CONFIRMED
Faculty of Engineering and Science
Minutes of the FIRST meeting of the Faculty Board in the 2013-14 academic session
held on Thursday, 3 October 2013 at 2.00 pm in Room B028, Blake building, Medway
Campus
Present:
Martin Snowden (Chair)
Amir Alani
Richard Anthony
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Engineering & Science
Head of Department, Civil Engineering, Engineering
Health and Safety Manager and Laboratory Manager,
Science
David Armour-Chelu
Head of Department, Electrical, Electronic & Computer
Engineering, Engineering
Stuart Ashenden
Faculty Operating Officer, Engineering & Science
Lorraine Barrett (Secretary) Faculty Administrative Officer, Engineering & Science
Tim Barry
Head of Department, Technology Management & Enterprise,
Engineering
Richard Blackburn
Director of Learning & Quality, Science
Peter Callaghan
Programme Leader, Engineering
Samer El-Daher
Head of Department for Life & Sports Science, Science
Jeremy Everett
Head of Department for Chemical, Pharmaceutical &
Environmental Sciences, Science
Alasdair Grant
Director of Learning & Quality, Engineering
Veronica Habgood (External) Health & Social Care
Chris Harper
Quality Assurance Manager, Faculty of Engineering &
Science
Omar T Mansour
Student Representative, Science
Adrienne Martin
Director of Programme Development, NRI
John Orchard
Director of Research & Enterprise, NRI
Ruth Quinn
Student Representative, Engineering
Elinor Thompson
Early Career Researcher, Science
Andrew Westby
Director, NRI
Dave Wray
Director of Research & Enterprise (Enterprise), Science
Apologies:
Bruce Alexander
Ben Bennett
Raj Bhatti
Ian Cakebread
Tim Chancellor
Peter Griffiths
Jeremy Hagar
John Linton
John Morton
Steve Wicks
Steve Woodhead
Programme Leader, Science
Head of Department, Food & Markets, NRI
Acting Head of Department, Mechanical, Manufacturing
& Design
Health & Safety Manager; Support Services Manager,
Engineering
Director of Capacity Strengthening & Learning, NRI
Acting Dean, Science
Head of Department, Agriculture, Health & Environment,
NRI
Commercial Director, NRI
Head of Department, Livelihoods & Institutions, NRI
Director of Research & Enterprise (Research), Science
Director of Research & Enterprise, Engineering
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Items from the Chair
Welcome and Introductions
The Chair welcomed the External Board member, representing the Faculty of
Education and Health, and the Faculty QA Manager, as a new Board member, to the
meeting. There had also been a change in student representation following the
inaugural Board meeting, and the new student member was welcomed to the
meeting.
Faculty Board Terms of Reference and Membership
The Chair reported that a directive had been received from the University Secretary
and Director of Student Affairs that the Faculty Board is required to appoint four
student programme representatives, and invited members to forward nominations to
the Students’ Union, who will then train the students, following which there will be an
election process to select the four representatives.
Faculty Development
The Chair informed members that four key roles are to be recruited within the
Faculty, namely Director of Research and Enterprise, Director of Learning and
Teaching, Director of Partnerships and International and Director of Student
Experience. It is anticipated that these appointments will be made prior to the next
Faculty Board meeting in December. A similar recruitment process to appoint Heads
of Department is also to be carried out.
Public Lecture Series
Members were advised that the first of the Faculty Public Lectures had been held by
a speaker from School of Pharmacy however attendance from the Faculty had been
low. The Chair requested that members try to attend as many as possible, noting
that they are also a good exercise in public relations.
FBES/13/01
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday, 4 July 2013
were agreed as an accurate record of the discussions held.
FBES/13/02
Matters arising from the Minutes
2.1
Update from the Office of Student Affairs (FBES/12/5)
The Chair confirmed that the organisational structure of the Office of
Student Affairs had been circulated to members.
2.2
Update on Aspire@Greenwich Scheme (FBES/12/6)
The Chair reported that John Smith’s Bookshop had arranged a
presence on the campus during the transition period, and that this had
been publicised to students.
2.3
Learning and Quality (FBES/12/8)
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The School Directors of Learning and Quality reported that training on
the TESTA system had not been organised as it was felt on reflection
that the Quality Enhancement Sub-Committee (QESC) should consider
any changes in the context of the Faculty structure and EDU had not
been in a position to offer an adequate training programme at the time.
The Faculty QA Manager agreed to provide an update on TESTA to the
School Directors of Learning and Quality and it was agreed that any
subsequent training would then be arranged. It was also agreed that
this matter would be referred to the Faculty Teaching and Learning
Committee to consider how it can be effectively progressed.
2.4
Departmental Reports (FBES/12/9)
9.1
School of Engineering
The Chair reported that following the previous Board meeting a
Marketing Officer has been assigned to the Faculty, who has met with
him to develop a marketing plan which considers both the requisite to
increase student recruitment to 700 and increasing the academic offer.
The Chair proposed a marketing budget of £40,000, which the Faculty
Operating Officer was asked to consider.
The Head of Civil Engineering reiterated his concern from the Inaugural
Board meeting that working with the Marketing Department could
sometimes be a slow process. The Chair suggested that the Faculty
gives the Marketing Officer opportunity to deliver on the marketing plan,
but did agree to meet with the Head of Marketing and Marketing Officer
to investigate where the Faculty might assist in marketing activities.
Action: The Chair agreed to meet with the Head of Marketing and
Marketing Officer to review how the Faculty can more effectively
work with them.
The Director of NRI reported that he had met with the Pro ViceChancellor, Faculty of Education and Health, to examine solutions to
two issues which need addressing:
(i) providing English language support to MSc students on the campus;
and (ii) the university declining postgraduate applicants who do not meet
the university’s IELTs score. The Chair agreed to forward this matter to
the relevant committee with the Director of NRI.
Action: Chair and Director of NRI to forward the matter to the
appropriate committee for resolution.
FBES/13/03
Medway Faculty Operating Group
The Board received the Minutes of the final Medway Development
Group meeting. The Faculty Operating Officer reported that the group
was being replaced by a Faculty Operating Group, replicated in the
other faculties, effective 2013/14 academic session. The newly formed
group will have a remit to look at both academic and infrastructure
issues in their faculties. The draft Terms of Reference and Membership
were circulated to members, and it was noted that the Group’s Minutes
will report to the Faculty Board. The Chair requested that Faculty
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Operating Group also considered the KPIs in the Faculty Strategic Plan
and forward a brief report to the Board.
FBES/13/04
Departmental Reports
4.1
Update from Engineering
Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering. Transition week
had been enhanced during week two, with a number of activities. A
personalised tutor programme had also been provided to stage 1
students.
It is intended to extend transition activities across term one in 2014, with
activities and learning which is underpinned by employability. The Chair
requested that details of the proposed activities were circulated to the
Board.
Action: Head of Department agreed to circulate details of the
proposed activities to the Board.
In terms of student numbers, Computer Communication stage one
students total 37, stage two students include four students from FdE
Computer Engineering (Bromley), and stage three total 53 students.
The Electrical and Electronic programmes have
32 new students, with 26 registered and one repeating. The BEng Hons
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology programme stage one
have recruited 28, with three unregistered, stage two total 64 with three
unregistered and stage three total 36. Attainment for first class and 2:1
degrees was 64% and 9% attrition.
Technology Management and Enterprise (formerly BITE) recruited
130 students, of which 97 are fully registered to date. The BA Hons
Business Administration suite of programmes recruited well, and the
Business and IT programmes recruited fairly well. The major
recruitment area however has been Year Zero, with c.38 students,
however, around 25 are attending class. The Head of Department
suggested that many of these students live in north London, and the
journey may be preventing them from travelling to the campus.
Attainment for first class honours degrees was 22%, and 44% were
awarded 2:1. For the foundation degrees, 7% gained merit awards and
9% gained distinction.
At a recent departmental meeting colleagues had received positive
feedback on induction and timetabling matters, which will feed into the
NSS results. They are keen to work with the recruitment manager, and
have identified staff to attend the open days this year. One of the staff
will recruit in India however more needs to be done to recruit local home
students with school visits. In terms of overseas recruitment, there is a
potential opportunity in SBCS, Trinidad, for their top-up degree to the
Technology degree.
The Chair reported that the Teaching and Learning Committee will be
charged to focus at least one of its meetings on USS and NSS and how
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the Faculty can optimise and encourage students to participate.
Civil Engineering The Head of Department provided details on
recruitment figures for the department as follows:
MEng Civil Engineering
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
10
4
8
21
BEng Civil Engineering
Year 1 31
Year 2 36
Year 3 44
BSc Civil Engineering
Year 1 18
Year 2 14
Year 3 26
BEng Civil Engineering Extended
45
HNC Civil Engineering Studies
Year 1
Year 2 10
10
MSc Civil Engineering
37, with 23 new arrivals
PhD
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Total
310, an increase of 20%
The department has received positive responses to the NSS, including
transition week activities, which will add to the overall results of the USS.
A consulting engineer has been recruited to the department to assist
with consultancy and research in ground penetration. Four full time
members of staff will be off campus for Construction Industry Institution
training and their teaching will need to be covered.
The Chair informed the Board that the Department of Civil Engineering
is currently seen as one of the outstanding departments in the University
in terms of its league table position and academic performance. A
Faculty Management Team is being convened, and this will be used as
a forum for sharing good practice. It is hoped that Civil Engineering will
be able to share their good practice with the team and Faculty.
Mechanical, Manufacturing and Design Engineering have recruited
well to Mechanical Engineering. The department has also recruited 15
apprentices from Ford Motor Company and a further 15 from other
companies, which represents a significant number of students joining
the foundation degree programme.
The department is in discussion with the School of Education to develop
the
BSc Hons Product Design Technology programme. The programme
has been deferred to September 2014 entry to enable the design studio
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to be developed.
4.2
Update from Science
Life and Sports Science Student numbers registered are an increase
on last year, with 488 fully registered to date, and an additional 30-35
with holds. Last year over 65% achieved a First Class Honours or 2:1
pass and achieved scores of over 80%. Students who passed their first
year achieved over 90%, and just two students are repeating.
In terms of the NSS, as more students are studying with partner colleges
rather than on the campus, getting students to complete the survey has
been challenging.
Transition week activities were successful, with 95% responding
positively, however, the department did ask students to comment on
where improvements could be made. It is planned to increase
recruitment with the development of new programmes jointly with NRI
and West Malling.
Action: The Chair requested a meeting with the Head of
Department and Head of Centre for Sports Science & Human
Performance to discuss sports science programmes.
Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences There were some positive
responses to the NSS, with 100% satisfaction in Chemistry and
Environmental Science. This year the BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences
programme was accredited, however, at that time the head of
department left the university. The School contacted the professional
body, who confirmed that the School had put adequate steps in place
and that the programme would keep its professional accreditation.
The BSc Chemistry and MChem Chemistry programmes are growing in
popularity, and consideration is being given to having a flagship MChem
programme as a progression route.
A review of all programmes is being undertaken, which is also providing
an opportunity to ensure programmes match up with current needs of
industry.
4.3
Update from NRI
The Institute won business worth £12.8 million, of which £4.3 million was
retained. In terms of teaching on the MSc programmes, 16 applied,
however, 13 have arrived to date.
Action: The Chair agreed to produce and circulate a template to
enable colleagues to complete departmental reports, to include a
report on the student employment data for departments, that
covers attainments, student experience and employment
outcomes.
FBES/13/05
Learning and Quality
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5.1
Update from Engineering
The School Director of Learning and Quality reported that the QA
function has been removed from Schools and moved into the Faculty.
As a part of this move a significant number of quality related matters will
revert to the Departments, e.g. extenuating circumstances and
programme reviews, however, assistance will continue to be offered by
the Quality Officers as necessary.
The School has published its QA operational guidelines and these were
applied to some of the reviews during the summer. All academic staff
received a copy, and they had also been requested to comment on the
web based tools for students. A sub-group of the original School
Learning and Quality Committee has been set up, the VLE Technology
Group, which had its first meeting in September.
Potential concerns are collaborations, as the Collaborative Operations
Committees are being discontinued and these had been very helpful.
The SMRD this year will be School based and the External Board
member confirmed that in terms of the School’s submission, the SRPD
is to be completed as the School and departments were structured on 1
August 2013.
5.2
Update from Science
The School Director of Learning and Quality reported that a number of
reviews are upcoming, although it is hoped to defer some, such as the
FdSc Biological Science delivered Bromley College, as the School
wants to align it with the BSc Biological Science programme delivered
by the School. A new Biology programme is being developed with NRI,
and this needs to be approved for September 2014 in-take.
The GEMTOOL system was being used at a programme leaders
meeting, when EDU were present to support the programme leaders in
preparation for future use. The Chair requested an update from the
Faculty QA Manager on GEMTOOL.
Action: The Chair and Faculty QA Manager agreed to meet for an
update on GEMTOOL.
5.3
Update from NRI
The Director reported that there is a need and desire to increase
involvement with the Faculty and this was welcomed by the Board.
5.4
Update from Faculty QA Manager
5.4.1 SMRD
The Faculty QA Manager reported that the deadline for completion of
the SMRD is
30 November, however, members were advised that currently there are
problems downloading the documents from Business Objects and
moving them into Business Intelligence. Concern was raised in the very
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short timeframe that was given in enabling Schools to produce adequate
reports, and this was noted.
5.4.2 Faculty Quality Assurance
The Faculty QA Manager provided an update on the QA arrangements
for the Faculty. The university’s new QA structure came into effect on 1
August 2012, which decentralised the function, and passed
management of the QA process to Schools. At Faculty level there is a
Faculty Academic Quality Unit consisting of the existing School Quality
Assurance Officers and newly appointed Quality Manager.
In terms of committees, there is a Faculty Quality and Standards
Committee and a Faculty Quality Sub Committee which is being led in
each School at the present time. In the future a Faculty Sub Committee
will remain in each School which will deal with localised QA matters. A
Faculty Enhancement Sub Committee is also being established, for
which the membership is to be agreed, but will encompass colleagues
who deliver teaching and have an interest in quality matters.
FBES/13/06
Research and Enterprise
6.1
Update from Engineering
The Chair reported that the Faculty has started its Research Symposium
series and requested that academic staff attend as many of these
events as possible in order to enhance its culture of research within the
Faculty.
The Faculty Operating Officer queried the university’s stance in
employing external consultants to provide expertise, when the university
has its own experts, and this was noted by the Board.
6.2
Update from Science
With regards to form one, 50% of staff are applying for funding every
year, which will total £9 million if successful. For form two, around 23
staff successfully bid for funds totalling £2.6 million. The School is
endeavouring to increase its opportunities to bid for funds by jointly
bidding with NRI and School of Pharmacy.
6.3
Update from NRI
The Director of Research reported that NRI have successfully won bids
totalling
£2.7 million since August, with an addition £1.5 million to be bid for. NRI
are also jointly bidding for funds with the School of Science and have a
bid with the Gates Foundation for £60,000. The REF needs to be
submitted to HEFCE in two months until have to submit REF to HEFCE.
The Director reported that a Queen’s Award for enterprise was
submitted last week.
The Chair reported that during the recent round of bids, of the 19 bids
that were forwarded a significant number had come from NRI.
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The Head of Civil Engineering suggested that it would be good if some
of NRI’s achievements could be published in the Times Higher
supplement.
FBES/13/07
Student Experience
7.1
Update following student survey
The Faculty Operating Officer reported that representatives from the
three universities have surveyed existing social space on the campus at
the request of Campus Management Board. A discussion paper making
recommendations on how these spaces can be used more flexibly will
be forwarded to Campus Management Board in October for
consideration.
7.2
Student matters
The student representative for Science requested representation on the
Board by research students and the Board agreed this would be helpful.
The student representative for Engineering reported that feedback from
first year students regarding transition week had been very positive.
FBES/13/08
Partnerships and International
The Chair reported that as a Faculty less income is derived from
partnerships in terms of the number of collaborative partners and
collaborative income than the other faculties, and the newly appointed
Director of Partnerships and International’s remit will therefore be to
increase this activity.
In terms of the distribution of collaborative income to schools, the
Faculty Operating Officer reported that a new financial model will need
to be implemented. Following discussion regarding monies received
from NYC Athens and SEGI in Malaysia, he agreed to meet with finance
to request that they put in writing what is happening with these funds
and provide an update at the next Faculty Board meeting.
Action: Faculty Operating Officer
It was noted that Engineering are no longer proceeding with a
partnership with ASU Bahrain.
FBES/13/09
Health and Safety
9.1
Update from Engineering
The School has had no problems or accidents to report.
9.2
Update from Science
The School received its 2012/13 safety analysis from the Safety Unit
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which had been positive. It had also received a review of the
recommendations following the previous year’s audit and this had
showed that all the recommendations had either been completed or
significantly progressed. The School has reviewed and updated its
Health and Safety Plan and will need to align it to the audit categories of
the audit template that the Safety Unit use to assist Schools. For the
year ahead focussing on three of the performance indicators, including
risk control, communication and competence, with a view to achieving
level three in the audit scores.
The School has piloted a new system that ensures students receive a
good risk assessment. Students are referred to the safety manual and
are assessed, whereby they are required to achieve 100% before they
are able to use the laboratory. MChem students are also having risk
assessment training.
9.3
Update from NRI
An analysis of the 2012/13 Safety Statement was accepted by the Safety
Unit. The new Health and Safety Advisor had undertaken a walkabout
of their facilities which had gone well. NRI’s third course of safety
training in field training will be held in January. Twelve people are able
to undertake this training, and the Director invited colleagues from
across the faculty to participate.
There had been a number of accident and incident reports, ranging from
mosquito bites and staff contracting malaria, and a PhD student’s
partner was robbed in Kenya whilst they were carrying out field work.
FBES13/10
Any other business
Members were informed that the Vice-Chancellor will be visiting the
campus which will provide an opportunity for him to meet senior staff,
undertake a tour of the campus and he has requested a QA session with
all staff. Details of the visit will be circulated as soon as available.
FBES/13/11
Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Faculty Board will be held on Wednesday, 4
December 2013 at 2.30 pm in Blake 028.
Secretary: L Barrett
Tel:
01634 883 026
Email:
L.P.Barrett@gre.ac.uk
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