtheceremonySeanLystor(picturedwithCliveandTriciaWilson)wasawardedtheLisaWilsonOutstandingAchievementAward.SeangraduatedinNovemberwithafirstclassBA(Hons)inArchitecturalTechnologyandisnowstudyingforanMScinComputeraidedArchitectualDesignattheUniversityoftheWestofEngland.

Graduate employment rateLatestfiguresshowthatmorestudentsthaneveraresuccessfullyfindingemploymentaftergraduatingfromSouthamptonSolentUniversity.83%oftheUniversity’sgraduatesfindemploymentwithinsixmonthsofleaving.Accordingtonationalemployabilityindicators,theUniversitynotonlyranksaheadoflocaluniversitiesintermsofexceedingbenchmarkexpectationsbutalsoranksabovethenationalaverage.

STYLE STUDIESStyling is not just an affectation of the affluent, and with

supermarkets and the small screen supplying stock and hints for

the hoi polloi, everyone can aspire to a red carpet moment.

The right styling can make or break a person or brand and it’s central to the fashion and media industries.

It’sinthisimage-obsessedenvironmentthatsassystudentsareputtingtheirheadstogetheronourcutting-edgecourses,whichmixthestylishwiththestudious.

JenniferAnyan,leaderoftheUK’s

firstMediaandFashionstylingdegree

programme,isdelightedwiththedegreeswhich,accordingtostylebible Vogue,aresettorevolutionisethefashionindustry.

“Inthelastfiveyearsthestylingindustryhasflourishedandpeople’sunderstandingofstylingandtheimpactithasonourliveshasgrowntremendously.

“Awholegenreofglossymagazineshasgrownaroundstyleinallareasoflife,andjournalistsarewritingaboutstylistsasmuchastheyarewritingaboutthecelebritiestheydress,”saysJennifer,winnerof‘Elle/Rimmel’Stylist2005.

Thenewdegreestudentsarerelishingthechancetodeveloptheirownpracticalskills–incatwalkproduction,creatingadvertisingimageryandconceptingfilmcostumes–alongsideanacademicunderstandingoftheculturalcontextoftheircreativity.

“Weareagenerationavidlyreadinglifestylemagazinesandviewingstyleprogrammes,andwe’retappingintothatinterestandpower.Peopledidn’trealisestylingwasacareerfiveyearsago.Now,theyknowit’safastgrowingandlucrativeindustrywithincrediblepotential,”saysJennifer.

FASHION

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It’s a rapAtjusteightyearsold,LucanMillswasentertaininghisfamilywiththekindofrappingthathehopedwouldrivalhisheroJay-Z.

Tenyearson,theBA(Hons)UrbanandElectronicMusicstudenthasbeatenthousandstoanationalrappingtitle,signedamajorrecorddeal,workedwiththebestintheindustryandisplanninghisfirstUKtour.

SuccesssnowballedforLucan–akaLRhymez–whenhesatforhalfanhourathomeinSouthamptonandpennedtheautobiographical,Ten Years,whichwentontowinthenationalChannelUBlowcompetition.

Lucanhasjustbeensignedbymajorrecordcompany,Universal.He’srecordedtwomusicvideos–tobeshownonSkyandChannelU–andhisdebutalbum,Coming Of Ageisonthevergeofrelease.

LucanissetforhisfirstUKtourandatriptoAmerica,withplanstoworkwithsomeoftheindustry’smostinfluentialperformersandproducers–includingSouthampton’sbrightestRnBstar,CraigDavid.Notsurprisingly,themusicpressisbuzzingaboutLucan,whohasaregularrapspotonregionalradio.

Cricketer of the YearForthesecondyearrunning,aSouthamptonSolentstudenthasbeennamedSouthernElectricPremierLeagueYoungCricketeroftheYear.JamesHayward,whoisinhisfinalyearof

BA(Hons)SportDevelopmentwithMarketingreceivedtheJohnMilletMemorialTrophyatapresentationdinneron26October.

Pecs win prizesPumpedupPeterBullardhasrealpecsappeal–theworld-classbodybuildingstudenthasmuscledinonMadridtobenamedfifthintheworldwithhisphysique.

Peter–BA(Hons)HealthandFitnessManagement–scoopedtheprizeintheNaturalPhysiqueAssociation’sWorldJuniorBodybuildingchampionships,afterachievingtheJuniorBritishtitle.

Cover girlsTwoBA(Hons)InteriorDesignstudentshavewonanunusualdesigncompetitionheldbySouthampton-basedmarqueemanufacturerCustomCovers.

ThecompetitionsawsixUniversityteamscompetetodesignthebestmarqueespaceforacorporateevent.SimonBell,CustomCoversTechnicalandProductionDirector,presentedthe£200firstprizetoCatherineSmithandOdellBrookesfortheirJamesBond-themed‘CasinoRoof’design.

Our campus is crammed with creative students, and we’re

proud to present a taste of our talented crop. We had a lot

of fun mixing sports with style and music with muscle as we

brought our brightest sparks in for this studio shoot.

Keep your eyes on this lot – they’re doing great things now,

and they’re headed for a gloriously bright future. Here’s to

doing what you love and loving what you do. It’s all part of our

success story!

BRIGHT SPARKS

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Laboratory

Director

Dr Stewart

Bruce-Low

explains what

the new laboratories will mean

to the students, local athletes

and the wider community.

What is sport science?Sportscienceusesscientificprinciplesandtechniquestohelpimproveexerciseandsportingperformanceandpreventinjuriesinarangeofsports.StudentsonourAppliedSportSciencecoursesstudythethreemaindisciplinesofphysiology,psychologyandbiomechanics,whichbenefitarangeofsports.Forexample,biomechanicsisusefulforgymnasticsanddiving,psychologyforgolfandarchery,andphysiologyforcyclingandrunning.

How will the new Centre benefit students on the course?Beingexposedtothelatesttechnologiesinsportscience,workingwitheliteathletes,andavarietyofhealthandcommunityorganisations,willensureourstudentshaveexcellentworkexperience.Whoknows,someofourgraduatesmayendupsupporting/coachingfutureOlympicchampions!We’llbeworkingwiththelocalcommunitytoo.Ourstudentsgettodesignfitnessprogrammesforpeopleofallneeds,includingthosewithmobilityimpairments.

How important is sport science for today’s athletes?Tobesuccessfulatthetoplevelofanysportyouhavetobeusingsportsscienceprinciplestosomedegree.Alteringtrainingtechniquesandintensities,studyingskillsandexploringthepsychologyofcompetingcangiveathletesthecompetitiveedge.

At the opening, former Saints Manager Lawrie McMenemy MBE said that the only way you would have got the likes of Mike Channon and Kevin Keegan into the new hi-tech labs would be to put a bar in the corner and lock the door! Have attitudes to sport science changed in recent years?Withoutadoubt.Sportslikecyclingandrunningwereearlyconvertsandsomefootballclubsnowhavetheirownsportscientist–atpresentIworkastheconsultantphysiologistandsportscientistwithCrystalPalaceandTorquayUnited.WearecurrentlytalkingtobothSouthamptonFCandtheTeamSkandiaOlympicsailingsquadaboutusingourfacilitiesinthenearfuture.

But it’s not just athletes who benefit from sport science is it?Absolutelynot.Thereisalotofresearchcarriedoutwithinsportsciencethatbenefitsthewidercommunity.OneofournewpiecesofkitistheMedXLumbarextensionmachine.Thisuniquepieceofmachinery–oneofonlyfiveinthecountry–isolatesmusclesofthelowerbackandcanhelpreducethesymptoms

SPORT GETS SCIENTIFICFootball legend Lawrie McMenemy MBE officially opened the

University’s new £1.3 million state-of-the-art Centre for Health,

Exercise and Sports Science in October.

Signing up to successSecretaryofStateforInnovation,UniversitiesandSkills,JohnDenham,witnessedrepresentativesfromhigherandfurthereducationsignanewagreementtohelpmorevocationalstudentsintohighereducation.

VocationalstudentsatlocalcollegesarenowguaranteedanintervieworplacewithlocaluniversitiesincludingSouthamptonSolent,Portsmouth,Winchester,Chichester,andSouthampton.

Lessthanhalfofallstudentsstudyingonvocationalcoursesgotouniversity,comparedto90%ofALevelstudents.Theagreement,organisedbytheLifelongLearningNetwork,aimstogivevocationalstudentstheconfidenceandmotivationtoimprovetheiracademicfuture.

Magnum BASouthamptonSolentisoneofonly10universitieschosentobepartofaneducationpartnershipwiththeinternationallyrenownedphotographicagencyMagnum.BenefitsforphotographystaffandstudentswillincludevisitstotheirheadquartersinLondonandtheuseoftheirvaluablebooksandresources.LecturerswillhaveunlimitedaccesstoMagnum’sdynamicphotolibrary,whichhousesmorethan400,000imagesfromaroundtheworld.Studentswillbeabletoenjoyalectureinthespringfromoneoftheirworld-classphotographers,andthepossibilityofastudentinternship.

SPORT

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oflowerbackpain.Therapeutics,thelargestmedicalandfitnesscentreonthesouthcoast,willbesendingalongclientswhosufferwithbackcomplaintstotakepartinaseriesofstudies.WearealsocurrentlynegotiatingwithlocalGPstosendtheirpatientstobeapartoftheresearchstudies.

TheUniversityisactivelylookingtobuildlinkswithavarietyoforganisationsfromthesportingandhealthworlds.Weareinterestedinhearingfromorganisationswithregardstohowtheythinkthenewfacilitiescouldsupportthem.

For further information contact Dr Stewart Bruce-Low, Laboratory Director, Centre for Health, Exercise and Sport Science, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton, SO14 0YN. E-mail CHESS@solent.ac.uk

NEW KIT

The new sport equipment in the Centre includes:

• a£45,000treadmillcatering forrunnerscyclists,and wheelchairusers

• aforceplatethatprovidesthe basisforperformance developmentandinjury preventionresearchinactivities suchasrunning,jumpingand weightlifting

• areactiontimerthatmeasures athletes’reactionstogiven stimuli

• ahighspeedcamerathatshoots 1250framesaminute,allowing golferstoimprovetheirswing andfootballerstoimprovetheir freekicksbyanalysingdata usingsophisticatedsoftware.

TherapeuticsareverypleasedtohavetheopportunitytoworkwiththenewSportsScienceareaandweareexcitedattheprospectofparticipatingintheMedXstudy,whichshouldenableustoofferanewdimensiontothetreatmentoflowerbackpainforourclients.

Kim Chesterfield, Therapeutics Chief Executive

“

” FormerSaintsmanager,LawrieMcMenemyMBEopenstheUniversity’snewstate-of-the-artsportcentre

SPORT

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SLICK TRAINING SPILLS INTO WARSASHTwo heavy boats collide in Southampton water, spilling several tons of heavy fuel oil. Winds

are raging at 50-knots, and it’s only a matter of time before the tide takes the oil slick into the

environmentally sensitive River Hamble…

“

”

Southampton

has a varied and diverse

environmental structure

throughout its waters and

tributaries, and the idea

of a large spill without

any contingency plans is

unthinkable.

Gareth McCorkhill,

OSRL-EARL

MARITIME

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Thissinister–butnotimpossible–scenariowassetupbyindustryexpertstopractisetacklingoilspillsinthemostchallengingconditions.

LecturersandstudentsjoinedthelocalHarbourMaster’sOfficetotrainwithgloballeadersOilSpillResponseLimitedandEastAsiaResponseLimited(OSRL-EARL),whotacklespillsacrosstheworld.Theexhilaratingexercisetestedstudentstothelimitastheyfacedthefall-outfromthemockcollisionbetweenadredgerandabunkeringbargeandworkedtoavoidadisasterontheHamble.

Thecombinedteam,workinginadverseweatherconditions,towedfloatinginflatableboomsacrosstheriver,directingtheoiltoanearbybeachtobecontainedandcleanedup.

Itwasatrickyprocess,mademorecomplicatedbythenumberofsmalljettiesandmooredboatsinthearea.

IanRolfe–inthelaterstagesoftrainingasanavigatoratsea–wasoneofsixstudentstakingpart.Hesaid:“Animportantpartofourtrainingisaimed

atpreventingenvironmentaldamageanddisaster,andstudyingthelegalimplicationsofanaccidentaloilspill.

“Itwasincrediblyusefultolearnabouttheshore-basedresponsetoanoilspill,andtoseefirsthandthemethodsthatareemployedlocallytodealwithenvironmentaldamage.”

OSRL-EARL’sGarethMcCorkhillsaid:“Southamptonhasavariedanddiverseenvironmentalstructurethroughoutitswatersandtributaries,andtheideaofalargespillwithoutanycontingencyplansisunthinkable.

“Continuousrigorousindustry-widetrainingisessentialtoensurepeoplerespondingarehighlyskilled,prepared,andabletoworkwelltogether.TheSouthamptonSolentUniversitystudentsworkedwellasateam.Theirinterestinthetechniquesusedforbestpracticewasextremelyencouraging.“It’sgoodthatstudentshaveanideaoftheassistanceavailableiftheyareeverunfortunateenoughtohaveaspillwhileonboardavessel.”

CITY SLICKERS

OSRL/EARLisanon-profitmakingcompanywhichrespondstospillsfromanyofits34oilcompanymembers365daysayear.OSRL/EARLhasabaseinSouthampton,fromwhereitrespondstooilspillsacrosstheUK.ItalsohasbasesinBahrainandSingaporeandispartofaGlobalResponseNetwork.

OSRL/EARLhasdealtwithvariedandhighprofileoilspills,includingtheExxonValdeseinAlaska,SeaEmpressoffMilfordHaven,ErikaoffthecoastofBrittany,PrestigeoffthecoastofSpain,TasmanSpiritoffKarachiPakistan,andmorerecentlyMSCNapoliinLymeBay.

MARITIME

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Over 2,000 students had their hard work and dedication rewarded at last year’s graduation ceremonies in November.

GRADUATION 07

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In a fitting tribute to their peers, present students provided live webcasts of each ceremony to ensure that family and friends unable to attend would not miss out on the occasion.

OfficiatingattheceremoniesforthefirsttimeasVice-Chancellor,ProfessorVanGoresaidtherangeofstudentsgraduatingepitomisedtheUniversity’sinclusivenessanddiversity.

Inhisaddresstothegraduatingstudentshesaid:“Intoday’sworldthevalueofahighereducationqualificationcannotbeoverestimated.Toachieveyoursuccess,youwillhavehadtonavigateadifficult

journey,involvinghardwork,personalcost,perseveranceandcommitment.Youarenowequippedintellectuallyandineveryotherwayfortheprofessionalcareerthatliesahead.”

FIRST CLASS PERFORMANCES

Eve Taylorhadherprofessionalballroomdancingdreamsdashedwhenherdancepartnerdecidedtocallitaday–butwithherfirstclasshonoursLawdegreesheisnowmakingtherightmovestowardsacareerasabarrister.

Eveleftschoolat17tofundherdancing

whichtookherallovertheworld.Shesaid:“DancingwasmygreatlovebutwithnopartnerIhadtolookatotheroptions.WhileworkingasanadministratorItookanAccesscourseatSalisburyCollegeintheeveningandstartedtothinkaboutgoingtouniversity.”

Likemanyyoungpeople,Evewasunsurewhethershewantedtoswaparegularwageforastudentlifeandtheassociateddebt:“Twopeopleinspiredmetomaketheleap.MytutoratSalisburypointedoutthatIwouldn’tthinktwiceabouttakingoutaloantobuyacar,andaLawlectureratSolentUniversitygaveatrulyinspiringtalkatoneoftheOpenDays.”

Students and their proud families packed Southampton Guildhall for 10 ceremonies, which

awarded degrees from a wide range of courses including maritime education and training,

fashion and design, media and television, law, sports and leisure.

GRADUATION 07

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EvenowhopestopassherbarexamsnextMayandgainapupillagewithasetofchamberstorealisehernewdreamofbecomingabarrister.

Duncan Wyatt,fromBristol,hasgraduatedfromSouthamptonSolentUniversitywithafirstclassdegreeinBA(Hons)GraphicImageMaking.NowhehaslandedhisdreamjobinLondonworkingfortheDisneyChannel.

Duncan,whoisthefirstinhisfamilytogotoUniversity,wasalwaysafanofDisney,butneverdreamedhewouldbeworkingfortheglobalcorporation.“IhadagreattimeatSouthamptonandIworkedveryhard.ItwasgreattogetsuchagoodjobsoquicklyandI’mlookingforwardtoabrightcareer,”saidDuncan,whosefavouriteDisneyfilmisRobin Hood!

Jeneen Channon,fromMilford-on-Sea,hasgraduatedwithafirstclassdegreeinBA(Hons)MaritimeLeisureManagement.Heracademicsuccesshasfuelledheradventurousambitionstoworkallovertheworldinthecruisingindustry.

TheformerBrockenhurstCollegestudenthasjustcomebackfromGreecewhereshehasbeenworkingwithSunSailasahostonitsleisureyachts.Nowshehasplanstoworkon‘superyachts’intheCaribbean.

“I’vebeensailingallmylife,andIthoughtitwouldbegreattousethispassioninmyacademicstudy.ItwasgreattofindacoursethatwouldletmedothisandIthinkmyresultreflectedmycommitmenttotheindustry,”saidJeneen.

Jeneenishopingthateventuallyshecanuseherskillstohelpherfamily’sMilford-on-Seabasedmarinehardwareandsailmakingbusinesses,ChannonSailsandBamarUK.

HONORARY ACHIEVEMENTS

TheUniversityawardedninehonorarydegreestopeoplewhohavemadeanoutstandingcontributioninthefieldsofeducation,arts,sports,maritimestudiesandengineering.

Vice-ChancellorProfessorVanGoresaid:“TheUniversityhasintroducedinnovativenewdegreecoursesineachoftheseareas,anditseemsfittingtohonoursomeofthemostinspiringindividualsinthesefields.”

TheSouthampton-educatedGMTVpresenterFionaPhilipsreceivedaMasterofArtsforherachievementsanddedicationtobroadcasting.

CommodoreRonaldWarwickreceivedaDoctorateofMaritimeStudiesinrecognitionofhisdistinguishedcareerinthe

maritimeindustry.HecommandedtheQE2andtheQM2beforebeingmadeCommodoreoftheCunardLinefleet.

ParalympicsailinggoldmedallistAndrewCassellwasawardedaDoctorofSportforhisoutstandingsailingachievements,andhispromotionof

sailingasacompetitivesportfordisabledpeoplethroughtheAndrewCassellFoundation.

ProfessorSilasLwakabambawasawardedaDoctorofEngineeringforhiscontributiontoHigherEducation.HeisRectorattheNational

UniversityofRwandaandwasawardedtheUICEESilverBadgeofHonourforhiscontributionstoengineeringeducation.

InternationallyrenownedartistAllenJonesreceivedthehonorarydegreeofDoctorofArtsforhiscontributiontothevisualarts.The

Southampton-bornartist’sworkfeaturesinover50majorpubliccollectionsaroundtheworld.

WasfiKaniwasawardedaDoctorofMusicinrecognitionofhercontributiontotheworldofmusic,andmakingoperaaccessibletoa

wideraudience,foundingHampshire’sGrangeParkOpera.

FormerVice-ChancellorofSouthamptonSolentUniversity,ProfessorRogerBrown,wasmadeDoctoroftheUniversity,in

recognitionofhisgreatcontributioninleadingSouthamptonInstitutetouniversitystatus.

DoubleOlympicgoldmedallistBenAinslieMBEwasawardedanhonoraryDoctorateattheopeningofSouthamptonBoatshowlast

September.ItwasadoublecelebrationforBenwhohadearlierbeennamedskipperofTeamOrigin,Britain’snewAmerica’sCupteam.

GregDykereceivedthehonorarydegreeofDoctorofArtsinrecognitionofhiscontributiontothetelevisionindustry.Broadcasting

veteranGregguidedtheconsortiumwhichcreatedChannel5beforebecomingDirector-GeneraloftheBBCfrom2000-04.

GRADUATION

Thevalueofahighereducationqualificationcannotbeoverestimated.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van Gore

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BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATEDIn partnership with Southampton City Council, the University celebrated the city’s cultural

diversity through debate, film and an exhibition.

Hundreds of visitors were able to enjoy ‘Back in the Day’, a series of post-war photographic images that took a nostalgic look at the rich African/Caribbean culture specific to Southampton. CelebratedBBCdocumentaryseriesRacism: A History–anevocativeseriesexaminingracistattitudes,ideologiesandtheirimpactthroughouthistory–wasalsoscreenedatSolentLectureTheatre.

ThehighlightofthemonthwasaspecialguesttalkbytheRwandanAmbassadortotheUK.HisExcellencyAmbassadorClaver

Gatetespokeaboutthechallengesthecountryhasfacedsincethegenocide,andthewayitismovingforward.Acraftexhibitionandupliftingdanceperformancesmadeforatrulyculturalevening.

Thelasteventofthemonthproducedlivelydebate.ApanelincludingProfessorJaneLongmore,theUniversity’snewProVice-Chancellor,tookquestionsfromtheaudienceonissuesofraceanddiversityat‘AQuestionofRace’.

DonJohn,RaceDevelopmentOfficer,SouthamptonCityCouncilsaid:“TheeventsorganisedbytheUniversityplayasignificantpartinraisingawarenessofBlackHistoryMonthaspartofthewidereducationprocess,andasameansofheighteningawarenessofblackpeopleandtheirculturalheritage.”

TheEmbassywasgreatlyhonouredtobehostedbySouthamptonSolentUniversityandtosharewiththeUniversityandthewiderSouthamptoncommunitythedevelopmentchallengesfacedbyRwandafollowingthetragiceventsof1994.MydelegationandIverymuchappreciatedthehospitalityaccordedtousandwereimpressedbytheopennessoftheUniversitytotheSouthamptoncommunity.

His Excellency Ambassador Claver GateteRwandan Ambassador to the UK

“

”

COMMUNITY

TheRwandanAmbassadorandtheVice-ChancellorcelebrateRwandanculture

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Philippines partnershipLecturersfrommaritimecollegesacrossthePhilippineshaveenrolledonanewpostgraduatecourse,aspartofauniqueinitiativedrivenbytheUniversity’sWarsashMaritimeAcademy.

AnexchangesystemallowingouracademicstovisitthePhilippines,aswellashostingvisitshere,willgivestudentsthechancetogetthemostoutofthisinnovativecourse.

Thevisitswillbebackedupwithelectronicdistancelearningmaterial,avirtuallearningenvironmentinwhichtherewillbeelementsofface-to-facecontact,anddiscussiongroups.Thereareplanstoopenupthecoursetoothercountriesinthefuture.

Carry on up the SolentMaritimeandCoastalStudiesstaffhavebeensteeringschoolchildrentowardsacareeratseawithaseriesofMaritimeTasterDays.

TheyhavebeentakingschoolgroupsoutontheUniversity’sSolentSurveyorboattoseeareasofmaritimeinterest.Theschoolpartieshavebeenlearningaboutthelocalimportanceofthemaritimeindustry,andhowanewageofprosperityforthePortofSouthamptonisbringingwithitanewgenerationofmaritimecareers.

Notsurprisingly,thehighlightofthedayformanyofthepupilswastakingthewheelandsteeringtheboatthroughthewatersoftheSolent.

SPEEDING TOWARDS SUCCESS

Charles came up with the idea of the website over a Vindaloo with his dad. “As a student I know how difficult it can be to find student-friendly properties. On my new website students just click on the area of the city they are looking to rent in and available properties, descriptions and landlord/estate agent contact details will pop up. Landlords and estate agents who advertise their properties on the site get a quick and easy link to the student market.”

Charlesisoneof65SolentstudentsthathavehadsupportinsettinguptheirownbusinessunderSPEED(StudentPlacementsforEntrepreneursinEducation),agovernmentbackedschemetocreateentrepreneursofthefuture.

“ThesupportfromSPEEDhasmadeallthedifference,”saysCharles.“WithoutitIwouldn’thavehadtheconfidencetodothis.Thenetworkinghasbeenhugelyimportantaswellasthetechnicalandfinancialsupport.SPEEDputmeintouchwithstudentChrisJinks,whosebusinessisbuildingwebsites,andtogetherwecreatedthefinishedproduct.”

Onthescheme,governmentfundinghelpswithstart-upcosts,equipmentpurchases,initialofficespace,financialadvice,trainingandmentoring.

Somethingourbuddingpropertytycoonhasfoundinvaluable.SowhatdoesthefutureholdforCharleswhograduatedlastNovemberwitha2:1inBusinessManagement?“Thenextsixmonths

willdeterminemynextmove,butifSouthamptonprovessuccessfulImaylooktoexpandintootheruniversitytowns.ButwhateverhappensIseemyfutureasanentrepreneur.”

For more information contact Charles at c.grain@newgaf.com or call 07737 160386

For further information on the SPEED scheme contact the University’s Community Enterprise Office at ceo@solent.ac.uk or call 023 8031 9138.

Charles Grain hopes to become hot property when his

revolutionary student accommodation website

www.newgaf.com goes live at the end of this year.

“

”

OurSPEEDstudentsarealreadygeneratinganenormousamountofattentionthroughtheirinnovationsandsheerenergy.Forambitiousandcommittedstudentstheschemeoffersaperfectlow-riskopportunitytostart,operateandgrowtheirownbusinesswithinthesupportiveenvironmentoftheUniversity.

Stephen Brown, Enterprise Projects Manager at the Community and Enterprise Office (CEO)

ENTERPRISE

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LECTURING IS NO LAUGHING MATTER FOR SERIOUS STUDENTS

Thanks to the success of the University’s new BA (Hons) Comedy Writing and Performance degree – the only one in the world – a stream of students are getting funny around the faculty. For course leader Dr Chris Ritchie, an academic who cut his performing teeth on the northern circuit, comedy is no joke. The Bolton-born stand-up says the things that amuse us make fascinating research – and his performance credentials transfer well to academia. “Lecturing isn’t so different from stand-up. A lecture has the same rhythms as a performance, and you have to keep your audience engaged,” he says.

Theremayhavebeensomeinterestingconversationsbetweenparents–‘you’redoingwhat?’–butourComedydegreestudentshaveshowngreatcommitment.StudentHannahGeorgewontheParamountOnTapFunniestStudent2007title,andthere’splentymoretosmileabout.“Whenwestartedthedegreetherewascynicism.Peoplewonderedwhetheritwasaworthysubject.Butcomedyisn’tjustabouttellingjokes.Thereareseriouselementstohumour,involvinganthropology,psychologyandphilosophy,whileafascinatinghistoryofthesocialandpoliticalattitudesaroundcomedydatesbacktotheAncientGreekswhen

therichhad‘idlers’tositaroundandbefunny.Ourstudentsareinterestedinlearningtheskillstoperformandtheunderpinningtheories,”saysChris.Ifahard-to-pleasestudentaudienceshowsanoccasionalboutofboredominChris’lectures,it’slikelytobegoodfodderforaseminar.Hehasresearchedandwrittenextensivelyontheuseofthemundaneinthemakingofmirth.“Comedyclassics,likeThe Office,andThe Royle Familymadesomethingfunnyoutofboredom.Wecanallrelatetoit.It’sverymuchanEnglishcharacteristic,”saysChris.

Chris–whoalsoplaysbanjoinpunkbandOnehorsepig–stilltreatsstudentstohisslightlysardonicact,whichdrawslargelyfromday-to-dayobservationsofhismum.“Theydon’treallylikeitandtheydon’tseemtofeeltheneedtopretendtobeenthusiastic,”saysChris.

Butit’sgottobedone.IfChris’studentsareregularlysentonstage,theyhavetoseethattheirmentorispreparedtoputhimselfoutthere.IntheNewYear,theyareduetomaketheirsecondvisittoBerlin,wherestudentshavetheoneroustaskofmakingtheGermanslaugh!

“WeperformattheDoDoHausComedyClub.It’saninterestingexperience.IloveGermany.It’sagreatplaceforbeer

andithasapivotalplaceinpolitics–it’swherefascism,communismandwesterndemocracyhappenedinthe20thcentury–whichisfascinating.

“EnglishpeoplethinkGermanshavenosenseofhumour.Butit’sreallyjustthatGermansfeelthereisatimeandplace.”

Thestudents,whostudyTV,radioandstand-upcomedy,aswellasdifferentstylesandpersonalities,cansmileatthecynicswhotriedtotalkthemoutoftheirunconventionaldegreechoices.

Comedyproduction,performanceandscriptwritingarepartofagrowingglobalindustryofferingwriters,performersandjournalistsglitteringcareeropportunities.SomemayevenfollowDrRitchie’slead,takinglaughtertothelecturetheatreandkeepingthecomedyincoursework.

Students will find something to smile about in the most serious of seminars – but in Dr Chris

Ritchie’s lectures laughing out loud is positively encouraged.

Thereareseriouselementstohumour,involvinganthropology,socialandpoliticalattitudes–andourstudentsarerisingtothechallenge.

“”

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NEWS IN BRIEF

WMA is big newsWarsashMaritimeAcademy’sminiaturefleet–usedtotrainskipperstopilottheworld’slargestships–hasrecentlycaughtthenationalmedia’sattention.

Lecturersprovidetrainingusingtheseven1:40scaleelectricallypoweredtugs,berthsandtwo-mantankerstoinstructtraineehelmsmenonaman-madelake,underconditionswhichemulatereallifescenarios.

Oneofonlyfourintheworld,thelake–andothertoptrainingfacilitiesatWarsash–areessentialinaclimatewheremaritimesafetyandenvironmentalprotectionhasgainedincreasinggroundwiththemaritimeindustryboom.Formoreinformationvisit:www.warsashacademy.co.uk

Elite hockey coupTheuniversitycohortofSouthamptonSolent,SouthamptonandPortsmouthwillhostoneoffournationalhockeyperformancecentres,afterbeating36highereducationestablishmentstothepost.

WorkingwithEnglandHockey(EH)andlocalclubs,aspiringinternationalplayerswillgettopqualitycoachingandlifestylesupporttoenablethemtoplayattoplevelwhilestudyingfortheirdegrees.

Professor Edward Chaney was a motorcycling, leather-jacketed art student when he first met the author GB Edwards in a Dorset pub in the early 1970s. Gerald Edwards was an eccentric intellectual, who had become something of a recluse in his old age. In his late twenties, when DH Lawrence was still alive, he had been expected to become the great man’s successor (and was indeed commissioned by Jonathan Cape to write Lawrence’s biography); yet he had gone on to publish only a handful of magazine articles, destroying many a typescript along the way.

TheauthorandartstudentquicklybecamefriendsandEdwardencouragedhisnewfriendtocompletehisfictionalautobiographysetinGuernsey:The Book of Ebenezer Le Page.OncompletiontheauthorgaveEdwardtherightstohisnovelanddedicatedittohimandhiswife.EdwardthensetabouttryingtofindapublisherbutaftermultiplerejectionsonlymanagedtodosowhenhemovedtoItalyseveralyearsaftertheauthor’sdeathin1976.

IntroducedbyJohnFowles,Ebenezerbecameaninstantclassic,paperbackedasaPenguinandpublishedinAmericabyKnopf,itwasdescribedbytheNew York Timesas“AMasterpiece…Oneofthebestnovelsofourtime”.ItwasserialisedbyGuernsey-bornRoyDotriceonRadio4.IthasbeentranslatedintoseverallanguagesandhasjustbeenreprintedintheUSandUKbytheNewYorkReviewofBooksClassics.ProfessorEdward Chaneyhasjustcompleteda‘postfazione’forthenewItalianeditionofIl Libro di Ebenezer le PagedueoutnextmonthwithElliotEdizioni.

SpeculationhasbeenrifeeversinceabouttheidentityofthecharacterNevilleFalla–amotorcyclingartist-rebelwithaheartofgold,towhomtheprotagonistbequeathshisautobiography.ProfessorEdward Chaney,nowadistinguishedauthorandacademic,iswidelybelievedtobetheinspirationforthischaracter.

LIFE IMITATING ARTWhile most academics are used to seeing their works in print,

few can claim to have been immortalised in a major work

of fiction.

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JOBS JOY FOR STUDENTSEach year approximately 6,000 of Southampton’s 40,000 students enter the labour market,

with about 30% staying within the area to seek career opportunities. This gives the region’s

employers access to a large pool of graduate talent from a wide range of sectors.

In the UK more than 99% of all businesses fall into the category of a small- to medium-sized business. Statistics predict that there will be over two million jobs created in this sector over the next 10 years.

TheGraduateJobsSouthampton(GJS)websitehasbeensetuptoincreasethenumberofstudentsandgraduatesstayingorreturningtoworkintheHampshireareaandtoincreasethenumberofsmallbusinessesrecruitinggraduates.Theprojectaimstoraiseawarenessandrecruitstudentsandgraduatestotheexcellentopportunitiesavailablewithinsmaller,localcompanies.

SincegoinglivelastApril,theGJSwebsitehasseenover800regionalemployersregisterandover350vacanciesadvertised.Todate,32graduateshavefoundjobswithlocalfirms,withmorebeinginterviewedandshortlistedeveryday.

TheGJSprojectisajointinitiativebetweenSouthamptonSolentUniversityandtheUniversityofSouthamptontohelpmatchstudentsandgraduateswithlocalgraduatejobsinsmall-tomedium-sizedemployers(SMEs).

TheprojectbenefitsfromprofessionalguidancefromSouthamptonCityCouncil,BusinessLinkandSouthamptonandFarehamChamberofCommerce.ItissupportedbytheSouthamptonPartnership,usingfundsfromSouthEastEnglandDevelopmentAgency(SEEDA).

EmployerscancurrentlyregisterandadvertisevacanciesforfreeiftheyareregionalSMEs.Studentsandgraduatesregistertoreceivejobalertswhenvacanciescomethrough.Thevacanciesadvertisedsofarhavecoveredawiderangeofemploymentareas,frommarketingtoengineering.

Theproject’sstrengthistheregularcontactithaswithlocalemployersandthestatisticalinformationitisabletocollectthroughitssophisticateddatabase.Theprojectcannowmeasurehowlongvacanciesareadvertisedfor,whatsalariesarebeingadvertised,whichemploymentsectorsareadvertising,thenumberofemployeeseachcompanyhas,aswellascandidatestatistics.

For further information visit: www.graduatejobsouthampton.co.uk or contact Meredith Pollock at meredith.pollock@solent.ac.uk.

LizBatleygraduatedin2007withaBA(Hons)inAdvertisingandfoundthejobofherdreams.Followingane-mailalertfrom

GJSsheappliedforthepositionofaPressandPRAccountExecutiveatCarswellGould.Afterasecondinterviewshewasofferedthejob.

Shesaid:“Ifitwasn’tfortheGraduateJobsSouthamptone-mailalertIwouldhaveprobablynothaveheardofthejobatCarswellGouldsoIamextremelygratefulfortheservice.”

CarswellGouldhadbeenwinningalotofnewclientsandneededtorecruitanewmemberofstaffintothePRdepartment.Theywerehopingfora

recentgraduatesodecidedtoexperimentwithseveraluniversityjobswebsites.

GillGould,ManagingDirector,Carswell

Gouldsaid:“TheGJSwebsitewasparticularlyuseful,asitwassoeasytouse.Weemailedthemwithwhatwewantedandtheyemaileddetailsdirectlytostudents.Theresponsewasfantastic–withindayswehadover30applicantsfromsoon-to-begraduates.”

WeareabsolutelydelightedtohavefoundLizandwhensimilarrolescomeupinthefuturewewillnothesitatetouseGJSagain.

“”

CASE STUDY

CITY LINKS

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First light ForthefirsttimeeverintheUK,extraordinaryfootageoftheAuroraBorealis(theNorthernLights)waspresentedin3D(stereoscopic)visioninanewexhibitionattheMillaisGallery.

ArtistBrianMcClaveandAstrophysicistGeorgeMillwardaretheonlypeopletohavecapturedtheAuroraBorealisonfilmin3D.Theduofilmedthefantasticlightdisplaysimultaneouslyfromtwolakes20milesapartinLapland.

Alsoshowingwasastereoscopicviewofthesun.NASAhasbeenphotographingthesunandgavespecialpermissionfortheir3Dimagestobeused.

Educational aid for RwandaAsixthshipmentpackedwithvitaleducationresourcessetcourseforRwandathisautumn.Since2005theEducationResourcesforAfrica(ERFA)projecthasdonated630computers,28,000books,VCRs,printers,projectorsandphotocopiers.

TheprojectwasstartedfollowingavisitofthethenVice-RectoroftheKigaliInstitutewhotoldofhiscountry’sdesperateneedforcomputersandbookstohelprebuilditseducationsystemfollowingthegenocideofmorethanadecadeago.DonationsarenowreceivedfromothereducationinstitutionsincludingBartonPeverilSixthFormCollege,TottonCollege,PeterSymondsCollege,theLondonSchoolofEconomics,andtheUniversityofWorcester.

MILLAIS GALLERY

11 January – 16 February 2008

Sophie Gerrard, Edmund Kevill-

Davies, Moira Lovell, Kevin

Neward, Dana Pope

TheJerwoodPhotographyAwardsareopentoartistswhohavegraduatedfromvisualartsdegreecoursesintheUKwithinthelastthreeyears.Fivewinnerseachreceive£2500andareexhibitedat

theJerwoodSpaceinLondon.Thefivewinnersof2007lookatsomeofthemostemotivetopicsofourtime.Theissuesofsexuality,sexasacommodityandtheeffectsofwasteontheenvironmentarecommonthemesthroughouttheexhibition.

22 February – 4 April 2008

Little Sparta

Ian Hamilton Finlay

IanHamiltonFinlaywasapoet,artistandgardener.Themostsignificantareaofhisworkisthatofwords–writtenorinscribedonobjectsasdiverseascards,books,prints,stoneandwood.

Finlaydiedin2006butthroughouthislifehecontinuedacloserelationshipwithSouthamptonArtGallery,whichacquiredasignificantamountofhiswork.ItisapleasureandaprivilegefortheMillaisGallerytoshowhiscollectionand

organiseeventstocelebratetheartistandhisassociationwithSouthampton.

Above:IanHamiltonFinlay,(b.1925),TyeCringleFall,printinginkonpaper,1975

WHAT’S ON

Above:EdmundKevill-Davies,TheBouchiers1,2006(detail)

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Find out more about careers in the Merchant Navy

• Deck, engineering and electro-technical officer careers

• Opportunities to travel worldwide

• Get paid to train

For more information:

Tel: 01489 556 295E-mail: wma.openday@solent.ac.ukwww.warashacademy.co.uk

Warsash Maritime Academy Newtown RoadWarsashSouthampton SO31 9ZL

Friday 25 January 2008 10am – 5pm

Open Day Warsash Maritime Academy

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