Issue 16 Autumn 2012 - Brunel University

LATesT NeWs :: eXPRess MAGAZINe
6
LEE FRoM
STEpS
TEACHES
SUMMER
SCHooL
STUDENTS
SELF-DEFENCE
Hillingdon school students
attending this year’s
Widening participation
Summer School had a
surprise assistant instructor
for their self-defence
session – Lee Evans from
the pop group Steps.
A keen martial artist and
kickboxer, Lee assisted
regular instructor Dave
Gentry from Streetwise
Fitwise in running a taster
session, before signing
autographs and posing
for photos with his fans.
The session was part of
a three-day programme,
designed to give Year 9
students who have no
family tradition of higher
education a taste of the
range of academic and
recreational activities
available at university.
The students also attended
workshops in areas such
as critical thinking and
problem solving, and
an academic lecture by
Professor Heinz Wolff.
Brunel makes the shortlist for
University of the Year 2012
Brunel University has been shortlisted for the prestigious Times
Higher Education University of the Year award for 2012.
The nomination comes on the back of strong improvement in the
annual university league tables throughout 2012, alongside teaching
and research highlights such as the launch of 40 new academic posts,
the arrival of household names including Will Self and Benjamin
Zephaniah, and the award of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize.
Outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Jenks commented: “This
is a great testament to the hard work done across the institution in
recent years. We have a clear vision to become a research-intensive
university and to have the benefits of this cascade down to influence
teaching, employability and student experience. It is great to see this all
coming together with the University performing better than ever.”
Shortlisted in three categories overall, Brunel was also nominated
for Best Business School and Outstanding Student Support.
Advances in Brunel’s Business School have included the development
of the ‘Business Life’ employability programme, the growth of
the MBA and the School’s doctoral programmes, and significant
improvements across the subject-based league tables. The Student
Support nomination recognises the support provided to students by
Brunel University Library, particularly the creation of the Academic
Skills Service (ASK) which offers flexible and varied study support.
The winners will be announced at an awards
dinner in London on 29 November.
rent a car on campus from
only £5.50 an hour
Students and staff can now hire
one of a range of cars from the
University Car Club’s expanded fleet.
Membership of the scheme is free, and
it takes just a few minutes to sign up.
You can then can book online, over
the phone or using a smartphone,
and hire a pay-as-you-go vehicle
from only £5.50 (Fiat 500), £6 (Ford
Fiesta), £6.50 (Ford Focus), or £7.50
(Alfa Romeo MiTo) per hour. Rates
include insurance, tax, 20 miles of
fuel, congestion charge and VAT.
Cars are accessible 24/7 via a key fob.
By hiring a car only when you need
it, you can save money, avoid parking
difficulties and help reduce the number
of cars used in and around Brunel.
To join, you must have a driving licence
valid for the UK and be over the age of
19. Under 21s must be a named driver
on an insurance policy and have driven
accident free for at least one year, and
will also pay a £2 per hour surcharge.
To join, call 08708 454545 or
visit www.hertzondemand.com.
Quote promotion code 1085 to
ensure free membership.