Student News

In this week's Student News:

Jisc Online Surveys update

Hi,

Jisc online surveys 2.0 will be decommissioned on Wednesday 31^st July. All surveys and data not exported from v2 will be lost. V3 of the platform will continue to function after July.

The following link gives more information and guidance on migration Jisc | Final reminder: move to Online Surveys v3 by 31 July 2024

Mark Glancy

Technology Manager

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Service Disruption to Library Catalogue- Thursday 18 July from 9pm GMT for up to 3 hours

This is to allow an essential server migration to take place at the supplier end.

During this time, you will not be able to access the catalogue for the duration of these works to either search for items, manage your library account, or borrow physical books. Catalogue material will also not be displayed in Discover during this time.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

In this week's Student News:

Jisc Online Surveys update 

Jisc online surveys 2.0 will be decommissioned on Wednesday 31^st July. All surveys and data not exported from v2 will be lost. V3 of the platform will continue to function after July.

The following link gives more information and guidance on migration Jisc | Final reminder: move to Online Surveys v3 by 31 July 2024

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Identity, Purpose and Belonging: The First Scottish International Conference on Armed Forces in Society

Staff and students with a background/interest in the armed forces are invited to attend the Scottish Armed Forces Evidence and Research (SAFE&R) International Conference being held at Napier University’s Craiglockart campus from 22-28^th August.

The conference is titled  ‘Identity, Purpose and Belonging: The First Scottish International Conference on Armed Forces in Society’ and has been organised by Edinburgh Napier University’s Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement, in collaboration with the SAFE&R Hub and sponsored by the Veterans’ Foundation.  The Conference is designed to offer delegates the opportunity to engage with peer, international and UK based researchers and practitioners from a wide variety of disciplines - from Military Sociology to Strategic Studies, Education, Art and Engagement to Veterans Affairs. 

Full details of the conference, including registration information, can be found on the Napier university website using this link https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/our-schools/the-business-school/our-research/military-transitions-research-centre/identity-purpose-and-belonging-conference-2024

This promises to be a valuable opportunity to participate in the development of thinking around improving outcomes for the Serving and veteran community in Scotland.

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SHIFT 2024 is still open for applications! Deadline Thursday 8^th August 2024

Applications are still being accepted for SHIFT 2024!

The programme is open to all current cultural and creative industries students at QMU and to those who graduated in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

This free training programme will equip you with the practical, creative and business skills and contacts that you’ll need for a career in the cultural and creative industries.

SHIFT will run from 2nd - 6th September 2024 via a series of online workshops, breakout conversations, creative activities and one-to-one clinics.

You’ll work with practitioners from The Glasgow School of Art and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, building a new network of creatives from a range of disciplines.

 Topics covered over the week include:

• Budgeting
• Costing for your time and products
• Fundraising
• Marketing
• Time management
• Branding
• Networking
• Legal issues
• Money management and taxes

For more information and to apply visit: https://shiftintoyourfuture.com/

Applications close midday on Thursday 8^th August 2024.

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Applications for the Santander X UK Awards 2024 are now open! 

The Santander X UK Awards is Santander’s annual entrepreneurship competition for emerging businesses and one of the biggest early-stage business pitching competitions in the UK. 

This year there are 2 categories to apply to: University and Startup. 

• The University category is exclusively for new businesses linked to a UK university.
• The Startup category is open to UK incorporated businesses who are ready to scale.

Winners will receive up to £25,000 funding and will automatically progress to the Santander X Global Awards. 

To find out more about the Santander X UK Awards click here. 

The closing date for applications is 16^th July 2024.

In this week's Student News:

Horizon Desktop Maintenance Wednesday 10th July 20.00

Information Technology Services (ITS) need to perform essential maintenance on Horizon infrastructure on Wednesday 10^th July  at 20.00.

All desktops will be unavailable between 20:00 – 23:00

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential work

In this week's Student News

Phishing emails

Hi,

We have had a recent influx of phishing emails to the university. Here is a reminder of what you should do if you get a phishing email.

DO NOT REPLY:

Even if you are not giving any information or think you are replying to just waste time or comment “I know this is a phishing email” etc. This adds your email address to a metric which is likely to increase frequency of phishing emails to your account. You could also receive more sophisticated phishing emails as you have responded, and these will be engineered to get a response with information that can be exploited.

REPORT:

Phishing emails should be sent as an attachment to helpdesk@qmu.ac.uk

To forward as an attachment please follow these steps:

1. Open the Phishing email you wish to send.
2. Next to the “Forward” button on the top panel of the email, click “More” > “Forward as attachment”.
3. Add the helpdesk@qmu.ac.uk as the address you wish to send to and click “Send”.

DELETE:

Once the email has been reported please delete the email from your Inbox

Please be extra cautious when checking email on your mobile phone. The sender’s name is often the only visible information on a smaller screen, and this could have been falsified. The app will allow you to click on the name to show the email address it is has come from to verify it is who you think it is.

Any questions or queries then contact me.

Mark

Mark Glancy

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Important reminder: Online Surveys v3 transition

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance your experience, we want to remind you about the scheduled decommissioning of Online Surveys version two (v2) on Wednesday 31 July 2024.

You must export any v2 response data ahead of the Wednesday 31 July 2024 switch-off date – please refer to our guidance for more information.

Many users have already made the transition to the latest version, Online Surveys v3. We encourage you to upgrade to v3 to ensure uninterrupted service and access to the latest features.

Training and support

Join our Online Surveys essentials training session Wednesday 18 July 2024, 12:00-13:00. This session will cover the fundamentals of constructing, distributing, and analysing surveys using the new v3 platform.
Online Surveys essentials: book now

v3 new features

We’ve introduced more new features, including:

• Answer validation for single-choice grid questions
• A setting to prevent respondents from returning to a previous page in your survey
• The ability to hide questions from the individual response PDF export

Your feedback matters, so please share your suggestions and insights with us as we continue to evolve our product.

Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to supporting you through this transition and beyond.

Warm regards,

Jedidiah A-Ackah
Customer Success Manager

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QMU Student films - Graduation screening

QMU Student films - Graduation screening - Cameo Cinema, July 30th, 6-8pm

Tickets for the screening can be reserved via this link.

It's a strong selection this year.

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English Language Summer Schools 2024

We are delighted to be welcoming our English Language School Groups back on campus from Sunday 30th June. The language students will be our guests over the summer period and will stay on campus.

We will have approx. 675 on campus from Monday 1st July until Sunday 28th July. We will not have any students staying during August.

Our language school business provides a great opportunity to generate significant revenue from our facilities during the summer months and also raises awareness of QMU internationally. The majority of students who will be with us this year will be coming from Italy.

We are expecting it to be very busy on campus during July so we would like to thank you in advance for your patience and help in making our guests feel welcome during their stay. This will ensure that they return home with a positive impression of Scottish hospitality and QMU.

Catering for the students will be provided within Guthrie’s and the catering times for the students are as follows:

Monday – Saturday

Breakfast – 7.30am – 9.00am
Lunch – 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Dinner – 5.30pm – 7.30pm

Saturday – Sunday

Breakfast – 7.30am – 9.00am
Lunch – Packed Lunch
Dinner – 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Tuck Shop

There will also be a Tuck Shop offering for the language students which will be located in the old Nook Lounge space serving Frappes, juice and snacks. The students will have a break from their classes at the following times and it is anticipated that this area will be busy during these times:
10.30am – 11.00am
3.30pm – 4.00pm

The language students have access to Guthrie’s the Tuck Shop and can use Starbucks too. They will not be accessing Maggie’s though.

Catering Areas for Staff & QMU Students

The Nook offer has moved to Starbucks and this along with Maggie’s will still be open for all to enjoy, but we would anticipate the outlets to be busy between 12.00pm and 1.00pm and would ask you to plan your lunch accordingly.

The Nook (in Starbucks) will have a daily changing selection of fresh deli sandwiches, soup, paninis, toasties, salad bar, and home bakes.

Maggie’s will be running its summer menu, with daily specials available if you’re looking for something a little more – but please remember everything is cooked fresh to order in Maggie’s so may take a little longer.

The Piano Bar space will also be available for QMU Staff and Students only if you are looking for a quiet space. Please note however there is an external event on the 16th and 24th July so it will not be available during this time.

If you have any queries at all about the language schools, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

In this week's Student News:

Phishing emails

Hi,

We have had a recent influx of phishing emails to the university. Here is a reminder of what you should do if you get a phishing email.

DO NOT REPLY:

 Even if you are not giving any information or think you are replying to just waste time or comment “I know this is a phishing email” etc. This adds your email address to a metric which is likely to increase frequency of phishing emails to your account. You could also receive more sophisticated phishing emails as you have responded, and these will be engineered to get a response with information that can be exploited.  

REPORT:

Phishing emails should be sent as an attachment to helpdesk@qmu.ac.uk

To forward as an attachment please follow these steps:

1. Open the Phishing email you wish to send.
2. Next to the “Forward” button on the top panel of the email, click “More” > “Forward as attachment”.
3. Add the helpdesk@qmu.ac.uk  as the address you wish to send to and click “Send”.

DELETE:

Once the email has been reported please delete the email from your Inbox

Please be extra cautious when checking email on your mobile phone. The sender’s name is often the only visible information on a smaller screen, and this could have been falsified. The app will allow you to click on the name to show the email address it is has come from to verify it is who you think it is.

Any questions or queries then contact me.

Mark Glancy

Technology Manager

mglancy@qmu.ac.uk 

In this Week's Student News:

Effective Learning Service: Summer Resit Programme

The Resit Support Programme will be running from Wednesday 19^th June – Tuesday 2^nd July this year. This is two weeks of flexible support (online options available) to help you succeed with resit exams and assignments. You will be able to:

• Work with a personal study mentor who will offer help and feedback.
• Reflect on areas to improve and develop your skills.
• Attend ELS online workshops on a range of academic skills.

If this sounds helpful for you, please book a place online at: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/effective-learning-service-els/help-with-resits/  

Who can attend?

All students are welcome to apply, though priority is given to 1^st and 2^nd year students.

How can students book?

Students can book online: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/effective-learning-service-els/help-with-resits/ or can contact ELS@qmu.ac.uk for more information.

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Imposter Syndrome: Conquering Self-doubt – 21 June 2024; 10:00 – 12:00, Bright Red Triangle Studio 

Imposter Syndrome is a common challenge for entrepreneurs. This session, run by the Bright Red Triangle, will address imposter syndrome’s psychological aspects and provide strategies to overcome it, allowing you to unleash your full potential. 

Key takeaways will include: 

• Understanding what imposter syndrome is and how it manifests.
• Learning techniques to boost self-confidence and overcome self-doubt.
• Discovering strategies for cultivating a growth mindset.

Imposter syndrome can hold you back from achieving your full potential. In this session you’ll gain a better understanding of this common challenge and acquire practical tools to overcome it, enabling you to pursue your entrepreneurial goals with confidence. 

Register for the session here. 

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Startup Huddle for Women and Non-binary People – 30 July 2024; 11:00 – 12:00, Bright Red Triangle Studio 

Edinburgh Napier University’s Bright Red Triangle are hosting the first Startup Huddle for women – a global first! 

This is a meet up where entrepreneurs present real-time challenges facing their startup and solicit input on potential solutions from other entrepreneurs, mentors, ecosystem builders and others in the local community.  

Come huddle and join a trusted support network, where you can grow your connections and share and receive support, advice and tools that can directly impact the growth of your business! 

More details and how to register can be found here. 

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Business Creation Course for Women and Non-binary People – 9 July - 24 August 2024 (online) 

This business creation course provides support for women and non-binary people who are interested in starting a business and those already in the start-up process. 

Participants will be encouraged to assess the value of skills they have already and consider how those skills, knowledge seams or interests could be converted into a business idea. 

The programme is designed to help you: 

• Understand your skills.
• Identify a business area.
• Plan and develop your idea into a business.
• Hear from inspirational women founders and specialists.
• Build your network of like-minded women in start-ups.
• Connect with business support professionals.

The course will be delivered over eight online sessions every Tuesday from 9^th July – 24^th August from 6.30 - 8pm. 

The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 24^th June. 

More details and registration information can be found here.

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Ideation workshop with Women’s Enterprise Scotland – 25 June 2024; 11:00 – 14:00, Edinburgh Napier University Craiglockhart Campus 

Ever thought about starting a business or working for yourself but not sure where to start? This three-hour workshop, hosted by the Bright Red Triangle, is a great starting point for anyone from those who don’t yet have any idea to those feeling overwhelmed by having too many ideas to choose from. 

In this practical workshop, you will be guided by certified gender-aware advisors from Women’s Enterprise Scotland who will take you through the process of identifying an idea towards the next steps for you. 

The aim of the workshop is to leave with a business idea and some ideas for next steps. 

The deadline to sign up is 10am on Wednesday 19^th June. 

More details and registration information can be found here. 

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Santander X UK Awards 2024

Applications for the Santander X UK Awards 2024 are now open! 

The Santander X UK Awards is Santander’s annual entrepreneurship competition for emerging businesses and one of the biggest early-stage business pitching competitions in the UK. 

This year there are 2 categories to apply to: University and Startup. 

• The University category is exclusively for new businesses linked to a UK university.
• The Startup category is open to UK incorporated businesses who are ready to scale.

Winners will receive up to £25,000 funding and will automatically progress to the Santander X Global Awards. 

To find out more about the Santander X UK Awards click here or register for the information webinar which will take place on 20^th June 2024. 

The closing date for applications is 16^th July 2024.

In this week's student news:

Transforming space in the Learning Resource Centre 

How will building work impact students now and over the summer?  

Work on our ambitious plans to create a range of exciting teaching and learning spaces at QMU is already underway.   

The project – Future Spaces – will see the transformation of space within our Learning Resource Centre and an area of classrooms on the Level 0 teaching corridor. This exciting project supports our ambitions to refresh, enhance and modernise our campus by creating spaces that meet the changing needs of students.   

With a £2.1m investment, students will see a dramatic change to the LRC and Level 0 classroom area, which will expand capacity for self-directed student learning and ‘informal’ teaching activity.  

You can read more about this in our news article in the link below:

https://qmu.sharepoint.com/sites/FutureSpaces-20Phase1Construction/SitePages/Transforming-our-teaching-and-learning-spaces.aspx 

What study spaces are available during building work?  

Building work is planned to take place over the summer months to minimise disruption to our student population. However, with a project of this magnitude, there will be some unavoidable noise, as well as areas of the building which are temporarily unavailable for study use.   

However, there are still plenty of spaces that students can make use of. These include:   

• Learning Resource Centre – back end, towards the pond (may still experience some noise disruption)  

We are also making the following spaces accessible to postgraduate students:  

• Psychology Lab - Room 3114 on Level 3 (quieter option)  
• Speech and Language Science Lab - Room 2147 on level 2 (quieter option)  

Whilst these may not be work areas that you normally use, you are welcome to maximise the use of these spaces during daytime hours while building works are underway. Please see details near the Helpdesk on how to access these spaces.  

Helpdesk remains open to support staff and students  

The Helpdesk will remain open to support staff and students throughout most of the construction phase of the Future Spaces project. It will operate from its original position in the LRC. However, it will move to a temporary position within the building while the area which houses the Helpdesk is being upgraded later in the project.   

Supporting your learner journey at QMU during construction period  

We know that the few months over the summertime are critical to your educational success, and we will do everything we can to support you and make sure you are as comfortable as possible during your study periods with QMU.   

Construction to the LRC and in Level 0 classrooms will begin on 3 June, so it would be sensible to anticipate that there will be some noise within that area which may impact your learning environment. We would encourage you to take full advantage of the other allocated study spaces on offer during these times, and we will update you on changes where necessary.   

Ultimately, our goal is to enhance and repurpose spaces across these key areas of the buildings, so we can provide students with a wider choice of more comfortable, vibrant, and sociable study space options. In essence, we aim to create an environment where people want to be, and which creates a sense of belonging for our student community.   

Further information  

If you have any questions about the Future Spaces, please speak with Bruce Laing, our Director of Campus Facilities, by emailing: blaing@qmu.ac.uk. 

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QMU Student Film showcase - Ticket link

This year's graduation film screening will be in Cameo Cinema 1 on Sunday June 30th, 6-8pm.

Tickets can be reserved via 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/qmu-film-showcase-tickets-902219241037?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this week's student news:

Edinburgh SU Pride Collaboration

This Pride Month, join Edinburgh University Students’ Association, Edinburgh Napier Students' Association, Edinburgh College Students’ Association, Queen Margaret University Students' Union, Heriot-Watt Students’ Union and Edinburgh Students' Charities Appeal for an unforgettable Ceilidh celebration!

Dance the night away to the electrifying tunes from Edinburgh's first All Trans Fashion Forward Ceilidh Band - Pied Piper! Immerse yourself in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where you can celebrate your true self.

But the fun doesn't stop there! By attending this Ceilidh, you'll also be contributing to a fantastic cause. Tickets are £5 and proceeds will be donated to Pride Edinburgh, the city's biggest pride celebration.

Join us on Wednesday, June 19th from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Hanger 5, Potterrow. Don't miss this chance to celebrate Pride Month, dance the night away, and support a great cause!

Get your tickets now and let's make it a Pride Month to remember!

Ticket Link: https://donorbox.org/events/609969

Accessibility:

We shall have round tables at the back of the room for people to sit and rest. There is also lift access where required and a disabled toilet. Please let a member of staff know if you require any assistance.

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QMU Trad music Slow Session Sat June 1st All welcome

Hello all

Our next session runs on Saturday and all interested musicians are welcome.
This is a slow session. We play through the advertised tune list keeping to a slow and steady pace.

We will meet for lunch at Maggies our student union canteen, at 12noon. here is a link to the menu

Menu

or if you prefer to skip lunch you will find us in room 0051. The session will run for 2 hours from 1 till 3pm.
We will play a selection of tunes from Nigel Gatherer's website. I can send you a copy of the sheet music once you have registered.
Please click on this link to confirm your attendance-

https://forms.office.com/r/7Xc6SqqQMU

Your details will not be shared with anyone else.
But please do share this invitation with anyone you think may be interested.

Tunes
1.    Flatwater Fran
2.    Roses of No Man's Land
3.    Brenda Stubbert's
4.    Jack Daniels
5.    Spootiskerry and Willafjord
6.    The Barren Rocks of Aden / The 79th's Farewell to Gibralter
7.    Banks of the Allan / Kenmure's On and Awa'
8.    Aird Ranters / Put Me in the Big Chest
9.    Parcel of Rogues
10.   The Black Bear / The Piper's Refuge
11.   Maggie West's Waltz / Farquhar & Hettie's

Break for refreshments when we need one.

12.   Calum's Road / The Hut on Staffin Island
13.   McKechnie's Farewell / Rutherglen Road
14.   Ballachulish Glen
15.   Margaret's Watz / Kate Martin's Waltz
16.   The Peat Fire Flame/Island Dance
17.   Boys of Blue Hill / Harvest Home
18.   Bonnie at Morn
19.   The Braes of Locheil / Mrs Campbell of Shinness
20.   Memories of Father Angus MacDonnell / Braes of Dunvegan
21.   Lochanside / My Home Town
22.   Sheebeg and Sheemore

If we need more tunes -
23.   Waltz for Kylin
24.   Glenside Polkas
25.   Doddie's Dream
26.   The Battle of the Somme/The Boy's Lament for his Dragon
27.   Ronas Voe / Starry Nights o' Shetland

The notes will be projected onto a screen in class, but you can also print them out in advance and bring your own music stand if you prefer.
Please volunteer to lead one or two tunes off if you are happy to do so. thanks.

Recommended Donation £7 per person (if you can afford this) to cover costs and any profit will be shared between Nigel and the Scottish music group.

Payment in cash on the day, or via bank transfer to Dr Frances J Culpan, sort code 40 47 87 account 51418815

email jculpan@qmu.ac.uk if you have any questions

cheers Jane Culpan

In this week's Student News: 

Guest Wi-Fi maintenance Tuesday 28/05/2024

Hi,

On Tuesday 28/05/2024 Information Technology Services (ITS) are performing maintenance on the Guest Network.

The maintenance will start about 08:00 and hoping to keep disruption to a minimum but due to the nature of work, it could be down all day.

eduroam Wi-Fi is not affected by the work and will work without interruptions. An email will go out once work is completed.

Any questions or queries then drop me an email.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mark Glancy

Technology Manager

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Guthrie’s seating area closed Wednesday 22^nd of May 2024 – 09:30-15:00

Please note due to a large event with Exhibitors taking place in Guthrie’s this Wednesday, this seating area will be closed. Please could we ask staff and students to use tea points, the Nook seating area, the tiers leading down from Starbucks or the bucket chair and sofa area at the bottom of the steps leading into Guthrie’s on this date for refreshment breaks.

Please note The Nook, Maggie’s and Starbucks will be open as normal as per summer offering already communicated.

Thank you

Conference and Events Team

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Calling all QMU Cultural and Creative Industries students! Deadline Friday 28^th June 2024

Applications for SHIFT 2024 are now open!

This free, unique and collaborative training programme will equip you with the practical, creative and business skills and contacts that you'll need for a career in the cultural and creative industries.

SHIFT will run from 2nd - 6th September 2024 via a series of online workshops, breakout conversations, creative activities and one-to-one clinics.

You’ll work with practitioners from The Glasgow School of Art and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, building a new network of creatives from a range of disciplines.

The programme is open to all arts and creative industries students at QMU and to those who graduated in 2022 and 2023.

Topics covered over the week include:

• Budgeting
• Costing for your time and products
• Fundraising
• Marketing
• Time management
• Branding
• Networking
• Legal issues
• Money management and taxes

For more information and to apply visit https://shiftintoyourfuture.com/

Applications close Friday 28^th June 2024.

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Have your say on the future of Edinburgh’s housing

The City of Edinburgh Council would like to hear the views of students to help shape Edinburgh’s Local Housing Strategy.

The Council’s strategy will set out the vision for all types of housing and housing related services in the city for at least the next five years.

Edinburgh has the fastest growing population in Scotland and the housing sector and people of Edinburgh are facing unprecedented challenges, so it’s never been more important to have a strong housing strategy that reflects and is influenced by the views of people living in the city.

Please take a few minutes to fill out the initial survey and feedback what you think the key housing priorities are for the city. The survey closes on 14th June 2024.

Following this initial survey, there will be a variety of engagement and consultation opportunities from June to October 2024 to make sure that as many people as possible can share their views. Please keep an eye out for further opportunities to get involved and share your thoughts.

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Your construction update on the Edinburgh Innovation Hub

Excellent progress has taken place on the construction of the Hub since Heron Brothers started work in January.  Despite the wet weather at the start of the year, the project is on track for completion in the summer of 2025.

If you walk, cycle or drive past the site, you’ll now notice the structure taking shape, with the central elements of the stair or lift cores rising to roof level and first floor slabs cast.

What can you expect next?

Over the next month, you’ll notice activity increasing as the fit out of the ground floor section of one wing begins. There will be enclosure of the exterior, with further concrete casting works to bring the other wings of the building up to the same level. In the summer, construction of the upper levels, which are a steel frame, will begin.

Utilities will start to go in. As the Hub requires connection to some of utilities within the campus grounds, work will take place over the quieter summer period to ensure less disruption to the QMU community. Expect temporary traffic lights in place over late May/June as a road crossing work is undertaken.

Of course, our Estates team is working with the contractor to keep the impact on high profile, critical activities including Graduation Reception, Summer Schools and Fringe Village, to a minimum.

Want to know more about the detail?

Further information about the development’s progress will be issued via Moderator as the project advances. The Edinburgh Innovation Hub website has been updated to reflect the images of the completed building and service offering of the new development. It also acts as the initial information source for potential occupier enquiries. To help with wider communication to visitors and local residents, a new large-scale sign, highlighting the Hub development, will be installed on the A1 over the summer.

Job creation and wider benefits to the local community

A key element of the contract and part of the Edinburgh and City Region deal is to leverage wider benefits for the local community and deliver social value. As part of its project commitment, the contractor Heron hosted a ‘meet the buyer’ event on campus on 16 May to promote opportunities for the supply chain. In addition, local employment has been generated, and the company is supporting East Lothian Council in the development of the new infrastructure and built environment curriculum for schools.

See the website for further information.

Bruce Laing

Director of Campus Services

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Congratulations to the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey prize winner!

The prize winner, winning a £50 Amazon gift voucher, is Victoria Johnstone-Cooke.

Thank you to everyone who completed this survey. The survey results will be discussed at the Graduate School Academic Board once the UK-wide benchmarking reports are prepared by Advance HE.  Your feedback gives QMU a comprehensive picture of your experience, highlighting what we do well and what could be improved, to help implement changes that will enhance the overall postgraduate research student experience.

QMU Student Surveys

Studentsurvey@qmu.ac.uk

In this week's Student News: 

Last Call for Festival of Learning - Recipes of Belonging, 21st May 2024

We have a fantastic line-up for the QMU Festival of Learning – Recipes of Belonging on the 21^st May 2024. We have two keynote speakers alongside workshops and talks from QMU colleagues, students and wider sector partners.

• Dr Javeria Khadija Shah is a cultural sociologist and interdisciplinary scholar specialising in policy, media education, sociology, and the visual arts. She is the Associate Director of the Centre for Inclusive Pedagogy and Practice, a member of the Principal’s Office at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, and the Founding Director of the Social Performance Network.
• 
  Professor Theo Gilbert. Theo is a Professor of Compassion-Focused Pedagogy at the University of Hertfordshire's Centre for Learning, Access and Student Success -  and the Business School.  He is the creator of the Compassion in HE network and its website of free, practical resources for any compassion-curious educator:  https://compassioninhe.wordpress.com/.  

Have a look at the programme here:  QMU Festival Programme 21 May 2024.pdf

Only a few places left so book your spot here: https://qmu-ad.libcal.com/event/4190714

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Vikki Hill in the LEAD Centre vhill@qmu.ac.uk

Grounded theory symposium

On 14^th June the Scottish Grounded Theory Network will be having their inaugural symposium at QMU.  Attending are presenters from a wide range of countries including Australia, Algeria, India and Ireland covering a wide range of topics with the aim of creating connections and joint research opportunities across disciplines and universities.

Some of the topics being presented/discussed:

• Health workers in non-mental health settings in South Asia adapt to being trained to also provide treatment for depression (University of York)
• A Grounded Theory Study Exploring Palliative Care Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences of Managing Digital Legacy as Part of Advance Care Planning for people with terminal illness (NHS Scotland/Marie Curie
• Using grounded theory and action research for addressing complex fragmented problems in Higher Education and beyond (Open University)
• Exploring pancreatic cancer experiences: A grounded theory study protocol (Queen’s University,)
• Using grounded theory to explore healthcare practitioners confidence to provide breastfeeding support to fathers (Anglica Ruskin)
• The theory of disengagement in undergraduate psychiatry education in India – original research using decolonised constructivist grounded theory in intercultural research (India)
• The issue of power relations and power disparity in the collection of data, arising from a study of Health and Social Care Placements in Malta’s changing work Environment.
• Redefining Urban Dynamics: A Grounded Theory Approach through FAIR Data - Insights from Jijel. (Jijel University)

If you are interested in attending please click the link below or email SDick@qmu.ac.uk or Susanne.kean@ed.ac.uk

Scottish Grounded Theory Symposium | Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (qmu.ac.uk)

SHIFT 2024

Calling all QMU Cultural and Creative Industries students! Deadline Friday 28^th June 2024

Applications for SHIFT 2024 are now open!

This free, unique and collaborative training programme will equip you with the practical, creative and business skills and contacts that you'll need for a career in the cultural and creative industries.

SHIFT will run from 2nd - 6th September 2024 via a series of online workshops, breakout conversations, creative activities and one-to-one clinics.

You’ll work with practitioners from The Glasgow School of Art and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, building a new network of creatives from a range of disciplines.

The programme is open to all arts and creative industries students at QMU and to those who graduated in 2022 and 2023.

Topics covered over the week include:

• Budgeting
• Costing for your time and products
• Fundraising
• Marketing
• Time management
• Branding
• Networking
• Legal issues
• Money management and taxes

For more information and to apply visit https://shiftintoyourfuture.com/

Applications close Friday 28^th June 2024.

In this week's Student News:

Effective Learning Service: Summer Resit Programme

The Resit Support Programme will be running from Wednesday 19^th June – Tuesday 2^nd July this year. This is two weeks of flexible support (online options available) to help you succeed with resit exams and assignments. You will be able to:

• Work with a personal study mentor who will offer help and feedback.
• Reflect on areas to improve and develop your skills.
• Attend ELS online workshops on a range of academic skills.

If this sounds helpful for you, please book a place online at: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/effective-learning-service-els/help-with-resits/  

Who can attend?

All students are welcome to apply, though priority is given to 1^st and 2^nd year students.

How can students book?

Students can book online: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/effective-learning-service-els/help-with-resits/ or can contact ELS@qmu.ac.uk for more information.

______________________________________________________________________

SHIFT 2024

Calling all QMU Cultural and Creative Industries students! Deadline Friday 28^th June 2024

Applications for SHIFT 2024 are now open!

This free, unique and collaborative training programme will equip you with the practical, creative and business skills and contacts that you'll need for a career in the cultural and creative industries.

SHIFT will run from 2nd - 6th September 2024 via a series of online workshops, breakout conversations, creative activities and one-to-one clinics.

You’ll work with practitioners from The Glasgow School of Art and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, building a new network of creatives from a range of disciplines.

The programme is open to all arts and creative industries students at QMU and to those who graduated in 2022 and 2023.

Topics covered over the week include:

• Budgeting
• Costing for your time and products
• Fundraising
• Marketing
• Time management
• Branding
• Networking
• Legal issues
• Money management and taxes

For more information and to apply visit https://shiftintoyourfuture.com/

Applications close Friday 28^th June 2024.

____________________________________________________________________

Guest Wi-Fi maintenance Thursday 09/05/2024

Hi,

On Thursday 09/05/2004 BT Openreach will be onsite performing maintenance on the Guest Network Wi-Fi. The connection will be at risk till the work is completed.

The connection will be up most of the day, but you may lose connection for up to an hour. An email will go out once work is completed.

eduroam Wi-Fi is not affected by the work and will work without interruptions.

Any questions or queries then drop me an email.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mark Glancy

Technology Manager

mglancy@qmu.ac.uk 

In this week's Student News:

Disability Literacy in Schools Website Launch 

Thursday, 9th May, 2024, 1600-1730  

At Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, we have been developing resources for use in educational settings, to encourage positive discussions of disability and to help children understand the importance of recognizing the different needs and abilities of everyone around them. 

We are launching our new website which contains an array of free to use educational resources including an activities pack, instructional videos and directory of other resources.  

We will also be launching an online short course for Education professionals, running from September 2024. 

Please join us on 9 May 2024 online or on campus in the Halle Lecture Theatre at QMU  1600-1730 to learn more about our evidence base and resources.    

You need to register to book your place: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/queenmargaretuniversity1/1207938  

Registration closes on 7 May 2024. 

If you need BSL interpretation please let us know by 23 April 2024. 

For more information, email:: ToyResearchGroup@qmu.ac.uk 

__________________________________________________________

SHIFT 2024

Calling all QMU Cultural and Creative Industries students! Deadline Friday 28^th June 2024

Applications for SHIFT 2024 are now open!

This free, unique and collaborative training programme will equip you with the practical, creative and business skills and contacts that you'll need for a career in the cultural and creative industries.

SHIFT will run from 2nd - 6th September 2024 via a series of online workshops, breakout conversations, creative activities and one-to-one clinics.

You’ll work with practitioners from The Glasgow School of Art and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, building a new network of creatives from a range of disciplines.

The programme is open to all arts and creative industries students at QMU and to those who graduated in 2022 and 2023.

Topics covered over the week include:

• Budgeting
• Costing for your time and products
• Fundraising
• Marketing
• Time management
• Branding
• Networking
• Legal issues
• Money management and taxes

For more information and to apply visit https://shiftintoyourfuture.com/

Applications close Friday 28^th June 2024.

______________________________________________________________

Graduation 2024

Graduation invites have been issued by email to all students who may be potentially eligible to graduate in July 2024. If you have not received an email to either your QMU or personal email address but think you should have received a Graduation invite, please email Graduation@qmu.ac.uk

Full details for Graduation can be found at: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/current-students/current-students-general-information/graduation/

In this week's Student News:

QMU Sport & Fitness: staff & student Pickleball sessions

Dive into the exciting world of Pickleball with QMU Sport & Fitness!

Ready for a thrilling experience? Join us for our new Pickleball sessions, open to both staff and students!

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fantastic blend of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, suitable for all skill levels! It's easy to learn and incredibly fun!

When?

Every Tuesday from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, drop in whenever suits you best!  Sessions start on Tuesday 16^th April.

Who's Leading?

Meet Christos Theodorakopoulos, QMU academic and Pickleball Scotland Ambassador, who will guide you through the ins and outs of this exhilarating sport!

First Session FREE!

We're offering your first session on the house! Come along, join the fun, and discover the joy of Pickleball with us! 

All following sessions are £5.80 for non-members or free with your Sport & Fitness membership.

Equipment Provided!

No need to worry about gear – we've got you covered with all the necessary equipment!

Ready to smash, volley, and have a blast? Don't miss out – mark your calendars and join us for a session packed with fun and fitness! 

Please register your interest by email to sportsreception@qmu.ac.uk

See you on the court!

______________________________________________

Horizon Desktop Maintenance Monday 29th April 20:00

Information Technology Services (ITS) need to perform critical maintenance on Horizon infrastructure on Monday 29^th April at 20:00.
The desktop will be unavailable on Monday between 20:00 – 22:00​

​We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential work.

_____________________________________________

LAST CHANCE to complete the NSS and have your say!

If you’re a final year UG student, this is your LAST CHANCE to share your views on QMU and speak out on everything from the teaching on your course, access to resources and equipment, and even about the student voice!

The National Student Survey will close on 30 April 2024 so make sure you don’t miss out.

Your views can make a difference. With your feedback, we can understand better what we are doing well, and can look at what changes or improvements can be made for the benefit of future students. Remember, the NSS is anonymised, so you can give your open, honest feedback.

Complete the survey at www.thestudentsurvey.com 

______________________________________________

Surveys Winners Announced: £50 Amazon Voucher Prize Draws!

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the £50 Amazon vouchers from our recent student surveys! Your participation has been invaluable in helping us understand your needs and improve your university experience.

Without further ado, here are the lucky winners:

QMU Student Survey (QSS)

                Programme: BA (Hons) in Business Management

                Winner: Luke Mercer

QMU Engagement Survey (UKES)

                Programme: BSc in Paramedic Science

                Winner: Ozzy Ozkan

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)

                Programme: International Health Scheme

                Winner: Kelechi Nwoko

Congratulations to all the winners!

And thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the surveys. Your feedback is crucial in shaping the future of the QMU. The anonymised survey results are shared with academic and professional services staff and will be considered at the Student Experience Committee.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to have your voice heard and win exciting prizes, like the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) and the National Student Survey (NSS) with the prizes to be drawn in May!

______________________________________________

The Edinburgh Merchant Company Enterprise Fund - call for student entrepreneurs! Deadline Sunday 28th April 2024

The Edinburgh Merchant Company Enterprise Fund 2024 is now open for applications!

This fund supports current QMU students, staff and graduates to achieve their business ideas, with awards ranging from £500 - £5,000.

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a business idea that they are looking to pursue so, if you are interested, please review the following resources:

• For more information regarding eligibility criteria and the competition process, please refer to the Guidelines For Applicants.
• Applications should be made via the Edinburgh Merchant Company Enterprise Fund 2024 Application Form before 23:59 on Sunday 28th April 2024.
• Please note, a cashflow forecast is also required as part of the application process, and must be submitted via email to rkedu@qmu.ac.uk.

Please direct any queries about the funding or application process to rkedu@qmu.ac.uk

______________________________________________

Business Creation Course for Women

Edinburgh Napier University and Women’s Enterprise Scotland are to deliver a business creation course for women, and QMU staff, students and alumni are invited to attend!

The course will run from 14:00 – 16:00 each Wednesday from 24^th April to 5^th June (6 weeks) via a mix of online and in-person sessions, and offers: 

• Skills assessment and development
• Idea generation tailored to your interests
• Practical business planning tools
• Strategies to attract customers and set prices

Further information and the registration form can be found here. 

An in-person information session will be held at Napier’s Craiglockhart campus from 17:00 – 18:00 on Monday 15^th April and an online information session will be held from 12:00 – 12:45 on Tuesday 16^th April – to register for either information event, please email Emma Ives at e.ives@napier.ac.uk.  

______________________________________________

Effective Learning Service: Summer Resit Programme

The Resit Support Programme will be running from Wednesday 19^th June – Tuesday 2^nd July this year. This is two weeks of flexible support (online options available) to help you succeed with resit exams and assignments. You will be able to:

• Work with a personal study mentor who will offer help and feedback.
• Reflect on areas to improve and develop your skills.
• Attend ELS online workshops on a range of academic skills.

If this sounds helpful for you, please book a place online at: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/effective-learning-service-els/help-with-resits/  

Who can attend?

All students are welcome to apply, though priority is given to 1^st and 2^nd year students.

How can students book?

Students can book online: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/effective-learning-service-els/help-with-resits/ or can contact ELS@qmu.ac.uk for more information.

______________________________________________

Disability Literacy in Schools Website Launch 

Thursday, 9th May, 2024, 1600-1730  

At Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, we have been developing resources for use in educational settings, to encourage positive discussions of disability and to help children understand the importance of recognizing the different needs and abilities of everyone around them. 

We are launching our new website which contains an array of free to use educational resources including an activities pack, instructional videos and directory of other resources.  

We will also be launching an online short course for Education professionals, running from September 2024. 

Please join us on 9 May 2024 online or on campus in the Halle Lecture Theatre at QMU  1600-1730 to learn more about our evidence base and resources.    

You need to register to book your place: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/queenmargaretuniversity1/1207938  

Registration closes on 7 May 2024. 

If you need BSL interpretation please let us know by 23 April 2024. 

For more information, email:: ToyResearchGroup@qmu.ac.uk