Issue 16 Autumn 2012 - Brunel University

Hard rock band Terminal Gods, led by
MA student RoBERT CoWLIN, topped
the European Alternative Charts over
the summer with their single Electric
Eyes, overtaking acts such as the Foo
Fighters and Noel Gallagher’s High
Flying Birds. “It’s nice to know that
people care enough about our music to
place it highly in their weekly rankings,”
said Robert. The Chart is based on votes
submitted by DJs and music industry
representatives across the continent.
The Language Café returns this October,
giving international students a chance
to showcase their language and culture,
including authentic snacks and drinks.
Organised jointly by the Graduate
School and Brunel International, the
Language Café takes place every last
Tuesday of the month – the next event
is on 30 October (open to all Brunel
students and staff). A different group
of student hosts leads each evening,
Emily Danvers, Manager of the Academic Skills
Service, ASK, won the inaugural Ken Darby-
Dowman Memorial prize this summer in recognition
of her exceptional work to help Brunel students
improve their academic and study skills.
The ASK team are at the frontline of enabling
student learning, and provide vital support to
students throughout their Brunel careers. Emily
(pictured centre, with the ASK team) was selected
for her work in leading and developing this service
and for her absolute commitment to improving the
experience and skills of Brunel’s students. She received
nominations from across the University praising
her commitment, energy, drive and enthusiasm.
The annual Prize recognises Brunel staff who are
committed to improving the student experience at
Brunel – a value that was personified by the work of
our much missed Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken
Darby-Dowman who sadly passed away in 2011.
sTUdeNT ANd GrAdUATe NeWs :: eXPRess MAGAZINe
and there are plenty of opportunities
to chat with like-minded language
enthusiasts. Email katharina.stirland@
brunel.ac.uk or charlotte.zittel@
brunel.ac.uk for more information.
Multimedia Technology and Design
graduate MINA NISHIMURA won a
New Designers Associate Prize for
her final-year project ‘Shopstar’, a
time and money saving personal
shopping assistant in the form of a
web application. The judges praised
the project’s excellent user experience,
and Mina’s prize included a Raspberry
Pi credit card-sized computer and
three months’ work experience with
the digital agency Cyber-Duck. Prizes
are awarded each year to the most
talented new graduates that take part
in the New Designers exhibition.
Brunel celebrated the success
of students who combine work
with study at the annual Student
Employee of the Year Awards, part
of a UK-wide competition run by
the National Association of Student
Employment Services. Twenty-two
exceptional students were nominated
from across Brunel and by external
employers. Congratulations to our
Student Employees of the Year:
THIAN HoNG (International Student
Category); SUSAN MCGoWAN
(Job Shop Category); and pETER
BRooKS (On Campus Category).
Pictured: Peter Brooks with Director
of Academic Services Chris Chang.
outstanding support for students rewarded with inaugural prize
17