Over 1,000 scholarships are available to undergraduate students joining London Metropolitan University in September 2013.
Date: 21/12/2012
Over 1,000 scholarships are available to undergraduate students joining London Metropolitan University in September 2013.
Students will receive £1,000 cash in their first year and fee waivers worth £1,000 for the remaining two years of their degree as part of the National Scholarship Programme.
There are 1,030 scholarships available, a testament to London Met’s commitment to providing affordable quality education in the heart of the capital. The University has already made efforts to keep its fees among the lowest the UK, and the latest scholarship programme reinforces this commitment to students.
Last year London Met offered 188 scholarships to new undergraduates, but this year, after listening to student feedback, the structure of the bursaries has changed and the number on offer has increased.
Sophie Cloutterbuck, Schools & Colleges Partnership Manager in London Met’s Widening Participation team, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer so many more scholarships this year, compared with those available last year. We have listened to students who told us that they would benefit from a cash bursary, and so that’s exactly what these scholarships will provide.
“A recent study by the National Union of Students shows that half of students who consider leaving university do so due to financial difficulty. These scholarships will help our students with those unexpected costs of university life, and we hope that they will make a real difference to students at London Met.”
The scholarships are available to undergraduates joining London Metropolitan University in autumn 2013.
(Updated 18 February 2013)
London Metropolitan University has launched a new Centre to transform leadership in the business world and beyond.
Date: 20/12/2012
London Metropolitan University has launched a new Centre to transform leadership in the business world and beyond.
The Centre for Progressive Leadership (CPL), based in the Business School, aims to connect cutting edge academic thinking with everyday leaders in both the private and public sectors.
The Centre has been established in response to events of recent years which have brought into question the nature and practice of leadership in all walks of life. It will challenge conventional notions of ‘effective leadership’ and draw conclusions on the kind of progressive leadership that would benefit organisations and communities today.
“Very little academic research and analysis is making it through to influence managerial practice, other than in a token manner,” said Professor Stephen Perkins, Dean of the Business School, home of the new Centre.
“The mission of the Centre for Progressive Leadership is to address those actively engaged in organisational leadership and who wish to be exposed to new thinking about how they can do it better.
“The explicit intent is to advance the progressive agenda in a way that is evidence-based and fit for purpose in the second decade of the 21st century.”
An inaugural conference officially launched the Centre on Wednesday 28 November 2012. Speakers included Peter Cheese, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Annemie Ress, Head of People Innovation at eBay, and Jennifer Douglas-Todd, Chief Executive and Chair of Hampshire Police Authority.
The Centre of Progressive Leadership highlights the Business School’s close links with the business world and will play a key role in tackling one of the biggest issues currently faced by organisations today.
Find out more about the Centre for Progressive Leadership
Julie Howell, Director of Libraries and Student Services, is set to swap the Learning Centre for law courts after retiring from London Met.
Date: 20/12/2012
Julie Howell, Director of Libraries and Student Services, is set to swap the Learning Centre for law courts after retiring from London Met.
Julie, who worked at the University for 34 years, has recently been sworn in as a magistrate.
“I have lived in Islington for 21 years and have worked here even longer, but now I want to give something back”, said Julie. “I’m always looking for new challenges and I’m sure being a magistrate will provide them!”
It was in 1978 that Julie started her career at London Met. Based at Ladbroke House at what was then the Polytechnic of North London, she was appointed Subject Librarian for Sociology and Applied Social Studies.
Over the following years Julie rose through the ranks, taking on further collections as the University grew. In 2002, when the University of North London joined with Guildhall University to create London Met, she found herself responsible for five libraries.
Many of the innovations that have taken place in the University’s library services have been down to her vision and understanding of the need to change in the sector.
“Libraries have changed immensely over the years”, she said. “The move to digital has transformed the way people use libraries and we have to stay one step ahead to adapt to that.”
So how does Julie see libraries developing in the future?
“The big trend I can see is a rise in data management. This is something that more and more libraries are tapping in to. Open access and self-publishing are also going to be major issues. Ultimately I think it’s important to constantly consider how we help students get what they require from libraries in an ever changing world.”
Despite a career among the bookshelves, Julie is not going to stray too far from libraries in her retirement. A passion for ancient and Native American history means she is planning on undertaking historical research in her spare time.
“I think I’ll be making lots of trips to the British Museum to listen to talks on Roman archaeology and Egyptology! I also hope to travel to some of the major Native American sites and develop my knowledge in this area too.”
History isn’t Julie’s only interest though. A keen singer, she performs in two community choirs and even sang at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She hopes to do even more singing in the future, as well as pursuing another passion - dance.
“I like doing zumba as it’s a great way to exercise, but I also enjoy a lot of jazz and contemporary dance. I’m also thinking of doing some belly dancing”, she said.
Despite having an action-packed retirement in store, Julie says she will miss her role at London Met, a job she recalls with great fondness.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here, the University has always been very good to me and I will miss my colleagues. However I am reconciled to retiring. You reach a time where you think ‘I want to do something else’, whilst there’s still time to do it!
“Also, you have to step aside for younger colleagues who will have their own contributions to make.”
We wish Julie the very best for her well-earned retirement.
