Student News
On this page, you will find QMU Student News, which every QMU student receives each week via their QMU email account. Student News is issued every Wednesday afternoon.
Want an item featured in Student News? You can find out how by reading our policy and procedure.
Don’t forget that we share lots of stories about the University, and our students and staff and things that interest them, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. #QMUCommunity
20th March 2024
In this Week's Student News:
The Helpdesk Survey- Be in with a chance to win a £50 Amazon e-voucher!
Be in with a chance to win a £50 Amazon e-voucher by completing The Helpdesk survey!
The views and experiences of all our customers are extremely important to us.
We welcome your feedback and are continually looking at ways in which we can improve our service.
Please help us by completing this short survey.
Actions from this survey will be published via the Helpdesk intranet page.
Closing date for the survey is Sunday 31st March!
Many thanks and good luck!
The Helpdesk Team
_____________________________________________
Room Housekeeping
We have received feedback that some teaching rooms are not being left in an appropriate state after student bookings. Each room has a set layout for the chairs and tables (if applicable), and the Facilities Support team should not need to reset the room layout between teaching unless a new room layout has been requested.
You are welcome to make any adjustments to seating in the room while you are using it to suit your needs. However, please ensure that the room is returned to a suitable state before the end of your booking. Kindly leave the room as you would expect to find it.
Thank you.
_____________________________________________________
Catering online survey - one week left to give us your feedback
The annual catering survey is open for the rest of this week, so Monday 18th – Friday 22nd March, and is conducted by our independent catering consultancy, Litmus Partnership.
Have you tried our new catering outlets? What do you think of our new menus and service offers? These are just a couple of the questions we need your views on.
The information collected will be benchmarked against the survey results from last year to allow us to measure the difference in customer satisfaction levels.
So please can we ask you to take 5 minutes to fill in our online survey. You may be in with a chance of winning one of 3 x £50 Amazon vouchers! You can fill in the online survey here.
Look out for posters dotted about campus and social media which also contain the link for the survey.
Many thanks.
____________________________________________________________________
Hearing marginalised voices through film: a lunchtime event to experience refugee perspectives on displaced Palestinian and middle eastern people.
Friday 22nd March 12-30 - 2pm : Room 2109.
Walid Salhab's multi award winning short films, focusing on the migration and displacement of Palestinian people and the refugee experience, will be shown and discussed (including his latest short film made in December and banned from TikTok). The work takes a decolonised approach and shares the unique perspective of middle eastern local people - please bring your lunch and join our brave space to listen and talk about these important issues.
To prepare for the event, it might be useful to listen to Walid's podcast :
Interview with filmmaker Walid Salhab: From Tripoli to Edinburgh – a life of hope and creativity
This event is part of the work of the Voice, Agency and Representation research group.
____________________________________________________________
Friday 19 April 2024
The Santander Universities Enterprise Fund 2024 is now open for applications!
This fund supports current QMU students and recent graduates (those who graduated within the past 48 months) to achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions, with awards ranging from £1,000 - £2,500.
This is a fantastic opportunity for any students with a business idea that they are looking to pursue!
For more information regarding eligibility criteria and the competition process, please refer to the Guidelines For Applicants.
Applications should be made via the Santander Universities Enterprise Fund 2024 Application Form before 23:59 on Friday 19th April 2024.
Please direct any queries about the funding or application process to santander@qmu.ac.uk.
______________________________________________________________
Opportunity for your students to develop entrepreneurial skills with the SFF LEARN programme! Deadline 4 April 2024 at 11am
The LEARN programme is delivered by the Start For Future consortium and will enable you to develop your enterprise and entrepreneurial skills by working on solutions to some of the key challenges facing Europe.
Your student team will be connected to business coaches, domain experts, innovative start-ups and other student groups from across Europe to participate in a series of 5 online workshops during which you'll learn about business modelling, identifying target markets, creating prototypes, and more!
Don't miss out! Apply before 11am on 4th April 2024 and start your future, your way!
For more information, contact clow@qmu.ac.uk
_____________________________________________________________
Thursday 21 March - Foraging Walk and Seed Swap
Outdoor Learning Hub at QMU: Allotment
Foraging Walk and Seed Swap
21st March, 2-4pm
Table outside Guthrie’s
Support the allotment with a seed swap
Do you have vegetable, flower or other plant seeds you’re not going to use? Please bring them along to our seed swap event. If there are seeds you’d like to take, please leave a donation for the allotment.
Join us for a local foraging walk
Spring is the time for foraging for salad greens, spring flowers and shoots, and medicinal plants. Join us on a walk around the local area to find spring’s edible plants, learn about responsible foraging and get ideas for recipes. Depart from the table outside Guthrie’s at just after 2pm. Will be back by 4pm but welcome to head back to campus whenever works for you. Bring a bag!
13th March 2023
In this weeks student news:
East Lothian Green Futures Festival will take place on campus at QMU on Saturday 16th March 2024 between 10am and 3pm.
What to Expect?
Inspirational talks, practical workshops, showcase of local activities and climate visions for a bright future. This festival will bring together individuals, community groups and organisations to share and learn about amazing work already taking place in East Lothian and build a vision for a positive future for our environment and people.
What to Expect?
Inspirational talks, practical workshops, showcase of local activities and climate visions for a bright future. This festival will bring together individuals, community groups and organisations to share and learn about amazing work already taking place in East Lothian and build a vision for a positive future for our environment and people.
Engaging talks
Interactive workshops to empower and educate
Showcase of local and national projects making a difference and drop in advice clinics
Fun for the family
Live music and food to buy on site.
The event is a free event and open to all the community. Come along for a day filled with inspiration, education, and action at the East Lothian Green Futures Festival, organised by the new East Lothian Climate Hub!
For more information and updates https://sccan.scot/elcan
Turn your idea into a business with the Converge Challenge! - Deadline 3 April 2024
Do you have a passion for innovation and invention, but not sure how to turn your idea into a reality? It’s time to apply for the Converge Challenge!
Regardless of your background and entrepreneurial readiness, if you know the ‘why’ behind your business, the Converge Challenge can help you with the ‘how.’
Working in partnership with Scotland’s world-class universities, the Converge Challenge helps students, staff, and recent graduates gain the tools, networks, and support to springboard their game-changing business ideas into the world.
What can the Converge Challenge help with?
- Business training
- Funding
- 1-2-1 support
- Professional advice
- Contacts to help you grow your network
Contact clow@qmu.ac.uk for more information or Apply for the Converge Challenge now! - Deadline 3 April 2024
______________________________________________________
Changes to Meeting room and teaching room PCs
As part of the University’s continuous improvement and cyber resilience, we are rolling out changes to the meeting room and teaching room PCs. The migration is not happening en masse so some rooms will run the new system while others the old, till the migration is complete. A migrated room will have updated documentation to help with the transition.
The changes will better help integrate OneDrive into the systems along with other performance improvements. The main change is the authentication method when logging into a PC. The new system requires the username as username@qmu.ac.uk and normal QMU password. You will also need to authenticate using username@qmu.ac.uk and standard password when browsing to https://my.qmu.ac.uk on the devices. The remaining look and feel will stay the same with core functionality not changed either in terms of operating system, applications and media setup of the room.
The reason for the change to the new system is to give us greater control and flexibility and adapt to updates/fixes, etc, quicker than the older system.
If you have any questions or queries, then please drop me an email mglancy@qmu.ac.uk
________________________________________________________________________
The Helpdesk Survey- Be in with a chance to win a £50 Amazon e-voucher!
Be in with a chance to win a £50 Amazon e-voucher by completing The Helpdesk survey!
The views and experiences of all our customers are extremely important to us.
We welcome your feedback and are continually looking at ways in which we can improve our service.
Please help us by completing this short survey.
Actions from this survey will be published via the Helpdesk intranet page.
Closing date for the survey is Sunday 31st March!
Many thanks and good luck!
The Helpdesk Team
____________________________________________________________________________
WISeR Arts Showcase
March 28th, 2024
5pm - 7pm
3rd Floor Balcony Space, QMU (the “Art Gallery”)
You are invite to the 3rd (fast becoming annual!) WISeR Arts Showcase that has supported students from the BA Events Management and MA Applied Arts and Social Practice to work with local community groups at Craigmillar Now and Connecting Craigmillar. Refreshments available!
____________________________________________________________________________
Catering online survey - now live!
The annual catering survey is now live. It will be open from today, Monday 11th March, to Friday 22nd March and is conducted by our independent catering consultancy, Litmus Partnership.
Have you tried our new catering outlets? What do you think of our new menus and service offers? These are just a couple of the questions we need your views on.
The information collected will be benchmarked against the survey results from last year to allow us to measure the difference in customer satisfaction levels.
So please can we ask you to take 5 minutes to fill in our online survey. You may be in with a chance of winning one of 3 x £50 Amazon vouchers! You can fill in the online survey here.
Look out for posters dotted about campus and social media which also contain the link for the survey.
_____________________________________________________
Allotment events
Outdoor Learning Hub at QMU: Allotment
Foraging Walk and Seed Swap
21st March, 2-4pm
Table outside Guthrie’s
Support the allotment with a seed swap
Do you have vegetable, flower or other plant seeds you’re not going to use? Please bring them along to our seed swap event. If there are seeds you’d like to take, please leave a donation for the allotment.
Join us for a local foraging walk
Spring is the time for foraging for salad greens, spring flowers and shoots, and medicinal plants. Join us on a walk around the local area to find spring’s edible plants, learn about responsible foraging and get ideas for recipes. Depart from the table outside Guthrie’s at just after 2pm. Will be back by 4pm but welcome to head back to campus whenever works for you. Bring a bag!
__________________________________________________
Women's History Month Film Screening: Hidden Figures
This Women's History Month, Equate Scotland's Student Network invites you to a film screening of the film Hidden Figures (2016).
Hidden Figures is incredible and inspiring untold true story about three women at NASA who were instrumental in one of the most ambitious operations in history - sending a man into space. Three brilliant African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) -- serve as the brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.
This film screening is free and open to ALL QMU staff and students.
Join us in the Halle Lecture Theatre on Wednesday 13th March between 16:00-18:30 for the screening!
____________________________________________________
Invitation to join the Decolonising QMU Working Group
In response to the EDI Culture Review Report Action Plan, a 'Decolonising QMU' Working Group is being set up with the purpose of formulating guidance, supporting events and devising policy for decolonisation work within and across the university.
We invite interested colleagues and students to express their interest in joining the 'DecolonisingQMU' Working Group by filling in the short form below by 15th March 2024:
Invitation to join the Decolonising QMU Working Group (office.com)
Consideration will be given to ensuring a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences, and we particularly encourage expressions of interest from those with demonstrable interest and commitment to decolonisation work.
6th March 2024
In this week's Student News
Reclaiming QMU Apple IDs
What is happening?
Apple has advised some personal Apple IDs have been setup using “@qmu.ac.uk” email addresses, causing a conflict with our own attempts to deploy managed Apple IDs.
For us to proceed, we must reclaim all personal Apple IDs using "@qmu.ac.uk" email addresses, so that they are available for us to deploy within the University. This will also prevent "@qmu.ac.uk" email addresses being used for personal Apple IDs in future.
When is it happening?
We will initiate this process with support from Apple on Tuesday 13th February. The process should be complete within 60 days from then (13th April).
Why is it happening?
To improve the user experience of Apple devices purchased by QMU, we need staff and students to be able to login to shared devices using a QMU Apple ID which we create and deploy automatically. This work will enable that.
What is expected of you?
If you have setup a personal Apple ID using your “@qmu.ac.uk” e-mail address you will receive an e-mail from Apple, and a notification on any relevant Apple devices, advising you of the next steps.
You will be asked to change the Apple ID to use one of your own personal e-mail addresses, rather than your QMU address.
Please note, you will not have to change the Apple ID password. Any purchases, content and data made with this Apple ID will not be affected and will remain available to it after you rename the Apple ID.
After 60 days you will receive a final prompt and your Apple ID will then be automatically renamed. You will receive further instructions direct from Apple.
Once these conflicts have been resolved, we can then take steps to provision managed Apple IDs using QMU email addresses.
What if I setup an Apple ID for a work device?
If your department purchased an Apple device, and you then used your QMU email address to sign up for an Apple ID for it, Apple still classes this as a "personal" Apple ID.
Please contact us as per below in the first instance.
Further Support
Please note this process is being driven by Apple, and the QMU Helpdesk will have limited capacity to assist.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact its-comms@qmu.ac.uk
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause,
IT Services
___________________________________________________________________
8-week ‘Compassionate Mind Training’ course
Thursdays, 3.30-5.30pm starting on the 7th March
Do you ever feel that you are your own worst critic? Or that sometimes you get in your own way? Do you sometimes find it hard to regulate your emotions? If so, this course might be helpful!
What’s it about?
- We will learn more about our ‘tricky brains’ and how difficult it can be to be human.
- We will learn more about self-criticism and how to balance strong negative emotions (e.g. anger, anxiety, sadness or shame).
- We will learn to develop and practice a compassionate mind with the intention of being helpful, not harmful, towards ourselves and others.
What’s involved?
- Each session will involve a mixture of taught content and experiential exercises and practices (e.g. mindfulness, imagery, compassionate mind skills development).
- The sessions will be IN PERSON on campus.
- It is important that you aim to attend all 8 sessions.
- Please bring an open mind and a readiness to listen to others with kindness.
Compassion?!!
Don’t worry – this isn’t touchy-feely nonsense! Our definition of ‘compassion’ is wise, kind, courageous, strong and pretty helpful.
Book a place:
If you would like to book a place, email Sophie on smacleod@qmu.ac.uk giving your name and matriculation number.
Spaces are limited.
If you are interested but cannot make these dates, please let me know and I can add you to a list for next semester.
_____________________________________________________________________
Turn your idea into a business with the Converge Challenge! - Deadline 3 April 2024
Do you have a passion for innovation and invention, but not sure how to turn your idea into a reality? It’s time to apply for the Converge Challenge!
Regardless of your background and entrepreneurial readiness, if you know the ‘why’ behind your business, the Converge Challenge can help you with the ‘how.’
Working in partnership with Scotland’s world-class universities, the Converge Challenge helps students, staff, and recent graduates gain the tools, networks, and support to springboard their game-changing business ideas into the world.
What can the Converge Challenge help with?
- Business training
- Funding
- 1-2-1 support
- Professional advice
- Contacts to help you grow your network
Contact clow@qmu.ac.uk for more information or Apply for the Converge Challenge now! - Deadline 3 April 2024
___________________________________________________________________________
Changes to Meeting room and teaching room PCs
Hi,
As part of the University’s continuous improvement and cyber resilience, we are rolling out changes to the meeting room and teaching room PCs. The migration is not happening en masse so some rooms will run the new system while others the old, till the migration is complete. A migrated room will have updated documentation to help with the transition.
The changes will better help integrate OneDrive into the systems along with other performance improvements. The main change is the authentication method when logging into a PC. The new system requires the username as username@qmu.ac.uk and normal QMU password. You will also need to authenticate using username@qmu.ac.uk and standard password when browsing to https://my.qmu.ac.uk on the devices. The remaining look and feel will stay the same with core functionality not changed either in terms of operating system, applications and media setup of the room.
The reason for the change to the new system is to give us greater control and flexibility and adapt to updates/fixes, etc, quicker than the older system.
If you have any questions or queries, then please drop me an email mglancy@qmu.ac.uk
________________________________________________________________________
The Helpdesk Survey- Be in with a chance to win a £50 Amazon e-voucher!
Be in with a chance to win a £50 Amazon e-voucher by completing The Helpdesk survey!
The views and experiences of all our customers are extremely important to us.
We welcome your feedback and are continually looking at ways in which we can improve our service.
Please help us by completing this short survey.
Actions from this survey will be published via the Helpdesk intranet page.
Closing date for the survey is Sunday 31st March!
Many thanks and good luck!
The Helpdesk Team
____________________________________________________________________
Horizon Desktop Maintenance Thursday 14th March 20:00
Information Technology Services (ITS) need to perform critical maintenance on Horizon infrastructure on Thursday 14th March at 20:00.
The desktop will be unavailable for staff on Thursday between 20:00 – 22:00
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential work.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Feedback for Feedback!
How do you experience your feedback?
We are looking for your experience with academic feedback!
Please fill out this survey to contribute to change in academic feedback.
There is the chance to win a voucher!
If you have any questions please contact Mareike – mohl@qmu.ac.uk
______________________________________________________________________________
International Women's Day 2024 - Professor Jeane Freeman - Championing female leadership
Last chance to book your place for this inspiring session!
The QMU Aurora Network and the School of Health Sciences are delighted to host an inspiring event to celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday 8th March 2024. In this session, we will hear from Professor Jeane Freeman about her long and successful leadership career in the fields of health and social justice. Her career journey includes being a senior civil servant, establishing a social enterprise working with employers and ex-offenders, being Chair of the Board of the Golden Jubilee Foundation and a member of the Parole Board for Scotland and the Judicial Appointments Board. Latterly, she was an MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport in the Scottish Government. Her appointment as honorary professor at QMU sees her continue to be involved with health care education and championing female leadership in the health sector and beyond.
This event is open to all QMU Staff and Students. We welcome those from any degree discipline, as the topic of career progression and female leadership spans all sectors. Collectively, we can all #InspireInclusion.
Friday 8th March at 1.00pm – 2.30pm.
Book your place via Eventbrite: International Women's Day 2024 - Professor Jeane Freeman Tickets, Fri 8 Mar 2024 at 13:00 | Eventbrite
___________________________________________________________________________________
Women's History Month Film Screening: Hidden Figures
This Women's History Month, Equate Scotland's Student Network invites you to a film screening of the film Hidden Figures (2016).
Hidden Figures is incredible and inspiring untold true story about three women at NASA who were instrumental in one of the most ambitious operations in history - sending a man into space. Three brilliant African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) -- serve as the brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.
This film screening is free and open to ALL QMU staff and students.
Join us in the Halle Lecture Theatre on Wednesday 13th March at between 16:00-18:30 for the screening!
______________________________________________________________________
Parking in Areas Surrounding Campus
Students are reminded that the Musselburgh Station car park is for rail passengers only and enforcement action is carried out by British Transport Police. Please also note that parking on Queen Margaret University Drive is not permitted and enforcement is carried out by East Lothian Council on all roads surrounding campus.
Parking, Travel & Transport Options
If you require further information on travel, transport and parking options please visit the Location and Getting Here section of our website or contact parking@qmu.ac.uk.
___________________________________________________________________________
NHS Scotland - InnoScot -Health and Care Innovation and Intellectual Property - 21 March 2024 - 12-2pm, QMU room 2092
InnoScot Health works in partnership with NHS Scotland to inspire, accelerate, and commercialise impactful healthcare innovations. They aim to harness entrepreneurial talent, accelerate impactful healthcare innovations and positively impact health, social and economic outcomes that reflect the aims of Scotland’s National Performance Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Staff and Students are invited to the above QMU event – Contact rkedu@qmu.ac.uk for further information.
Topic : Health and Care Innovation and Intellectual Property
Speaker: Fiona Schaefer, InnoScot Health
Please, register here
______________________________________________________________________________
Catering online survey - three x £50 Amazon vouchers to be won!
On Monday 11th March we will launch our annual catering survey. This is conducted by our independent catering consultancy, Litmus Partnership.
Have you tried our new catering outlets? What do you think of our new menus and service offers? These are just a couple of the questions we need your views on.
The information collected will be benchmarked against the survey results from last year to allow us to measure the difference in customer satisfaction levels.
So please can we ask you to take 5 minutes to fill in our online survey. You may be in with a chance of winning one of 3 x £50 Amazon vouchers! You can fill in the online survey here.
Look out for posters dotted about campus and social media which also contain the link for the survey.
The survey is open from Monday 11th – Friday 22nd March.
28th February 2024
In this week's student news:
Who will be your next Presidents and Officer Committee?
Voting opens for all QMU students to decide who will be their next QMU Students’ Union Presidents and Officers Committee on Monday 4th March.
You will be sent a link to your QMU email each day the vote is open (Mon 4th Mar – Thu 7th Mar). Just click on that link and it takes you straight to the vote. Each vote is linked to your QMU email so you can only vote once. Members of the QMUSU team will have a table at the entrance to Guthrie’s (where the bake sales are usually held) throughout the voting period, to answer any questions you have about the vote or if you need a hand in accessing it.
Check out our website for details of the candidates who will be running and looking for your vote QMUSU and you will see our candidates around campus over the coming days, so check out what they have to offer.
We are hoping lots of you will vote and have a say in how our new Officers Committee will represent all of you. If we get to 1500 votes the SU will pick 3 voters at Random and each of them will receive a £50 Voucher. If 2000 students vote, someone will receive a £200 voucher!
Happy Voting
________________________________________________
Reclaiming QMU Apple IDs
What is happening?
Apple has advised some personal Apple IDs have been setup using “@qmu.ac.uk” email addresses, causing a conflict with our own attempts to deploy managed Apple IDs.
For us to proceed, we must reclaim all personal Apple IDs using "@qmu.ac.uk" email addresses, so that they are available for us to deploy within the University. This will also prevent "@qmu.ac.uk" email addresses being used for personal Apple IDs in future.
When is it happening?
We will initiate this process with support from Apple on Tuesday 13th February. The process should be complete within 60 days from then (13th April).
Why is it happening?
To improve the user experience of Apple devices purchased by QMU, we need staff and students to be able to login to shared devices using a QMU Apple ID which we create and deploy automatically. This work will enable that.
What is expected of you?
If you have setup a personal Apple ID using your “@qmu.ac.uk” e-mail address you will receive an e-mail from Apple, and a notification on any relevant Apple devices, advising you of the next steps.
You will be asked to change the Apple ID to use one of your own personal e-mail addresses, rather than your QMU address.
Please note, you will not have to change the Apple ID password. Any purchases, content and data made with this Apple ID will not be affected and will remain available to it after you rename the Apple ID.
After 60 days you will receive a final prompt and your Apple ID will then be automatically renamed. You will receive further instructions direct from Apple.
Once these conflicts have been resolved, we can then take steps to provision managed Apple IDs using QMU email addresses.
What if I setup an Apple ID for a work device?
If your department purchased an Apple device, and you then used your QMU email address to sign up for an Apple ID for it, Apple still classes this as a "personal" Apple ID.
Please contact us as per below in the first instance.
Further Support
Please note this process is being driven by Apple, and the QMU Helpdesk will have limited capacity to assist.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact its-comms@qmu.ac.uk
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause,
IT Services
______________________________________
8-week ‘Compassionate Mind Training’ course
Thursdays, 3.30-5.30pm starting on the 7th March
Do you ever feel that you are your own worst critic? Or that sometimes you get in your own way? Do you sometimes find it hard to regulate your emotions? If so, this course might be helpful!
What’s it about?
- We will learn more about our ‘tricky brains’ and how difficult it can be to be human.
- We will learn more about self-criticism and how to balance strong negative emotions (e.g. anger, anxiety, sadness or shame).
- We will learn to develop and practice a compassionate mind with the intention of being helpful, not harmful, towards ourselves and others.
What’s involved?
- Each session will involve a mixture of taught content and experiential exercises and practices (e.g. mindfulness, imagery, compassionate mind skills development).
- The sessions will be IN PERSON on campus.
- It is important that you aim to attend all 8 sessions.
- Please bring an open mind and a readiness to listen to others with kindness.
Compassion?!!
Don’t worry – this isn’t touchy-feely nonsense! Our definition of ‘compassion’ is wise, kind, courageous, strong and pretty helpful.
Book a place:
If you would like to book a place, email Sophie on smacleod@qmu.ac.uk giving your name and matriculation number.
Spaces are limited.
If you are interested but cannot make these dates, please let me know and I can add you to a list for next semester.
________________________________________
Turn your idea into a business with the Converge Challenge! - Deadline 3 April 2024
Do you have a passion for innovation and invention, but not sure how to turn your idea into a reality? It’s time to apply for the Converge Challenge!
Regardless of your background and entrepreneurial readiness, if you know the ‘why’ behind your business, the Converge Challenge can help you with the ‘how.’
Working in partnership with Scotland’s world-class universities, the Converge Challenge helps students, staff, and recent graduates gain the tools, networks, and support to springboard their game-changing business ideas into the world.
What can the Converge Challenge help with?
- Business training
- Funding
- 1-2-1 support
- Professional advice
- Contacts to help you grow your network
Contact clow@qmu.ac.uk for more information or Apply for the Converge Challenge now! - Deadline 3 April 2024
_________________________________________
Changes to Meeting room and teaching room PCs
Hi,
As part of the University’s continuous improvement and cyber resilience, we are rolling out changes to the meeting room and teaching room PCs. The migration is not happening en masse so some rooms will run the new system while others the old, till the migration is complete. A migrated room will have updated documentation to help with the transition.
The changes will better help integrate OneDrive into the systems along with other performance improvements. The main change is the authentication method when logging into a PC. The new system requires the username as username@qmu.ac.uk and normal QMU password. You will also need to authenticate using username@qmu.ac.uk and standard password when browsing to https://my.qmu.ac.uk on the devices. The remaining look and feel will stay the same with core functionality not changed either in terms of operating system, applications and media setup of the room.
The reason for the change to the new system is to give us greater control and flexibility and adapt to updates/fixes, etc, quicker than the older system.
If you have any questions or queries, then please drop me an email mglancy@qmu.ac.uk
Regards,
Mark Glancy
Technology Manager
________________________________________
Kanopy video streaming
QMU subscribes to Kanopy, a video streaming platform similar to Netflix, which contains thousands of films, tv shows, educational videos and documentaries relevant to your studies and for general interest.
Check it out here (QMU username and password required to log in)
Other areas that might be of interest can be viewed under the Browse header, such as Psychology, Everyday Health, Media and Communications and Medicine.
______________________________________________
Dissertation support
If you have started work on your dissertation or are struggling to think about where to find relevant literature and other resources to use, remember that you can contact your subject librarian for help! Get in touch to arrange a meeting or have a chat by email about how to use the library's resources, book collection, Discover tool, subject databases and other online materials, how to search effectively using academic databases and google scholar, and how to improve your referencing.
Don't forget there's a subject guide for every area to help you choose which sources to search, and QMU's guide to referencing and plagiarism to help you with good academic practice.
Our online workshop series is also continuing, with upcoming sessions on using ebooks, referencing, using the digital library, reference managers, google scholar and cite them right. Booking required.
_________________________________________
Student Survey
In line with our priorities as an SU, our Question of the Semester this month is focussed on academic timetabling. We are looking to work alongside the university to develop an approach to timetabling that ensure students have a healthy balance between study, recreation and travel. Follow the link to provide your feedback:https://qmu.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/question-of-the-semester-sem-2
Responses close Friday 1st March, so be sure to get your feedback in before then - we greatly value your thoughts and ideas!
_____________________________________________
Open Call to staff and students: Invitation to join the Decolonising QMU Working Group
In response to the EDI Culture Review Report Action Plan, a 'Decolonising QMU' Working Group is being set up with the purpose of formulating guidance, supporting events and devising policy for decolonisation work within and across the university.
We invite interested colleagues and students to express their interest in joining the 'Decolonising QMU' Working Group by filling in the short form below by 15th March 2024:
Invitation to join the Decolonising QMU Working Group (office.com)
Consideration will be given to ensuring a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences, and we particularly encourage expressions of interest from those with demonstrable interest and commitment to decolonisation work.
_________________________________________
Congratulations to the QMU Entrant’ Survey prize winner!
The survey prize winner, winning a £25 Amazon gift voucher, is Lorraine Couper. Well done!
Thanks to all the new students that completed the January QMU Entrants’ survey. The survey results will be discussed at the Transition and Induction Working Group. Your feedback provides QMU with a picture of what the induction experience was like, what we do well and what needs to be improved, to help bring about changes which will improve the overall student experience.
QMU Student Surveys
__________________________________________________
NHS Scotland - InnoScot -Health and Care Innovation and Intellectual Property - 21 March 2024 - 12-2pm, QMU room 2092
InnoScot Health works in partnership with NHS Scotland to inspire, accelerate, and commercialise impactful healthcare innovations. They aim to harness entrepreneurial talent, accelerate impactful healthcare innovations and positively impact health, social and economic outcomes that reflect the aims of Scotland’s National Performance Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Staff and Students are invited to the above QMU event – Contact rkedu@qmu.ac.uk for further information.
Please, register here
____________________________________________
Communicating your research - 1 March 2024, 1300-1400 (online)
Communicating the value of your research outside your field is an essential skill.
In this interactive workshop, we will consider how the audience, environment and tools available in different settings guide and impact how you communicate.
Facilitator: Lissa Herron, Enterprise Manager, Converge
Please, register using the link included here
________________________________________________
The why and how of research translation - 8 March 2024, 1300-1400
Translation of research is becoming increasingly important and valued by universities, funding bodies and governments.
This workshop will cover the value of research translation, the different ways in which research can be translated, and what the pathways to translation can look like in Scottish universities.
Facilitator: Lissa Herron, Enterprise Manager, Converge
Please, register using the link included here
_________________________________________________
Upcoming events organised by public sociologists at QMU
- Tuesday March 5 at 4.00-6.00 PM: History of Colonialism in Palestine (this will include a short video about the topic, followed by intervention from panellists to share more about colonialism in Palestine).
- Tuesday March 12 at 4.00-6.00 PM: Film-screening on Palestine.
- Tuesday March 20that 1.00-3.00 PM: A stall in the cafeteria to share leaflets and sell some Palestinian food as a fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestine.
- Thursday 28 at 4.00-6.00: A panel discussion about academic freedom in relation to solidarity actions with Palestine.
Organising group: Public Sociologists at QMU.
Contact person: Manal Shqair- mshqair@qmu.ac.uk
21st February 2024
In this Week's Student News
Monthly QMU Innovation and Enterprise Drop In - Wednesday 27 March, 0900-1100 (in person – BIZ)
Informal drop in with the Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Unit (RKEDU) team who will be available to answer any questions or provide you with more information on QMU support and opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
Facilitator: Members of RKEDU
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone)
Please, register here
Converge drop-in session – Thursday 28 March, 1000-1630 (in person – BIZ)
We would like to bring to your attention Converge Drop-in session here in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Converge is supported by the Scottish Higher Education Institutions. Our QMU membership gives us access to their company creation programme for researchers, aimed at creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
To find out the essentials of starting a business you can access the Converge workshops series tailored specifically for business propositions coming out of academia.
Converge supports staff, students, and recent graduates from QMU to create innovative new businesses and translate their research. Lissa Herron, Converge Enterprise Manager, is available for drop-in meetings and advice sessions to help you take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey. You can find Lissa in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Please get let us know if you would like us to put you in touch with Converge. You can contact RKEDU at: rkedu@qmu.ac.uk
Facilitator: Lissa Herron, Enterprise Manager, Converge
Please, register here
_____________________________________
Reclaiming QMU Apple IDs
What is happening?
Apple has advised some personal Apple IDs have been setup using “@qmu.ac.uk” email addresses, causing a conflict with our own attempts to deploy managed Apple IDs.
For us to proceed, we must reclaim all personal Apple IDs using "@qmu.ac.uk" email addresses, so that they are available for us to deploy within the University. This will also prevent "@qmu.ac.uk" email addresses being used for personal Apple IDs in future.
When is it happening?
We will initiate this process with support from Apple on Tuesday 13th February. The process should be complete within 60 days from then (13th April).
Why is it happening?
To improve the user experience of Apple devices purchased by QMU, we need staff and students to be able to login to shared devices using a QMU Apple ID which we create and deploy automatically. This work will enable that.
What is expected of you?
If you have setup a personal Apple ID using your “@qmu.ac.uk” e-mail address you will receive an e-mail from Apple, and a notification on any relevant Apple devices, advising you of the next steps.
You will be asked to change the Apple ID to use one of your own personal e-mail addresses, rather than your QMU address.
Please note, you will not have to change the Apple ID password. Any purchases, content and data made with this Apple ID will not be affected and will remain available to it after you rename the Apple ID.
After 60 days you will receive a final prompt and your Apple ID will then be automatically renamed. You will receive further instructions direct from Apple.
Once these conflicts have been resolved, we can then take steps to provision managed Apple IDs using QMU email addresses.
What if I setup an Apple ID for a work device?
If your department purchased an Apple device, and you then used your QMU email address to sign up for an Apple ID for it, Apple still classes this as a "personal" Apple ID.
Please contact us as per below in the first instance.
Further Support
Please note this process is being driven by Apple, and the QMU Helpdesk will have limited capacity to assist.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact its-comms@qmu.ac.uk
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause,
IT Services
_______________________________________
Nominations are CLOSING TOMORROW (Thursday 22.2.24 @ 12 Noon) for your Students’ Union Elections!
The hunt is on for which of you will be part of our Officer Committee (OC) for 24/25. The OC are a group of students who work within the Students’ Union who gather feedback from you and other students about their experience at QMU. They use this feedback to either take action on an issue, run campaigns, organise events etc. Any student wishing to take on a Part Time role, must be a matriculated student from Sept 2024 – April 2025.
The positions not only include our Full time President roles (paid) but also our Part-time Officers (voluntary). Please have a look through our shiny and newly re-branded Election Guide 2024 if you are interested in becoming part of the team that has a real influence over the Student experience at QMU. Every role in the OC is decided through the votes of all QMU students in the QMUSU annual elections which are held in March.
If you wish to put yourself forward as a candidate please click on Student Elections 2024 - Nominations @ QMUSU , fill out the nomination form and submit. A member of the SU staff team will be in touch with you to confirm your nomination and arrange a time to fill you in on the election process.
For anyone who is not aware of the QMUSU Elections and its purpose please have a look over this article which explains all you need to know Student Elections: shaping your campus experience @ QMUSU
Available Roles in the QMUSU Officers Committee: -
President – Academic Life (Full time, paid role)
President – Student Activities (Full time, paid role)
Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
International Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
PostGrad Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Societies Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Sports Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Student Voice Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Wellbeing Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Looking forward to meeting your potential new Officers
______________________________________
8 week course for students
8-week ‘Compassionate Mind Training’ course
Thursdays, 3.30-5.30pm starting on the 7th March
Do you ever feel that you are your own worst critic? Or that sometimes you get in your own way? Do you sometimes find it hard to regulate your emotions? If so, this course might be helpful!
What’s it about?
- We will learn more about our ‘tricky brains’ and how difficult it can be to be human.
- We will learn more about self-criticism and how to balance strong negative emotions (e.g. anger, anxiety, sadness or shame).
- We will learn to develop and practice a compassionate mind with the intention of being helpful, not harmful, towards ourselves and others.
What’s involved?
- Each session will involve a mixture of taught content and experiential exercises and practices (e.g. mindfulness, imagery, compassionate mind skills development).
- The sessions will be IN PERSON on campus.
- It is important that you aim to attend all 8 sessions.
- Please bring an open mind and a readiness to listen to others with kindness.
Compassion?!!
Don’t worry – this isn’t touchy-feely nonsense! Our definition of ‘compassion’ is wise, kind, courageous, strong and pretty helpful.
Book a place:
If you would like to book a place, email Sophie on smacleod@qmu.ac.uk giving your name and matriculation number.
Spaces are limited.
If you are interested but cannot make these dates, please let me know and I can add you to a list for next semester.
_____________________________________
New ELS Video Guide: Using Sources Effectively
Video Guide: Using Sources Effectively
Are you looking to develop your use of sources this semester? Have a look at the new addition to our bank of ‘Three by three’ video guides! This one is all about Using Sources Effectively and can help you feel more confident about these three questions:
- How can I find the optimal may to cite sources in a sentence?
- What are the most common slips when referencing?
- How can I avoid plagiarism and use Turnitin?
Each video is itself made up of three short parts, with activities built in to break the topic down for you. You can also view our earlier ‘Three by Threes’ on Positive Time Planning and Planning Assignments.
Our Three by three academic skills videos are accessible on Canvas (for students with a QMU email address), or on Sway (for students who may not have a QMU email). Both links can be followed from the ‘Video Guides’ tab of the ELS web page: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/effective-learning-service-els/.
We’d love to hear your feedback on the Three by three guides so please don’t hesitate to get in touch at els@qmu.ac.uk if you have any comments or suggestions for future videos!
___________________________________
VICE CHANCELLOR’S & STUDENT FUND - LAST CHANCE TO APPLY!
The Vice-Chancellor’s & Student Development Fund is open to all Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG) and research students of QMU.
Awards of up to £750 are available to support students achieve their academic, personal, or vocational goals.
These student-led projects can be based in the UK or overseas and must demonstrate to have a positive benefit to the student, the university, or the local community.
Deadline for applications: Applications for 2023/2024 are now open and will close 12pm 26 February 2024.
For further information contact: development@qmu.ac.uk
__________________________________
Feedback for Feedback!
How do you experience your feedback?
We are looking for your experience with academic feedback!
Please fill out this survey to contribute to change in academic feedback.
There is the chance to win a voucher!
If you have any questions please contact Mareike – mohl@qmu.ac.uk
____________________________________
SITS unavailable Wednesday 28th February (09:00-11:00)
SITS (Live/Production Environment) will be unavailable from 9am on Wednesday 28th of February until at least 11am on that day. A new moderator will be issued when the system is available for use. Please do not use SITS on Wednesday until you have received this moderator.
This is to allow for essential maintenance and updates.
As SITS is a key application a number of other systems will be unavailable or have reduced functionality and these include:
Student Portal
Staff Portal
ERA Portal
myQMU Mobile App
Student Application Form
Admissions Portal
Absence Monitoring
SmartCard System
Work may be completed earlier than advised and we will issue another Moderator to advise when the system is available again.
Thank you for your cooperation as IT continue to maintain a high level of security and functionality within the University's applications.
______________________________________
Jisc online surveys
Hi,
Jisc are amending the online portal and migrating to v3 of the platform. The link to the current version (v2) of the survey is https://www.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ The newer v3 can be accessed via https://onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/
The key dates for this process are:
- Creating new surveys in v2 will be disabled on 30 April 2024
- Online Surveys v2 will be discontinued on 31 July 2024
We recommend all surveys are created in v3 now.
Surveys created in v2 will NOT be automatically migrated to v3. You will need to export and redo the survey in v3. Exporting response data | Online surveys is a guide for exporting survey data. Any survey data not exported before v2 is switched off will be lost. Online Surveys v2 will be discontinued on 31 July 2024
FAQ: Migration to Online Surveys v3 – Online Surveys (jisc.ac.uk) has more information regarding data exports, migrations, and other survey information.
Regular updates regarding online surveys can be accessed via News – Online Surveys (jisc.ac.uk)
If you have any concerns, please drop me an email and I can put you in contact with Jisc support.
Regards,
Mark Glancy
Technology Manager
__________________________________
Turn your idea into a business with the Converge Challenge! - Deadline 3 April 2024
Do you have a passion for innovation and invention, but not sure how to turn your idea into a reality? It’s time to apply for the Converge Challenge!
Regardless of your background and entrepreneurial readiness, if you know the ‘why’ behind your business, the Converge Challenge can help you with the ‘how.’
Working in partnership with Scotland’s world-class universities, the Converge Challenge helps students, staff, and recent graduates gain the tools, networks, and support to springboard their game-changing business ideas into the world.
What can the Converge Challenge help with?
- Business training
- Funding
- 1-2-1 support
- Professional advice
- Contacts to help you grow your network
Contact clow@qmu.ac.uk for more information or Apply for the Converge Challenge now! - Deadline 3 April 2024
_______________________________________
Nursing, Health & Social Care Careers Fair – 28th February 2024
The annual Nursing, Health & Social Care Careers fair will take place on Wednesday 28th February between 11.00am and 2.30pm. The fair will take place on the two atrium tiers (below Starbucks). We have lined up a whole host of exhibitors who have current graduate vacancies, there will also be the opportunity to meet with the QMU Careers Team, we look forward to seeing you there:
- NHS Lothian
- NHS Tayside
- NHS Dumfries & Galloway
- NHS Forth Valley
- NHS Lothian Staff Bank
- NHS North East Ambulance Service
- Oxford Health NHS
- Ireland East Hospital Group
- Podiatry Services Midwest
- Randolph Hill Nursing Homes
- Constance Care – City & county Healthcare Group
- Eramosa Physiotherapy Associates
- East Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership
- Mercy University Hospital
- Mid Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership
- Erskine Home
- Trust-Care
- Positive Paths
- Kids First
______________________________________
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Pledge Tree - Short launch event, 1pm 26th February
Following the publication of the EDI Culture Review Report, an 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Pledge' Tree will be launched on campus on Monday 26th February at 1pm in Guthrie's. This initiative, developed by our Inclusive Learning, Teaching and Assessment (ILTA) Champion Cohort, will allow staff and students to tie a paper 'leaf' with their name to the tree to show their commitment to EDI. There will also be a QR Code that when scanned will take staff and students through to a Microsoft Form where they can leave a personal EDI pledge for the year.
To officially launch the tree, a short event will be held by the tree at 1pm on Monday 26th February, where the Principal will make the first 'pledge'/commitment on the tree. Please come along at 1pm to show your support for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at QMU and kickstart the 'pledging'!
______________________________________
Changes to Meeting room and teaching room PCs
Hi,
As part of the University’s continuous improvement and cyber resilience, we are rolling out changes to the meeting room and teaching room PCs. The migration is not happening en masse so some rooms will run the new system while others the old, till the migration is complete. A migrated room will have updated documentation to help with the transition.
The changes will better help integrate OneDrive into the systems along with other performance improvements. The main change is the authentication method when logging into a PC. The new system requires the username as username@qmu.ac.uk and normal QMU password. You will also need to authenticate using username@qmu.ac.uk and standard password when browsing to https://my.qmu.ac.uk on the devices. The remaining look and feel will stay the same with core functionality not changed either in terms of operating system, applications and media setup of the room.
The reason for the change to the new system is to give us greater control and flexibility and adapt to updates/fixes, etc, quicker than the older system.
If you have any questions or queries, then please drop me an email mglancy@qmu.ac.uk
Regards,
Mark Glancy
Technology Manager
______________________________________
14th February 2024
In this week's Student News:
Monthly QMU Innovation and Enterprise Drop In - Wednesday 27 March, 0900-1100 (in person – BIZ)
Informal drop in with the Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Unit (RKEDU) team who will be available to answer any questions or provide you with more information on QMU support and opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
Facilitator: Members of RKEDU
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone)
Please, register here
Converge drop-in session – Thursday 28 March, 1000-1630 (in person – BIZ)
We would like to bring to your attention Converge Drop-in session here in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Converge is supported by the Scottish Higher Education Institutions. Our QMU membership gives us access to their company creation programme for researchers, aimed at creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
To find out the essentials of starting a business you can access the Converge workshops series tailored specifically for business propositions coming out of academia.
Converge supports staff, students, and recent graduates from QMU to create innovative new businesses and translate their research. Lissa Herron, Converge Enterprise Manager, is available for drop-in meetings and advice sessions to help you take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey. You can find Lissa in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Please get let us know if you would like us to put you in touch with Converge. You can contact RKEDU at: rkedu@qmu.ac.uk
Facilitator: Lissa Herron, Enterprise Manager, Converge
Please, register here
_____________________________________________________________
Nominations are now OPEN for your Students’ Union Elections!
The hunt is on for which of you will be part of our Officer Committee (OC) for 24/25. The positions not only include our Full time President roles (paid) but also our Part-time Officers (voluntary). Please have a look through our shiny and newly re-branded Election Guide 2024 if you are interested in becoming part of the team that has a real influence over the Student experience at QMU. Every role in the OC is decided through the votes of all QMU students in the QMUSU annual elections which are held in March.
If you wish to put yourself forward as a candidate please click on Student Elections 2024 - Nominations @ QMUSU , fill out the nomination form and submit. A member of the SU staff team will be in touch with you to confirm your nomination and arrange a time to fill you in on the election process.
For anyone who is not aware of the QMUSU Elections and its purpose please have a look over this article which explains all you need to know Student Elections: shaping your campus experience @ QMUSU
Available Roles in the QMUSU Officers Committee: -
President – Academic Life (Full time, paid role)
President – Student Activities (Full time, paid role)
Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
International Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
PostGrad Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Societies Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Sports Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Student Voice Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Wellbeing Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Looking forward to meeting your potential new Officers
_________________________________________________________________
Reclaiming QMU Apple IDs
What is happening?
Apple has advised some personal Apple IDs have been setup using “@qmu.ac.uk” email addresses, causing a conflict with our own attempts to deploy managed Apple IDs.
For us to proceed, we must reclaim all personal Apple IDs using "@qmu.ac.uk" email addresses, so that they are available for us to deploy within the University. This will also prevent "@qmu.ac.uk" email addresses being used for personal Apple IDs in future.
When is it happening?
We will initiate this process with support from Apple on Tuesday 13th February. The process should be complete within 60 days from then (13th April).
Why is it happening?
To improve the user experience of Apple devices purchased by QMU, we need staff and students to be able to login to shared devices using a QMU Apple ID which we create and deploy automatically. This work will enable that.
What is expected of you?
If you have setup a personal Apple ID using your “@qmu.ac.uk” e-mail address you will receive an e-mail from Apple, and a notification on any relevant Apple devices, advising you of the next steps.
You will be asked to change the Apple ID to use one of your own personal e-mail addresses, rather than your QMU address.
Please note, you will not have to change the Apple ID password. Any purchases, content and data made with this Apple ID will not be affected and will remain available to it after you rename the Apple ID.
After 60 days you will receive a final prompt and your Apple ID will then be automatically renamed. You will receive further instructions direct from Apple.
Once these conflicts have been resolved, we can then take steps to provision managed Apple IDs using QMU email addresses.
What if I setup an Apple ID for a work device?
If your department purchased an Apple device, and you then used your QMU email address to sign up for an Apple ID for it, Apple still classes this as a "personal" Apple ID.
Please contact us as per below in the first instance.
Further Support
Please note this process is being driven by Apple, and the QMU Helpdesk will have limited capacity to assist.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact its-comms@qmu.ac.uk
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause,
_____________________________________________________________________
Graduation - 1st and 2nd July 2024
Graduation ceremonies will be held on Monday 1st July and Tuesday 2nd July 2024 at the Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh.
The format of the Graduations will be as follows:
Monday 1st July 2024
Afternoon Ceremony – 2.30pm
Division of Media, Communication & Performing Arts
Division of Occupational Therapy & Arts Therapies
Division of Speech & Hearing Sciences
Tuesday 2nd July 2024
Morning Ceremony - 10.30am
Division of Business, Enterprise and Management
Division of Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Science, Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Radiography
Institute for Global Health & Development
Afternoon Ceremony – 2.30pm
Division of Psychology, Sociology and Education
Division of Nursing & Paramedic Science
A reception for graduates and their guests will be held on campus from 5pm on each Graduation day.
Full Graduation information and booking details will be issued electronically to potential graduates in May 2024. Further details can be found on the website at https://www.qmu.ac.uk/current-students/current-students-general-information/graduation/
_______________________________________________________________
TGIT is back this Thursday 15th February
TGIT is back this Thursday 15th February! We will be down in Guthrie's (formerly 1875) from 5 - 7pm serving up tasty, filling and healthy dishes for all our amazing students. As ever, your incredible QMU staff will be volunteering their time to join our fantastic BaxterStorey catering team, under the guidance of Head Chef Alan, to get you fed! Looking forward to seeing familiar faces join us again this term - and hope to see many new faces as well! See you all this Thursday 15th February for the first TGIT of 2024!
Everyone is welcome to eat, chat, and be joyful!
_________________________________________________________________________
QMU Veterans: Staff and Student Network Meeting
Staff and students are invited to join the second gathering of Veterans at QMU – The Veterans and Armed Forces Staff and Student Network to be held on campus on Tuesday 27th February from 11.30am to 1pm in room 3106.
As part of my role at QMU, I am the Armed Forces Champion and, in partnership with current student Simon Spence (ex-British Army), we are keen to foster a sense of community amongst the growing veterans and defence community at QMU. As well as veterans, we would like to extend the invite to serving regulars and reservists as well as the siblings and family members of veterans.
This second meeting of the network will be an informal drop-in gathering of staff and students at which we will once again offer refreshments and snacks and the opportunity to get together informally with fellow students and staff members, and in addition, we will present an overview of support available to student members via Student Support Services and our Effective Learning Service.
For catering purposes, it would be much appreciated if you could indicate if you are able to attend by emailing wpo@qmu.ac.uk by Friday 23rd February.
If you’re unable to attend, then please do register your interest in joining future Network gatherings by emailing and we will keep in touch with you over the coming weeks and months.
Many thanks for taking the time to consider - we look forward to hearing from you.
Callum Maguire, Head of Widening Participation and Outreach and Simon Spence, 4th Year, Public Sociology
7th February 2024
In this week's Student News:
Nominations are now OPEN for your Students’ Union Elections!
The hunt is on for which of you will be part of our Officer Committee (OC) for 24/25. The positions not only include our Full time President roles (paid) but also our Part-time Officers (voluntary). Please have a look through our shiny and newly re-branded Election Guide 2024 if you are interested in becoming part of the team that has a real influence over the Student experience at QMU. Every role in the OC is decided through the votes of all QMU students in the QMUSU annual elections which are held in March.
If you wish to put yourself forward as a candidate please click on Student Elections 2024 - Nominations @ QMUSU , fill out the nomination form and submit. A member of the SU staff team will be in touch with you to confirm your nomination and arrange a time to fill you in on the election process.
Do you know anyone who you think would make a brilliant Part Time Officer or President? If so you can put them forward by filling in the form in Elections 2024 - Nominate a mate @ QMUSU Please note, by Nominating a Mate, this does not mean that they will automatically become a candidate. It just gives us the opportunity to approach them for a chat.
For anyone who is not aware of the QMUSU Elections and its purpose please have a look over this article which explains all you need to know Student Elections: shaping your campus experience @ QMUSU
Available Roles in the QMUSU Officers Committee: -
President – Academic Life (Full time, paid role)
President – Student Activities (Full time, paid role)
Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
International Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
PostGrad Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Societies Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Sports Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Student Voice Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Wellbeing Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Looking forward to meeting your potential new Officers
__________________________________________________________
On-campus Business Gateway drop-in sessions - 20 February, 1200-1300, BIZ (Business Innovation Zone)
This drop-in session is facilitated by our on-campus Business Gateway Advisors and is open to QMU staff and students who have an idea for starting a business. The Business Gateway Advisors are also available to present into courses around entrepreneurship.
Business Gateway is a Scotland wide service which offers impartial one-to-one advice and training to staff and students on enterprise creation including free workshops and seminars covering a wide range of topics on marketing, branding, and getting the best from your website and finance.
Facilitator: Steve Newlin, Business Advisor, East Lothian Business Gateway
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone - QMU)
Please, register here
_________________________________________________________
Monthly QMU Innovation and Enterprise Drop In - Wednesday 27 March, 0900-1100 (in person – BIZ)
Informal drop in with the Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Unit (RKEDU) team who will be available to answer any questions or provide you with more information on QMU support and opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
Facilitator: Members of RKEDU
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone)
Please, register here
______________________________________________________________
Converge drop-in session – Thursday 28 March, 1000-1630 (in person – BIZ)
We would like to bring to your attention Converge Drop-in session here in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Converge is supported by the Scottish Higher Education Institutions. Our QMU membership gives us access to their company creation programme for researchers, aimed at creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
To find out the essentials of starting a business you can access the Converge workshops series tailored specifically for business propositions coming out of academia.
Converge supports staff, students, and recent graduates from QMU to create innovative new businesses and translate their research. Lissa Herron, Converge Enterprise Manager, is available for drop-in meetings and advice sessions to help you take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey. You can find Lissa in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Please get let us know if you would like us to put you in touch with Converge. You can contact RKEDU at: rkedu@qmu.ac.uk
Facilitator: Lissa Herron, Enterprise Manager, Converge
Please, register here
_______________________________________________________
Share your thoughts on candidates’ proposals for the QMU 150th Anniversary Artwork in the Atrium until Friday 9th February.
Looking towards Queen Margaret University’s 150th anniversary, the University will be commissioning a site-responsive public artwork that contributes to the sense of place at QMU’s Craighall Campus.
The project is presented with the understanding that Public Art is fundamentally about people engaging with the context/space around them.
The work will primarily be focused towards engaging the student cohort, but should also recognise there are also multiple communities that intersect with our site, for example: locals from the nearby town of Musselburgh, external visitors, the global academic community, commuters, etc. The work, which will largely be funded by the generosity of alumni donors, will become a marker for our context, engaging these multiple communities at various levels, and through time.
The brief for the project is very open and flexible, and that process was open to an artist’s expertise and imagination, guided by the budget and timeline.
The Public Art Advisory Group have undertaken a long-list selection process which has identified 4 suitable candidates to deliver the project.
These candidates have delivered proposals, and we would like to hear your thoughts on what has been presented.
Each artists proposed approach and a summary of each project for you to consider are now displayed in the atrium on the way down to Guthrie’s.
We would appreciate your thoughts and comments on each proposal displayed. Please scan the QR code on the first display board or use the following link to leave feedback.
The exhibition will end Friday, 9th February.
Any questions should be directed to Strategic Planning colleagues: Kelly Dalton (kdalton@qmu.ac.uk) and Dominic Leung (DLeung2@qmu.ac.uk)
________________________________________________________
QMU Running Collective - guest training session!
We're excited to announce a special training session in collaboration with Musselburgh and District Athletics Club. Not only is this a great way to get physically active outdoors, improve running technique and fitness levels but it’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new people. You’ll also have the chance to ask the coaches any questions you have about running.
Date: Sunday 11th February 2024
Time: Meet at 9.50am for a 10am start.
Location: QMU Sports Centre
Cost: FREE
What to Expect: This session will focus on hill repetitions (hill reps), designed to improve your strength, endurance, and overall running performance. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, this session will be suitable for all fitness levels. The coaches of Musselburgh and District Athletics Club have graciously offered to lead the session, ensuring a safe and effective workout for everyone.
Duration: The session will last approximately one hour, providing ample time to challenge yourself, learn new techniques, and connect with fellow runners.
Benefits of Hill Reps:
- Enhance cardiovascular fitness
- Strengthen muscles used in running
- Improve running form and technique
- Boost mental resilience and determination
What to Bring:
- Trainers suitable for running outdoors
- Comfortable workout attire
- Water bottle to stay hydrated
- Positive attitude and enthusiasm!
To give us an idea of number, please register your interest by emailing sburnside@qmu.ac.uk
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
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31st January 2024
In this week's student news:
Share your thoughts on candidates’ proposals for the QMU 150th Anniversary Artwork in the Atrium until Friday 9th February.
Looking towards Queen Margaret University’s 150th anniversary, the University will be commissioning a site-responsive public artwork that contributes to the sense of place at QMU’s Craighall Campus.
The project is presented with the understanding that Public Art is fundamentally about people engaging with the context/space around them.
The work will primarily be focused towards engaging the student cohort, but should also recognise there are also multiple communities that intersect with our site, for example: locals from the nearby town of Musselburgh, external visitors, the global academic community, commuters, etc. The work, which will largely be funded by the generosity of alumni donors, will become a marker for our context, engaging these multiple communities at various levels, and through time.
The brief for the project is very open and flexible, and that process was open to an artist’s expertise and imagination, guided by the budget and timeline.
The Public Art Advisory Group have undertaken a long-list selection process which has identified 4 suitable candidates to deliver the project.
These candidates have delivered proposals, and we would like to hear your thoughts on what has been presented.
Each artists proposed approach and a summary of each project for you to consider are now displayed in the atrium on the way down to Guthrie’s.
We would appreciate your thoughts and comments on each proposal displayed. Please scan the QR code on the first display board or use the following link to leave feedback.
The exhibition will end Friday, 9th February.
Any questions should be directed to Strategic Planning colleagues: Kelly Dalton (kdalton@qmu.ac.uk) and Dominic Leung (DLeung2@qmu.ac.uk)
___________________________________________________________
TGIT is back on Thursday 15th February!
We will be down in Guthrie's (formerly 1875) from 5 - 7pm serving up tasty, filling and healthy dishes for all our amazing students. As ever, your incredible QMU staff will be volunteering their time to join our fantastic BaxterStorey catering team, under the guidance of Head Chef Alan, to get you fed! Looking forward to seeing familiar faces join us again this term - and hope to see many new faces as well! See you all on Thursday 15th February for the first TGIT of 2024!
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Academic Freedom seminar series
Academic freedom and the education of professionals
Professor Lindsay Paterson
Wednesday 14th February 1pm-3pm
Room 0048
Convenor: Dr Sara Smith, Dean for the School of Health Sciences
Lindsay Paterson is Emeritus Professor of Education Policy at the University of Edinburgh, and a founding member of Edinburgh Academics for Academic Freedom. Academic Freedom is central to the work of all universities’ education, research and scholarship. A significant number of QMU graduates enter professional employment in the health sciences, education and other areas of public service. Lindsay’s interest and expertise in the importance of academic freedom in education of professionals will be of particular interest to lecturers and students in Health Sciences and in Education as well as all concerned with the health of scholarship in higher education. Lindsay’s most recent book is Scottish Education and Society Since 1945: Democracy and Intellect (2023, Edinburgh University Press)
All welcome. to assist with numbers, please register your intention to attend to escandrett@qmu.ac.uk citing ‘academic freedom seminar’ in the subject box.
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Monthly QMU Innovation and Enterprise Drop In - Wednesday 27 March, 0900-1100 (in person – BIZ)
Informal drop in with the Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Unit (RKEDU) team who will be available to answer any questions or provide you with more information on QMU support and opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
Facilitator: Members of RKEDU
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone)
Please, register here
_____________________________________________________________
Converge drop-in session – Thursday 28 March, 1000-1630 (in person – BIZ)
We would like to bring to your attention Converge Drop-in session here in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Converge is supported by the Scottish Higher Education Institutions. Our QMU membership gives us access to their company creation programme for researchers, aimed at creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
To find out the essentials of starting a business you can access the Converge workshops series tailored specifically for business propositions coming out of academia.
Converge supports staff, students, and recent graduates from QMU to create innovative new businesses and translate their research. Lissa Herron, Converge Enterprise Manager, is available for drop-in meetings and advice sessions to help you take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey. You can find Lissa in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Please get let us know if you would like us to put you in touch with Converge. You can contact RKEDU at: rkedu@qmu.ac.uk
Facilitator: Lissa Herron, Enterprise Manager, Converge
Please, register here
___________________________________________________________
Converge Information Session – Tuesday 6 February, 1200-1300 (Hybrid: Teams and Room 2169)
Do you have a great business idea? Join us on Tuesday 6th February at 12 o'clock for a 1-hour information session about Converge with Dr Lissa Herron, Converges' Enterprise Manager.
Converge work with Scottish universities to help staff, students and recent graduates with innovative business ideas achieve success, impact and growth.
They specialise in supporting academic entrepreneurs to create successful spin-out and start-up companies, by providing business training, access to resources and funding, connectivity to their network, and validation of business ideas.
Converge run the following 4 Challenges each year:
- KickStart Challenge
The first step for early-stage ideas - test the robustness of your idea, equip yourself for entrepreneurship and prepare for the more advanced Challenges.
- Create Change Challenge
For social shakers and creative thinkers looking to change the world for the better.
- NetZero Challenge
For projects that can deliver maximum impact for Scotland's net zero goal.
- Converge Challenge
For high-calibre, innovative projects with serious growth potential.
For more information on Converge and their 2024 Challenges - which are open for applications from 1st February until 3rd April - visit the Converge Website and sign up to attend this information session.
Lissa will be available for 1:1 sessions following the info session, from 1pm - 4pm - please email clow@qmu.ac.uk to arrange an appointment.
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The Employer Mentoring Programme 2024 is open for applications and will close on Sunday, 4 February 2024.
Mentoring is also a good opportunity to understand the options you have with your degree, understand your chosen career path better, and/or decide what career path you want to follow.
Who Can Apply?
Our Mentoring Programme offers third and fourth-year students the opportunity to meet with an experienced professional who has relevant industry experience relating to each individual student’s course. Mentors offer four one-hour sessions to discuss your questions and career aspirations or maybe help you decide if the industry or profession is what you want to do.
All third and fourth-year students can apply for a mentor. If you have lived in Scotland for at least three years before starting Higher Education, then it is definitely worth applying for a mentor and joining the programme.
Some postgraduate students can also be part of the mentoring programme, but priority will be given to undergraduate students because of funding requirements. However, we encourage all students to apply as a means to further their career.
Who Are The Mentors?
We have a range of mentors available across all courses within QMU. Please download the current mentor list before completing your application.
Enterprise Mentoring Programme
We have mentors who can help students set up their own company, develop a business idea or strengthen their current business. This is a bespoke service but some of our mentors can be available for you. You can check the list of mentors available now. Enterprise mentoring is open to students from any year of study or any discipline. You can contact us for more information.
How To Register
Registration is open now.
To register your interest in the Mentoring Programme, complete the form below. If you are successful, you will be invited to meet potential mentors in January 2024 and discuss your options with a Careers and Employability Adviser.
The programme opens for applications on Monday, 15th of January 2024, and will close on Sunday, 4 of February 2024.
Here is the link to complete the application form:
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/form.aspx?id=122930
For more information contact employermentoring@qmu.ac.uk
We anticipate that students will be able to meet all mentors in their subject online for a few minutes before they are paired with a mentor.
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Free online course in academic writing for new postgraduate students
- Are you a new international postgraduate student at QMU (January 2024 start)?
- Do you use English as a second or foreign language?
- Would you like to learn more about academic writing style and conventions, and develop your academic writing skills?
If you have answered yes to all of those questions, then book your place on our free online course in academic writing delivered by the lovely QMU Effective Learning Service!
The course is a mix of live online workshops (one hour per week on Tuesdays) and offline recordings, videos, mini lectures and additional resources available on the course Canvas site.
Live workshops: Tuesdays 3:00pm – 4:00p
Starting: 6th of February 2024
Duration: 5 weeks, one hour per week
Online on Canvas
Register your interest by mail:
Registration deadline: Monday 5th of February 5pm
___________________________________________________________________
NOMINATIONS OPEN ON MONDAY 5th FEBRUARY!
The hunt is on for which of you will be part of our Officer Committee (OC) for 24/25! The positions not only include our Full time President roles (paid) but also our Part-time Officers (voluntary). Please have a look through our shiny and newly re-branded Election Guide 2024 if you are interested in becoming part of the team that has a real influence over the Student experience at QMU. Every role in the OC is decided through the votes of all QMU students in the QMUSU annual elections which are held in March.
If you want to have a chat with any of us at the SU please fill in the I'm interested in the Best.Job.Ever. form (otherwise known as Expression of Interest) and we can arrange to meet up and go through any questions you might have. By filling in this form you are not committing yourself at this point, that comes later! Nominations go live on Monday 5th February, and you can access them on the 5th, by heading to Your Voice @ QMUSU. So far, we have had great interest for the Presidents roles, but not many for the Part time roles, so if you are interested (or know someone who is, see below!) please get in touch.
This year we also have a ‘Nominate a Mate’ JotForm, available on the same link Your Voice @ QMUSU where you can put forward someone you think would be brilliant at representing you and other students needs. We would then contact them to see if they would be interested.
Available Roles: -
President – Academic Life (Full time, paid role)
President – Student Activities (Full time, paid role)
Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
International Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
PostGrad Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Societies Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Sports Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Student Voice Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Wellbeing Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Looking forward to meeting your potential new Officers
_____________________________________________________________________
Space Utilisation Survey (29 January – 2 February)
We will be carrying out one of our biannual space utilisation surveys next week and during this time there will be someone gathering data on headcounts within all teaching rooms, several times throughout each day. They are trained and experienced in this activity and understand the need to avoid or minimise any disruption to a class and where they can do so, they will simply utilise the viewing pane in room doors. The headline results of the survey are made available to HESA as part of the University’s Estates Management Statistics return. A more detailed Space Utilisation Survey report is considered by various groups within the University and is used to assist the planning of University teaching room provision.
_____________________________________________________________________
Effective Learning Service: Study Skills Workshops
These interactive workshops are open to all students in the University and are designed to help you improve your academic skills. The sessions will be delivered via Microsoft Teams and you will be sent a link to join on booking a place.
If you feel that you’d like to improve your skills, please book a place!
Reading and Note-making |
Tuesday 6th February 11.15 - 12.15 |
Wednesday 7th February 13.15 -14.15 |
Essay Planning and Structure |
Thursday 15th February 13.15 - 14.15 |
Friday 16th February 11.15 - 12.15 |
Essay Writing and Drafting |
Wednesday 21st February 12.15 - 13.15 |
Friday 23rd February 12.15 - 13.15 |
Plagiarism and Turnitin |
Monday 26th February 12.15 - 13.15 |
Tuesday 27th February 11.15 - 12.15 |
Reflective Writing and Blogs |
Tuesday 27th February 11.15 - 12.15 |
Thursday 29th February 12.15 - 13.15 |
Proofreading and Word Count |
Monday 4th March 12.15 - 13.15 |
Friday 8th March 11.15 - 12.15 |
Looking Ahead to Dissertations |
Tuesday 12th March 13:15-14:15 |
Thursday 14th March 11:15-12:15 |
To book a place, go to Student Central, or for information about these sessions, or other services offered by the ELS, email els@qmu.ac.uk
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Alison Scott Scholarship – Deadline 1 February!!
The Alison Scott Scholarship is a chance for Undergraduate QMU students, who identify as female, to learn a second language alongside their QMU studies (for the duration of their undergraduate degree).
The scholarship also includes mentoring and career coaching and works towards a chance to apply for further funding to attend a language school for your chosen European language later in your studies.
Who can apply?
QMU Students who identify as female, in their 1st year of Undergraduate study at QMU (studying any subject).*
Demonstrates want, willingness and commitment to learning a 2nd language.
Preference may be given to students from a widening access background (as defined by QMU) but applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.
*Preference may be given to 1st-year Undergraduate students but direct entrants (those joining QMU directly in to 2nd or 3rd year) are encouraged to apply.
For more information, go to https://www.qmu.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/funding-opportunities-for-students/
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On-campus Business Gateway drop-in sessions - 20 February, 1200-1300, BIZ (Business Innovation Zone)
This drop-in session is facilitated by our on-campus Busiiness Gateway Advisors and is open to QMU staff and students who have an idea for starting a business. The Business Gateway Advisors are also available to present into courses around entrepreneurship.
Business Gateway is a Scotland wide service which offers impartial one-to-one advice and training to staff and students on enterprise creation including free workshops and seminars covering a wide range of topics on marketing, branding, and getting the best from your website and finance.
Facilitator: Steve Newlin, Business Advisor, East Lothian Business Gateway
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone - QMU)
Please, register here
24th January 2024
In this week's Student News:
On-campus Business Gateway drop-in sessions - 20 February, 1200-1300, BIZ (Business Innovation Zone)
This drop-in session is facilitated by our on-campus Busiiness Gateway Advisors and is open to QMU staff and students who have an idea for starting a business. The Business Gateway Advisors are also available to present into courses around entrepreneurship.
Business Gateway is a Scotland wide service which offers impartial one-to-one advice and training to staff and students on enterprise creation including free workshops and seminars covering a wide range of topics on marketing, branding, and getting the best from your website and finance.
Facilitator: Steve Newlin, Business Advisor, East Lothian Business Gateway
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone - QMU)
Please, register here
_____________________________________________________________
Alison Scott Scholarship – Deadline 1 February!!
The Alison Scott Scholarship is a chance for Undergraduate QMU students, who identify as female, to learn a second language alongside their QMU studies (for the duration of their undergraduate degree).
The scholarship also includes mentoring and career coaching and works towards a chance to apply for further funding to attend a language school for your chosen European language later in your studies.
Who can apply?
QMU Students who identify as female, in their 1st year of Undergraduate study at QMU (studying any subject).*
Demonstrates want, willingness and commitment to learning a 2nd language.
Preference may be given to students from a widening access background (as defined by QMU) but applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.
*Preference may be given to 1st-year Undergraduate students but direct entrants (those joining QMU directly in to 2nd or 3rd year) are encouraged to apply.
For more information, go to https://www.qmu.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/funding-opportunities-for-students/
____________________________________________________________________
7th Annual Flag Raising Ceremony
The SU are so excited to be hosting our 7th Annual Flag Raising Ceremony to mark the beginning of LGBTQ+ history month! Join us by the flag poles on February 1st at 1PM as we debut our brand-new progress pride flag, with a performance from our very own QMU Music Society, and a few words from our LGBTQ+ society and QMU staff. It's looking to be quite chilly on the day, so make sure you wrap up warm and if people are up for it, we can go for a hot drink in Maggie's afterwards to celebrate a month of awareness and support for all of our LGBTQ+ students and staff!
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MEADOWS MARATHON:
A new year, a new you, with new goals to achieve. What better way to kick off the year by signing up to be part of Meadows Marathon 2024. Meadows Marathon is an initiative of Edinburgh Students’ Charities Appeal (ESCA), in partnership with Edinburgh Napier Events Society, and has raised over £238,000 for charity since its inception in 2007. The marathon is an annual student-organised event held in The Meadows in Edinburgh to raise money for charity. This year, we are delighted to have chosen: Fresh Start and Pilton Community Health Project.
Returning on Sunday 3rd March 2024 with a variety of race options available, from a 5K to a Full Marathon, plus our Relay Race, Meadows Marathon is a great opportunity to get your feet firmly back on the racetrack and dust off those old running shoes.
To participate in any of our races, click here to grab your tickets now or get in touch via email if you have any questions.
University Society Incentive:
Attention all university society members! We are thrilled to announce an exciting incentive for your society to win some well-deserved funds. Meadows Marathon 2024 is offering a fantastic opportunity to showcase your fundraising skills and give your society the opportunity to compete for the highest fundraising relay team. With a generous £200 prize for the winners, £100 for the second prize, and £50 for the third prize, this is a chance for you to not only raise money for a great cause but also support your society's activities.
Volunteering Opportunity:
If you are not a runner but still wish to participate in the Meadows Marathon this year, you might consider joining our wonderful team of volunteers. Regardless of your past experience, we would love to have you as a member of our team. The marathon will be held on Sunday 3rd March 2024, and we need your assistance to make it a very successful event.
To express your interest to volunteer with us on-the-day, click here to fill out our application form and a member of our planning committee will be in touch. For more information, get in touch via email.
_______________________________________________________________________
On-campus Business Gateway drop-in sessions – Tuesday 20 February, 1200-1300 (in-person, BIZ)
This drop-in session is facilitated by our on-campus Busiiness Gateway Advisors and is open to QMU staff and students who have an idea for starting a business. The Business Gateway Advisors are also available to present into courses around entrepreneurship.
Business Gateway is a Scotland wide service which offers impartial one-to-one advice and training to staff and students on enterprise creation including free workshops and seminars covering a wide range of topics on marketing, branding, and getting the best from your website and finance.
Facilitator: Steve Newlin, Business Advisor, East Lothian Business Gateway
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone - QMU)
Please, register here
Monthly QMU Innovation and Enterprise Drop In – Wednesday 28 February, 1400-1500 (in-person, BIZ)
Informal drop in with the Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Unit (RKEDU) team who will be available to answer any questions or provide you with more information on QMU support and opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
Facilitator: Members of RKEDU
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone)
Please, register here
Converge drop-in session – Thursday 29 February, 1000-1630 (in-person, BIZ)
We would like to bring to your attention Converge Drop-in session here in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Converge is supported by the Scottish Higher Education Institutions. Our QMU membership gives us access to their company creation programme for researchers, aimed at creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
To find out the essentials of starting a business you can access the Converge workshops series tailored specifically for business propositions coming out of academia.
Converge supports staff, students, and recent graduates from QMU to create innovative new businesses and translate their research. Lissa Herron, Converge Enterprise Manager, is available for drop-in meetings and advice sessions to help you take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey. You can find Lissa in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Please get let us know if you would like us to put you in touch with Converge. You can contact RKEDU at: rkedu@qmu.ac.uk
Facilitator: Lissa Herron, Enterprise Manager, Converge
Please, register here
________________________________________________________________
Space Utilisation Survey (29 January – 2 February)
We will be carrying out one of our biannual space utilisation surveys next week and during this time there will be someone gathering data on headcounts within all teaching rooms, several times throughout each day. They are trained and experienced in this activity and understand the need to avoid or minimise any disruption to a class and where they can do so, they will simply utilise the viewing pane in room doors. The headline results of the survey are made available to HESA as part of the University’s Estates Management Statistics return. A more detailed Space Utilisation Survey report is considered by various groups within the University and is used to assist the planning of University teaching room provision.
17th January 2024
In this weeks student news:
QMU Meal Plans - Semester 2
We have opened booking for Semester 2 QMU Meal Plans.
QMU Meal Plans are a flexible weekly scheme that enables you to purchase meals in advance, at a discounted price, for Semester 2. Choose from three or five lunches a week depending on your living arrangements and your lifestyle.
We know how important it is to have a varied and balanced diet. By taking out a meal plan, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will be getting high-quality, home cooked, nutritious food.
All meals are chosen from our main restaurant. Our main restaurant is about to undergo a full refit with an exciting new look & offer! So from Semester 2 you will be able to choose from one of our 3 street food kitchens. As always there will be a wide selection of dietary friendly and vegan options. Our vision is to provide fresh, locally sourced, good food made by our talented chefs to the highest possible standard. Menus change daily and are influenced by the seasonality of ingredients to ensure best quality and provide wholesome and balanced meals paired with a little flair and fun!
QMU Meal Plans are great value and will help our students settle back into University life quickly and allow everyone to focus on university priorities without the stresses of having to shop and cook food for themselves on a daily basis.
Full details about the QMU Meal Plans and how to sign up to them, can be found on our website here. Meal plans for Semester 2 need to be booked in advance and by Sunday 21st January 2024 at the latest.
If you have any queries about the QMU Meal Plans, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Catering Team on: mealplans@qmu.ac.uk
Many thanks
QMU Catering Team
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Best.Job.Ever.
The hunt is on for which of you will be part of our Officer Committee (OC) for 24/25! The positions not only include our Full time President roles (paid) but also our Part-time Officers (voluntary). Please have a look through our shiny and newly re-branded Election Guide 2024 if you are interested in becoming part of the team that has a real influence over the Student experience at QMU. Every role in the OC is decided through the votes of all QMU students in the QMUSU annual elections which are held in March.
If you want to have a chat with any of us at the SU please fill in the I'm interested in the Best.Job.Ever. form (otherwise known as Expression of Interest) and we can arrange to meet up and go through any questions you might have. By filling in this form you are not committing yourself at this point, that comes later!
Available Roles: -
President – Academic Life (Full time, paid role)
President – Student Activities (Full time, paid role)
Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
International Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
PostGrad Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Societies Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Sports Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Student Voice Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Wellbeing Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Looking forward to meeting our students potential new Officers 😊
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For all new International Students
The PALS team have put together some resources to help you settle into your new life and studies at QMU!
PALS leaders are students who have been at QMU for at least one semester and are now ready to share their experiences and advice with newer students.
We have recorded a couple of podcasts which will help you navigate life in Edinburgh and your studies at QMU:
- Academic Life podcast: https://youtu.be/k0NCDGf8nrE
- Edinburgh life podcast: https://youtu.be/cYJmlvmugEgt
These are hosted on our YouTube page, where you will also be able to find lots of other videos and podcasts which share hints and tips to help you make the most of your time at QMU.
But, we also know that you might have questions which we don’t address in our podcast chats, so we have scheduled 3 ‘Live chats’ on Facebook for you to come along and ask anything QMU/living in Edinburgh related from some international PALS leaders. You can join these chats here: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554988706611 on (UK time):
- Thursday 11 January at 1pm
- Friday 12 January at 10am
- Tuesday 16 January at 5pm
Also, keep an eye out for our International PALS Handbook which we will be sharing with you soon!
We hope you find these resources helpful, and if you would like to find out more about how PALS can support you during your time at QMU, drop us an email at PALS@qmu.ac.uk 😊
_________________________________________________________________________________
Meadows Marathon
A new year, a new you, with new goals to achieve. What better way to kick off the year by signing up to be part of Meadows Marathon 2024. Meadows Marathon is an initiative of Edinburgh Students’ Charities Appeal (ESCA) and has raised over £238,000 for charity since its inception in 2007. The marathon is an annual student-organised event held in The Meadows in Edinburgh to raise money for charity. This year, we are delighted to have chosen: Fresh Start and Pilton Community Health Project.
Returning on Sunday 3rd March 2024 with a variety of race options available, from a 5K to a Full Marathon, plus our Relay Race, Meadows Marathon is a great opportunity to get your feet firmly back on the racetrack and dust off those old running shoes.
To participate in any of our races, click here to grab your tickets now or get in touch via email if you have any questions.
University Society Incentive:
Attention all university society members! We are thrilled to announce an exciting incentive for your society to win some well-deserved funds. Meadows Marathon 2024 is offering a fantastic opportunity to showcase your fundraising skills and give your society the opportunity to compete for the highest fundraising relay team. With a generous £200 prize for the winners, £100 for the second prize, and £50 for the third prize, this is a chance for you to not only raise money for a great cause but also support your society's activities.
Volunteering Opportunity:
If you are not a runner but still wish to participate in the Meadows Marathon this year, you might consider joining our wonderful team of volunteers. Regardless of your past experience, we would love to have you as a member of our team. The marathon will be held on Sunday 3rd March 2024, and we need your assistance to make it a very successful event.
To express your interest to volunteer with us on-the-day, click here to fill out our application form and a member of our planning committee will be in touch. For more information, get in touch via email.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Library workshops
Do you need help with study skills like referencing or finding resources? Library Services is running a series of online workshops. View the full list and descriptions of what each of the sessions is about.
Upcoming sessions for January (booking required):
Tuesday 16th January
Introduction to reference managers
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Thursday 18th January
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Monday 22nd January
Getting the most out of Google Scholar
3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Tuesday 23rd January
3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Wednesday 24th January
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Thursday 25th January
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
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Upcoming library online workshops: Google Scholar and Harvard Referencing
Please see upcoming online library workshops. To attend, please register here: https://qmu.libcal.com/calendar/workshops?cid=8135&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=8135&inc=0
Getting the most out of Google Scholar – Monday 22 Jan, 3 - 4 pm
Google Scholar can be a great tool for finding references for your work, including things that are available through the library. Join us at this workshop to find out how to use it effectively.
Harvard referencing Tuesday, 23 Jan, 3 – 4 pm
Do you need some help with the practicalities of referencing? Join us at this workshop to find out how to cite and reference different sources in Harvard Cite Them Right style, the required format of referencing for most courses at QMU. Learn how to use Cite Them Right Online to format your references and citations correctly. You'll have the chance to bring your own referencing questions and troubleshoot tricky sources in a supportive environment.
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Are you interested in becoming a Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) Leader.
We have PALS Leader training scheduled for this Thursday, 18th January from 10am – 3pm.
Want to know more? Here is some information about PALS:
PALS Sessions are student led learning sessions. They are a relaxed, fun and informal way to give and receive support for learning at QMU. As a PALS leader you will receive training and you will have the opportunity to help your fellow students in the years below you. PALS is an internationally recognised programme, and, as well as being rewarding, being a PALS leader will stand out on your CV as professional development: helping you build leadership skills and transferable skills.
As a PALS leader, you work with other trained leaders (and a staff coordinator) to design and run supplementary support sessions for students in years below you in modules you have yourself completed. Being a leader is a great opportunity to improve transferable skills, to get to know other students in your division (and across QMU) and to support students in years below you. You would be joining our existing team of fantastic Leaders: you will be trained in designing and facilitating sessions before you start, and you will supported by the PALS coordinator and your PALS-Leader colleagues throughout. It is a volunteering opportunity, so all regular PALS sessions are unpaid, but we usually also have several opportunities for paid work over the course of the year too. It’s also relatively flexible; on average PALS Leaders tend to spend approximately two hours every other week on their PALS work.
If you would like to find out more about PALS, we have information in the following places:
If you would be interested in becoming a PALS leader, or finding out what is involved and what you can get out of it, please email PALS@qmu.ac.uk.
If you are then still interested in becoming a leader, perhaps you can join our training session this week!
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Jisc online survey changes
Jisc are amending the online portal and migrating to v3 of the platform. The link to the current version (v2) of the survey is https://www.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ The newer v3 can be accessed via https://onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/
The key dates for this process are:
- Creating new surveys in v2 will be disabled on 30 April 2024
- Online Surveys v2 will be discontinued on 31 July 2024
We recommend all surveys are created in v3 now.
Surveys created in v2 will NOT be automatically migrated to v3. You will need to export and redo the survey in v3. Exporting response data | Online surveys is a guide for exporting survey data. Any survey data not exported before v2 is switched off will be lost. Online Surveys v2 will be discontinued on 31 July 2024
FAQ: Migration to Online Surveys v3 – Online Surveys (jisc.ac.uk) has more information regarding data exports, migrations, and other survey information.
Regular updates regarding online surveys can be accessed via News – Online Surveys (jisc.ac.uk)
If you have any concerns, please drop me an email and I can put you in contact with Jisc support.
Regards,
Mark Glancy
_________________________________________________________________________________
British Library EThOS service
The British Library's EThOs service, a repository of doctoral theses published in the UK since 1787, along with many other of the BL's resources, is currently inaccessible due to a cyber attack that took place at the end of last year. The BL is working to restore all its services as soon as possible but it's currently not clear how long it will take.
However, the latest version of the EThOS metadata in CSV format can be found here: https://bl.iro.bl.uk/concern/datasets/10cc13f9-797d-41f2-a7e2-d29f4306133e
Other useful resources
QMU eTheses
The repository is an online collection of PhD theses and selected undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations by QMU students and researchers.
ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Open
PQDT Open provides the full text of open access dissertations and theses free of charge. You can quickly and easily locate dissertations and theses relevant to your discipline, and view the complete text in PDF format.
Additionally, The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) provides a list of resources to find available open access electronic theses and dissertations.
If you need further support, please contact your subject librarian.
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An online course in academic writing for new international PG students
Effective Learning Service (ELS) International will be offering an optional in-sessional academic skills programme aimed at new international students who are joining QMU in January 2024 and for whom English is not a first language. The course will be delivered online once a week, either on Tuesdays 3pm to 4pm OR Thursdays 10am to 11:00am, and you will be able to choose one of those days. It will run for 5 weeks, with the first session scheduled for Tuesday 6th of February.
If you would like to join this online course, use your student e-mail account and contact ELSInternational@qmu.ac.uk to request your place. In your e-mail please confirm you are a new student at QMU (January 2024 start) and tell me which programme you're studying. In return, I'll send you more information about the course and the skills we'll be practising. The number of students is limited to 35 on a given day, so make sure you book early.
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Updates from your SU!
Dear students and staff,
SU Newsletter: We have so much coming your way in the next month or so, so we want to make sure that you can stay in the loop with everything that we're up to, through regular Moderator updates and, of course, our SU Newsletter! Our newsletter details what we get up to month-to-month and provides updates on different campaigns, events, and our sports and societies. For our joint November/December edition, follow the link to our website, scroll below and have a read: https://www.qmusu.org.uk/
STaR Awards: There's nothing like awards season! We're so pleased to have officially launched our QMUSU STaR Awards this week. Our 'Student, Teaching and Representation' Awards allow students to come together to nominate fellow students and staff members for their achievements throughout the academic year. Have you had a particularly inspirational staff member? Or an exceptional Class Rep? Then make sure you keep an eye out for nominations officially opening on Monday 22nd January! Nominations will then close on Friday 16th February, with the ceremony and reception taking place Tuesday 26th March. All information regarding how to nominate, and the criteria and eligibility for each award will be available on the QMUSU website from next week, so keep your eyes peeled!
Student Focus Groups: In partnership with colleagues from the university, we are looking to facilitate focus groups for groups of students that may be under-represented within the QMU community. This can include, but is not limited to student parents, mature students, international students, etc. If you are a part of a group that you feel is under-represented, please get in touch with me at JBrown3@qmu.ac.uk to express your interest, and we will follow up with dates, times, etc. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Alison Scott Scholarship – Deadline 1 February!!
The Alison Scott Scholarship is a chance for Undergraduate QMU students, who identify as female, to learn a second language alongside their QMU studies (for the duration of their undergraduate degree).
The scholarship also includes mentoring and career coaching and works towards a chance to apply for further funding to attend a language school for your chosen European language later in your studies.
Who can apply?
QMU Students who identify as female, in their 1st year of Undergraduate study at QMU (studying any subject).*
Demonstrates want, willingness and commitment to learning a 2nd language.
Preference may be given to students from a widening access background (as defined by QMU) but applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.
*Preference may be given to 1st-year Undergraduate students but direct entrants (those joining QMU directly in to 2nd or 3rd year) are encouraged to apply.
For more information, go to https://www.qmu.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/funding-opportunities-for-students/
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QMU Running Collective
Do you want to achieve something in 2024?
Are you looking to improve your health and fitness but don’t know where to start?
Join the QMU Running Collective and conquer the Kilomathon in 2024!
The Kilomathon takes place on Sunday 7th April through Edinburgh's tranquil cycle paths, passing by the historic Royal Yacht Britannia, and finishing in front of the West Stand in BT Murrayfield Stadium. The flat route adds an extra layer of appeal to the event, and the option of a shorter or longer route makes it a great event for beginners and experienced runners.
There are two distances to choose from:
13.1km – priced at £27.75
6.5km – priced at £24.25
Once you have registered your interest, the fee can be paid at the Sport Reception, we’ll take care of your entry for you!
As with pervious events, we will meet weekly to tackle the training together. There will be at least two training sessions per week to build your stamina and endurance and to help prepare you for the event. All entrants will receive a 10 week training plan to follow that will supplement the training sessions.
This time we have teamed up with Musselburgh and District Athletics club who will be coming along to lead some of our sessions and offer and insight into running.
Join like-minded individuals, push your limits, and celebrate your achievements together.
Make 2024 YOUR year.
To register your interest, please follow the link and complete the form
https://forms.office.com/e/Vckk2VFiMp?origin=lprLink
Many thanks,
The Sports Team
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10th January 2024
In this week's Student News:
Welcome Back
QMUSU are really looking forward to welcoming all new and returning students to campus and we have a couple of events lined up next week! We will be hosting a Pub Quiz on Tuesday 16th January in Maggie's from 7pm. If you fancy something more chilled, we are also having a tapered candle painting session on Thursday 18th January at 4pm in Maggie's. Both events are free!
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Enhancement Themes / WISeR Showcase event – Tuesday 16 January, 1300 – 1600, Room 2156
Join us for a variety of presentations about QMU-led projects, made possible with WISeR or Enhancement Themes funding, in room 2156 next Tuesday. Staff and students are warmly invited, please register at this link if you’d like to join us (if you’re not available the entire afternoon, you’re welcome to attend one of the two slots).
Time slot |
Presenter |
Title |
1pm |
Attendees arrive. Refreshments available. |
|
Irene Hynd and Richard Butt introduce the event |
||
1.15pm - 2.15pm |
Video produced by Olivia Sagan and Linnea Wallen |
Resilient Communities |
Anthony Schrag |
Connecting Craigmillar |
|
Ellie Birchall and Chistie McDove [student champions] |
Student Learner Journey |
|
Robert Munro |
QMU Creates |
|
Lisa Cruden |
Peer Assisted Learning Scheme |
|
Eloise Bicket |
Effective Learning Service (ELS) Summer Resit Programme |
|
2.15pm-2.45pm |
Refreshment break (drinks and cakes) and chance to connect with colleagues and students |
|
2.45pm-4.00pm |
Sian Jones |
What helps students to feel included at QMU? |
Clare Uytman |
Building a supportive student community in Psychology and Sociology |
|
Juan Garcia & student (student tbc) |
Employer mentoring |
|
Jennifer Bingham |
The role of a WISeR Co-ordinator |
|
Suzanne Ewing |
HealthFest |
|
Jessica Lindohf and Dawn Martin |
Personal Academic Tutor Guide |
|
Kat Lord |
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday (TGIT) |
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QMU Running Collective
Are you looking to improve your health and fitness but don’t know where to start?
Join the QMU Running Collective and conquer the Kilomathon in 2024!
The Kilomathon takes place on Sunday 7th April through Edinburgh's tranquil cycle paths, passing by the historic Royal Yacht Britannia, and finishing in front of the West Stand in BT Murrayfield Stadium. The flat route adds an extra layer of appeal to the event, and the option of a shorter or longer route makes it a great event for beginners and experienced runners.
There are two distances to choose from:
13.1km – priced at £27.75
6.5km – priced at £24.25
Once you have registered your interest, the fee can be paid at the Sport Reception, we’ll take care of your entry for you!
As with pervious events, we will meet weekly to tackle the training together. There will be at least two training sessions per week to build your stamina and endurance and to help prepare you for the event. All entrants will receive a 10 week training plan to follow that will supplement the training sessions.
This time we have teamed up with Musselburgh and District Athletics club who will be coming along to lead some of our sessions and offer and insight into running.
Join like-minded individuals, push your limits, and celebrate your achievements together.
Make 2024 YOUR year.
To register your interest, please follow the link and complete the form
https://forms.office.com/e/Vckk2VFiMp?origin=lprLink
_____________________________________________________________________________
Traditional Scottish Slow session at QMU Saturday 13 January 2024,
Hello all
We will be hosting 3 traditional slow sessions at Queen Margaret University over the next year 2024.
The first is this coming Saturday 13th January
Then 1st June , and Saturday 12th October. Please do keep those dates free if you are interested.
To join us on Saturday 13th January, complete this short form to reserve your place. Your details will not be shared with anyone else.
Link to form - https://forms.office.com/r/7VUCcMPP5N
The session will run in room 0051 for 2 hours from 1 till 3pm.
You can also join us for lunch at Maggies before the session if interested @ 12noon
We will play a selection of tunes from Nigel Gatherer's website- Nigel's slow session Wednesday - link here
NSS Wednesday Slow Session (nigelgatherer.com)
QMU slow session Jan 13th 2024.docx Shared with Dropbox |
- Flatwater Fran
- Roses of No Man's Land
- Brenda Stubbert's
- Jack Daniels
- Spootiskerry and Willafjord
- The Barren Rocks of Aden / The 79th's Farewell to Gibraltar
- Banks of the Allan / Kenmure's On and Awa'
- Aird Ranters / Put Me in the Big Chest
- Parcel of Rogues
- The Black Bear / The Piper's Refuge
- Maggie West's Waltz / Farquhar & Hettie's
- Calum's Road / The Hut on Staffin Island
- McKechnie's Farewell / Rutherglen Road
- Ballachulish Glen
- Margaret's Watz / Kate Martin's Waltz
- The Peat Fire Flame/Island Dance
- Boys of Blue Hill / Harvest Home
- Bonnie at Morn
- The Braes of Locheil / Mrs Campbell of Shinness
- Memories of Father Angus MacDonnell / Braes of Dunvegan
- Lochanside / My Home Town
- Sheebeg and Sheemore
If we need more tunes -
- Waltz for Kylin
- Glenside Polkas
- Doddie's Dream
- The Battle of the Somme/The Boy's Lament for his Dragon
- 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.
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.
pay on the day or bank transfer
If you need to get in touch with me, email jculpan@qmu.ac.uk
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On-campus Business Gateway drop-in sessions - 20 February, 1200-1300, BIZ (Business Innovation Zone)
This drop-in session is facilitated by our on-campus Busiiness Gateway Advisors and is open to QMU staff and students who have an idea for starting a business. The Business Gateway Advisors are also available to present into courses around entrepreneurship.
Business Gateway is a Scotland wide service which offers impartial one-to-one advice and training to staff and students on enterprise creation including free workshops and seminars covering a wide range of topics on marketing, branding, and getting the best from your website and finance.
Facilitator: Steve Newlin, Business Advisor, East Lothian Business Gateway
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone - QMU)
Please, register here
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QMU Meal Plans - Semester 2
We have opened booking for Semester 2 QMU Meal Plans.
QMU Meal Plans are a flexible weekly scheme that enables you to purchase meals in advance, at a discounted price, for Semester 2. Choose from three or five lunches a week depending on your living arrangements and your lifestyle.
We know how important it is to have a varied and balanced diet. By taking out a meal plan, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will be getting high-quality, home cooked, nutritious food.
All meals are chosen from our main restaurant. Our main restaurant is about to undergo a full refit with an exciting new look & offer! So from Semester 2 you will be able to choose from one of our 3 street food kitchens. As always there will be a wide selection of dietary friendly and vegan options. Our vision is to provide fresh, locally sourced, good food made by our talented chefs to the highest possible standard. Menus change daily and are influenced by the seasonality of ingredients to ensure best quality and provide wholesome and balanced meals paired with a little flair and fun!
QMU Meal Plans are great value and will help our students settle back into University life quickly and allow everyone to focus on university priorities without the stresses of having to shop and cook food for themselves on a daily basis.
Full details about the QMU Meal Plans and how to sign up to them, can be found on our website here. Meal plans for Semester 2 need to be booked in advance and by Sunday 21st January 2024 at the latest.
If you have any queries about the QMU Meal Plans, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Catering Team on: mealplans@qmu.ac.uk
Many thanks
QMU Catering Team
20th December 2023
In this weeks' Student News
This is the last Student Weekly News of 2023. We wish you all a safe and happy festive break when it comes. Don’t forget that you can check out our website for information on University facilities and services available during the ‘closure’ period of Saturday 23 December to Wednesday 3 January inclusive. The next edition of student news will come out on 10th Jan 2024
__________________________________________________________________________
Wi-Fi maintenance Thursday 10:00 to 11:00
Information Technology Services (ITS) are performing essential maintenance work on the Wi-fi infrastructure between 10:00 to 11:00 Thursday 21st December. The work is security fixes and general improvements.
Users should not be disconnected from the Wi-Fi during that period, though any new connections may not be able connect to the Wi-fi till the maintenance window is over. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the essential work.
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For attention of Adobe software users.
Following communication from Adobe, and after speaking with Jourie Fraser-Harris, I would like to inform you of an upcoming mandatory upgrade to our Adobe console product.
The change is to upgrade us from a USM (User Storage Model) to an ESM (Enterprise Storage Model). The change does not affect how you access or use Adobe but are back-end changes to the solution.
Knowing that most students will be finishing the semester on 08/12/2023, I have asked Adobe to carry out this upgrade in the evening of 19/12/2023. Adobe have advised that the works shouldn’t take too long to complete. But we expect there to be no disruption to logging on at 9am on 20/12/2023.
I have been assured from Adobe that there will be no risk of loss of data currently in the cloud. However, I would like to advise you that keeping an additional copy of any data backed up is always a good idea. Especially if it is of importance.
Once the upgrade has taken place, you shouldn’t see any difference in the logging in process.
Your profile picture of the Adobe account might change.
We expect the process will only change if a student has used their QMU email address to set up personal access to Adobe software as well as QMU issuing access via that address also. At first login, Adobe will prompt the user to allocate their cloud storage to one of those profiles.
If you have any questions, please let us know by contacting the Helpdesk.
____________________________________________________________________________
QMU Sing - a new singing community
Thanks to WISeR funding, a new project will start at QMU in the next semester, lasting for 10 weeks.
We are starting a singing community project which will involve a two hour weekly singing session where you we will sing a wide variety of songs led by a professional song leader. We hope this will create a sense of belonging for students by connecting them with each other and, hopefully, forging new friendships. We also hope staff who share a love of singing may also be able to attend. We hope that both of these types of connection will contribute to reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness which students can experience when they are away from home. We hope therefore that this project will have a positive impact on students’ wellbeing and, as a result, on their academic achievement leading to a lower drop-out rate.
The singing community will provide a warm, welcoming environment to all regardless of whether you think you can sing or not. There is no need to read music and no auditions to join this activity.
If you are interested in attending this activity, please get in touch with Ileana Thomson ithomson@qmu.ac.uk as soon as possible as we need to have an idea about numbers. The day of the week on which this will take place is likely to be either a Wednesday or a Thursday afternoon. I will send a poll to those who get in touch to help us select the best time.
13th December 2023
In this week's Student news:
WISeR / Enhancement Themes event - Tuesday 16 January, 1300-1600, Room 2156
Join us for an inspiring WISeR (Widening Participation and Student Retention) and Enhancement Themes showcase event at QMU in the afternoon of 16th January, where we celebrate some of the initiatives that helped enhance the student experience during the last academic year.
This joint gathering, open to both students and staff, will provide a unique opportunity to not only showcase our accomplishments but also to connect with fellow members of our university community. With 13 engaging presentations, insightful discussions, and moments for socialising over refreshments, we hope you will join us!
For more information and to register, please follow this link
Time slot |
Presenter |
Subject of presentation |
1pm |
Attendees arrive. Tea, coffee and cake available |
|
1.15pm - 2.15pm |
Video produced by Olivia Sagan and Linnea Wallen |
Resilient Communities |
Anthony Schrag |
Connecting Craigmillar |
|
Ellie Birchall and Chistie McDove |
The Student Learner Journey |
|
Robert Munro |
QMU Creates |
|
Lisa Cruden |
Peer Assisted Learning Scheme |
|
Eloise Bicket |
The ELS Resit Programme |
|
2.15pm-2.45pm |
Refreshment break and chance to connect with colleagues and students |
|
2.45pm-4.00pm |
Sian Jones |
Talking Inclusion, Walking Exclusion? What helps students to feel included at QMU? |
Clare Uytman |
Building a supportive student community in Psychology and Sociology |
|
Juan Garcia & student (student tbc) |
Employer mentoring |
|
Jennifer Bingham |
The role of a WISeR Co-ordinator |
|
Suzanne Ewing |
HealthFest |
|
Jessica Lindohf and Dawn Martin |
PAT Guide |
|
Kat Lord |
TGIT |
________________________________________________________________________
Host Focus Groups
As part of a QMU led enhancement project in collaboration with the Students' Union, we are looking to host focus groups to engage in conversation with students from under-represented groups. This ties in with one of the Student Union's four priorities for the year, with a focus on increasing representation for students who are, but not limited to post-graduates, direct entrants, parents, etc. As a matriculated student at QMU, you are automatically a member of the Students Union, so we want to ensure that we are providing ample representation for all members by hearing first-hand what they think would be beneficial and what support is needed in terms of representation!
If this is something that you would be interested in contributing to, please contact me on jbrown3@qmu.ac.uk!
Another reminder, as part of this work, we now have open WhatsApp groups for students from the aforementioned groups to keep in touch with us and one another. You can access them by following the link: https://www.qmusu.org.uk/top-menu/advice-support/copy-of-online-student-safety-guide . If there is a group missing that you feel should be created, just give us a shout and we can start one up! Please note that all students who join these groups are held to QMU's student code of conduct, and students who breach this or use these spaces inappropriately (including to market/advertise) will be removed.
Wishing all students a lovely festive season! 🙂
________________________________________________________________________
QMU Sing - a new singing community
Thanks to WISeR funding, a new project will start at QMU in the next semester, lasting for 10 weeks.
We are starting a singing community project which will involve a two hour weekly singing session where you we will sing a wide variety of songs led by a professional song leader. We hope this will create a sense of belonging for students by connecting them with each other and, hopefully, forging new friendships. We also hope staff who share a love of singing may also be able to attend. We hope that both of these types of connection will contribute to reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness which students can experience when they are away from home. We hope therefore that this project will have a positive impact on students’ wellbeing and, as a result, on their academic achievement leading to a lower drop-out rate.
The singing community will provide a warm, welcoming environment to all regardless of whether you think you can sing or not. There is no need to read music and no auditions to join this activity.
If you are interested in attending this activity, please get in touch with Ileana Thomson ithomson@qmu.ac.uk as soon as possible as we need to have an idea about numbers. The day of the week on which this will take place is likely to be either a Wednesday or a Thursday afternoon. I will send a poll to those who get in touch to help us select the best time.
____________________________________________________________________________
For attention of Adobe software users
Following communication from Adobe, and after speaking with Jourie Fraser-Harris, I would like to inform you of an upcoming mandatory upgrade to our Adobe console product.
The change is to upgrade us from a USM (User Storage Model) to an ESM (Enterprise Storage Model). The change does not affect how you access or use Adobe but are back-end changes to the solution.
Knowing that most students will be finishing the semester on 08/12/2023, I have asked Adobe to carry out this upgrade in the evening of 19/12/2023. Adobe have advised that the works shouldn’t take too long to complete. But we expect there to be no disruption to logging on at 9am on 20/12/2023.
I have been assured from Adobe that there will be no risk of loss of data currently in the cloud. However, I would like to advise you that keeping an additional copy of any data backed up is always a good idea. Especially if it is of importance.
Once the upgrade has taken place, you shouldn’t see any difference in the logging in process.
Your profile picture of the Adobe account might change.
We expect the process will only change if a student has used their QMU email address to set up personal access to Adobe software as well as QMU issuing access via that address also. At first login, Adobe will prompt the user to allocate their cloud storage to one of those profiles.
If you have any questions, please let us know by contacting the Helpdesk.
__________________________________________________________________________
Getting a new phone for Christmas? Remember and update MFA first
Christmas and January sales are a popular time for getting a new mobile phone.
If you do get a new device then How do I change my MFA device? (qmu.ac.uk) has instructions to ensure you are not locked out of QMU resources as Multi factor authentication (MFA) is associated with your older device or phone number.
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Have Your Say: New walking, wheeling and cycling routes within and connecting to the Royal Infirmary/Edinburgh BioQuarter (Staff & Students)
Have Your Say
A public engagement is running until the 17th Dec to gather feedback on 4 sections of proposed walking, wheeling and cycling routes.
The routes connect within Edinburgh BioQuarter (the location of the Royal Infirmary and Sick Kids Hospital) as well as south to Midlothian and Sheriffhall.
If you work at or have placements at BioQuarter, it is a great time to take part and help make active forms of travel more accessible.
View the proposed routes on the project website and share your feedback via the online survey: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9636ded5d7214e03b4e67f3e4f759c70
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Library workshops
Do you need help with study skills like referencing or finding resources? Library Services is running a series of online workshops. See them all here or below for the upcoming sessions for December and January. Booking required (follow the links)
DEC 11
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
DEC 14
Advanced Google Search for literature searching
3:00pm - 4:00pm.
JAN 16
Introduction to reference managers
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
JAN 18
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
JAN 22
Getting the most out of Google Scholar
3:00pm - 4:00pm.
JAN 23
3:00pm - 4:00pm.
JAN 24
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
JAN 25
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
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Best Job Ever
The hunt is on for which of you will be part of our Officer Committee (OC) for 24/25! The positions not only include our Full time President roles (paid) but also our Part-time Officers (voluntary). Please have a look through our shiny and newly
re-branded Election Guide 2024 if you are interested in becoming part of the team that has a real influence over the Student experience at QMU. Every role in the OC is decided through the votes of all QMU students in the QMUSU annual elections which are held in March.
If you want to have a chat with any of us at the SU please fill in the I'm interested in the Best.Job.Ever. form (otherwise known as Expression of Interest) and we can arrange to meet up and go through any questions you might have. By filling in this form you are not committing yourself at this point, that comes later!
Available Roles: -
President – Academic Life (Full time, paid role)
President – Student Activities (Full time, paid role)
Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
International Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
PostGrad Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Societies Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Sports Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Student Voice Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Wellbeing Officer (Part time, voluntary role)
Looking forward to meeting your potential new Officers 😊
___________________________________________________________________________
The Students’ Union wishes you a relaxing holiday season!
We hope that you’ll enjoy the festive break and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year.
Please note that the SU will be closed from the 23rd of December to the 3rd of January 2024.
______________________________________________________________________________
Grey wooden shelves looking for a new home!
Due to the refurbishment taking place in catering, we have approximately 20 lovely grey wooden shelving units that are no longer needed.
Rather than waste these, we would like to offer them to staff and students in return for a small donation to Social Bite charity.
They are all currently stored in 1875 so come down and have a look. Please just ask a member of the Catering Team to show you them if you can’t see them. Feel free to help yourself and then make your donation to Social Bite here. You will need to be responsible for removing them from campus yourself.
We ideally need them all gone by Tuesday 19th December.
_______________________________________________________________
QMU Meal Plans - Semester 2
We have opened booking for Semester 2 QMU Meal Plans.
QMU Meal Plans are a flexible weekly scheme that enables you to purchase meals in advance, at a discounted price, for Semester 2. Choose from three or five lunches a week depending on your living arrangements and your lifestyle.
We know how important it is to have a varied and balanced diet. By taking out a meal plan, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will be getting high-quality, home cooked, nutritious food.
All meals are chosen from our main restaurant. Our main restaurant is about to undergo a full refit with an exciting new look & offer! So from Semester 2 you will be able to choose from one of our 3 street food kitchens. As always there will be a wide selection of dietary friendly and vegan options. Our vision is to provide fresh, locally sourced, good food made by our talented chefs to the highest possible standard. Menus change daily and are influenced by the seasonality of ingredients to ensure best quality and provide wholesome and balanced meals paired with a little flair and fun!
QMU Meal Plans are great value and will help our students settle back into University life quickly and allow everyone to focus on university priorities without the stresses of having to shop and cook food for themselves on a daily basis.
Full details about the QMU Meal Plans and how to sign up to them, can be found on our website here. Meal plans for Semester 2 need to be booked in advance and by Sunday 21st January 2024 at the latest.
If you have any queries about the QMU Meal Plans, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Catering Team on: mealplans@qmu.ac.uk
________________________________________________________________________________
WISeR / Enhancement Themes event - Tuesday 16 January, 1300-1600, Room 2156
You’re invited to an exciting afternoon event on 16th January that spotlights some of the incredible student-centred initiatives of 2022/23. This joint gathering, open to both students and staff, will provide a unique opportunity to not only showcase our accomplishments but also to connect with fellow members of our university community. With 13 engaging presentations, insightful discussions, and moments for socialising over refreshments, this event promises to be a rewarding experience. We hope you will join us!
For more information and to register, please follow this link
6th December 2023
Queen Margaret University Generative AI Guidance
The University has produced Guidance on the use of Generative AI for QMU students and staff, agreed at the November meeting of the Student Experience Committee. The Guidance introduces generative AI, a technology that can write coherent text in response to users’ prompts, and discusses its implications for learning and assessment at QMU.
The University has adopted a policy of working with (rather than against) generative AI in order to develop students’ critical understanding of the technology and to prepare them for the world of work, while also protecting the academic standards and integrity of our assessments. The Guidance warns about the potential bias and inaccuracies of generative AI, which are partly inherited from the human-generated text used to train the AI models, warns against submitting personal, confidential, or commercially sensitive information into Generative AI software, and outlines the assessment regulations, policy and guidelines covering the use of Generative AI in student work.
The Guidance also provides information on how to freely access and use the most powerful Generative AI effectively through your University account. Further updates will be provided as the University develops its use of Generative AI and as the technology itself develops.
For Students: https://libguides.qmu.ac.uk/ld.php?content_id=35068880
For Staff: https://qmu.sharepoint.com/sites/GenerativeAIatQMU/SitePages/Guidance.aspx
Professor Richard Butt,
Deputy Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor
_______________________________________________________________________________
WISeR / Enhancement Themes event - Tuesday 16 January, 1300-1600, Room 2156
You’re invited to an exciting afternoon event on 16th January that spotlights some of the incredible student-centred initiatives of 2022/23. This joint gathering, open to both students and staff, will provide a unique opportunity to not only showcase our accomplishments but also to connect with fellow members of our university community. With 13 engaging presentations, insightful discussions, and moments for socialising over refreshments, this event promises to be a rewarding experience. We hope you will join us!
For more information and to register, please follow this link
____________________________________________________________________________
Alison Scott Scholarship Now Open
The Alison Scott Scholarship is a chance for Undergraduate QMU students, who identify as female, to learn a second language alongside their QMU studies (for the duration of their undergraduate degree).
The scholarship also includes mentoring and career coaching and works towards a chance to apply for further funding to attend a language school for your chosen European language later in your studies.
Who can apply?
QMU Students who identify as female, in their 1st year of Undergraduate study at QMU (studying any subject).*
Demonstrates want, willingness and commitment to learning a 2nd language.
Preference may be given to students from a widening access background (as defined by QMU) but applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.
*Preference may be given to 1st-year Undergraduate students but direct entrants (those joining QMU directly in to 2nd or 3rd year) are encouraged to apply.
For more information, go to https://www.qmu.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/funding-opportunities-for-students/
______________________________________________________________________________
Community garden and craft events
Are you a QMU student and still trying to feel that sense of belonging and connection?
Looking for something to take you mind off your studies?
Why not come along to some activities? All beginner friendly!
Here you will try something new, meet new people and connect with nature!
See below for activity plans.
Thursday 30th November 2PM - 4PM
Come along to a guided tour of the QMU community garden, and even grow your own plant!
Here you will:
- Walk around the natural environment of QMU and enter a fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetable plot.
- It will also include a compost workshop, where you can learn and understand the value of compost, as well as know how YOU can also contribute.
- You will then select pots we have in stock, and get creative by painting them.
- You will then be able to fill it with soil, and have seeds to grow at home!
Wednesday 6th December 2PM - 4PM
Come along to a crafty afternoon to make decorative wreaths!
Here you will:
- Walk around the natural environment around QMU and have the opportunity forage for wreath making materials!
- You will then be guided back inside and start on your wreath!
Wednesday 13th December 2PM - 4PM
Come join us for some re'leaf' in a relaxed afternoon of fun and art!
Here you will:
- Engage in an outdoor trail to collect leaves
- and then get creative using leaves to create art!
Please note, spaces are limited! Please email Sophie Chan at 20001914@qmu.ac.uk for interest.
_____________________________________________________________________________
QMU Sing - a new singing community
Thanks to WISeR funding, a new project will start at QMU in the next semester, lasting for 10 weeks.
We are starting a singing community project which will involve a two hour weekly singing session where you we will sing a wide variety of songs led by a professional song leader. We hope this will create a sense of belonging for students by connecting them with each other and, hopefully, forging new friendships. We also hope staff who share a love of singing may also be able to attend. We hope that both of these types of connection will contribute to reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness which students can experience when they are away from home. We hope therefore that this project will have a positive impact on students’ wellbeing and, as a result, on their academic achievement leading to a lower drop-out rate.
The singing community will provide a warm, welcoming environment to all regardless of whether you think you can sing or not. There is no need to read music and no auditions to join this activity.
If you are interested in attending this activity, please get in touch with Ileana Thomson ithomson@qmu.ac.uk as soon as possible as we need to have an idea about numbers. The day of the week on which this will take place is likely to be either a Wednesday or a Thursday afternoon. I will send a poll to those who get in touch to help us select the best time.
_______________________________________________________________
QMU Meal Plans - Semester 2
We have opened booking for Semester 2 QMU Meal Plans.
QMU Meal Plans are a flexible weekly scheme that enables you to purchase meals in advance, at a discounted price, for Semester 2. Choose from three or five lunches a week depending on your living arrangements and your lifestyle.
We know how important it is to have a varied and balanced diet. By taking out a meal plan, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will be getting high-quality, home cooked, nutritious food.
All meals are chosen from our main restaurant. Our main restaurant is about to undergo a full refit with an exciting new look & offer! So from Semester 2 you will be able to choose from one of our 3 street food kitchens. As always there will be a wide selection of dietary friendly and vegan options. Our vision is to provide fresh, locally sourced, good food made by our talented chefs to the highest possible standard. Menus change daily and are influenced by the seasonality of ingredients to ensure best quality and provide wholesome and balanced meals paired with a little flair and fun!
QMU Meal Plans are great value and will help our students settle back into University life quickly and allow everyone to focus on university priorities without the stresses of having to shop and cook food for themselves on a daily basis.
Full details about the QMU Meal Plans and how to sign up to them, can be found on our website here. Meal plans for Semester 2 need to be booked in advance and by Sunday 21st January 2024 at the latest.
If you have any queries about the QMU Meal Plans, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Catering Team on: mealplans@qmu.ac.uk
______________________________________________________________________________
Christmas ILP hand ins over festive break
Dear Students,
Christmas Closure Dates (closing evening of Friday 22nd December 2023 – reopening Thursday 4th January 2024
The University will close during the festive period on the evening of Friday 22nd December 2023 – reopening Thursday 4th January 2024.
ILP Submission Dates
Please note that Thursday 4th January 2024 has been agreed as the standard submission date, both for hard (as directed) and e-copy submissions for all students with an ILP submission date between Saturday 23rd December 2023 – Wednesday 3rd January 2024. As an example, if your original submission date is 21st December, you would normally submit a week later on the 28th December if you had an ILP of 7 days. Due to the Winter closure period your ILP is extended until QMU reopens on the 4thJanuary 2024.
Please be reminded the University is closed from the evening of Friday 22nd December 2023 – reopening Thursday 4th January 2024. There will be no technical support, with respect to electronic hand-ins from 16:30 on Friday 22nd December until 0900 on Thursday 4th January 2024.
Feedback/Provisional Mark Return Dates
Some feedback return dates may fall during the Winter closure period. Wherever possible, the University will aim to release your marks and feedback by 22nd December 2023, however, please note that feedback turnaround times are based on working days (i.e. Monday – Friday; University closure days are not included as working days) and so some return dates will not be due until the New Year.
If you have any queries, please contact the Academic Administration team in advance of the Winter Break at AcademicAdministration@qmu.ac.uk.
With all good wishes for the assessment period – and wishing you a safe and restful festive winter break.
The Academic Administration Team
______________________________________________________________________________
Christmas lunches in 1875 – 1 date remaining.
We still have some space available on our final Christmas Lunch date, Thursday 7th December.
The Christmas season is finally upon us and we are hosting our annual Christmas Lunches in 1875. Why not get your friends/colleagues together for a special three course lunch to celebrate the end of term. See the menu below and pre-book for the best seats!
Thursday 7th December
3 course meal
£12.65 students
£15 staff
2 course meal
£10.87 students
£12 staff
To pre-book, please email onlinecatering@qmu.ac.uk with your lead guest’s name, total number of seats required and date and time you would like to book.
TIS THE SEASON @ 1875
Glass of non-alcoholic mulled wine
Roast Parsnip and Cumin Soup (vegan)
OR
Festive Prawn Cocktail, Baby Gem Salad & Ciabatta Toast
***
Traditional Christmas Turkey Dinner with all the Trimmings
OR
Roast Sweet potato, Squash and Spinach Wellington with Mushroom Duxelles Chestnut and Thyme Sauce (Vegan)
***
Xmas Plum Pudding with Brandy custard
OR
Spiced Apple, Cranberry and Clementine Crumble
OR
Glazed pear and Ginger Sponge with Caramel Sauce
***
Tea, Coffee and a warm mince pie
We will have allergen friendly options available throughout, please speak to one of our Allergy Champions who will be happy to assist.
__________________________________________________________________________
Who will be YOUR next Student Presidents?
The hunt is on for which of you will be part of our Officer Committee (OC) for 24/25! The positions not only include our Full time President roles (paid) but also our Part-time Officers (voluntary). Please have a look through our shiny and newly
re-branded Election Guide 2024 if you are interested in becoming part of the team that has a real influence over the Student experience at QMU. Every role in the OC is decided through the votes of all QMU students in the QMUSU annual elections which are held in March.
If you want to have a chat with any of us at the SU please fill in the I'm interested in the Best.Job.Ever. form (otherwise known as Expression of Interest) and we can arrange to meet up and go through any questions you might have. By filling in this form you are not committing yourself at this point, that comes later!
Looking forward to meeting your potential new Officers
____________________________________________________________________________
Grey wooden shelves looking for a new home!
Due to the refurbishment taking place in catering, we have approximately 20 lovely grey wooden shelving units that are no longer needed.
Rather than waste these, we would like to offer them to staff and students in return for a small donation to Social Bite charity.
They are all currently stored in 1875 so come down and have a look. Please just ask a member of the Catering Team to show you them if you can’t see them. Feel free to help yourself and then make your donation to Social Bite here. You will need to be responsible for removing them from campus yourself.
We ideally need them all gone by Tuesday 19th December.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Proposed Walking, Wheeling and Cycling routes in Musselburgh: Share your views
There is still time to view the proposals and share your feedback on the proposed new active travel routes in Musselburgh.
View the webpage here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5057159838054a1cba6ada53ceadda36
The project team will be on campus next Thursday (14th Dec) from 3:30-6:30pm to talk you through the plans and answer any questions you may have.
____________________________________________________________________________
29th November 2023
In this week's Student News:
Job Opportunity: School Subject Tutors
Could you make a difference for high school pupils in Midlothian and East Lothian in academic year 2023/24?
THE INITIATIVE
The Enhanced Learning Tutoring Initiative (ELTI) is a high school tutoring programme run by Queen Margaret University. It was initially set up in 2020/21 as a response to the educational challenges faced by young people due to Covid-19 school closures. Due to the success of the programme, tutoring provision has been continued for a fourth year and delivery has now commenced for academic year 2023/24.
The programme works with high schools and community organisations in Midlothian and East Lothian, offering weekly tutoring sessions to eligible S4-S6 pupils who are working towards N4, N5 and Higher qualifications. Tutoring is offered in the full range of SQA subjects. In 2023/24, one-to-one and small group tutoring sessions will take place over two 10-week periods (pre- and post-Christmas). The first 10-week block is now coming to an end, but tutoring will continue after the Christmas break for a further 10 weeks, with options for pupils to continue up to their final exams. Both in-person and online options will be offered.
COULD YOU BE ONE OF OUR TUTORS?
Tutors will have achieved a Higher (or equivalent) in the subject to be tutored and will have either completed a degree, or successfully progressed into the 4th year of an undergraduate degree (not necessarily in the same subject).
We are currently recruiting tutors for STEM subjects (including Maths, Engineering and Computing Science) at Higher level, to deliver sessions in-person and/or online.
A comprehensive training programme is provided for tutors. All tutors will be required to attend an in-person training day at QMU in December 2023. Tutoring will commence in January 2024.
Tutors will be:
- well organised and able to solve problems
- patient and willing to adapt
- able to develop relationships with a diverse group of people
- creative and innovative.
APPLY NOW
For informal enquiries and to request an application pack, please email: elti@qmu.ac.uk.
- Closing dateFriday 1st December 2023.
- Interviews will take place onThursday 7th December 2023.
- In-person training at the QMU campus will take place onThursday 14th December 2023.
ELTI is coordinated and delivered by Queen Margaret University. Funders include the STV Children's Appeal, a local charitable trust, Midlothian Council, Musselburgh Local Area Partnership, and Dunbar and East Linton Local Area Partnership.
EL_tutoring_initiative_JOB_DESCRIPTION_1123.pdf
________________________________________________________
Kickstart your fitness journey for 2024 with our exclusive membership offer!
Sign up now for:
* NO joining fee
* The rest of November FREE
* December FREE!
Sport & Fitness membership includes use of the Fitness Suite, Weights Room, fitness classes, sports hall and all-weather pitch. Your membership also provides you with an induction to our facilities to get you started and a personalised fitness programme to help you on your fitness journey.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to get a head start on your new year fitness goals.
Complete our sign up form to commit to a healthier you today!
_________________________________________________________
Alison Scott Scholarship Now Open
The Alison Scott Scholarship is a chance for Undergraduate QMU students, who identify as female, to learn a second language alongside their QMU studies (for the duration of their undergraduate degree).
The scholarship also includes mentoring and career coaching and works towards a chance to apply for further funding to attend a language school for your chosen European language later in your studies.
Who can apply?
QMU Students who identify as female, in their 1st year of Undergraduate study at QMU (studying any subject).*
Demonstrates want, willingness and commitment to learning a 2nd language.
Preference may be given to students from a widening access background (as defined by QMU) but applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.
*Preference may be given to 1st-year Undergraduate students but direct entrants (those joining QMU directly in to 2nd or 3rd year) are encouraged to apply.
For more information, go to https://www.qmu.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/funding-opportunities-for-students/
_____________________________________________________________
Community garden and craft events
Are you a QMU student and still trying to feel that sense of belonging and connection?
Looking for something to take you mind off your studies?
Why not come along to some activities? All beginner friendly!
Here you will try something new, meet new people and connect with nature!
See below for activity plans.
Thursday 30th November 2PM - 4PM
Come along to a guided tour of the QMU community garden, and even grow your own plant!
Here you will:
- Walk around the natural environment of QMU and enter a fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetable plot.
- It will also include a compost workshop, where you can learn and understand the value of compost, as well as know how YOU can also contribute.
- You will then select pots we have in stock, and get creative by painting them.
- You will then be able to fill it with soil, and have seeds to grow at home!
Wednesday 6th December 2PM - 4PM
Come along to a crafty afternoon to make decorative wreaths!
Here you will:
- Walk around the natural environment around QMU and have the opportunity forage for wreath making materials!
- You will then be guided back inside and start on your wreath!
Wednesday 13th December 2PM - 4PM
Come join us for some re'leaf' in a relaxed afternoon of fun and art!
Here you will:
- Engage in an outdoor trail to collect leaves
- and then get creative using leaves to create art!
Please note, spaces are limited! Please email Sophie Chan at 20001914@qmu.ac.uk for interest.
___________________________________________________________
QMU Sing - a singing community
Thanks to WISeR funding, a new project will start at QMU in the next semester, lasting for 10 weeks.
We are starting a singing community project which will involve a two hour weekly singing session where you we will sing a wide variety of songs led by a professional song leader. We hope this will create a sense of belonging for students by connecting them with each other and, hopefully, forging new friendships. We also hope staff who share a love of singing may also be able to attend. We hope that both of these types of connection will contribute to reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness which students can experience when they are away from home. We hope therefore that this project will have a positive impact on students’ wellbeing and, as a result, on their academic achievement leading to a lower drop-out rate.
The singing community will provide a warm, welcoming environment to all regardless of whether you think you can sing or not. There is no need to read music and no auditions to join this activity.
If you are interested in attending this activity, please get in touch with Ileana Thomson ithomson@qmu.ac.uk as soon as possible as we need to have an idea about numbers. The day of the week on which this will take place is likely to be either a Wednesday or a Thursday afternoon. I will send a poll to those who get in touch to help us select the best time.
___________________________________________________________
Changes to Adobe Reader and Acrobat pro on QM Desktop 2023D
Due to changes from Adobe both Acrobat Pro and Reader have now been rolled into the one application. With these changes, you will now only find the Acrobat icon on the QMU desktop 2023.
When opening a PDF for the first time you will be asked to sign in, please do so with your QMU email address and password this will verify your account and give you access to the reader version of Acrobat, for those with a full Acrobat license you will have full permissions to acrobat pro.
You may also be prompted to enable “PDFmaker” please do so if asked. We are looking into streamlining the process so appreciate your patience in this matter.
If you experience any issues with the above, please email Helpdesk@qmu.ac.uk and a job can be logged for assistance.
___________________________________________________________
Love to Ride is launching their Winter Wheelers this December
Prizes are up for grabs just for logging your cycles, no matter how short or long between the 1st and 25th December.
Prizes include cycle equipment, clothing and even a Brompton!
Sign-up and join the QMU group using this link:
https://www.lovetoride.net/edinburgh?ic=c9cf0595&locale=en-GB
Love to Ride runs all year round and is an excellent way to connect with the QMU community who are also cycling, to get tips for getting started cycling or to keep track of all your adventures!
____________________________________________________________
RAINBOW LACES
Want the brightest shoes on campus and to promote LGBTQ+ rights at the same time?
Get your pair of rainbow laces from the SU!
Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces Campaign runs from 25th November until 11th December to promote inclusivity in sports. We want everyone on campus to thrive and get involved in sports.
The key message for the 10th year of the campaign is to ‘Lace up to keep it up!’
Pop up to the Students’ Union to buy yourself a pair of rainbow laces to show your support. Laces cost £1 and for every pair purchased, the SU will donate an extra 50p to Stonewall
We encourage our sports teams to lace up for any training and fixtures over the next wee while, and be sure to share pictures and tag us!
The SU are also hosting a dodgeball event on Wednesday 6th December in the sports hall, 1-2pm. We encourage everyone to come along and get involved! Whether you play sport regularly or are wanting to start getting more active, this event is for you. Take a study break and join us for a bit of fun.
Laces will be available to purchase at the event for £1
Let’s make sport everyone’s game
_________________________________________________
Exchange Semester Opportunities
Have you considered a semester abroad as part of your degree?
Those in the following programmes may spend a semester abroad at the following times:
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Business Management |
Business Management (including with route options) |
Education Studies (not Primary) |
International Hospitality, Tourism & Events Management |
Nutrition |
Drama |
Public Health |
Theatre & Film |
|
Film & Media |
|
Media & Communications |
|
Public Relations & Marketing Communications |
|
Psychology & Sociology |
|
Public Sociology |
|
Education Studies (not Primary) |
|
Nutrition |
If you would like more information about the opportunities and the application form, please email StudyAbroad@qmu.ac.uk.
22nd November 2023
In this week's Student News:
Job Opportunity: School Subject Tutors
Could you make a difference for high school pupils in Midlothian and East Lothian in academic year 2023/24?
THE INITIATIVE
The Enhanced Learning Tutoring Initiative (ELTI) is a high school tutoring programme run by Queen Margaret University. It was initially set up in 2020/21 as a response to the educational challenges faced by young people due to Covid-19 school closures. Due to the success of the programme, tutoring provision has been continued for a fourth year and delivery has now commenced for academic year 2023/24.
The programme works with high schools and community organisations in Midlothian and East Lothian, offering weekly tutoring sessions to eligible S4-S6 pupils who are working towards N4, N5 and Higher qualifications. Tutoring is offered in the full range of SQA subjects. In 2023/24, one-to-one and small group tutoring sessions will take place over two 10-week periods (pre- and post-Christmas). The first 10-week block is now coming to an end, but tutoring will continue after the Christmas break for a further 10 weeks, with options for pupils to continue up to their final exams. Both in-person and online options will be offered.
COULD YOU BE ONE OF OUR TUTORS?
Tutors will have achieved a Higher (or equivalent) in the subject to be tutored and will have either completed a degree, or successfully progressed into the 4th year of an undergraduate degree (not necessarily in the same subject).
We are currently recruiting tutors for STEM subjects (including Maths, Engineering and Computing Science) at Higher level, to deliver sessions in-person and/or online.
A comprehensive training programme is provided for tutors. All tutors will be required to attend an in-person training day at QMU in December 2023. Tutoring will commence in January 2024.
Tutors will be:
- well organised and able to solve problems
- patient and willing to adapt
- able to develop relationships with a diverse group of people
- creative and innovative.
APPLY NOW
For informal enquiries and to request an application pack, please email: elti@qmu.ac.uk.
- Closing dateFriday 1st December 2023.
- Interviews will take place onThursday 7th December 2023.
- In-person training at the QMU campus will take place onThursday 14th December 2023.
ELTI is coordinated and delivered by Queen Margaret University. Funders include the STV Children's Appeal, a local charitable trust, Midlothian Council, Musselburgh Local Area Partnership, and Dunbar and East Linton Local Area Partnership.
EL_tutoring_initiative_JOB_DESCRIPTION_1123.pdf
____________________________________________________________________________
WISeR / Enhancement Themes event - Tuesday 16 January, 1300-1600, Room 2156
You’re invited to an exciting afternoon event on 16th January that spotlights some of the incredible student-centred initiatives of 2022/23. This joint gathering, open to both students and staff, will provide a unique opportunity to not only showcase our accomplishments but also to connect with fellow members of our university community. With 13 engaging presentations, insightful discussions, and moments for socialising over refreshments, this event promises to be a rewarding experience. We hope you will join us!
For more information and to register, please follow this link
____________________________________________________________________________
Printing/Scanning unavailable Thursday morning 23/11/2023
Printing/Scanning will be unavailable for a few hours on the morning of 23/11/2023 starting at 09:00. The service will be down to allow the upgrade of the system which improves performance and has very important security updates. An email will go out once the work is complete, but we envision the work will take a few hours to complete. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential maintenance.
____________________________________________________________________________
Introduction to the UK Data Service - free online workshop
23 Nov 2023, 10.00 – 11.30
The UK Data Service holds the UK’s largest collection of research data. This
introductory workshop is for anyone with an interest in social research who
wants to hear about the vast array of resources that the UK Data Service offers.
Participants will learn about the different types of quantitative and
qualitative data that the UK Data Service holds, how to find those data collections using their online
resource discovery tools and how to register to access datasets in a number of
different formats. Also demonstrated will be how some data collections can
be viewed and analysed online, as well as providing an overview of support
and training resources for students, researchers and teachers.
This free online workshop will consist of an interactive presentation with time
for questions at the end.
More information and booking: https://ukdataservice.ac.uk/events/introduction-to-the-uk-data-service-7/
____________________________________________________________________________
Wi-Fi maintenance Friday 24th
Information Technology Services (ITS) are performing maintenance on the Wi-Fi infrastructure between 07:30 and 09:00 on Friday 24th.
During the period above, The Wi-Fi system may not be able to process new connections to eduroam, but existing connections will not be affected during the maintenance period.
Once the work is complete, you may get a message on your device asking to accept a new certificate from “QMU-ISE-P01” please accept this certificate to continue to utilise using eduroam.
Apologise for any inconvenience caused.
____________________________________________________________________________
Santander Brighter Futures Grant
Looking for some extra funds? Fancy winning 1 of 10 Brighter Futures Grants of £1000? Exclusively for QMU students, apply before 30 November for your chance to win!
For more information, or to apply, follow the link
____________________________________________________________________________
SERA Conference
Please note there will be a large-scale event taking place on campus from the 22nd of November until the 24th of November and 1875 plus the surrounding areas might be busier than usual. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
____________________________________________________________________________
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday (TGIT) cancelled this week
Students should be aware that Thank Goodness It’s Thursday is cancelled this week (23 Nov). However, our fabulous volunteers will be back to serve you up some delicious hot meals on Thursday 30th November, and again on Thursday 7th December. We look forward to welcoming you back to these events and enjoying your company in the run up to the festive period.
____________________________________________________________________________
Sport & Fitness membership - Black Friday Special Offer!
Kickstart your fitness journey for 2024 with our exclusive membership offer!
Sign up now for:
* NO joining fee
* The rest of November FREE
* December FREE!
Sport & Fitness membership includes use of the Fitness Suite, Weights Room, fitness classes, sports hall and all-weather pitch. Your membership also provides you with an induction to our facilities to get you started and a personalised fitness programme to help you on your fitness journey.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to get a head start on your new year fitness goals.
Complete our sign up form to commit to a healthier you today!
____________________________________________________________________________
QMU Merchandise – Black Friday Deals
Reign in the savings
This Black Friday, we're treating our QMU family to huge discounts on our online shop!
Snatch up your favourite items at unbeatable prices. Don't miss out Shop | Queen Margaret University (qmu.ac.uk)
____________________________________________________________________________
Sustainability and Education: There is No Planet B
Wednesday 22nd November 17:00 – 18.00. Room 0047 or Online
It is now abundantly apparent that the environment crisis is unfolding in multiple ways across the globe with ever more serious consequences. How can we understand this problem, which is complex, contradictory, and potentially overwhelming? More specifically, how can the educational community rise to current challenges and prepare children for what is generally agreed to be a very uncertain future? In this presentation, Stephen Scoffham and Steve Rawlinson will draw on their highly acclaimed book on this subject to explore different ways forward. They do not claim to have all the answers, instead they aim to stimulate a rich and informed debate about the options that lie ahead.
Alan Bainbridge, Reader in Education, ASSaM.
____________________________________________________________________________
Smoking on Campus – Designated Smoking Area : Reminder
The University Court agreed that the University, recognising the need to protect the health of students, staff and visitors to the University, should aspire over time to become a non-smoking campus. The Court also recognised the particular challenges presented in enforcing a blanket non-smoking policy on a university campus and agreed that a number of actions should be taken to help towards achieving its goal.
We have recently noticed an increase in the number of people smoking in the University Square and also an increase in the use of e-cigarettes and vapes in non-designated areas . All staff, students and visitors are reminded that the University Smoking Policy states that “Smoking is only permitted within the designated smoking area”. The University has provided a smoking shelter near the pedestrian access from the car park. This is the sole “designated smoking area” on the academic campus and all smokers (including those using e-cigarettes and vapes) are kindly requested to use the smoking shelter. The use of the smoking shelter as the designated smoking area for the academic campus applies 24/7.
We adopt a collegiate approach to this and we would therefore urge all members of the University community to encourage anyone who engages in smoking outwith the designated shelter, and in particular in the University Square, to move to the smoking shelter. We would also ask that any smoker who is approached with such a request should respond in a polite and courteous manner.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Bruce Laing
Director of Campus Services
Convener of the Health & Safety Committee
8th November 2023
In this week's Student News
INVITE: QMU community invited to take part in peace event
QMU staff and students are invited to take part in a special evening which is designed to promote peace through all of the faith and non-faith communities in Edinburgh, organised by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association (EIFA). EIFA is partnering with The Oxford Foundation to present a full evening of music, meditations, messages and prayers. United for Peace: Edinburgh’s Communities United Against Hate seeks to unite people across the city to combat the evil of hate in society with the powerful tools of understanding, respect, and love.
Members of the Queen Margaret University community are invited to join the event at 6pm on Monday 13 November at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. The programme for the evening will include the Community Choir of Ukraine, original musical contributions by artists from Mauritius, readings from nationally respected religious leaders, and opportunities for silent reflection, meditation and prayer.
Register for this free public event public at Communities unite for peace.
You can find out more about the institutions involved in organising the event at: and https://www.edinburghinterfaith.com https://www.theoxfordfoundation.com/
WhatsApp Student Groups
After feedback from student groups, QMU Students’ Union have set up WhatsApp groups for students who want to connect with others who are in similar situations. You can find the links to these groups by clicking Whatsapp Links @ QMUSU
At the moment we have groups dedicated to Parents who are students, Class Reps, Direct Entrants, ASSaM PG, Health Science PG and General PG students, however we can set up more groups if you feel there is a group that is missing. These groups will be monitored by SU staff on a weekly basis to check that it is only QMU students using them and to remove anyone who is not. We will also check that users are following the QMU Student Code of Conduct. If you have any direct questions for the Students’ Union please either pop in to the SU (above Maggie’s) or email us on union@qmu.ac.uk
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Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s listening project, Let’s Be Heard, wants to hear from students
Let’s Be Heard, the independent Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry's listening project, is inviting students to share their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.
Let’s Be Heard was launched in May 2023 and is the main channel for people who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland to engage with the independent Inquiry.
The project is seeking the answers to three questions:
- What were your experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland?
- What impact did these experiences have on you or people you know?
- What lessons do you think should be learned from your experiences?
Experiences shared with Let’s Be Heard will help guide the Inquiry’s investigations and inform its reports and recommendations. The Inquiry is investigating how the response to the pandemic impacted people in Scotland, including whether there were any unequal impacts for different groups and individuals.
To do this, the Inquiry needs to hear from as many different people as possible. If you wish to share your experience fil out the form on the Let’s Be Heard website.
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Free Paths for All Walk Leader Training
Are you interested in setting up or assisting in running a walking group at University or your local area?
We have 16 spaces on a half-day online Paths for All walk leader training course in the new year (date TBC).
After completing the training you can assist with the University Wellness Walks, set up your own walking group or become a Paths for All Health Walks leader.
It is a great qualification to add to your CV and a way to get involved in your local community.
If you would like to hear more or would like to put your name down please email: swhelan@qmu.ac.uk
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Event in 1875 - Thursday 9th November 2023
Hello Everyone
Please be advised that due to an event taking place in the lower half (decking end) of 1875 on Thursday 9th November, seating will be slightly reduced in 1875. 1875 will be open as normal, along with all the other catering outlets.
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Lord Forte Scholarships – CLOSING 12PM 13 NOVEMBER
Queen Margaret University and the Lord Forte Foundation are pleased to offer six scholarships to 3rd and 4th year students on the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management and BA (H) Events Management programmes.
How much are the Lord Forte Foundation Scholarships?
The Scholarships are worth £2,500. This is paid to the successful applicants in instalments of £1,250 each academic semester, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applications are invited from students in year 3 or year 4 of the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management degree programme and the BA (H) Events Management degree programme in 2023/24.
Email development@qmu.ac.uk to apply
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Congratulations to the QMU Entrants’ Survey (QES) prize winners
The two survey prize winners, each winning a £25 Amazon gift voucher, are Katie McGinn who studies Costume Design & Construction and a student from the Division of Dietetics, Nutrition and Biological Sciences, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Radiography. Well done both!
Thanks to all those that completed the survey. The QES results were discussed this week at the Transition and Induction Working Group, and they’ll also be considered at the Student Experience Committee.
1st November 2023
In this week's Student News:
Wee Forest Tree Keeping Monitoring and Session Thursday November 2nd
All staff and students are invited to join a group of volunteers to do some practical work and help the scientific monitoring of our Wee Forest.
Date: November 2nd.
Time: Any time between 10 am and 3pm- come down for just an hour if you can.
Place: QMU Wee Forest, near the new Howff, by the big pond.
Please wear warm clothes, wellies or boots. We will provide work gloves and tools.
The session will go ahead regardless of weather, unless there is a weather warning.
If you are intending to join us please email Patrick Boxall on pboxall@qmu.ac.uk.
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VICE CHANCELLOR’S & STUDENT FUND NOW OPEN
The Vice-Chancellor’s & Student Development Fund is open to all Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG) and research students of QMU.
Awards of up to £750 are available to support students achieve their academic, personal, or vocational goals.
These student-led projects can be based in the UK or overseas and must demonstrate to have a positive benefit to the student, the university, or the local community.
Deadline for applications: Applications for 2023/2024 are now open and will close 12pm 26 February 2024.
For further information contact: development@qmu.ac.uk
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Online Library Workshops on Using Cite Them Right and Introduction to Reference Manager software
Using Cite Them Right Library Workshop 6 Nov 15.00-16.00 hrs
Cite Them Right is an online guide to referencing and citation which gives clear instructions for how to format and present sources you've used in your assignments. Come along to this workshop for a run through of how to navigate the website and use some of its useful functions.
Introduction to Reference Managers Library Workshop 8 Nov 15.00-16.00 hrs
Reference managers are tools that can help you organise, store and cite your study and research materials efficiently and effectively. They can be a great way to take notes, plan your work and save time and effort with writing references and citations. There are a number of different types of reference manager that might be right for you! Join us for an introduction to some of the options.
If you would like to sign up to these and any other workshops from the library, please follow this link:
https://qmu.libcal.com/calendar/workshops?cid=8135&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=8135&inc=0
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Integrated Facilities Management Contract
Our Integrated Facilities Management provider, Atalian Servest, has recently merged with another facilities management company OCS Group UK Ltd and all AS staff will transfer to the new entity.
What this means for QMU - there will be no change to our current contract for IFM services, however, OCS brings a wider knowledge and experience of supporting the higher education sector, which should, ultimately, bring benefits to the service at QMU.
From 1st November, you will notice that staff uniforms are rebadged with the OCS logo.
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Santander Brighter Futures Grant
Looking for some extra funds? Fancy winning 1 of 10 Brighter Futures Grants of £1000? Exclusively for QMU students, apply before 30 November for your chance to win!
For more information, or to apply, follow the link
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Lord Forte Scholarships – CLOSING 12PM 6 NOVEMBER
Queen Margaret University and the Lord Forte Foundation are pleased to offer six scholarships to 3rd and 4th year students on the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management and BA (H) Events Management programmes.
How much are the Lord Forte Foundation Scholarships?
The Scholarships are worth £2,500. This is paid to the successful applicants in instalments of £1,250 each academic semester, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applications are invited from students in year 3 or year 4 of the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management degree programme and the BA (H) Events Management degree programme in 2023/24.
Email development@qmu.ac.uk to apply
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Academic Freedom Seminar
Reminder: Seminar by Professor Terence Karran, University of Lincoln
Academic Freedom: A User's Introductory Guide
Convenor Professor Olivia Sagan
Introduced by Sir Paul Grice
Wednesday 8th November 10:00-12:00 room 0048
to assist with numbers, if you have not already done so, please register your attendance to escandrett@qmu.ac.uk
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Newly elected Post Grad Officer
QMUSU are delighted to announce that William Horsu has been elected by students to represent out PG/Masters/Research students. William joins our Officer Committee at QMUSU, who work hard to make your student experience the best it can be. Our full Officer Committee is made up of the following amazing students, all elected by you: -
President – Academic Life – Jay Brown
President – Student Activities – Louise Ford
Equality & Diversity Officer – Lucas Paxton
Events Officer – Charly Grant
Post Grad Officer – William Horsu
Societies Officer – Steph Hume
Sports Officer – Ruth Lawlor
Welfare Officer – Hannah McIndoe
You can contact our Officer Committee on SUOfficers@qmu.ac.uk with any questions, ideas or feedback on Uni life that you may have.
25th October 2023
In this week's Student News:
Calling all 3rd and 4th year IHTM and Events Management students
I am pleased to inform you that you are eligible to apply for the Lord Forte Foundation Scholarship. This opportunity is open to all 3rd and 4th year students on the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management and BA (H) Events Management programmes.
There are six scholarships worth £2,500 each, for more information and an application form, contact the email below.
Closing date: Friday 27th October 2022
Enquiries: development@qmu.ac.uk
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Alison Scott Scholarship Now Open!
The Alison Scott Scholarship is a chance for Undergraduate QMU students, who identify as female, to learn a second language alongside their QMU studies (for the duration of their undergraduate degree).
The scholarship also includes mentoring and career coaching, and works towards a chance to attend a language school for your chosen European language later in your studies.
Follow the link to apply:
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Wellness Walks
Join us on the next walk on Friday the 27th Oct.
Walks occur every two weeks, alternating between Wednesday afternoons and Friday Mornings. Meet at the bench by the sport centre entrance.
All walks will last 1hour and be at a leisurely pace around the local area. The walks will be guided by a member of the universities Wellbeing Team and Sustainable Travel Team.
Book your free space on eventbrite: Wellness Walks Booking
For more information please email: Wellbeing@qmu.ac.uk
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Library workshops
Do you need help with study skills like referencing or finding resources? Library Services is running a series of online workshops. See them all here or below for the upcoming sessions for the rest of this month and November. Booking required.
OCT
24
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
NOV
2
3:00pm - 4:00pm.
NOV
6
How to use Cite Them Right for referencing
3:00pm - 4:00pm.
NOV
8
Introduction to reference managers
3:00pm - 4:00pm.
NOV
9
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
NOV
14
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
NOV
30
Getting the most out of Google Scholar
2:00pm - 3:00pm.
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Challenging the Attainment Gap: The Potential of Tutoring
Date Friday 10th November 2023
Time 10:30 to 16:00 (10:30 for coffee on arrival, 11:00 start and lunch provided)
Location QMU Campus, Queen Margaret University Way, Musselburgh EH21 6UU
Staff and students are warmly invited to this free one-day conference that will provide an opportunity to explore the challenges currently facing schools in their attempts to narrow the poverty-related attainment gap.
Since 2020, QMU has worked in partnership with charities, local councils, schools and community organisations to help challenge the attainment gap through tutoring. QMU’s tutoring scheme, the Enhanced Learning Tutoring Initiative (ELTI) has reached over 200 young people each year since its conception. ELTI was established during the pandemic, with the difficulties associated with that situation. Collaboration has been key to the success of ELTI and working closely with colleagues in schools and community organisations, building strong relationships has helped the tutoring programme grow in strength. Looking ahead, QMU believes an equitable approach to tutoring across Scotland is necessary with a more sustainable, financially viable model.
There will be opportunities throughout the day to network and connect with other professionals and share practice.
To reserve a free place, please register your attendance via the following link.
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Anti-Racism in Education: Stories of Growing Activism - Event Series
Please join us as our current and past QMU colleagues discuss their chapter contributions to Anti-Racism in Education: Stories of Growing Activism, https://www.criticalpublishing.com/anti-racism-in-education edited by Dr Geetha Marcus and Dr Stefanie Van de Peer. The events, hosted by the LEAD Centre, will explore the stories of how scholars, researchers and teachers at QMU became part of anti-racist teaching activism through their own growing understanding of racism in education.
In each session, we will explore anti-racism through different approaches and make space for questions and discussion. We hope to provide a nourishing space for learning and sharing of practice. We ask that you commit to these principles explained by Building the Anti-Racist Classroom.
You can access both physical and digital copies of Anti-Racism in Education: Stories of Growing Activism through QMU Library.
Facilitator: Vikki Hill
For further details, please contact Vikki Hill in the LEAD Centre – vhill@qmu.ac.uk
Events in this series:
- Dr Geetha Marcus - Ethno-cultural conflict and learning for sustainability: Why anti-racism matters?
Thursday 2nd November 2023, 12.30-1.30pm, Room 3162 Booking link - Dr Michelle L Elliot and Zaynab Akhtar - Walking the talk: stepping into difficult conversations in occupational therapy education (Chapter 14)
Monday 27th November 2023, 1-2pm, TEAMS Booking link - Dr Anthony Schrag, Creative strategies for unknowing: taking risks to encourage equitable relationships in the classroom (Chapter 9)
Wednesday 6th December 2023, 10-11am, Room 0050 Booking link - Bianca Mastrominico, White is the colour of my name: anti-racism in theatre and performance praxis (Chapter 10)
Tuesday 9th January 2024, 1-2pm, Room 2175 and TEAMS Booking Link - Dr Arek Dakessian, Imagining defragmented university spaces (Chapter 12)
Tuesday 16th January 2024, 3-4pm, Room 2171 and TEAMS Booking Link - Anne O’Donnell, Mad studies and anti-racism (Chapter 11)
Wednesday 7th February 2024, 12-1pm, Room 2176 and TEAMS Booking Link - Dr Simon Hoult, Changing worldviews through study visits (Chapter 3)
Wednesday 21st February 2024, 12-1pm, Room 2173 Booking Link - Dr Geetha Marcus, Learning to Love
Thursday 14th March 2024, 1-2pm, Room 2174 Booking Link
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Voting in the PG By-Election closing soon
We have three candidates all looking for your vote in our Post Grad By-Election. The successful candidate will become part of QMU Students’ Union’s Officer Committee who work towards making your student experience the best it can possibly be. You can vote online either through the link which has been sent to you via your QMU email or you can use this link . Voting closes at 12 Noon tomorrow (Thursday 26th October) and the results will be announced in Maggie’s at 5pm.
Please support our three fabulous candidates by voting and you can find out more details about them by looking at our Candidate Guide
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Former RAF pilot gives leadership talk: An Officer, Not a Gentleman (talk by Mandy Hickson)
QMU staff, students and local business people are invited to a fascinating talk by former RAF pilot, Mandy Hickson, who will discuss her career and the extreme-pressure and high-performance experiences of being the only female pilot on her RAF Tornado Squadron.
Hosted by QMU and organised by the Edinburgh Universities Military Education Committee, this event will be of interest to anyone interested in leadership, management and development.
Buckle up for a dynamic journey through some of Mandy's high pressure situations flying multimillion-pound jets over hostile environments, including patrolling of Iraq’s No Fly Zone, whilst also recognising the critical human role in systems.
Mandy now takes uses her incredible experience and the lessons she learned as an RAF pilot to help those in management and leadership
During the event you will have the opportunity to listen to Mandy inspire and enlighten firsthand through her experiences, passionately sharing the insights into strategy, tactics, and behaviours that she adopted when the stakes were at their highest. Having already provided invaluable insights to some of the most successful organisations in the world via her TedX talks - you too, will have the chance delve deeper into Mandy’s strategic thinking with an open Q&A session. Networking opportunities with refreshments will also be provided.
This event will be held in the Halle Lecture Theatre at Queen Margaret University on Thursday 2 November, 6pm – 8pm. Register for this free event at the Eventbrite page.
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Lord Forte Scholarships – CLOSING 12PM 31 OCTOBER
Queen Margaret University and the Lord Forte Foundation are pleased to offer six scholarships to 3rd and 4th year students on the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management and BA (H) Events Management programmes.
How much are the Lord Forte Foundation Scholarships?
The Scholarships are worth £2,500. This is paid to the successful applicants in instalments of £1,250 each academic semester, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applications are invited from students in year 3 or year 4 of the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management degree programme and the BA (H) Events Management degree programme in 2023/24.
Email development@qmu.ac.uk to apply
18th October 2023
In this week's Student News:
LRC Tours
Helpdesk are running a series of in person tours of the LRC throughout October. These cover the frequently asked queries from students from a day to day use of the space perspective, including
- Finding Books
- Borrowing and Returning Books
- How to use printers
- Various room types in the LRC
and much more!
For more information, dates and to register.
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Lord Forte Scholarship Now Open
Calling all 3rd and 4th year IHTM and Events Management students
I am pleased to inform you that you are eligible to apply for the Lord Forte Foundation Scholarship. This opportunity is open to all 3rd and 4th year students on the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management and BA (H) Events Management programmes.
There are six scholarships worth £2,500 each, for more information and an application form, contact the email below.
Closing date: Friday 27th October 2022
Enquiries: development@qmu.ac.uk
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Converge drop-in session - 26 October, 1000-1630 (Business Innovation Zone at QMU)
We would like to bring to your attention Converge Drop-in session here in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Converge is supported by the Scottish Higher Education Institutions. Our QMU membership gives us access to their company creation programme for researchers, aimed at creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
To find out the essentials of starting a business you can access the Converge workshops series tailored specifically for business propositions coming out of academia.
Converge supports staff, students, and recent graduates from QMU to create innovative new businesses and translate their research. Lissa Herron, Converge Enterprise Manager, is available for drop-in meetings and advice sessions to help you take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey. You can find Lissa in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Please get let us know if you would like us to put you in touch with Converge. You can contact RKEDU at: rkedu@qmu.ac.uk
Facilitator: Lissa Herron, Enterprise Manager, Converge
Please, register
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QMU Running Collective
Following our recent triumph in the Scottish 10K event, QMU Running Collective is looking ahead to their next challenge and we want you to join us!
We've witnessed the power of unity, dedication, and a shared passion for running. We want to keep the momentum going and offer you a chance to participate in a thriving and supportive group of like-minded runners.
The QMU Running Collective is not just about running; it's about fostering a sense of community, pushing our limits, and celebrating each other's successes. Whether you are a seasoned runner or just starting your running journey, we welcome runners of all levels. Our collective is a place where you can find motivation, improve your performance, meet new people and set yourself new challenges!
If you are interested in joining us, please take a couple of minutes to complete our online form, that can be found by following this link
Next Events
There are two events in the first half 2024 that we will aim to take part in.
The first is the Winter Warmer Run on Saturday 3rd February. There are three separate distances to choose from; 5k, 10k and half marathon, meaning it is a great event for runners of all abilities. More information about the event can be found on the website which can be accessed by clicking here.
The second is the Kilomathon, which will take place on 7th April 2024. There are two distances on offer; 13.1km and 6.5km. The 13.1km distance is a manageable step up from running 10k and is ideal for those that may not want to do a half marathon. The 6.5km run is great for those progressing from a 5k run. The route starts by passing by the historic Royal Yacht Britannia then runs along Edinburgh’s tranquil cycle paths, before finishing in front of the West Stand in BT Murrayfield Stadium. It’s nice and flat too! You can find out more information about the event by clicking here.
Training
The group will meet once per week for a group run up until the Christmas holidays. Days and times will vary to give everyone the opportunity to attend. After Christmas, as we build up to the events, we will meet two days per week to make sure we’re all ready for the challenge ahead.
As with our last outing, we’ll provide training plans for each event and organise your registration for you. All you need to do is run!
If you have questions about anything to do with QMU Running Collective or any of the events, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We hope to see you all soon!
The Sports Team
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Event on Campus 20th October
Please note that there is a large event taking place on campus this Friday, 20th October.
Part of the event will be held in 1875, which means there will be reduced seating and space for staff and students during the day. However, we will ensure there is still adequate space for all and 1875 will be open as normal for lunch.
The event delegates are expected to lunch from 1pm – 2pm so this time will be the busiest & noisiest within the space.
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Alison Scott Scholarship Now Open!
The Alison Scott Scholarship is a chance for Undergraduate QMU students, who identify as female, to learn a second language alongside their QMU studies (for the duration of their undergraduate degree).
The scholarship also includes mentoring and career coaching, and works towards a chance to attend a language school for your chosen European language later in your studies.
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Question of Semester
QMUSU have officially launched our first 'Question of the Semester'!
This is an opportunity for students to feedback on a specific theme related to the student experience at QMU! It gives students a chance to express any concerns, make any suggestions, or just highlight the positives of student life here on campus.
By gathering this feedback, the SU can then update the relevant departments and keep the university in the loop with relevant campus issues. This allows us to make positive change to enhance the student experience.
The theme for this semesters' question focusses on student spaces, specifically Maggie's Bar & Cafe, and how it functions as a student-centred social hub.
The QotS will be open for responses until the 30th October, then the results will be discussed at the next Academic Council meeting.
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Voting - New Post Grad Officer
Voting for your new Post Grad Officer in the QMUSU By-Election will open on Monday 23rd October 2023 at 10am and closes on Thursday 26th October @ 12 Noon. Voting is open to all PG/Masters/Research matriculated students.
The voting link can be accessed through our website QMUSU and we will also email all eligible students with their own direct link to the vote. To find out more about our three fabulous candidates and what they could deliver for you if elected, check out our Post Grad Candidate Guide
You also have the opportunity to meet with your PG Officer candidates on Monday 23rd October at 2.30pm in Maggie’s, where we will be holding our Candidates Question Time. Feel free to ask them any questions you have about how they can improve the student experience at QMU for all PG students.
The successful candidate will be joining the QMUSU Officers Committee, who work together to make sure all students have the best possible experience they can at QMU, so if you are eligible to vote please make it count.
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Last chance for new students to have their say – New Entrants Survey closes 19th Oct.
At QMU, we love to hear your opinions so we can keep making life and learning better for new students at QMU. By hearing from you, we can identify what we are doing well and where we can make improvements, so all new students feel like an important part of the QMU community and are supported in having the best learner journey.
The QMU Entrants Survey closes tomorrow, 19th October at midnight!
Don't miss this chance to share your views with us.
Click here https://qmu.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/qes-2023 (password: qes)
11th October 2023
In this week's Student News:
Wi-Fi Maintenance Thursday 12/10/23 07:30 to 08:30
Information Technology services (ITS) are performing maintenance on the Wi-Fi tomorrow between 07:30 to 08:30. The work will stop any new connections from being established within that period, but existing connections will continue to work throughout the maintenance period.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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LRC Tours
Helpdesk are running a series of in person tours of the LRC throughout October. These cover the frequently asked queries from students from a day to day use of the space perspective, including
- Finding Books
- Borrowing and Returning Books
- How to use printers
- Various room types in the LRC
and much more!
For more information, dates and to register.
________________________________________________________________
Lord Forte Scholarship Now Open
Calling all 3rd and 4th year IHTM and Events Management students
I am pleased to inform you that you are eligible to apply for the Lord Forte Foundation Scholarship. This opportunity is open to all 3rd and 4th year students on the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management and BA (H) Events Management programmes.
There are six scholarships worth £2,500 each, for more information and an application form, contact the email below.
Closing date: Friday 27th October 2022
Enquiries: development@qmu.ac.uk
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Shibboleth server maintenance Tuesday 17th October
Information Technology Services (ITS) will be performing critical maintenance on the Shibboleth Authentication server between 06:00 to 08:00 on Tuesday 17th October. The resulting maintenance will result in some library resources being inaccessible during that time if they use Shibboleth for authentication.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential maintenance.
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Join the QMU Muslim Society!
Are you looking for a community that celebrates diversity and fosters friendship? Look no further! The QMU Muslim Society welcomes you with open arms.
Connect with us on social media:
Instagram: @qmumuslimsociety
Join us in creating a vibrant and inclusive community that embraces all backgrounds. We look forward to meeting you!
For more information, contact us at @muslimsociety@qmu.ac.uk
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Council Consultation on the Condition of Play Areas in East Lothian
Community Consultation on Play Areas
Help shape and improve play opportunities in East Lothian by sharing your views on the current provision, quality and accessibility of play spaces across the area.
The survey is live until the 13th of November and can be accessed on the councils consultation hub or via this link:
https://eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/housing-environment/play-sufficiency-assessment/
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Wellness Walks
Engage with nature, Explore the area, Space to talk.
All walks will last 1hour and be at a leisurely pace around the local area. The walks will be guided by a member of the universities Wellbeing Team and Sustainable Travel Team.
Walks occur every two weeks, alternating between Wednesday afternoons and Friday Mornings. Met at the bench by the sport centre entrance.
For more information please email: Wellbeing@qmu.ac.uk
Book your free space on eventbrite: Wellness Walks Booking
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Cheaper Train Tickets Pilot Across Scotland
Scotrail have scrapped peak-time train tickets on key routes across Scotland until March.
The Pilot runs from Oct 2023 to Mar 2024 and aims to make train travel more affordable for those travelling at peak times.
The off-peak tickets will automatically be available to you, when booking at ticket machines, online or buying in person.
Example savings:
- Inverkeithing – Edinburgh £11.10 to £6.50
- Perth – Dundee £14.40 to £9.90
- Glasgow – Stirling £16.10 to £9.60
- Inverurie – Aberdeen £11.10 to £8.90
- Inverness – Elgin £22.00 to £14.40
For more information visit the Scotrail website: www.scotrail.co.uk/off-peak-fares-all-day-long
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Veterans at QMU – Veterans and Armed Forces Network.
Staff and students are invited to join the first gathering of Veterans at QMU – The Veterans and Armed Forces Staff and Student Network to be held on campus on Tuesday 24th October from 11.30am to 1pm in 2092.
As part of my role at QMU, I am the Armed Forces Champion and, in partnership with current student Simon Spence (ex-British Army), we are keen to foster a sense of community amongst the growing veterans and defence community at QMU. As well as veterans, we would like to extend the invite to serving regulars and reservists as well as the siblings and family members of veterans.
This first meeting of the network will be an informal drop-in gathering of staff and students at which we will explore how we can grow and develop the network. Refreshments will be available.
If this is something that would appeal to you, both Simon and I would be most grateful if you could email wpo@qmu.ac.uk to confirm your attendance by Friday 20th October.
If you’re unable to attend, then please do register your interest in joining future Network gatherings by emailing us and we will keep in touch with you over the coming weeks and months.
Many thanks for taking the time to consider - we look forward to hearing from you.
Callum Maguire
Head of Widening Participation and Outreach
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FREE EVENT FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS
Mandy Hickson: An Officer, Not a Gentleman
In partnership with the Edinburgh Universities Military Education Committee, QMU warmly invites you to join us on fascinating journey through the life and career of former RAF Pilot, Mandy Hickson. Drawing on extreme-pressure and high-performance experiences of being the only female pilot on her RAF Tornado Squadron. Flying multimillion-pound jets over hostile environments, including patrolling of Iraq’s No Fly Zone, Whilst also recognising the critical human role in systems, Mandy now transfers these vivid lessons to situations in management and leadership.
During the event you will have the opportunity to listen to Mandy inspire and enlighten firsthand through her experiences, passionately sharing her insights into strategy, tactics, and behaviours that she adopted when the stakes were at their highest. Having already provided invaluable insights to some of the most successful organisations in the world via her TedX talks - you too, will have the chance delve deeper into Mandy’s strategic thinking with an open Q&A session. Networking opportunities with refreshments will also be provided.
This event will be held at QMU Halle Lecture Theatre on Thursday 2 November, 6pm – 8pm. Head to our Eventbrite page to register to attend this free event.
Thanks,
QMU Events Team
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SU Monthly Blog
After our Students' Union officers away day, we thought it would be a nice idea to create a monthly blog that goes out to both staff and students, detailing what we have been up to over the previous month. We believe this will be a good way for people outside the SU to see what we've been up to, what we're currently working on, amongst other bits and bobs from the officers committee. The first edition for September is a little first-time prototype, and hopefully it'll get bigger and better, but we would be so pleased if QMU staff and students could have a wee read! - Jay
4th October 2023
In this week's Student News:
Come and play traditional Scots tunes - slow session at QMU
We are playing on Saturday 7th October
The session will run for 2 hours from 1 till 3pm.
and you are welcome to join us for lunch before the session at Maggies at 12noon.
We will play a selection of tunes from Nigel Gatherer's website- look for the tunes listed on the GFW Slow Session (nigelgatherer.com)
Please register if you would like to join us. registration form - https://forms.office.com/r/5iHKPpWQgc
We ask for a donation of £7 if you can afford this. The money raised supports Nigel's website and the Scots Music Group - Scots Music Group
Tunes/sets
I Am Here Alone, Plus: Eternal Surge of the Sea, Memories of Fr Angus, Hector the Hero, Glenside Polkas, The Shepherd's Wife
followed by
The High Road to Gairloch, Plus: A Fig for a Kiss, Flatwater Fran, McKechnie's Farewell, Farewell to Govan.
We keep the pace slow and provide a supportive and welcoming space for musicians reading the dots or playing by ear.
any questions get in touch.
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LRC Tours
Helpdesk are running a series of in person tours of the LRC throughout October. These cover the frequently asked queries from students from a day to day use of the space perspective, including
- Finding Books
- Borrowing and Returning Books
- How to use printers
- Various room types in the LRC
and much more!
For more information, dates and to register.
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Jisc online surveys updated to version 3.0
Jisc Online surveys has upgraded its platform to version 3.0 with highlights listed as:
- Easy to use.
- GDPR compliant.
- Certified to ISO 27001 standard.
- Enables benchmarking across multiple organisations.
Further information can be found at FAQ: Migration to Online Surveys v3 – Online Surveys (jisc.ac.uk) with further updates on new features available at Releases – Online Surveys (jisc.ac.uk)
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Santander Brighter Futures Grant
Looking for some extra funds? Fancy winning 1 of 10 Brighter Futures Grants of £1000? Exclusively for QMU students, apply before 30 November for your chance to win!
For more information, or to apply, follow the link
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On-campus Business Gateway drop-in sessions - 10 October, 1200-1300 (on campus – Location: BIZ)
This drop-in session is facilitated by our on-campus Business Gateway Advisors and is open to QMU staff and students who have an idea for starting a business. They are also available to present into courses around entrepreneurship.
Business Gateway is a Scotland wide service which offers impartial one-to-one advice and training to staff and students on enterprise creation including free workshops and seminars covering a wide range of topics on marketing, branding, and getting the best from your website and finance.
Facilitator: Steve Newlin, Business Advisor, East Lothian Business Gateway
Location: BIZ (Business Innovation Zone - QMU)
Please, register here
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Using the digital library online workshop Wednesday 4th October 3-4pm
Not sure where to find academic literature? Have you missed the library induction or would like a reminder? If so, please register for this online workshop for Wednesday 4th October 3-4pm https://qmu.libcal.com/event/4035933 to find out how to use the library resources: use Discover, find and download journal articles and how to find relevant subject databases, etc.
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Calling all 3rd and 4th year IHTM and Events Management students
I am pleased to inform you that you are eligible to apply for the Lord Forte Foundation Scholarship. This opportunity is open to all 3rd and 4th year students on the BA (H) International Hospitality & Tourism Management and BA (H) Events Management programmes.
There are six scholarships worth £2,500 each, for more information and an application form, contact the email below.
Closing date: Friday 27th October 2022
Enquiries: development@qmu.ac.uk
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Post Grad Officer By-Election
QMUSU are delighted to announce that Nominations are now open for the role of Post Grad Officer. The PG Officer elected by the PG/Masters/Research Students at QMU will join our Officers Committee and be part of shaping the experience for all students at QMU. Nominations will close at 12 Noon on Wednesday 11th October 2023. If you are interested in putting yourself forward for the role, have a look at the link below.
If you are a PG/Masters/Research student and want to know more about the role, please email us at Union@qmu.ac.uk to arrange a chat.
Voting for the role will open on Monday 23rd October 2023 @ 10am and the polls close on Thursday 26th October 2023 @ 12 Noon.
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Shibboleth server maintenance Tuesday 17th October
Information Technology Services (ITS) will be performing critical maintenance on the Shibboleth Authentication server between 06:00 to 08:00 on Tuesday 17th October. The resulting maintenance will result in some library resources being inaccessible during that time if they use Shibboleth for authentication.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential maintenance.
Mark
_________________________________________________________________________________
Invitation to Decolonise Research NOW - October meeting
Decolonise Research NOW is a conversation space at QMU to interrogate the legacies of colonialism on our research, our institution and ourselves. It’s an interdisciplinary space for staff and students to talk and think critically, but also to give each other support in this work. Importantly, we discuss how decolonisation could manifest in our work; we don’t spend energy on establishing that we need it.
We meet on every 6th of the month at 12pm. The next meeting takes place on:
October: Friday, 6/10/23, 12pm in room 3106
Can the neoliberal university enact a decolonising agenda?
Reading:
An immanent critique of decolonisation projects, by Sunny Dhillon (2021)
https://convivialthinking.org/index.php/2021/09/25/critique-of-decolonisation-projects/
Read more about our meetings here:
https://qmu.sharepoint.com/sites/DecolonisingQMU/SitePages/Find-it.aspx
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Converge drop-in session - 26 October, 1000-1630 (Business Innovation Zone at QMU)
We would like to bring to your attention Converge Drop-in session here in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Converge is supported by the Scottish Higher Education Institutions. Our QMU membership gives us access to their company creation programme for researchers, aimed at creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
To find out the essentials of starting a business you can access the Converge workshops series tailored specifically for business propositions coming out of academia.
Converge supports staff, students, and recent graduates from QMU to create innovative new businesses and translate their research. Lissa Herron, Converge Enterprise Manager, is available for drop-in meetings and advice sessions to help you take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey. You can find Lissa in the Business Innovation Zone here at QMU.
Please get let us know if you would like us to put you in touch with Converge. You can contact RKEDU at: rkedu@qmu.ac.uk
Facilitator: Lissa Herron, Enterprise Manager, Converge
Please, register here
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Essential Information for Students
The Essential Information webpage for students has recently been updated for 2023-24. This resource brings together all regulations, policies and procedures that govern the student journey. Within the Essential Information site, there is a newly created section titled Your Student Journey. This replaces the former QMU Student Handbook with a view to minimising duplication and bringing together all necessary content at a single location. Programme Leaders and other colleagues are encouraged to share this information with students and to update programme specific materials accordingly, especially where these reference the former Handbook. It is hoped that the new resource will be useful and help students find the information they need more readily than has previously been possible. Thank you for your support in disseminating this content. Please also feel free to provide feedback and offer suggestions for the future development of the site. Any comments can be sent directly to Dawn Martin, Assistant Secretary, Governance and Quality Enhancement.
27th September2023
In This Weeks Student News
Marketing Database Training for students and staff at QMU - 9th October from 4-4.30pm online
Please join the WARC Marketing Database representative in this 30 mins training session on how to use and search the marketing database WARC (to which QMU library subscribes) and which you may find useful if your research, assignments or dissertations have a marketing related topic.
Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/npb-arqd-kkh
Or dial: (GB) +44 20 3957 3081 PIN: 265178567# More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/npb-arqd-kkh?pin=9614502763610&hs=7
Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720
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Thank Goodness it’s Thursday – free food event returns on Thursday 28 September
We are delighted to announce that Thank Goodness It’s Thursday (TGIT) – QMU's award-winning weekly free food and community building event – is back!
Thanks to the support of QMU’s Senior Leadership Team, and the help of QMU’s incredible staff volunteers, we are pleased to bring back TGIT. Our event, which offers students free hot meals and optional activities in our 1875 food court, is part of the University’s drive to help support the QMU community with the cost of living and nurture QMU’s great community spirit.
It offers the chance for students to relax and socialise with students and staff volunteers, and enjoy a chilled-out evening in QMU’s food court. During the colder months, the event offers a warm, cosy and friendly space to meet up with the QMU community and enjoy a sociable meal without the need to cook or heat your home for a few hours. TGIT proved very popular last year, and everyone is warmly invited. We want you to feel supported and fully part of the QMU community.
So don’t miss out on the chance of a free meal. TGIT will run on Thursday 28 September in 1875 from 5pm - 7pm. You can expect hot soup and a hot main course (vegan option available too). If you bring a food container (tupperware) you might even be able to take home some leftovers! Come and enjoy yourself. We won’t even ask you to do the washing up!
We look forward to seeing you in 1875 in the main academic building at 5pm on Thursday 28 September, and we will keep you posted about more TGIT events throughout the year.
___________________________________________________________
Shibboleth server maintenance Tuesday 3rd October
Information Technology Services (ITS) will be performing critical maintenance on the Shibboleth Authentication server between 06:00 to 08:00 on Tuesday 3rd October. The resulting maintenance will result in some library resources being inaccessible during that time if they use Shibboleth for authentication.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential maintenance
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Keeping The Promise at QMU: Helping our care experienced students to thrive by delivering on our corporate parenting responsibilities.
Colleagues are warmly invited to this half day training and insight session, at which you will learn what it means to be a Corporate Parent in Scotland and the duties to Care Experienced people that all staff at QMU should be aware of.
At QMU we want to be Proud Corporate Parents, with a knowledge base and awareness that permeates through all staff teams from academics to student support to facilities, security, and catering.
We are all responsible for #Keeping The Promise.
We will be joined by the Who Cares? Scotland Education and Training team, who will deliver an engaging and interactive session that works to support your knowledge and understanding of care experience, Corporate Parenting and Scotland’s commitment to #Keeping The Promise. https://thepromise.scot/what-is-the-promise/
We will also be joined by partner organisations MCR Pathways, The East Lothian Champions Board and The Hub for Success, as well as some of our own QMU care experienced students, to hear about the lived experience, as well as post-event networking and volunteering opportunities.
The event will run from 9.15am to 12.30pm on Wednesday 8th November 2023 in Room 2091.
To book a place, please email qmcares@qmu.ac.uk by Friday 20th October.
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Last call! Online course in academic writing for NEW international students starting soon
Are you a new student at QMU (September 2023 start)? Do you use English as a second or foreign language? Would you like to develop your skills in academic writing and get familiar with some of the academic expectations at a Scottish university?
Effective Learning Service (ELS) International are offering an optional in-sessional academic skills programme aimed at NEW international postgraduate students who are joining QMU this September. It will be delivered online once a week, either on Tuesdays 3pm to 4pm OR Thursdays from 10 to 11:00am and you will be able to choose one of those days. It will run for 5 weeks, with the first session scheduled for Tuesday 3rd of October.
If you would like to join this online course, use your student e-mail account and contact ELSInternational@qmu.ac.uk to request your place. In your e-mail please confirm you are a new student at QMU (September 2023 start), English is your second or foreign language, and say which programme you you're studying. Deadline for applications is this Friday 29th of September so make sure you contact us as soon as you can.
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Visit the Malawian gift stall on Thursday to help Malawian women and girls become powerful and get the future they deserve
The QMU based charity, STEKAskills says:' Please show solidarity for women and girls in Malawi by buying some of our exquisitely made hand beaded decorations and vibrant bags. In Malawi, less than 1% of the population can go to college and learn the skills needed to be economically independent.
Every penny made by selling our gifts goes towards providing skills training to give the poorest women a fighting chance of escaping a future being subservient to men. By buying from us, you can help us build a women’s hostel, a safe space where they can develop new aspirations and challenge the deep rooted belief that ‘being a man means being in control’.
This means that many girls and women who want acceptance are expected to be meek and sexually submissive. Desperate to avoid abject poverty, they believe they must take part in illegal initiation ceremonies at the point they reach puberty (or even younger) which involves being raped by adult men. A practice called ‘the removal of the dust’.
Find out more about our amazing Malawian led charity which is making marginalised women’s voices heard (and is partnered with QMU*) and see our beautiful products at stekakills.com or find us on Facebook and Instagram. Watch our film showing how we aim to challenge initiation camps here . And please come along to our stalls this week on 11.00-2pm in the food hall'.
*QMU has a formal relationship with the charity STEKAskills and the Malawian care home STEKA whereby QM students and staff benefit from getting involved in STEKAskills' practical and research-based projects and young people in Malawi benefit from QMU expertise and education. Together we've made amazing progress, developing the anti-white saviour Youth Solidarity Critical Dialogue Groups which were judged as internationally significant / world leading by the UK Government as part of the REF. If you'd like to get involved email ewood@qmu.ac.uk
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Academic Freedom Seminar Series
Academic freedom is a fundamental principle of higher education. It should guarantee independence in research, education and scholarship from state and commercial interference. A commitment to academic freedom fosters an environment where diverse perspectives can be explored and debated without fear of repercussion. This safeguard allows scholars to challenge existing norms, question conventional wisdom, and drive the progress of society through rigorous enquiry.
It is unique to academics worldwide and protected in Scots law. However, it is often misunderstood, even by academics.
Academic freedom is different from freedom of speech, which is enjoyed by all citizens. It is different from professional autonomy. Moreover, academic freedom is never a license for hate speech. Rather, it upholds the values of open inquiry and reinforces the democratic principles that academics hold dear. Various researchers have raised concern that academic freedom is currently under threat.
This seminar series will explore academic freedom and discuss, with invited speakers, how QMU academics can make use of our responsibility for academic freedom
The first seminar in the series is delivered by
Professor Terence Karran
Emeritus Professor of Higher Education Policy, University of Lincoln
Introduced by Sir Paul Grice, Principal
Convened by Professor Olivia Sagan, Director of Centre for Applied Social Sciences
Wednesday 8th November September 10am-12pm, Room 0048
Professor Terence Karran is an international expert in academic freedom, how it is understood and protected (or not) in different parts of the world.
To help assess numbers, please indicate your intention to attend by emailing Eurig Scandrett (escandrett@qmu.ac.uk) with the subject line ‘Academic Freedom’
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QMU Entrants' Survey
Dear New QMU Students,
We hope you're settling in smoothly. This week, you should have received an e-mail from Student Survey containing a link to the QMU Entrants Survey (QES), designed exclusively for students like you who have recently joined QMU. The survey seeks to gather valuable feedback on your induction experience.
To access the survey, please click on the link provided in your personalised survey invitation email. Alternatively, you can follow this link (your username is your student number, and the password is ‘qes’): https://qmu.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/qes-2023
By participating in this survey, you play a crucial role in shaping the future of QMU. You’ll also be in with the chance of winning an Amazon voucher!
Thank you for being a part of the QMU community and best wishes for a successful semester.
The QMU Student Survey Team
____________________________________________________________
20th September 2023
In this weeks' Student News
Upcoming QMU careers and employability events for students
Careers Events:
qmploy23 early careers fair:
Your future career starts here. All QMU students are invited to attend our annual careers fairs with over 40 different employers and organisations attending across this 2-day event.
Tuesday 26th September and Wednesday 27th September 2023.
The main academic building, Atrium.
10:30am – 2:30pm (10:30 – 11:00am quiet time)
Please click the link below to see our booklet for the event, containing the employers due to attend.
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/students/events/detail/119435
Options after your degree
This session is for all students and will cover general options after finishing your studies - including employment, further study, volunteering and travel.
Thursday 21st September 2023.
The main academic building, room 2168.
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Please see the link below to book a slot to attend the session:
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/careers/events/detail/119352
CV Clinics
These are drop-in sessions which anyone is welcome to attend. These sessions help students work on their CV with the help of one of the QMU Careers team.
Tues 3rd October, Tues 10th October and Tues 17th October 2023.
The main academic building, student services.
2:00pm – 4:00pm
No booking necessary.
Finding you Graduate job
This session will cover graduate roles in different sectors, including graduate schemes and working for other organisations.
Monday 9th October.
The main academic building, room 2169.
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Please see the link below to book a slot to attend the session:
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/students/events/detail/119354
Using tech in your job search
Job searching and applications are becoming increasingly focused on the use of tech - this session will cover how you can use linked in and the internet to focus your job search, and help you to understand how AI is used by companies in the recruitment process
Tuesday 17th October.
The main academic building, room 3163.
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Pleas see the link below to book a slot to attend the session:
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/students/events/detail/119355
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Study Skills Workshops and NEW Academic Skills Videos ‘Three by Three’!
Would you like to tune up your academic skills?
Try out our NEW Academic Skills videos. Our new ‘Three by Threes’ break a key topic down into three manageable parts, with activities along the way. We currently have videos on Positive Time Planning and Planning Assignments, available on Canvas: https://canvas.qmu.ac.uk/enroll/LRDNYL
We’re also offering a number of online workshops on a number of academic skills areas this semester, open to all students! Workshops will be delivered via Microsoft Teams and you will be sent a link to join on booking a place.
All workshops are one hour long and this semester each workshop will have two available timeslots. The following sessions are available:
Essay Planning & Structure |
Tue 3rd Oct (11:15) Fri 6th Oct (13:15)
|
Essay Writing & Drafting |
Thurs 12th Oct (11:15) Fri 13th Oct (13:15)
|
Looking Ahead to Dissertations |
Thurs 19th Oct (13:15) Fri 20th Oct (11:15)
|
Plagiarism & Turnitin |
Fri 27th Oct (12:15) Mon 30th Oct (12:15)
|
Reflective Writing & Blogs |
Tue 31st Oct (13:15) Thurs 2nd Nov (11:15)
|
Report Writing |
Tue 7th Nov (13:15) Fri 10th Nov (11:15)
|
Proofreading & Wordcount |
Mon 13th (11:15) Tue 14th Nov (12:15)
|
Literature Reviews |
Thurs 23rd Nov (13:15) Fri 24th Nov (11:15)
|
To book a place, go to Student Central, or for information about workshops, or our Three by Three videos, email els@qmu.ac.uk
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WARC Marketing Database Training for students and staff at QMU - 9th October from 4-4.30pm online
Please join the WARC Marketing Database representative in this 30 mins training session on how to use and search the marketing database WARC (to which QMU library subscribes) and which you may find useful if your research, assignments or dissertations have a marketing related topic.
Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/npb-arqd-kkh
Or dial: (GB) +44 20 3957 3081 PIN: 265178567# More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/npb-arqd-kkh?pin=9614502763610&hs=7
Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720
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Online Library Skills Workshops and Support
Library Services run a series of online library skills workshops throughout the year. To see the full list, dates and to register please visit the QMU LibCal events page.
Upcoming workshops (September and October)
Getting the most out of Google Scholar Sep 21st 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
How to use Cite Them Right for referencing Sep 28th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Getting hold of references Oct 2nd 2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Using the digital library Oct 4th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
APA referencing Oct 5th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Advanced Google Search for literature searching Oct 11th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Using ebooks Oct 12th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Harvard referencing Oct 24th 2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Further support
You can book a one to one session with your librarian at the top of the LibCal events page, for help with things like:
- Referencing and citations
- Finding resources for your assignment
- Designing a search strategy for your assignment
- Technical help with accessing library resources (ebooks, databases, journal articles)
- Technical help with reference manager tools (EndNote or other software)
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Redevelopment plans for the LRC as part of the Future Spaces project
If you didn't get the chance to see the display boards containing outline plans and examples of different spaces during the consultation exercise on Thursday 14 September the boards, and a QR code to the online survey have been displayed in the LRC. These can be found in the area behind the laptop lockers.
If you want to add any comments to the board post it notes and pens can be located on the stationery table between the MFDs
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QMUSU Welcome Week Survey
We hope you enjoyed the QMUSU events of Welcome Week.
We'd really like your feedback. It won't take you long and you can enter the draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher!
Click on the following link: https://qmu.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/qmu-students-union-welcome-week-survey-copy
The survey will close at 5pm on the 29th of September.
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Thank Goodness it’s Thursday – free food event returns on Thursday 28 September
We are delighted to announce that Thank Goodness It’s Thursday (TGIT) – QMU's award-winning weekly free food and community building event – is back!
Thanks to the support of QMU’s Senior Leadership Team, and the help of QMU’s incredible staff volunteers, we are pleased to bring back TGIT. Our event, which offers students free hot meals and optional activities in our 1875 food court, is part of the University’s drive to help support the QMU community with the cost of living and nurture QMU’s great community spirit.
It offers the chance for students to relax and socialise with students and staff volunteers, and enjoy a chilled-out evening in QMU’s food court. During the colder months, the event offers a warm, cosy and friendly space to meet up with the QMU community and enjoy a sociable meal without the need to cook or heat your home for a few hours. TGIT proved very popular last year, and everyone is warmly invited. We want you to feel supported and fully part of the QMU community.
So don’t miss out on the chance of a free meal. TGIT will run on Thursday 28 September in 1875 from 5pm - 7pm. You can expect hot soup and a hot main course (vegan option available too). If you bring a food container (tupperware) you might even be able to take home some leftovers! Come and enjoy yourself. We won’t even ask you to do the washing up!
We look forward to seeing you in 1875 in the main academic building at 5pm on Thursday 28 September, and we will keep you posted about more TGIT events throughout the year.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Shibboleth server maintenance Tuesday 3rd October.
Information Technology Services (ITS) will be performing critical maintenance on the Shibboleth Authentication server between 06:00 to 08:00 on Tuesday 3rd October. The resulting maintenance will result in some library resources being inaccessible during that time if they use Shibboleth for authentication.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential maintenance.
13th September 2023
In this weeks' Student News
QMU use the online platform Report and Support, to support students and staff wanting to report and/or seek support for various forms of harassment and violence they have experienced. The platform provides information and advice to students and staff as well as links to one to one professional support and routes to reporting.
We promote Report and Support in partnership with the Students’ Union, as part of QMU’s commitment to provide a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff, free from any form of discrimination or harassment. Report and Support is used by many higher education institutes across the UK.
Whether or not you choose to make a report, you will find useful information, support and signposting on:
Rape, Sexual Assault and Harassment
Relationship Abuse and Coercive Control
In addition we will use the platform to run campaigns highlighting particular issues and sources of advice and support, such as our current one on drink spiking.
HOW TO REPORT AN INCIDENT ON REPORT AND SUPPORT
There are two ways to make a report on Report and Support:
Anonymous reports let the University know something has happened, monitor trends and allow us to target awareness raising activities and prevention work. Please note that with an anonymous report, we won’t have your contact details so we can’t reach out and offer support or advice. To do this we would need you to report with contact details.
Reporting with contact details allows you to get support from one of our advisers within three working days. They can discuss what options you might wish to consider and you choose how and when you want to proceed. All information remains confidential unless there is a serious safety, welfare or duty of care concern.
STI Testing on Campus
We are organising STI testing on campus for students. Just book in and you can get tested without any questions asked. Free, confidential and quick! You can book on student central Student Central (qmu.ac.uk)
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If you are a student and you do not have up to date vaccinations for MMR (Measels, Mumps, Rubella) or MenACWY (meningitis) you should consider getting vaccinated. You can find out more here. QMU will also be running a vaccination pop-up clinic with the NHS later in the semester.
This information resources from Police Scotland provides you with important safety advice on how you can avoid becoming a victim of crime. The guide will equip you with information and advice to increase your awareness, prepare you to identify potential frauds and prevent the loss of your valuable data to those intent on stealing it. You can access it here
Confidentiality and Information Sharing at QMU
Within Student Services we are sharing information in order to deliver services and support to students effectively. Student Services may share information about individual students in order to support students effectively, resolving any issue that the student has raised or respond to concerns regarding a student’s welfare. This document explains more about how we might share information. Student-Services-Confidentiality-and-Information-Sharing.pdf (qmu.ac.uk)
QMU is working with Togetherall to provide a safe, online community where people support each other. By sharing feelings, thoughts, emotions, and experiences we can all improve our mental health, together. Members can sign up instantly, share anonymously and access the community at any time, day, or night. Togetherall has specific sections related to wellbeing at Christmas time.
Togetherall is available and free to all students and staff at Queen Margaret University. Simply click here and use your university email address to join.
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Dragon’s Glen Challenge 2023 – information session on Thursday 14th September
Would you like to take part in a fantastic experience, developing key employability skills whilst also fundraising for a charity? Join Children 1st in this fundraiser challenge - Dragon's Glen! QMU are working with Children 1st to offer this brilliant experience to students - open to any subject area, any level of study, you just need to bring some enthusiasm and inspiration!
The challenge involves you setting up a business idea to fundraise for the charity. As a team, you will set up your 'company' and will get support from some of the best entrepreneurs and business minds in Scotland who will mentor you throughout. You will gain skills in teamwork, planning, organising and fundraising - all hugely valuable for any future career.
Come along to this information session to find out more and to register your interest. Thursday 14th Sept between 12.30-1.30pm in room 2108.
This is a drop-in session, but you can book a place on Student Central to get a reminder email with the room number.
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QMU Careers Calendar 2023 –
Come along to our events and see what QMU's Careers and Employability service can do for you!
Some of our events are live now for bookings! If you would like to book for our events, please see the following link:
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/careers/events
Thurs 7th Sep |
Applying for part-time jobs |
Mon 11th Sep |
QMU Mentoring Programme – applications open |
Thurs 14th Sep |
Dragon’s Glen Challenge – info session |
Mon 18th Sep |
Saltire Scholarships Internships – info session |
Tues 19th Sep |
Prepare for the careers fair |
Tues 19th Sep |
CV Clinic |
Thurs 21st Sep |
Options after your degree |
Tues 26th Sep |
qmploy23 early careers fair – day 1 |
Weds 27th Sep |
qmploy23 early careers fair – day 2 |
Tues 3rd Oct |
CV Clinic |
Mon 9th Oct |
Finding your graduate job |
Tues 10th Oct |
CV Clinic |
Tues 17th Oct |
CV Clinic |
Tues 17th Oct |
Using tech in your job search |
Tues 24th Oct |
Getting Into Teaching |
Fri 27th Oct |
Applications/CVs |
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Online Library Skills Workshops and Support
Library Services run a series of online library skills workshops throughout the year. To see the full list, dates and to register please visit the QMU LibCal events page.
Upcoming workshops (September and October)
Introduction to reference managers Sep 14th 2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Getting the most out of Google Scholar Sep 21st 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
How to use Cite Them Right for referencing Sep 28th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Getting hold of references Oct 2nd 2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Using the digital library Oct 4th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
APA referencing Oct 5th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Advanced Google Search for literature searching Oct 11th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Using ebooks Oct 12th 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Harvard referencing Oct 24th 2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Further support
You can book a one to one session with your librarian at the top of the LibCal events page, for help with things like:
- Referencing and citations
- Finding resources for your assignment
- Designing a search strategy for your assignment
- Technical help with accessing library resources (ebooks, databases, journal articles)
- Technical help with reference manager tools (EndNote or other software)
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Developing your Academic Skills with the Effective Learning Service
Here at the Effective Learning Service, we’re looking forward to the start of the new academic year, and are offering a range of options to support our new and returning students in the development of their academic skills. We can help with areas like:
- Academic Writing
- Reading Strategies
- Time Planning
….and lots more!
If you would like to know more about the support we’re offering this semester (including support for new international students!), please see our Semester 1 Newsletter for more information. Please do get in touch by emailing els@qmu.ac.uk, or popping into R1153 within the LRC if you would like any information about any of our sessions.
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FREE Seminars Aimed at Future Food and Drink Entrepreneurs (THRIVE Programme)
Interested in starting your own food and drink business (product or service)? Industry professionals at QMU and SRUC are delivering FREE sessions over September and October aimed at current and future entrepreneurs. Sessions include how to pitch and price your product, how to develop your product, how to taste your product and the opportunity to Network with likeminded people. Hariz Lee, a QMU student attended THRIVE last year and wrote a student blog post on his experience, “what I enjoyed the most about the programme is this - I know I am not alone in starting a food business in Scotland and I know where I can go to seek advice on food product development, funding, distribution and starting my food business.” Click here for the full list of sessions and sign-up information. If you have any food related questions please email: HelloSCFDI@qmu.ac.uk
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Food Pantry
The QMU Food Pantry is happy to announce that it will be running again this academic year.
We are here to give students access to affordable, delicious, and fresh food. All for just £1 a week. You can expect everything from delicious treats, fresh fruit and veggies, cupboard essentials and much more.
We understand that budgeting can be hard for every student, especially with the rising cost of living. So let us take some of the stress out of managing your budget at university.
The QMU Food Pantry runs every Wednesday at 2-3 PM next to 1875 in front of the window front.
New members can sign up from Tuesday, September 12th through the SU website or by coming along to the Fresher’s Fair between 12-2 PM.
You can also come along to the first pantry on September 20th, and we will have a QR code ready for you to scan.
We are excited to see lots of new member’s faces as well as our previous list of lovely members this academic year!
Next to visiting us as a member, you can also help as a volunteer with us.
If you are interested in being involved as a volunteer or have any questions, please send us an email at foodpantry@qmu.ac.uk or a DM on Instagram @qmufoodpantry.”
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Upcoming QMU careers and employability events for students
Careers Events:
qmploy23 early careers fair:
Your future career starts here. All QMU students are invited to attend our annual careers fairs with over 40 different employers and organisations attending across this 2-day event.
Tuesday 26th September and Wednesday 27th September 2023.
The main academic building, Atrium.
10:30am – 2:30pm (10:30 – 11:00am quiet time)
Please click the link below to see our booklet for the event, containing the employers due to attend.
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/students/events/detail/119435
The Saltire Scholar Internships Programme – Information Session
The Saltire Scholar Internship Programme matches students to a suitable organisation , relevant to their area of study and skill set, to engage in a summer internship programme. If this sounds interesting to you, please feel free to attend our information session to gauge whether you might like to participate!
Monday 18th September 2023.
The main academic building, room 2168
12:00pm, - 1:00pm
Please see the link below to book a slot to attend the session.
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/careers/events/detail/122673
Prepare for the careers fair
Careers fairs present a fabulous opportunity for you to find out about job opportunities and talk directly to employers. At this session you'll learn about what to expect - the format, who will be there, the kinds of opportunities on offer and how to create a good impression. Come along to find out what employers at the Fair will be looking for and the sorts of questions you might ask them.
Tuesday 19th September 2023.
The main academic building, room 3162
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Please see the link below to book a slot to attend the session.
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/careers/events/detail/119349
Options after your degree
This session is for all students and will cover general options after finishing your studies - including employment, further study, volunteering and travel.
Thursday 21st September 2023.
The main academic building, room 2168
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Please see the link below to book a slot to attend the session.
https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/careers/events/detail/119352
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Come along and see the plans for the development of the LRC
The Architects, ADP, and staff from Library Services will be in the Atrium tiers on Thursday 14 September between 10am and 3pm with copies of the latest plans for developing the LRC space. We would be delighted to see you there to talk through the plans, answer any questions you have and to gather feedback on the plans.
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Volunteer Opportunity: My Sighted Guide
In this role you will support a person with sight loss to get out and about in their local community, building self-confidence, increasing social interaction, and promoting independence.
“I really care about making a difference – it is brilliant to be a part of watching someone else go on to achieve something with encouragement” - Joe, My Sighted Guide volunteer
What you’ll be doing
We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include:
• Delivering sighted guide assistance, using skills provided in our training, on a regular basis to someone with a visual or vision impairment to help increase their confidence, varying from 3 months to 12+ months.
• Meeting at agreed times/location based on the mutually agreed activity plan.
• Maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to safeguarding procedures.
• Providing regular feedback on partnership progress and highlighting any issues that may arise in the partnership to your key contact.
You’ll have
Ideally you will:
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to use them when support is required.
• Be patient and flexible.
• Act in a non-judgemental way, without discrimination.
• Have the physical ability to guide someone with a visual impairment.
If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible!
You’ll get
Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get a dedicated key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. You’ll also get to:
• Gain skills and experience whilst doing an activity that you enjoy.
• The opportunity to network with a variety of individuals at Guide Dogs.
• Increase the independence, dignity and wellbeing of people living with sight loss through the delivery of the My Sighted Guide service.
Training and support
This role has the equivalent of 2 days of training, which can be flexible around your requirements, and then you’ll be ready to go! These modules include:
• Sighted Guide training.
• Guide Dogs safeguarding training
If you have questions about the training requirements, we can answer these at your interview along with any other support or accessibility needs you may have.
Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy.
What we need from you
Criminal Disclosure check necessary? Yes, this role requires that you have an Enhanced Disclosure check (PVG in Scotland).
We are working hard to make sure anyone who wants to can volunteer for Guide Dogs, but at the moment we have a minimum age of 18 for this particular role.
To find out more and register your interest, please pop over to www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer
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6th September 2023
|
30th August 2023
In this week's student news
Parking Permit Applications
Parking permit applications for the 2023/24 academic year are now open.
You’ll find more information, including permit costs and how to apply, on the Parking on Campus section of our website.
Application Processing Timescales & Deadline
The application window will close on Friday 8 September 2023 at 5pm.
Please allow up to 10 working days for your application to be processed.
Your application may take longer to process if you do not provide the correct documents to support your application. Staff and students are therefore advised to submit their application as early as possible.
Submission of an application does not mean that your permit request has been approved. There is no guarantee that submitting an application will result in a parking permit being issued due to limited availability.
Once an application form is received and processed, applicants will be notified by email whether their application has been successful or not. If your application is successful, you will receive guidance on how to accept your permit offer and make payment. Your permit is only valid once you fully complete this process.
Parking Policy, Rules & Regulations
Prior to submitting an application for a parking permit please ensure that you review the Parking Policy and Rules & Regulations Governing the Use of the QMU Car Park. When you submit an application, you are agreeing that you have read and understand the policy, rules and regulations.
Enforcement
Enforcement of parking permits will commence on Monday 11 September. An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is in operation in the car park which detects cars entering and exiting the car parking using an ANPR camera. All staff and students using the car park will need to ensure they have a current valid permit or paid the daily parking rate to avoid being issued with a parking charge notice.
Parking, Travel & Transport Options
If you require further information on travel, transport and parking options please visit the Location and Getting Here section of our website or contact parking@qmu.ac.uk.
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QMU Meal Plans
To all students:
We are delighted to be able to launch our new QMU Meal Plans.
QMU Meal Plans are a flexible weekly scheme that enables you to purchase meals in advance, at a discounted price, for Semester 1. Choose from three or five lunches a week depending on your living arrangements and your lifestyle.
We know how important it is to have a varied and balanced diet. By taking out a meal plan, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will be getting high-quality, home cooked, nutritious food.
All meals are chosen from 1875 restaurant. 1875 is QMU’s main eatery where all your favourites are served, from daily hot mains with a wide selection of dietary friendly and vegan options including full salad & deli bar, soups and baked potatoes. Our vision is to provide fresh, locally sourced, good food made by our talented chefs to the highest possible standard. Menus change daily and are influenced by the seasonality of ingredients to ensure best quality and provide wholesome and balanced meals paired with a little flair and fun!
QMU Meal Plans are great value and will help our new students in particular settle into University life quickly and allow everyone to focus on university priorities without the stresses of having to shop and cook food for themselves on a daily basis.
Full details about the QMU Meal Plans and how to sign up to them, can be found on our website here. Meal plans for Semester 1 have to be booked by Sunday 3rd September.
If you have any queries about the QMU Meal Plans, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Catering Team on: mealplans@qmu.ac.uk
Many thanks
QMU Catering Team
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Heads up! See Hear Fest on Friday 01 September 2023 -
Event information:
See Hear Fest
On Friday 01 September 2023
From 11am to 4pm
At Meadowbank Sports Centre, London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AE
It’s open to all. All welcome – individuals with sensory loss and other disabilities. And adults, young people, family, friends, carers, colleagues, organisations, who have an interest or involvement with and/or in sensory loss and other disabilities matters.
We have over forty Exhibitors attending who can offer you information, advice and guidance for individuals with sensory loss (blindness and sight loss, deafness and hearing loss, and deafblindness and dual sensory loss).
BSL / English Interpreters and Electronic Notetakers will be available. (Some Exhibitors have booked their own BSL / English Interpreters.)
Exhibitors attending are:
Sight Scotland, Visibility Scotland, Deaf Action, AbilityNet, Access Scottish Theatre, All In Edinburgh, A Local Information System for Scotland (ALISS), Audio Description Association Scotland (ADAS), British Deaf Association Scotland (BDA Scotland), Care and Repair Edinburgh, Changeworks, Citizens Advice Edinburgh, Citizens Rights Project, Communication Inclusion People, Contact Scotland BSL / 999 BSL, Deafblind Scotland, Disability Equality Scotland, Disability Information Scotland, Edinburgh Community Rehab Support Service (ECRSS), Euan’s Guide, Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC), Fedcap Scotland / StartScotland, Guide Dogs Scotland, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People / Hearing Link Services, Home Energy Scotland, Inclusion Scotland, Independent Living Fund Scotland (ILF Scotland), JustRight Scotland, Lead Scotland, Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCIL), Lothian Deaf Counselling Service (Health in Mind), Lothiansound, Macular Society, National Deaf Children’s Society Scotland (NDCS Scotland), NHS 24, NHS Lothian, Police Scotland, Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland (RNIB Scotland), Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), Scottish Care, Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Scottish Labour Party, Scottish Mental Health Service for Deaf People (SMHSDP), Scottish National Party (SNP), Scottish Course to Train Tutors of Lipreading (SCTTL / Lipreading), Sense Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans, Social Security Scotland, The Scottish Sensory Centre (SSC), Triple Tap Tech, Voice of Carers Across Lothian (VOCAL), VoiceAbility and Volunteer Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing Team.
Posters:
Plain English poster with large print – available in both Word and PDF formats
Plain English poster with large print and in yellow fonts – available in both Word and PDF formats
Easy Read information – available in both Word and PDF formats
Social media links / information:
Hashtag – #SeeHearFest (others – #SeeHearStrategy #SensoryLoss #CommunicationForAll #BSLForAll)
X (formerly Twitter) – @EdinburghHSCP (others – @Edinburgh_CC @NHS_Lothian @scotgovhealth)
We will share the accessible film clips from our YouTube channel shortly, hopefully soon. We will also forward a copy of the X (formerly Twitter) message link for you to retweet / quote. Speak soon.
We genuinely appreciate your time and support. We look forward to seeing you there at Meadowbank Sports Centre. Have a great week!
Should you have any questions, please get in touch with Derek Todd.
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Changes to the space in the LRC
As part of the summer works associated with the Future Spaces project the speed gates and rolling stacks in the LRC have been removed to create a more welcoming entrance area and additional study spaces.
Prior to the removal of the rolling stacks an exercise was conducted to review the collections held in the stack. Items that were not readily available elsewhere have been retained and will be shelved within the LRC. This includes all of the book collections that were held in the stack, PhD theses and the Speech and Language Therapy items. All of the journal material is held in multiple UK locations.
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Applications for the Santander Universities Research Grants 2023 are now open!
As part of Santander Universities’ commitment to supporting higher education, they have developed a new funding initiative exclusively for postgraduate students and academic staff at UK universities.
50 grants of £1000 are available to help you with the funds you need to support and develop your research.
The funding can be used on resources, equipment, travel, workshop or conference attendance, and any other research-based expenses.
The grants will be allocated on a random basis.
Who can apply?
Any postgraduate (Masters and PhD) students and academic university staff conducting research. Your research can be in any field.
How to apply?
Visit the Santander Scholarships platform, where you’ll need to register an account. After registering, you’ll get a confirmation email. Then you can apply for the Santander Universities Research Grants initiative. You’ll need to provide a valid university student or staff ID number and confirm Queen Margaret University as the university you attend or work at.
What’s the deadline for applications?
12 October 2023.
23rd August 2023
In this week's Student News:
Parking Permit Applications
Parking permit applications for the 2023/24 academic year are now open.
You’ll find more information, including permit costs and how to apply, on the Parking on Campus section of our website.
Application Processing Timescales & Deadline
The application window will close on Friday 8 September 2023 at 5pm.
Please allow up to 10 working days for your application to be processed.
Your application may take longer to process if you do not provide the correct documents to support your application. Staff and students are therefore advised to submit their application as early as possible.
Submission of an application does not mean that your permit request has been approved. There is no guarantee that submitting an application will result in a parking permit being issued due to limited availability.
Once an application form is received and processed, applicants will be notified by email whether their application has been successful or not. If your application is successful, you will receive guidance on how to accept your permit offer and make payment. Your permit is only valid once you fully complete this process.
Parking Policy, Rules & Regulations
Prior to submitting an application for a parking permit please ensure that you review the Parking Policy and Rules & Regulations Governing the Use of the QMU Car Park. When you submit an application, you are agreeing that you have read and understand the policy, rules and regulations.
Enforcement
Enforcement of parking permits will commence on Monday 11 September. An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is in operation in the car park which detects cars entering and exiting the car parking using an ANPR camera. All staff and students using the car park will need to ensure they have a current valid permit or paid the daily parking rate to avoid being issued with a parking charge notice.
Parking, Travel & Transport Options
If you require further information on travel, transport and parking options please visit the Location and Getting Here section of our website or contact parking@qmu.ac.uk.
____________________________________________________
QMU Meal Plans
We are delighted to be able to launch our new QMU Meal Plans.
QMU Meal Plans are a flexible weekly scheme that enables you to purchase meals in advance, at a discounted price, for Semester 1. Choose from three or five lunches a week depending on your living arrangements and your lifestyle.
We know how important it is to have a varied and balanced diet. By taking out a meal plan, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will be getting high-quality, home cooked, nutritious food.
All meals are chosen from 1875 restaurant. 1875 is QMU’s main eatery where all your favourites are served, from daily hot mains with a wide selection of dietary friendly and vegan options including full salad & deli bar, soups and baked potatoes. Our vision is to provide fresh, locally sourced, good food made by our talented chefs to the highest possible standard. Menus change daily and are influenced by the seasonality of ingredients to ensure best quality and provide wholesome and balanced meals paired with a little flair and fun!
QMU Meal Plans are great value and will help our new students in particular settle into University life quickly and allow everyone to focus on university priorities without the stresses of having to shop and cook food for themselves on a daily basis.
Full details about the QMU Meal Plans and how to sign up to them, can be found on our website here. Meal plans for Semester 1 have to be booked by Sunday 3rd September.
If you have any queries about the QMU Meal Plans, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Catering Team on: mealplans@qmu.ac.uk
Many thanks
QMU Catering Team
____________________________________________________
16th August 2023
In this week's Student News:
QMU and the National Student Survey results
Last week, results from this year’s National Student Survey (NSS), one of the largest student surveys in the world, showed that 74% of students at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, are satisfied overall with the quality of their course. The survey saw several courses at QMU achieve 100% overall satisfaction, and Queen Margaret University’s Students’ Union (QMUSU) coming out second top in Scotland, with students agreeing that QMUSU represented students’ academic interests well.
Background to the NSS
The National Student Survey (NSS) is conducted by the Office for Students (OfS) on behalf of the UK funding bodies. As well as capturing student views on the overall quality of their undergraduate degree, the survey gathers students’ responses to a series of questions relating to academic support, learning resources, teaching, management and assessment. Feedback from the students on the quality of their courses and their experience of university, helps to inform prospective students’ choices, provide data that helps universities improve the student experience, and supports public accountability.
Changes to the NSS
As a result of the review of the NSS, the survey questions and response scales have changed for NSS 2023. The main changes include: new direct questions with a 4-point item specific response scale, replacing the Likert response scale (with the exception of the overall satisfaction, healthcare practice placement questions and optional bank questions); a new additional question on mental wellbeing services; the overall satisfaction question is asked to students in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland only; and a new additional question on freedom of expression, which is asked to students in England only. Because of these changes, it is not valid to compare question level responses from NSS 2023 with those from previous years.
QMU’s highlights
- QMU saw strong results in key areas with the following outperforming QMU’s benchmarks set by The Office for Students for QMU:
- 90.85% of students agreeing staff were good at explaining things;
- 83.8% thought teaching staff made the subject engaging;
- 85.2% confirming the course was intellectually stimulating; and
- 80.5% responding positively about the fairness of the marking and assessment on their course.
- Courses scoring 100% or very high levels of overall satisfaction:
- 100% overall satisfaction - Acting and Performance
- 100% overall satisfaction - Physiotherapy
- 100% overall satisfaction - Speech and Language Therapy
- 90.9% overall satisfaction - Master of Nursing
- 90% overall satisfaction - Public Relations and Marketing Communications
- Students Union
- Students were particularly positive about their experience of QMU’s Students’ Union with 78.6% students agreeing the SU represented students’ academic interests well (6.8% above QMU’s benchmark* and the UK average).
Areas for improvement
The results also highlight areas for improvement, where students’ satisfaction with particular programmes or particular aspects of the student experience are below the University or subject benchmark*. For individual programmes, some of the explanation for this is likely to be context specific, for instance: external changes to placement provision, the development of new programmes with larger than usual cohorts participating in the NSS for the first time, and the impact of industrial action. Nonetheless, students scored QMU more than 10% below its benchmark for the following two questions:
- How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
- How well organised is your course?
By programme though, the results of the above questions are quite varied.
What the results mean and what happens now
We are pleased that in general the NSS results confirm the high levels of student satisfaction across our portfolio areas and demonstrate the passion our staff have for their subject, the clarity of their teaching and their ability to challenge students academically. These NSS results mirror the findings from our own internal surveys and confirm that our academic and support staff engage with students effectively and enable their personal and professional development.
The NSS results clearly show areas where QMU needs to make improvements – particularly in areas such as student feedback and course organisation – and this too is helpful in enabling us to develop a data-driven response whilst always being mindful of the specific context for each programme.
Programme level results, including students’ comments, will be sent to Deans, Heads of Division, Programme Leaders and School Managers shortly. In their Annual Programme Monitoring Reports (AMRs), Programme Teams will, as usual, reflect on the NSS results along with other programme data which contribute to the wider evidence base for enhancement. In addition, the NSS Working Group will analyse further the survey results and cross reference them with our internal student survey results and other student data, as well as the recent QESR recommendations and action plan. Following that analysis, we will work with student representatives and selected programme teams, as well as our Learning Enhancement and Academic Development unit, to develop an action plan, and to identify what support is required to enable specific enhancements, with the objective of ensuring a high-quality student experience across the institution.
Richard
Professor Richard Butt BA (Hons) PhD
Deputy Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor
* As student populations are different across providers it is not always helpful to directly compare results of one provider with another. To account for some of the factors which contribute to different NSS results, benchmarks are constructed. These benchmarks are sector averages, which are adjusted based on the characteristics of the group. The factors that are taken into account when constructing the benchmarks are: mode of study, subject of study, level of study, age, ethnicity, disability and sex. For example, it may be the case that a difference in positivity measure between two providers can be accounted for by their different subject mix, or the different ages of their students. We can think of the benchmark as a prediction of what the NSS results for the sector would have been, had the sector had the same breakdown of students and subjects as the population we are interested in.
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2023/2024 Academic Timetable
Returning Students can now access their personalised timetable for academic year 2023/2024 via the QMU Student portal or the myQMU app. Full details on how to access the QMU Student Portal & myQMU app can be found here.
For further information on what’s included in personalised timetables can be found here and for information on how to request a group swap please visit the timetable page on the QMU website.
For a small number of modules and programmes, students cannot be assigned to some groups in advance and this is done once teaching starts based on lists provided by academic staff. You can find a list of the modules on the Timetable page (under the ‘What’s included on my timetable’ section) of the QMU website. If this affects you, you’ll be added to appropriate groups as soon as the grouping lists have been provided, therefore some timetable events will not appear on your timetable until the start of teaching or until lists have been provided by academic staff which may be several weeks after teaching starts.
If you are awaiting any re-assessment results, then please note that your timetable is provisional and may change as a result of your re-assessments.
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Parking Permit Applications
Parking permit applications for the 2023/24 academic year are now open.
You’ll find more information, including permit costs and how to apply, on the Parking on Campus section of our website.
Application Processing Timescales & Deadline
The application window will close on Friday 8 September 2023 at 5pm.
Please allow up to 10 working days for your application to be processed.
Your application may take longer to process if you do not provide the correct documents to support your application. Staff and students are therefore advised to submit their application as early as possible.
Submission of an application does not mean that your permit request has been approved. There is no guarantee that submitting an application will result in a parking permit being issued due to limited availability.
Once an application form is received and processed, applicants will be notified by email whether their application has been successful or not. If your application is successful, you will receive guidance on how to accept your permit offer and make payment. Your permit is only valid once you fully complete this process.
Parking Policy, Rules & Regulations
Prior to submitting an application for a parking permit please ensure that you review the Parking Policy and Rules & Regulations Governing the Use of the QMU Car Park. When you submit an application, you are agreeing that you have read and understand the policy, rules and regulations.
Enforcement
Enforcement of parking permits will commence on Monday 11 September. An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is in operation in the car park which detects cars entering and exiting the car parking using an ANPR camera. All staff and students using the car park will need to ensure they have a current valid permit or paid the daily parking rate to avoid being issued with a parking charge notice.
Parking, Travel & Transport Options
If you require further information on travel, transport and parking options please visit the Location and Getting Here section of our website or contact parking@qmu.ac.uk.
9th August 2023
In this weeks Student News:
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SHIFT 2023 – 4 September to 8 September 2023 – DEADINE FOR APPLICATIONS – 15 AUGUST 2023
Applications for SHIFT 2023 are still open until 15 August 2023. SHIFT is QMU’s award winning entrepreneurial collaboration with Glasgow School of Art and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland that aims to build a new network of creatives from a range of disciplines. The aim of the week is to have fun and equip the participants with the collaborative, practical and professional skills they need to “shift” into a career in the Arts and Creative industries. By the end of the week participants will leave with new ideas, networks and an action plan for the next steps in their career.
The collaborative week long programme is focused on how you can live and work as a creative entrepreneur. The programme is open to all budding freelancers, creative company founders, artists, musicians, producers and performers who are students or recent graduates from QMU.
Follow this link to find out more about the programme and speakers for SHIFT 2023.
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Applications for the Santander Universities Research Grants 2023 are now open!
As part of Santander Universities’ commitment to supporting higher education, they have developed a new funding initiative exclusively for postgraduate students and academic staff at UK universities.
50 grants of £1000 are available to help you with the funds you need to support and develop your research.
The funding can be used on resources, equipment, travel, workshop or conference attendance, and any other research-based expenses.
The grants will be allocated on a random basis.
Who can apply?
Any postgraduate (Masters and PhD) students and academic university staff conducting research. Your research can be in any field.
How to apply?
Visit the Santander Scholarships platform, where you’ll need to register an account. After registering, you’ll get a confirmation email. Then you can apply for the Santander Universities Research Grants initiative. You’ll need to provide a valid university student or staff ID number and confirm Queen Margaret University as the university you attend or work at.
What’s the deadline for applications?
12 October 2023.
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Wi-Fi maintenance
Essential maintenance work is happening on the Wi-fi infrastructure between 18:15 to 18:45 Thursday 10th August. The work will implement security fixes and general improvements.
Users should not be disconnected from the Wi-Fi during that period, though any new connections won’t be able connect to the Wi-fi till the maintenance window is over. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the essential work.
19th July 2023
In this weeks Student News:
‘Enabling breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents’
This year, Breastfeeding week is between the 1st and 7th August and the key theme is ‘Enabling breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents’. This couldn’t come at a better time for more awareness to be raised around QMU’s involvement in UNICEFs Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI). You might be aware that last year, the Health Visiting Programme achieved a UNICEF Stage 2 accreditation. This was a massive achievement for everyone involved and we are now striving to achieve the ‘Gold Standard’ accreditation. This will see the University embed the core principles and outcomes of the BFI across all areas and achieve sustainability of the standards.
We are passionate about promoting QMU as a safe and supportive space, where staff, students and those from the local community, can feel comfortable and confident to feed their children on campus and in Maggie’s.
We are currently in discussions about ways to move this forward and would also love to hear the voices from those on campus. If you would like to know more or have any queries, please get in touch with Lisa Luhanga BFI Lead and Programme Lead for Health Visiting and School Nursing or one of the team.
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QMU Students' Union - New CEO
Our fabulous GM Kirsten Baird had her last day at QMUSU on Friday after 11 years of representing QMU students publicly and often behind the scenes. I am sure you will join me in thanking her for all her hard work and wishing her well in her new role.
I am delighted to confirm that QMUSU has appointed a new CEO, Dan Doyle, who is due to start in their new role on Monday 7th August. We would like Dan to have some time to settle in to his new position and complete his induction, therefore any queries in both this interim period and Dan’s first few days can be sent to either the SU inbox union@qmu.ac.uk or if you have a specific/confidential query please contact Sacha Forbes, (Deputy General Manager) on SForbes@qmu.ac.uk
12th July 2023
In this weeks student news:
Pickleball – Free Learn to Play sessions
Pickleball is a fun, inclusive sport for all abilities that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Come along to the Sport & Fitness Centre to have a go at Pickleball and discover for yourself just how much fun it is!
Join Pickleball Scotland Ambassador, Suzanne, and her team, for a free session to teach you everything you need to know about this exciting and easy to learn sport. Sessions will take place on:
Thursday 13th July 2023, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Sunday 16th July 2023, 12.00pm – 1.30pm
All equipment will be provided.
Places are limited, so please book your space by emailing sportsreception@qmu.ac.uk or call the Sport & Fitness Team on 0131 474 0150.