It's time to reflect on the many achievements during February at the University of Winchester. From marking Fairtrade Fortnight and Go Green Week to continuing to speak out for action on the climate emergency and champion sustainable travel, it's been a busy month.
The University Music Centre has released a video featuring Winchester alum Hannah Williams singing soul anthem Stay With Me Baby with current and former students on backing vocals and instruments. The video was inspired by Hannah who is competing on ITV's The Voice UK singing competition and is also raising funds for Trinity Winchester. Find out more.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Joy Carter CBE, DL was one of 20 top scientists signing an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking for much stronger leadership in the face of catastrophic climate change and growing ecological collapse.
The letter from Scientists Warning Europe calls for Mr Johnson to table a much earlier net zero target of 2030 rather than 2050, highlighting the substantial support for such a target by the many UK local councils in their declarations of Climate Emergency. Find out more.
The University of Winchester is collaborating on a national research project with Health Education England to understand why student allied health professionals (AHPs)have chosen their career paths.
The project is recruiting students studying in the 14 AHP disciplines to complete an online questionnaire exploring their motivations for choosing an AHP career, the sources that influenced their choice and barriers to entering these careers. Find out more.
Asian students studying at the University of Winchester experience particular challenges, which are markedly different from other BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) students.
These are the findings of a new report by the University's Centre for Student Engagement. The report makes recommendations in four areas, including institutions holistically considering the wider campus culture; learning and teaching mechanisms, and areas supporting students' access, progression and success lifecycle.
Maisha Islam, Student Engagement Research and Projects Officer, who led the project, said: "If implemented, these recommendations will positively result in enhancing the student experience for Winchester's Asian students and actively work towards eliminating degree-awarding gaps. Find out more.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, a package of financial support for student renters was announced by the University. Rent reductions for students in halls of residence and university managed accommodation until the end of formal lockdown now apply, with students renting in the private sector having access to a rent relief fund.
Additionally, all students can also apply for Student Support Fund financial support which provides general financial support for students who find themselves in unexpected financial hardship and is not limited to rent payment concerns.
The University pledged support for the newly-launched Winchester Cycling Charter, becoming the founding signatory to the document, which is a statement of the benefits that cycling can bring to the city.
"As the University for sustainability and social justice, Winchester has long supported sustainable travel and transport options, including cycling, for our students and staff, with a number of initiatives helping to reduce our environmental impact and contribute to a sustainable future," said The Reverend Professor Elizabeth Stuart, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University. Find out more.
'Climate, Fairtrade and you' was the theme of Fairtrade Fortnight 2021 and the University marked it with a series of virtual events for students and staff and a special online open forum led by Fairtrade Foundation Director Katie Burgess.
"As the University for sustainability and social justice, we aim to use our choices to drive real long-term change. The current pandemic has shown us how we are all connected with one another around the globe. This interconnection is at the heart of the Fairtrade message and is where our role begins," said Professor Joy Carter CBE, DL Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester. Find out more.
We learned with great sadness of the death of Martial Rose, the dynamic, creative, forceful and determined former Principal of King Alfred's College, now the University of Winchester. He died peacefully on 30 January after a short illness. Professor Emeritus Roger Richardson wrote a moving tribute to Martial and the legacy he leaves the University.
Criminologists Dr Matt Clement and Dr Vincenzo Scalia draw parallels between Trumpism and 20th century Italian politics and reveal some eerie similarities. Read the blog post.
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