ISSUE 2

LSBF WINS PQ AWARDS p. 8-9

WELL-BEING AT WORK p. 20-21

YOU’RE HAVING A LAUGH! p. 22-23

STAFF NEWSROUNDUP

2

CHAT! CONTENTS

News room

C o n t e n t s

6New school launched: GICIS

8LSBF wins two PQ Awards

New partnerships 10

GUS partners with Africa House London 12

Sceptre Court opened by Prince Michael of Kent 14

WelcomeWelcome to the Spring edition of Chat! 4

3

CHAT! CONTENTS

EventsLondon 18

Manchester 18

Birmingham 18

Toronto 19

Singapore 19

Hannover 19

I n t roduc ingMeet Ross Stuart Metherell 16

:)You’re having a laugh! 22

Wel l -be ing a t workFood & Exercise 20

4

CHAT! WELCOME

Welcome to the SPRING EDITION

of Chat!

Since the last issue, a lot has happened at GUS – not only have we won prizes at the PQ Awards for the sixth year running, but a pioneering new school of cyber security has been added to our ranks.

We would also like to welcome all of the institutes that have recently partnered with our schools, and all of our newly hired staff members too.

In this issue, you’ll meet Ross Stuart Metherell, our new director of sports and corporate programmes, catch up on any GUS developments that you might have missed, and get some tips on staying energised during the spring months.

I hope you enjoy it!

Helen Gould,Chat! EditorH

ELE

N G

OU

LD

7

CHAT! NEWS ROOM

NEW SCHOOL LAUNCHED: GLOBAL INSTITUTE OF

CYBER, SECURITY, AND INTELLIGENCE

We are pleased to announce the launch of a brand new school: the Global Institute of Cyber, Security, and Intelligence (GICIS). GICIS will offer short courses on topics such as cyber resilience, counter-terrorism, online policing, and security.

The school and its website were launched with an event at Sceptre Court, with academics and representatives from the cyber industry in attendance.

After a formal welcome from Professor Maurits van Rooijen and an introduction to the day from Dr Martin Wright, the academic director of GICIS, there were several speeches on how to address the skills gap in cyber-security.

Andrea Simmons, the Chief Information Security Officer of HP Enterprise Services, gave a keynote address on how cyber-security became a thriving industry and the importance of learning about the latest developments.

“Cyber security is not new as a concept: there’s a history, and if you don’t understand it you can’t adequately educate in it,” she said. “It absolutely is all about the education, but a broader, deeper education.”

Ms Simmons also spoke about the necessity for all levels of a business to pay attention to cyber security, not just an IT department.

“Security is everyone’s responsibility. Everybody’s involved, and everyone should have an informed say.”

Other speakers included Paul Bayer from Stuart Hyde Associates, Howard Lamb from the Federation against Copyright Theft (FACT), and Dr Alfred Rolington from CSI.

You can find out more about this new school on the GICIS website: http://gicis.org

8

CHAT! NEWS ROOM

L O N D O N S C H O O L O F B U S I N E S S &

LSBF has won Private Sector Lecturer of the Year and NQ of the Year at this

year’s PQ Awards.

This is the sixth consecutive year that LSBF has won prizes at the PQ Awards, which recognise the best institutions, teachers, and students in the accountancy education field.

The Private Sector Lecturer of the Year was awarded to David Laws, who has been an ACCA lecturer for LSBF since 2007.

He has nearly two decades of experience in teaching, and has written articles for CIMA’s student magazine.

9

CHAT! NEWS ROOM

F I N A N C E W I N S T W O P Q AWA R D S

NQ of the Year went to Kyle Tyrell, who passed all of his exams first time and became fully qualified in 2013.

Since then, he has been promoted to finance business partner at AXA Insurance and is directly responsible for £35 million GWP annually.

Kyle said: “I genuinely didn’t expect to win, and so when they called my name I must say I was in a little bit of shock. I owe an awful lot to LSBF and my amazing lecturers, who ensured I got through all of my exams as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Rob Sowerby, Director of Professional Training Programmes, said: “I am delighted that we have won at the PQ awards yet again. For David to receive tutor of the year is no surprise; he is one of three tutors at LSBF who have been rewarded. To receive the NQ of the Year award was fantastic and displays our ongoing commitment to teaching excellence.”

LSBF have previously won several PQ awards, including

Accountancy College of the Year, Accountancy

Personality of Year, and Lecturer of the Year, as well as many awards for our PQ and NQ students.

We look forward to similar results next year!

10

CHAT! NEWS ROOM

News Room New Parnerships

11

CHAT! NEWS ROOM

Over the last few months, LCCA have signed contracts with Universite Catholique de Lille, and will be delivering a new set of master’s degrees in marketing and communications.

St Patrick’s has also partnered with Global Education Counselling (GEC) to launch the brand new International Degree Foundation Programme, offering students a new way to study business.Meanwhile, LSBF in Singapore welcomed Ningbo International School as an affiliate, which is one of the biggest international schools in Zhejiang. The partnership will provide a pathway for their students to progress onto LSBF’s bilingual programmes.

In the first week of 2015, three universities from Australia and New Zealand also joined LSBF in Singapore: Teesside University, University of Canterbury, and the University of Southern Queensland.

Stay tuned for more updates on the growth of GUS!

GUS is a constantly developing group, with many new institutions and colleges regularly creating enduring partnerships with our schools.

12

CHAT! NEWS ROOM

Africa House London (AHL) is a not-for-profit enterprise promoting direct trade for sustainable wealth between the UK and Africa. It aims to add value to new and existing trade and business relationships. GUS’s successful engagement with the African continent has included teaching thousands of on-campus and online students as well as valued

corporate and governmental partners. We believe that most important issues for African economies are education, developing skills, and responsible corporate and social governance, as well as positive engagement and partnership with the global economy. That’s why we want to be part of AHL’s new initiative, Africa For Growth. It is designed to increase bilateral trade and investment between the UK and Africa, which we can really get behind. We look forward to the success of this wonderful partnership!

G L O B A L U N I V E R S I T Y

S Y S T E M S partners with

AFRICA HOUSE LONDON

We believe that most important issues for African economies are education, developing skills, and responsible corporate and social governance

14

CHAT! NEWS ROOM

P R I N C E M I C H A E L O F K E N T

GUS was honoured to welcome LSBF’s Royal

Patron His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent to Sceptre Court to officially

open the campus.

Students, academics, corporate partners and business leaders were all in attendance for this auspicious occasion.

In his speech, HRH Prince Michael of Kent said: “We in Britain are part of a globalised economy where business success is often dependent on integrating with other international markets.”

“That is why it is so important that we equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills to meet both local and international business challenges.”

15

CHAT! NEWS ROOM

O P E N S S C E P T R E C O U R T

Professor Maurits van Rooijen, LSBF’s Rector and CEO, said: “London’s reputation as an international business hub makes it a great classroom for business students. As well as expanding our operations in the capital, we’re also aiming to further support City employers with highly skilled talent.”

“It has always been our goal to provide our students with not just the academic knowledge, but also with a range of work-integrated learning opportunities.

Students and young professionals aiming to get access to top employers and career progression opportunities could not be in a better location.”

With a fully functional trading floor, classrooms and offices, the campus at Sceptre Court will accommodate nearly 3,000 students, offering a wide range of courses including MBAs, Masters in Finance and Masters in Marketing.

16

CHAT! MEET

M e e tR o s s S t u a r t

M e t h e r e l l

NEW DIRECTOR OF SPORTS AND CORPORATE PROGRAMMES

17

CHAT! MEET

What are you going to be doing from day to day?I’ve got lots to do to get all the contracts in place. The main task at the moment is overseeing the partnership with LFC and launching the education in football programmes that we’re doing this summer. We’ll be fine as long as we get everything out at the end of the month.

Can you tell us more about your background?Workwise, it’s been around a lot of franchising and license agreements. I was with the United Franchise Group and I looked after their franchises and opportunities in the UK. I was developing businesses and growing schools and from there I moved into the Arsenal role. I was running all the Arsenal-led summer school programmes. Being able to play on the pitch was a dream come true!

What do you want to achieve in your role by this time next year?This time next year I want to have had six successful courses this summer and look at other potential opportunities outside of football. I’d like to look at other sports – rugby, tennis, horse riding. We’ll have an infrastructure in place – why not offer other sports, as well as looking at some more full-time courses? There’s huge opportunity out there, it’s just making sure we can make this partnership work.

What did you want to be when you were young?I wanted to be a footballer when I was younger. Many years ago I played football for Watford FC and Brent, and then moved into coaching when

I finished playing and from there went into sales and management roles. I got to a certain level and some of my friends actually played in the Premiership and that was good to see.

What has changed since you started work?The time when I was working in the community isn’t like it is now. Now they’re called foundations and there’s huge numbers of staff. It’s a lot more professionally operated now as opposed to going back 10 – 15 years. Now there’s a lot more available to children. Previously there wouldn’t have been these classes that we’re going to run this summer. They weren’t available. It’s a great opportunity to be able to deliver language and leadership programmes to overseas students. I think the way it’s going is a massive improvement.

What do you get up to in your spare time?I’ve got two young girls. Most of my spare time is spent driving them around to various classes or birthday parties and if it’s not with them, I like to keep as fit as I can.

What is the most important thing you’ve learnt?Honesty. I just feel if you’re honest with people and share the correct information then at least everyone knows. The worst thing is when you try and hide things and cover things up. You lose trust in any relationship, but especially in a business environment. Any sort of aspect of your life – I just think honesty is the best policy, even if it upsets people. You can face the problem then instead of covering it up.

Finally, tell me something you’re really proud of – not necessarily work related.From a work point of view it’s probably what I achieved at Arsenal and United Franchise Groups. In both of those I was going into places where they’d been neglected and I’m proud of turning that around. In more recent years it’s having my girls; I’m proud of them.

RO

SS S

TU

AR

T M

ET

HE

RE

LL

LONDON

BNY Mellon Boat RaceHead down to the banks of the Thames to watch the annual boat race between Oxford and Cambridge universities on 11 April. This year, the teams are joined for the first time by the Newton Women’s Boat Race. This is one of the city’s only free sporting events, so make sure you’re there!

Alice’s Adventures UndergroundTo mark the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s novel, Les Enfants Terribles are showing their production Alice’s Adventures Underground from 9 April to 31 May. The production will be staged in the historic vaults under Waterloo Station, and includes live music, storytelling, circus and puppetry.

Wildlife Photographer of the YearThe Natural History Museum is showcasing the 50th anniversary collection for Wildlife Photographer of the Year until 30 August, displaying breath-taking images of wildlife. Entry is £12.60.

MANCHESTER

Paul Simon and Sting: On Stage TogetherThe Phones4U arena brings you two musical legends in one night on 13 April. On the European leg of their tour, the Paul Simon and Sting are playing Manchester for one night only. Tickets: from £57.

Cirque SurrealOne of the most exciting circuses of the 21st century is coming to the Trafford Centre from 10 – 27 April. The two-hour long show includes acrobatics, stunts and comedy showcased by some of the world’s most talented performers. Tickets: from £12.

Gretchen PetersAward-winning singer, songwriter, and guitarist Gretchen Peters will appear at the Royal Northern College of Music on 2 April. She will perform songs from her albums The Secret of Life and Halcyon, amongst other hits. Tickets: £22.

BIRMINGHAM

Who Do You Think You Are? Live Popular BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are comes to the Birmingham NEC from 16 – 18 April. Discover your family tree with their one-to-one research sessions (£16 - £33).

Derren Brown: MiracleLive from the New Alexandra Theatre, Derren Brown will be captivating audiences from 30 March to 11 April with his renowned psychological illusions. Tickets: up to £51.

Photography for Compact Cameras The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is hosting a workshop on 25 April for those looking to get to grips with their compact cameras. The course costs £50, with sessions held every Saturday until 16 May.

18

CHAT! EVENTS

EVENTSLO

ND

ON

EV

EN

TS

19

CHAT! EVENTS

HA

NN

OV

ER

EV

EN

TS

TORONTO

Good Friday ParadeHeld in Little Italy, the Good Friday Parade includes a re-enactment of Christ’s walk towards his crucifixion. People throughout Toronto will take part, holding candles and possibly dressing up for the occasion. This year, Good Friday is on 3 April.

National Hockey League Play-offs The Air Canada Centre will host two NHL games on 5 and 11 April: Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs, and Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens. Join the crowds to experience the incredible atmosphere and see who’ll get a step closer to winning the Stanley Cup.

Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival North America’s largest documentary film festival is back from 23 April to 3 May, presenting more than 100 films from around the world. With master classes and workshops available, this is an event that any self-confessed film buff shouldn’t miss. Single tickets are priced from $17.

SINGAPORE

Medium at Large The Singapore Art Museum is exploring the idea of medium in contemporary art in their new exhibition, Medium at Large. The exhibition, which will close in May, looks at the increasing instability of categories of medium as they continue to blend into each other. Make sure to visit it before it closes!

World Gourmet SummitThe World Gourmet Summit brings fine dining and themed dinners together in one event and celebrates some of the world’s most prestigious chefs. Held in Jalan Kilang from 14 – 25 April, this is your opportunity to indulge in culinary delights prepared by experts.

Shakespeare in the ParkEnjoy Shakespeare’s The Tempest in the beautiful Fort Canning Park on 29 April. This highly anticipated event brings an impressive creative team and a talented cast together in one play. Weekday shows cost S$45 and Saturday shows S$55.

HANNOVER

MESSE The world’s leading industry trade show and specialist conference is back from 13 – 17 April, hosted in Messegelände. 180,000 visitors from across the globe are expected, making this the perfect opportunity to expand your professional network. A full event ticket costs €76 on the door.

Sleeping Beauty Jörg Mannes’ adaptation of Sleeping Beauty elegantly combines ballet with the classic fairy tale, with the performance taking place at Staatsoper until 12 April. Prices range from €18.50 to €63.50.

Before Modernism The Sprengel Museum is showing a new exhibition dedicated entirely to the art that influenced the modernism movement until 19 April.

20

CHAT! WELL-BEING AT WORK

Well-being at work Exercise & Recipe

21

CHAT! WELL-BEING AT WORK

With the weather finally starting to warm up for most of us, this is the perfect time to take up a new hobby and start enjoying the sun.

EXERCISE

Regular exercise will make you feel more energetic as well as improving your mood and general sense of well-being – you just have to get past the difficult first few minutes! A good way to get some motivation to exercise is to play a team sport. Choose something you think you’ll enjoy, whether it’s martial arts, tennis, or synchronised swimming, and have some fun!

The top ten sports played around the world are: 1. Soccer/football2. Cricket3. Basketball4. Hockey5. Tennis6. Volleyball7. Table tennis8. Baseball9. Rugby/American football10. Golf

If you’re more of a solitary type, there’s always the wonders of technology – a workout DVD, a game on the Wii, or a dancemat can all help to keep you healthy.

RECIPE: MOROCCAN CHICKPEA SOUP

Bring a taste from warmer lands to your table with this soup. Add chorizo for a meatier flavour!

Ingredients1 tbsp olive oil1 medium onion, chopped2 celery sticks, choppedGround cumin (to taste)600ml vegetable stock400g can chopped plum tomatoes400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained100g broad beans½ lemon, zest and juice Chopped herbs (coriander or parsley work well)

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan.2. Fry the onion and celery gently for 10 minutes until softened, stirring frequently. 3. Tip in the cumin and fry for another minute.4. Turn up the heat, then add the stock, tomatoes and chickpeas, plus a good grind of black pepper. 5. Simmer for 8 minutes. 6. Add the broad beans and lemon juice.7. Cook for a further 2 minutes. 8. Season to taste, then top with a sprinkling of lemon zest and chopped herbs. 9. Serve with flatbread.

22

CHAT! YOU’RE MAKING ME LAUGH

At the end of a job interview, the interviewer asked a young engineer: “What starting salary were you looking for?”

The engineer replied: “In the region of £125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.”

The interviewer enquired: “Well, what would you say to 30 days holiday, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every 2 years?”

The engineer sits up straight and says, “Wow! Are you kidding?”

And the interviewer replies, “Well, you started it.”

No wonder English is so hard to learn:

We polish the Polish furniture.

A farm can produce produce.

The dump was so full it had to refuse refuse.

The soldier decided to desert in the desert.

The present is a good time to present the present.

I did not object to the object.

The insurance for the invalid was invalid.

The bandage was wound around the wound.

I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

I spent last evening evening out a pile of dirt.

“How is your new job?” One man asked another.

“Oh, I’m not going back there.”

“Why not?”

“For many reasons,” he answered.

“The sloppiness, the shoddy workmanship, the awful language – they just couldn’t put up with it.”

A voice on the office loudspeaker announced: “We will shortly be testing the emergency speaker system to make sure it works properly.”

However, all confidence in this safety precaution faded when the voice added: “If you are unable to hear this announcement, please contact us.”

YOU’RE HAVING A LAUGH!

Send in your best jokes and funny stories to hgould@globaluniversitysystems.com!

STAFF NEWS ROUNDUP ISSUE 2

Global University Systems Staff NewsletterIssue 2