A Senior Lecturer in Applied Sciences is seeking contacts with researchers in African universities.

Dr Luciana Esteves’ research will primarily focus on the area of research involves capacity building in the application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to improve water management, including: water quality, availability, distribution, flood risk management and effects of climate change. The proposal will be made to the Royal Society-DFID Africa Capacity Building Initiative.

The overall aim of the scheme is to strengthen the research capacity of universities and research institution in sub-Saharan Africa by supporting the development of sustainable research networks with organisations in the UK. The objectives are to:

Facilitate sustainable multidisciplinary partnerships between research groups in sub-Saharan Africa and the UK;
Strengthen research and training capacity in sub-Saharan African Institutions of Higher Education through the skill transfer between partner organisations of the research consortia;
Produce a cadre of young, talented researchers through integrated PhD scholarships and shared supervision of post-graduate students between the UK-based and African consortia members; and
Evaluate the contributions of the Africa Initiative to supporting universities and institutions in Africa to develop sustainable research and research training capacity.

The scheme provides funding towards research expenses, travel and subsistence costs, (PhD) training, and limited funds for equipment. The application is in 2 stages, with the first one providing funds to travel and develop the network of contacts (deadline April 2013).

To express interest in this opportunity, please contact Dr Esteves providing your contact details, a brief CV and a short description of your research activities:

Email: lesteves@bournemouth.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1202 962446

You should have senior strategic leadership experience, an understanding of governance and knowledge of the challenges facing higher education. In particular we are looking for a diverse range of candidates with at least one of the following attributes: detailed knowledge of higher education from the viewpoint of a very senior academic/manager; extensive legal experience; business experience at boardroom level; an active interest in corporate social responsibility, ethics, sustainability and the environment.

Board members are not remunerated, reasonable expenses are paid.

For more information, see:
http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/jobs/BM.html

Fancy making a difference locally? Business in the Community is building a graduate network to support regeneration in Boscombe.

Do you have a passion for making a difference? Would you like to be part of an exciting project in Boscombe?

Local ‘Business Connector’ Brie Logan is setting up a graduate network to support a number of new steering groups to work in partnership with local businesses and areas of need across the community. People who are passionate about physical and social regeneration and want to add value by contributing time, energy and enthusiasm into this worthwhile and exciting project are invited to join in!

Can you help?

• Are you passionate about adding value in your local community?
• Do you enjoy meeting new people and supporting them to achieve their goals?
• Are you creative and innovative with fresh ideas?
• Is this an opportunity for you to focus on personal development and turn theory into practice?
• Or, are you working in a corporate organisation with a clear CSR commitment? If so this could be your opportunity!

Find out more…

If you would like to know more and can spare an hour a month to add value then please contact:
Brie Logan, Business Connector, Boscombe
Phone: 07876 448532
E-mail: brie.logan@bitc.org.uk
Twitter: @brielogan1

(Brie has been seconded by M&S to Business in the Community)

Volunteers from Bournemouth University have already worked with the National Trust and other local organisations on SUBU’s Make a Difference (MAD) Days.  On Brownsea Island, for example, volunteers have enabled visitors to walk along footpaths among the pine trees with the red squirrels instead of becoming bogged down in the mud! Meanwhile, clearing rhododendrons has opened up Saxon field systems at Corfe Castle and thanks to the repaired dry stone walling, a tenant farmer in south Purbeck can now put her cattle back into a field unused for five years.

In another project, nominated for the Mayor’s Awards 2012, students have been working with the Police and Parks Department with the support of the Green Goals Partnership in a clean-up operation to stop flashers and ‘sexual activity’ in Meyrick Park.  To stop people using the area, volunteers have been cutting back the undergrowth, picking up rubbish and planting native species.

Richard Hesketh from the Parks Department said “It has been a pleasure working with Bournemouth University volunteers. We have already achieved so much and it will be great to carry on later in the year. Thank you to all the students and staff who have helped with the projects.”

We’d love you to come and Make A Difference with us; alumni are eligible to register to take part in any of our one-off or regular volunteering opportunities. So if you’ve got a little time to spare go to www.the-hub.org.uk or speak to Lexy or Kim on 01202 965772 for more information.

The British Business Awards are an awards programme organised by the British Chambers of Commerce in China to recognise and promote excellence in innovation enterprise and endeavour, in the British business community in China. Established in 2008, the awards programme is now held every two years.

This is the fourth time that British Council China has sponsored the Alumnus of the Year Award, which is open to all Chinese alumni who hold an undergraduate or above from a UK higher education institution and can demonstrate the positive influence that UK education and culture has had on their chosen occupation.

Judges will look for evidence of individualism, knowledge and skill, as well as enthusiasm, confidence and independence. They will also look for evidence of commitment to strengthening and building partnerships between China and the UK.

Find out more and enter at: www.britishbusinessawards.cn

Closing date for entries extended until Friday 27 July.

The James Dyson Award is an international student design award running in 18 countries. It’s run by the James Dyson Foundation, James Dyson’s charitable trust, as part of its mission to encourage the next generation of design engineers to be creative, challenge and invent.

Your brief: “Design something that solves a problem.”

Your incentive: up to £10,000 first prize.

Open to product design, industrial design and engineering university level students and graduates within 4 years of graduation – check it out!

www.jamesdysonaward.org

Open to both students and anybody who has graduated from BU within the last five years, the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards offer cash investment of up to £20,000 for the best business ideas – as well as some great publicity.

What’s on offer

All 55 UK universities in the Santander Universities network have been invited to submit two student or alumni business proposals for the national competition – one each for undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Undergraduates: 1st prize £5,000; 2nd prize £3,000; 3rd prize £1,000.
Postgraduate: 1st prize £20,000; 2nd prize £10,000; 3rd prize £5,000.

How to enter

All entries from BU students and graduates will be judged by a panel of BU staff.  The best proposals will then go forward to compete nationally.

• To enter or find out more, e-mail us at: development@bournemouth.ac.uk
• Entry criteria and judging process (PDF)
• Deadline for entries: 3pm on Friday 20 April