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SUMMER 2011

Maritime milestone

Vision for 2020Enterprising future

ISSUE 7

1. White Paper

2. Music Industry

4. 3D Technology

6. Record Rowing

7. Eco Ernie

10. Vision for 2020

14. Maritime Musings

15. Enterprise Guru 16. Ship Handling

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HOW TO CONTACT US:Send your news, views, queries and comments to:ThePressandPROfficer,SouthamptonSolentUniversity,EastParkTerrace,SouthamptonSO140RB.Telephone:02380319040Email:[email protected]

Designed and published by:SouthamptonSolentUniversity’sMarketingandCommunicationsServicePrinted by:CedarColour

SMILEfest 2011Page 2

Art goes outPage 8

Ship Handling CentrePage 16

Summer 2011|1

PROFILE | ISSUE 7

The long awaited White Paper on Higher Education was published on June 28. Much of its key

content was trailed beforehand and there were few surprises.

Looking forwardBeneathacommitmenttothestudent‘asconsumer’thereisaclearintentiontopromotecompetition,drivedowncostsandstaywithingovernmentspendingconstraints.

Thereisawelcomecommitmenttosocialmobilityandopenaccess,butthisisqualifiedbythecosttothetaxpayerandanemphasisuponhelpingthemosttalentedstudentsfromdisadvantagedgroupsgainaccessto‘elite’universities.

Themostimportantpolicychangesconcernfeesandfunding.Thegovernmentwillinitiallycreateapoolof85,000studentplacesthatuniversitiescanbidforfrom2012/13oneithera‘quality’or‘price’basis.Thepoolwillbecreatedthroughan8%cutinrealnumbersacrosstheHEsector.

Sixtyfivethousandoftheplaceswillbeavailabletouniversitieswhoseintakemeetshigherentryrequirements(atleastAABatALevel)withafurther20,000placesopentothosechargingafeeof£7,500orless.Thelatteris

explicitly(butnotexclusively)opentoFurtherEducationcollegesandprivateproviderswhomthegovernmentwishestoencouragebothoncostanddiversitygrounds.However,weareoptimisticthatour£7,800feelevel,whentranslatedintonetterms,willmeanthatwequalifyfortheprice-basednumberspool.

TheWhitePaperalsoidentifiestheneedforuniversitiestoprovidebetterinformationforstudentsaboutcourses,aqualityregimethatisproportionatetotheindividualneedsofuniversities,andanewroleforHEFCEasaregulatorand‘championofthestudentconsumer’.

OfsignificantinteresttoSolentistheintentiontocontinuetheWideningParticipationpremium,althoughwearestillawaitingfurtherdetails.TheWhitePaperalsopointstothepossibleremovalofVATforsharedservices,corporationtaxreform,andaddressestechnicalissuesaroundtheapplicationoftheNationalMinimumWagetouniversitystudents.

ThemajorstrategicopportunitiesforSouthamptonSolentUniversity,ifdemandcanbemaintained,includecompetingonpriceforgreaterstudentnumbers,innovativepartnershipwithFurtherEducationandthedevelopmentofemployerengagement,employabilityandtheenterpriseagenda.

IftheUniversitywereacarcompanyitwouldbeaSkoda:VWtechnologyandreliability,butbettercustomerserviceandbettervalueformoney.

Professor Van J GoreVice-Chancellor

ISSUE 7|??????

2|Summer 2011

Right: ???Top left: ???

A host of Solent students have been inspired to make their mark in the music industry, after a

glittering collection of new and established talent shared their skills, stories and performances on

and off stage.

ThesecondSolentMusicIndustriesLiveEvent(SMILE)builtonthesuccessoflastyear’sinauguralprojectorganisedbyMusicJournalismCourseLeaderDrMartinJames.Hisvisionwastoholdaconcentratedweekoftalks,workshopsandperformancesfromindustryexperts,fusingenthusiasmwithinsighttohelpstudentsidentifyachievableandexcitingcareerpaths.

“TheideaofSMILEisthatstudents–whoarebothtalentedanddedicated–realisetheycanturntheirskillsandpassionsintorewardingemploymentinaflourishingindustry,”explainedMartin.

Thisyear’sfive-daySMILEfestivalhosted40bandsperforminginnineSouthamptonvenues,withmorethan100studentstakingpartincourse-relatedchallengesandassessments.

Meanwhile,topprofessionals–including

musicjournalists,rockphotographersandfestivalorganisers–liftedthelidontheirlivesatthevortexofathrivingindustry.

“Studentscamefacetofacewithkeyfiguresfromtheinternationalmusicindustries,duringaneclecticmixoftasksandtrialswhichsawthemperforming,producingandpromoting,”saidMartin.

MusicfestivalaceMarkCann–right-handmantoGlastonburyguruMichaelEavis–talkedofthemixtureofmeticulousplanningandnail-bitingmayhemthatgoesintothebiggestperformanceartsfestivalintheworld,andonewhereSolentstudentsenjoyexclusiveworkexperienceopportunities.

RockphotographerPatPopedescribedhowhisadmirationoftheiconicDavidBowiesethimonhiswaytobecomingaprolificmusicphotographer.Hisshots–includingapensiveportraitofSting,as

wellastheinfamousGallagherbrothersatadesertedrailwaystation–gracedmanyalbumandmusicmagazinecovers.

Ontheperformanceendofthespectrum,specialacts–includingGallowsandReverendandtheMakers–sharedtheirstorieswithacaptivatedaudience,whileSolentmusiciansgaveestablishedactsarunfortheirmoneyatgigsacrossthecity.

ProductionandPerformancestudentstookoverSolent’smusicstudiostorecordanalbuminoneday,whichreceivedmaximumexposurethroughanonlinecampaignputtogetherbyMusicPromotionstudents.

“Manythoughtitcouldn’tbedone,butthestudentsdidanincrediblejobinjustninehours,”saidMartin.

PopularMusicJournalismandMagazineJournalismandFeatureWritingstudents

You Gotta SMILE

Summer 2011|3

??????????????? | ISSUE 7

ThisyearsawtheproductionofthefirsteverSMILEfestcompilationCD,featuringsomeofSolent’sfinestmusictalent.The2011Collectioncontainsavastrangeofstylesbyartistswhoarealreadymakingwaveswithinthemusicindustries.

ItwascompiledbyalevelthreeMusicPromotionteamaspartofacollaborativeassessmentandthemusicwasdrawnfrommorethan80demossubmittedbystudentsforSMILE’s‘DemoJury’event.

SMILE CD

producedamagazineinaday.UnderthedirectionofCarlLoben,deputyeditorofDJmagazine,andIestynGeorge,formernewseditorofNMEandfeatureseditorofGQ,the20-pagemagazine,AudioAddict,surpassedexpectations.

“Itwasincrediblyenjoyabletotakeupthechallengewiththestudents,whoallworkedtoanextremelyhighstandard,”saidCarl.

Musicpromotion,mediaandperformancestudentsstagedgigsfortheregion’stopacts–includingMorningParadeandIdentityThief–atkeyvenuesincludingHamptons,TheJoinersandPop.

ThefestivalculminatedatSouthampton’sSoulCellar,withperformancesbysomeoftheUniversity’shottestacts,includingTheWidowmakerandFlyFrankieFly.“Wehadafantasticweek.Through

interactionandcollaboration,ourstudentswereabletoexperiencetheprocessesinvolvedinbeingapartofaprofessionalteam,”saidMartin.

AfterthetwohugelysuccessfulSMILEs,industrystarsarekeentoaddittotheirdiariesasawaytopassonknowledgeandattractnewtalent.MusicProducerandBestivalfounderRobDaBank,said:“Solentstudentsareanattentiveaudienceandthey’veaskedsomecrackingquestions.Aswellasthat,I’vebookedbandsforBestivalonthebackofSMILE.It’ssomethingI’llkeepcomingbackto.”

CarlLobenfollowedupthisyear’seventbyofferingonestudentworkwithDJmagazine.

KarenPiper,ofonlinepromotioncompanyRadarmaker,offeredoneMusicPromotionsstudentaninvaluablesummerplacement.

4|Summer 2011

ISSUE 7|TECHNOLOGY

Screen goes faster

TheMaritimeandTechnologyfacultyhasseenathree-foldincreaseinapplicantsimpressedbythesound,broadcastandfilmingfacilitiesthatareamongthebestintheUK.

SolentistheUK’sonlyuniversitywithitsown3Ddigitalcinemafacilities.Oneofthelargestprivatescreensinthecountry,itisequippedwithmorethan5,000wattsofdigitalsound.The3Ddigitalprojector–aninvestmentofmorethan£70,000–givesstudentsthechancetofilmandscreentheirworktothehighestindustryspecsandlearnabouttheunderpinningtechnology.

“Nootheruniversityhasthis,soSolent

studentsareextremelyfortunate.They’regettingtolearnexcitingskillsfirsthand,givingthemgreatemploymentprospects,”explainedSeniorLecturerinCommunicationsEngineering,RogerLownsborough.

Thefacultyalsohousesanewlyequippedtelevisionstudio,withthreecameras,greenscreen,thelatestsoundandLEDlightingequipment.Italsoenjoystheabilitytotakelivefeedsfromitsoutsidebroadcastunit.

A£100,000Sonycamera,and£120,000worthofequipmentincludesavisionmixergiftedfromMTV.Withexpertadvicefromlecturersandcontacts

fromgraduatesworkinginMTV,DolbyandSony,Solentstudentsareontracktoshineinoneofthefastestgrowingindustries.

“Solentstudentshaveallthetechnologythattheywouldexpecttocomeacrossintheindustry,coveringliveeventsorbroadcastingfromtelevisionstudios.Oncetheyseewhatwehave,prospectivestudentsaredesperatetogetonourcourses,”saidRoger.

Incredible equipment, great contacts and quality training is getting Solent’s graduates the cutting-

edge jobs that are the future of film.

theonlyuniwith3Ddigitalcinema

Summer 2011|5

TECHNOLOGY | ISSUE 7

SolentUniversity’susabilitylabexplorestheeffectivenessofwebsitesthrougharangeofscientifictests,includinganeyetracker,whichmapsexactlywherepeoplearelookingandclickingwhentheygoonscreen.

“Theeyetrackerallowscompaniestoviewpreciselywhereuserslookanddonotlookontheirwebsitewhengivencertaintasks.Forexample,youcantellifusersnoticebuttons,links,menusorimageswhenaskedtobuyaproductonawebsite,”explainedSolent’sLeadUserExperienceConsultant,LesterWeier.

Usingarangeofintegratedfacilities,includingrecordingequipment,onewaymirrorsandsoundproofedrooms,theusabilityfacilitycantesthowpeopleusevideogamesandwebsitesbyexamininghowtheytracktoolssuchaslinksandsearchengines.

“Observerscanwatchgroupsofcomputer-usersnavigatingtheirwaythroughwebsites.Theycanrecordfacialexpressions–suchasconfusionorsatisfaction–andongoingcomments.Arangeofotherbehaviours,includingrecordingsoftimespentondifferentareasofthescreen,meanthataninvaluablemixofquantitativeandqualitativedatacanbuildupathoroughpicture,”explainedSeniorLecturerinComputing,DavidCox.

Butitistheeyetracker–developedbySwedishcompany,Tobii–thatisprovingmostusefulforanincreasingnumberofstudents,academicsandbusinesses,whohaveusedittoavoidmakingthekindofmistakesthatleavebrowsersmuddled,maddenedorjustmixedup.

Eyetrackingprovidesobjectivedatathroughaheatseekingseriesofdotsthatpicksuptherapidmovementsofeyes.Itgivesauniqueinsightintofirstglances,searchpatternsandfailedsearches.

“Solent’susabilitylab–withthisvarietyoftools–isparticularlyusefulforcompanieswhocandotheresearchandthen,basedontheresults,approachstakeholdersforsupportwithwebsitechangesoravoidcostlymistakes.

“Thereareveryfewplacesavailableintheregionwiththeeyetracker,”explainedLester.

“Itaddstothevaluableinformationwearegivingonwhatdevicesattractattentionandwhereimportantcontentshouldbeplaced,theclarityofsymbolsandareasthatarelookedatbutnotclickedon.”

Aswellashundredsofstudentstestingouttheusefulnessoftheirownwebsitesfordegreeprojects,theusabilitysessionshavebeenusedbyexternalcompanies,includingSkandia,SouthamptonCityCouncilandAviva.

Thehigh-techequipmentisjustpartoftheappealofthesessions,whichincludeexpertstaffbeingabletocarryoutlivetestviewing,analysis,statisticaldata,recommendations,participantfeedbackandpost-testinterviewresponses.

FormerSouthamptonCityCouncilStakeholderManager,ClaireHall,said:“WeusedtheSolentusabilityfacilitiestoimproveourfamilyfocusedwebsite.Beingabletoseereal-timewebcustomerinteractionenabledustoplanchangestomakeourwebsitemoreuserfriendlyandincreaseonlinetraffic.”

A system that follows people’s eye movements as they navigate computer screens is helping

businesses to improve their online appeal.

Technologykeepscompanies on track

“Theeyetrackerallowscompaniestoviewwhereuserslook…”

ISSUE 6|SPORT

6|Summer 2011

Film legend’s fellowshipFilmlegend,SirAlanParker,cameontocampustoacceptaVisitingFellowship.TheOscarnominatedandBAFTAwinningwriter,directorandproducerwasinterviewedinfrontofanaudienceofFilmandTVstudentsandstaffbeforegettinghisawardfromFacultyoftheCreativeIndustriesandSocietyDean,ProfessorRodPilling.

SirAlan–directorofBugsyMalone,MidnightExpress,Fame,PinkFloyd:TheWall,MississippiBurning,TheCommitments,EvitaandAngela’sAshes-advisedSolent’syoungfilmmakerstoretaintheirvisionanddotheirprepbeforeshooting.

Paralympics make a splashHampshireschoolchildrenwithphysical,sensoryandlearningdifficultiesweregiventhechancetogetinvolvedinwatersports,thankstoaninteractiveeventsponsoredbySolentUniversity.

‘CapturetheWave’washeldatActiveNationChamberlayneLeisureCentreinSouthamptontoencouragechildrentotakeadvantageoflocalsailing,swimmingandrowingopportunities.

TheeventwasheldincollaborationwithSportHampshireandIsleofWight,HampshireCountyCouncilandSouthamptonCityCouncil.

Two Solent University student rowers smashed the World and

British indoor 24 hour rowing records, while raising more than

£2,000 for charity.

BA(Hons)Sport(CoachingandDevelopment)student,AndyHammondandOfficerCadet(MarineOperations)RichardBoydonrowedmorethan250kmonaConcept2rowingmachine,breakingtheindoorUnder-20worldand20-29Britishheavyweightrecordsforthefurthestdistancerowedin24hours.

Andy–whorecentlyachievedthe500metreLightweightgoldattheWelsh,ScottishandEnglishChampionships–keptupanaveragespeedof10.5kmperhourtosmashtheexistingMen’sUnder-20Indoorworldrecordwithastaggering265,386m.

Hesaid:“Icouldn’thavebrokentherecordonmyown.HavingRichardbymyside,aswellasthesupportofSolentstudentsandstaffmadeitpossible.”

Richard,whowonagoldmedalfor2000mHeavyweightattheScottish

NationalChampionshipsearlierthisseason,broketheBritish20-29IndoorHeavyweightrecordafterrowingmorethan274,000metres.Hesaid:“I’donlyeverrowedcontinuouslyforthreehoursbeforetheattempt,sothiswasarealchallenge.Ihadacoupleoflowperiods,butwhenIrealisedIwasactuallyinwithachance,Ipushedmyselffurther.”

Bothrowers,whoraised£2,000forHelpforHeroesthroughtherecord-breakingevent,burntmorethan30,000caloriesandkeptthemselvesgoingwithflapjacksandenergybars.

RecreationSupervisor(HealthandFitness)JamesGrantsaid:“AndyandRichard’srecordbreakingperformanceshighlightedthededication,commitmentanddriveofthewholeSolentrowingteam,whichhaswon22medalsinbothindoorandoutdoorrowingthisseason.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Record breaking rowers

ENTERPRISE | ISSUE 6

Summer 2011|7

Enterprising ErnieSocial enterprises – not-for-profit organisations run on business models – are playing an

increasingly important role in our communities. Solent University’s social enterprise project, Eco

Ernie, is giving students the opportunity to develop important skills, while helping to improve the

lives of Southampton residents.

Therecyclingfloathaswonastringofawardssinceitwaslaunchedtwoyearsagotohelpcleanupthestudent-populatedPolygonareaofthecity.ProjectleaderLouiseDrakewasrecentlyawardedaprestigiousUnLtd/HigherEducationFundingCouncilforEngland(HEFCE)award,whileEcoErniewasalsoshortlistedforthe2011NationalRecyclingAwards.TheprojectalsoreceivedtheTimesHigherOutstandingContributiontotheCommunityAwardandtheLocalGovernmentChronicleAwardforCommunityInvolvement.

Manywereimpressedbytheinnovation

andcreativepartnershipsinvolvedinthecommunity-basedrecyclinginitiative–underpinnedbystaffandstudentvolunteersinpartnershipwiththeCityCouncil,BaptistChurchandlocalcharities.EcoErniehasgeneratedsignificantfundsforcharitiesthroughcollectingunwantedtextilesfromstudentsastheyleavetheirrentedhomesintheSummer.Lastyear,theprojectgavetheHampshireandIsleofWightAirAmbulanceitsbiggestevertextiledonation,whichwascreditedwithhelpingtokeepitairborne.

WhilearangeofcharitiesacrossSouthamptonbenefittedfromcollectionsofbric-a-brac,booksandelectricalequipment,thetidierstreetsandco-operativeapproachtodoorsteprecyclingimprovedrelationsbetweenstudentsandresidents.ProjectleaderLouiseDrakesaid:“Theprojectstandsoutbecauseofthestrengthofthepartnershipswe’vecreatedinthecommunity.

“TheawardshighlightthesuccessofEcoErnieandthehardworkofeverypersonwhohasbeeninvolved.Ihopemyownawardinspiresotherstogivetheirideaago,nomatterhowwildorcrazyitmayseem.Ifyouhavethepassionanddedication,anythingcanbeachieved.”

DeputyVice-ChancellorRichardBlackwelladded:“VolunteeringandsocialenterpriseactivitieswillformakeypartofSolentUniversity’sfuturestrategyand‘offer’tostudents.”

…manywereimpressedbytheinnovation…

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Summer 2011|9

ARTS | ISSUE 7

TheUniversityissettorunanewpublicgalleryandexhibitionspace–thefirstmajorinitiativeinSouthampton’snewartsquarter.Itisalsoopeningacitycentreschoolofartanddesign,whichwillofferartsandspecialeffectsfacilitiesforstudentsandcommunitygroups.

Thenewdevelopmentscomeafteragreatyearfor‘outsideart’throughtheUniversity’sMillaisoff-siteprojects,whichhavehostedarangeofcommunityeventsandexhibitions,showcasinglocalartists,atsitesacrossthecity.

MillaisOff-Siteusedanemptyshopinthecity’sBargateMalltohostexhibitionsthatcouldbeaccessedbypeoplenotnormallyexposedtoart,especiallyyoungsters.

Itheldthreeexhibitions,includingthepopularStuff and Nonsense,stagedforthefirsttimebyLevel2,BA(Hons)FineArtstudents.

Looking Back,aninstallationbyVictoriaWareham,BrianHooper,JeffHenryandSoCoCommunityMusicProject,wasahauntingmixtureoffilmandsoundusinghistoricalsongsfromSouthampton.

The Girls: the Paper Eaters: Long Live the Photo StoryinvolvedartistsZoeSinclairandAndreaBlood,withSolentUniversitystudents,puttingtogethertwophoto-storymagazinesinanenvironmentreminiscentofa1980spopvideo,awakeninganostalgicreferencetoabygoneBritain.

IntheUniversity’sownSirJamesMatthewsBuildingexhibitionswerevaried,includingAntifascistas,themovingpictorialstoryofthe2,500volunteerswhojoinedtheInternationalBrigadestodefenddemocracyduringtheSpanishCivilWar.

MetamorphosiswastheresultofafascinatingprojectexploringidentityinvolvingartproducedbytheWessexYouthOffendingTeamworkingwithSolentphotographersKristianneDrakeandTomStollard.

Collaboratingas‘boredomresearch’,Southampton-basedVickyIsleyandPaulSmithusedcomputermodellingtechniquestoproduceworksinspiredbynature,in Brilliant Cloud.

SortedwasadiverseculminationofFineArt,PhotographyandIllustrationdegreeprogrammeswhichincludedfilms,photographs,drawings,paintings,printmakingandsculpture.

I Want to Believepresentedworkbyartistsinfluencedbysciencefictionthroughliterature,televisionorfilm,andincludedawellattendedconference.

ChannellookedatvisualrepresentationsofEngland’smostsymbolicstretchofwater.

TheUniversitycommissionedRaySmithtoproduceatemporaryinstallationfeaturingtheSpitfire–designedinSouthamptonbyRJMitchell–completinga360degreerollovertheHampshirecountrysideontheoutsidewindowsoftheSirJamesMatthewsBuilding,overlookingthecenotaph.

KatayounDowlatshahiusedphotographytobuildanillusoryimageontheNorth-EastcorneroftheSirJamesMatthewsbuildinginherpiece,Beyond the Looking Glass.

Flower Power –comprisingHampshireartistJaneKilfordandSouthamptonCityCouncil’sOpenSpacesandJuniorNeighbourhoodWardensschemes–is

inspiringyoungsterstochooseandplantflowersinSouthampton’scentralparks.

OtherprojectsincludedSolentIllustrationLecturerJonnyHannah’sChristmas Tree,awittyalternativetothefestivefavouriteinstalledintheUniversity’sEastParkTerracereceptionarea.

MillaisOff-SiteCuratorLesBuckinghamsaid:“TheUniversityhassomegreatsiteswhichdirectlyconnectwiththepublic,especiallyinthecentreoftown.ThenewcitycentregallerywillbeabletocapitaliseontherecentprojectsandmakeagreatcontributiontoSouthampton’snewculturalquarter.”

Images1:AdetailofBrilliantCloud,byBoredom

Research(VickyIsleyandPaulSmith)2:StaceyRutten,Etchingandaquatint,

2011,boughtfortheSSUcollection.3: InternationalBrigadesgotothefrontin

theSpanishCivilWar,inAntifascistasinthefoyeroftheSirJamesMatthews.

4: TheGirls:thePaperEatersgetdressedupfortheirshowattheBargate.

5:RaySmith,360DegreeRoll,2010.Semi-permanentcommissionforthenorthwalloftheSirJamesMatthewsBuilding,SouthamptonSolentUniversity.

6:AliceWall,IceBath,2010,Performance.PhotographybyEleanorPattison.

7:FlowerPower.Ongoingprojectwithpupils,designingandplantingflowerbedsforthecityparks.

Diverse exhibitions, exciting events and unique installations are inspiring more people to get

creative, thanks to the University’s move to take art to the people.

Out there art“thenewgallerywillcapitaliseonrecentprojects…”

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10|Summer 2011

ISSUE 6|DEVELOPMENT

Aspartofthatdrive,theUniversityrecentlylaunchedVisionfor2020tocreate£10mworthoflocalgraduatejobs.Withmorethan£11.6m–theequivalentof1,041individualposts–beingpledgedbybusinesses,thecampaignwashailedaphenomenalsuccess.

Visionfor2020,backedbytheSouthernDailyEchoandlocalbusinessleaders,waslaunchedafteritwasrevealedthattwothirdsofgraduatesleftSouthamptonafterfinishingtheirstudies–meaningthatmanyHampshireemployerswerefailingtobagthebestandbrightest.

Withinweeks,withthehelpofUniversitybasedrecruitmentserviceGraduateJobsSouth,morethan£10mworthofjobswerecreatedforlocalgraduates,whichwasgreatnewsforstudents,employersandthelocaleconomy.

ThecampaignculminatedintheVisionfor2020symposium,heldattheUniversitytothankbusinessesfortheirsupportandtoshareviewsonthefuturedevelopmentofthecity’seconomy.ItincludedrousingtalksbyBBCSouthCurrentAffairsEditor,JaneFrench;HampshireEconomic

PartnershipChiefExecutive,PaulKinvig;SkandiaMarketingDirector,NickDixon;andSolentUniversityChairoftheBoardofGovernors,GrahameSewell.

Education,businessandcouncilleadershavepledgedtocontinuetoimprovetheemploymentprospectsofSouthampton’sgraduateswhileboostingtheregion’seconomy,throughencouragingopportunitiesinindustryandentrepreneurship.

Vice-ChancellorProfessorVanGoresaid:“TheVisionfor2020campaign,withitstargettocreate£10mworthofgraduatejobs,requiredusalltostretchourselves.Inthesechallenginganduncertaintimes,thatisexactlywhatweneedtodoandthecommitmentshownbythebusinesscommunityhelpedustoachieveourcampaigngoal.Wewillnowcontinuetoworktogethertoensureourtalentedgraduatesgetbrilliantjobslocally.”

SouthamptonCityCouncilChiefExecutiveAndrewNeillsaidSolentUniversitywasvitalforthegrowthofthecityandthecouncilwasfullybehinditsdriveforgraduateretention.Hewas

especiallykeentobacktheUniversity’sentrepreneurs:“Ascityleaders,weshouldencouragetheseyoungpeopletotaketheirfutureintotheirownhandsbybuildingtheirownbusinesses,”hesaid.StewartDunn,ManagingDirectoroftheDailyEcho’sparentcompany,Newsquest,said:“Visionfor2020isafineexampleofwhatcanbeachievedwhenHampshire’sbusinessesandeducationinstitutionsworktogethertoimprovethefutureofouryoungpeople.”

They’re talented, tenacious and too good to lose. That’s the message behind Solent University’s

drive to keep Southampton’s graduates in the region.

Vision for 2020Qualityoflifeisnumberone;numbertwoislocalemployersbeingopentotheideaoffindingthebrightyoungthings,thenextgeneration.Theseyoungpeopleneedtobegiventhespacetolearntheirtradeandmaketheirmistakesandweneedtocontributetotheircreativity,freshnessandenergy.

Chris Carnegie, BBC Radio Solent

VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020

FOUR PAGE SPECIAL

Summer 2011|11

DEVELOPMENT | ISSUE 6VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020 • VISION FOR 2020

More overleaf…

12|Summer 2011

ISSUE 6|AWARDS

Stars of EnterpriseNew and growing businesses are the lifeblood of any city

and Southampton Solent University is providing an effective

springboard for innovative entrepreneurs who are already

contributing to job creation and future wealth.

Solent’s Student Entrepreneur Programme gives students training

and support in setting up businesses and self-employment. More

than 100 businesses have been set up through the scheme since

2006 and 40% are still trading.

“GraduateretentionplaysahugepartindevelopingSouthampton’seconomy.Weneedtoensurehomegrowntalentfindstherightplacetodevelop.Thatmeansgraduateshavingchoice,flexibilityandexcellentcareerdevelopmentopportunities.SolentUniversityhasafantastictrackrecordofconnectingitsstudentswithjobs.”

Alistair Neill, Chief Executive, Southampton City Council


Theynowrunoneoftheworld’sbestknownrockclimbingcompanies,organiseworldwidetripsforscubadiversandrunclimbingsessionsforpeopleinSouthampton.

TimandJamesstartedupthebusinessintheirfinalyearatSolentUniversity:“We’reentrepreneurialpeoplewithapassionfortheoutdoors.Solent’sdegreecoursehelpedustohoneourbusinessskillsandwesawagapinthemarket,”saidJames.TheladssetupFreedomAdventures,

organisingscubadivingtripsforuniversitygroupsandwithin18monthstheyboughtrockclimbingholidayspecialistsRockandSunandtookoverthemanagementoftheclimbingwallatStMary’sLeisureCentreinSouthampton.

Theynowhaveacustomerdatabaseexceeding5,000andemployaround30fullandpart-timestaff.“It’sachallengingindustry,butwe’reextremelykeenandcommitted,”saidJames.

Balancing a career with a thirst for adventure led former Outdoors Adventure Management

students James Baker and Tim Miller to set up an extreme sports travel company.

FiveyearsonandwiththehelpandsupportoftheUniversity’sentrepreneurialprogramme,Ebenezerisatrulylocaloutfit–employinglocalpeopleworkinginthecitycentrearea.

“MymajorachievementsincludedsecuringcontractswithfourbigSouthamptonorganisations.I’mnowtargetingofficesinSouthampton,BournemouthandPortsmouthtoincreasemyclientportfolio,”saidBereka.

Former Solent University student, Bereka Sirntayhu, began her

cleaning business with just one client.

Commercial climbers

Cleaning up

FASHION | ISSUE 6

Keeping our talented graduatesBusiness pundits say better graduate employment boosts the local economy - and it’s this win-win

situation that keeps Solent striving for its students.


Aswellasenablingemploymentopportunitiestoflourishthroughitswebsiterecruitmentandplacementservice,GraduateJobsSouth,SolentUniversityissupportingmorestudentandgraduateentrepreneursandencouragingorganisationstoopenupinternships.

TheUniversityisoffering100internshipstoitsowngraduateseveryyearandhaschallengedotherfirmstomatchorbeatthefigure.It’salsohelpingmoreofitsenterprisingstudentsthroughanenhancedprogrammetoaccelerateentrepreneurship.

HampshireEconomicPartnershipChief

Executive,PaulKinvig,stressedtheimportanceofensuringthegraduateemploymentratereflectsregionalrecruitment.Hesaid:“Anintegralpartofathrivingeconomyistheretentionintheareaofthemaximumnumberofgraduatesfromourworld-classinstitutions.

“Wemustencourageandunderpinentrepreneurshipandbusinesscreation,andhelpthepathofourgraduatesandtheirrelevantknowledgeintoourlocalbusinessesandorganisations.”

Businessleadersarealsobangingthedrumforinternships,whichcanoffer

valuableexperienceforgraduatesandprovearichresourceforbusinesses.

InstituteofDirectorsforHampshireandtheIsleofWight’sGrantHarrison,said:“Asbusinessleaders,wearecommittedtonurturinganyopportunitywhichengagesuniversitieswiththeprivatesectortoenablegraduatestogainexperienceintheworkplace.

“Althoughfull-timejobsareapriority,internshipsplayanimportantroleinacclimatisingyoungpeopletotheworkplace.Universitieshelpyoungpeoplegetbetterpaid,moresatisfyingjobswhichaddrealvaluetotheeconomy.”

“I’vebeenhiringSolentUniversitygraduatesfortwoyears.Theyareenthusiasticandhard-working.Theybringfreshideasintotheenvironmentandtheyhelptoprovidetheskillsmycompanyneeds.”

Anthony Mayfield, Managing Director, Aplos Systems

“TheportfolioofferedtoSolentUniversitystudentsisveryrelevantfortheregion’sbusinesses.Forinstance,therearestrongmaritime,mediaandsportsmanagementcourses.Graduateswhocanactuallygooutanddoajobalmostimmediatelyarereallyvaluable.”

Grant Harrison, Chairman of the Institute of Directors for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

“SolentUniversityisstronginentrepreneurship,whichiswherejobsaregoingtocomefrominthefuture;wehopethatwillleadtomorestart-ups,identifyinggapsinthemarket,developingproductsandbringingemploymentandbusinesstothecity.”

Jimmy Chestnutt, Director of Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce

Summer 2011|13

14|Summer 2011

ISSUE 7|SOLENT PEOPLE

BeginningsMycousinwasadeckofficerwhocamehomewithtalesofadventure.Thiswasbeforejumbojetsandlongdistanceholidays,sohislifestylehadastrongappeal.IgrewupnearLondon’sRoyalDocks,sofromanearlyageIknewaboutshippingcompanies,shipsandcargoes.

IstartedmycareeraboardgeneralcargovesselsonthelinertradesbetweenEurope,EastAfricaandIndia,andlaterservedonpassengerlinersandrefrigeratedcargoshipsonroutesbetweenEuropeandAustraliaandNewZealand.WhenshippingcompaniesamalgamatedthroughcontainerisationIworkedonvesselsrangingfrombulkcarrierstorollon–rolloffferries.

Crest of the waveCareerhighlightsincludedbeingonthebridgeforanentryintoSydneyharbouratsunrise,andthesatisfactionofdetectingalighthouseattherighttimeandintherightpositionafteralongoceanpassageinthedaysbeforesatnavs.Weusedsextantstotakesunandstarsights,justlikeCaptainCook.Ihadalotofresponsibilityatanearlyage;bothshipsandtheircargoeswereworthmillions.Therewasalotofprideinrunninga

smartship,andcarryinganddischargingcargoesingoodcondition.

Starting at WarsashInthe1970scontainershipsdisplacedconventionalcargolinersandmanyUKshippingcompaniesweredisbanded.IstudiedforadegreeinNauticalStudiesatPlymouthPolytechnicandwasrecruitedasalectureratWarsashafterattendingafirefightingcoursethere.

On the jobOperationsarenowmoreefficientandshipsspendlittletimeinport.They’rebiggerandtechnicallymorecomplex.Jobsatisfactionnowismoreaboutcopingwiththesechangesandlessaboutforeigntravel.

Out of hoursI’mnotasmall-boatenthusiast.Iprefergoingtoseainsomethinglargeandsafe–preferablynothingunder30,000tonnes.

PassionsI’mincreasingmylinkswithSouthampton’sCentreforSeafarers,whichcatersforthespiritual,emotionalandphysicalwell-beingofships’crewmembers.Ithelpsthemtogetashoreforsomerestandtocontacttheirfamilies.

TheCentre’sstaffplayanimportantrolewhenseafarersneedextrahelpiftheybecomeill,oriftheyareleftstrandedbydisreputablecompanies.

Seafarersdeserveoursupport,especiallyasweliveinaportcity.Theytendtobeoutofsightandoutofmindandalltoooftenwetakethemforgranted.

Warsash is great because…Internationalrequirementsareconstantlychanging.Maritimeeducationhasbecomemorerealistic,withtheuseofbridgeandmannedmodelshiphandlingsimulation.WarsashMaritimeAcademyhasaglobalreputationforthehighqualityofitscoursesandI’mveryproudofthat.

Advice to cadets going into the maritime industryThereareverygoodcareeropportunitiesintheoperationandmanagementoftoday’stechnicallysophisticatedvessels.Ships’officersgainalotofexperienceandresponsibilityatanearlyage.Thiscountsforalotinawiderangeofmaritimerelatedjobsandpeoplegoingtoseaneedtoconsiderthefullvarietyofoptionsavailable,whethertheystayatseaoreventuallycomeashore.’

Bob Joughin, Deputy Director of Warsash Maritime Academy and

Head of Maritime Training started lecturing at Warsash in1976 and

is due to retire after 35 years at Warsash. The former ships’ officer

reflects on a changing industry and gives sound advice to the

cadets of the future…

Bob’sahull of a guy!

Summer 2011|15

SOLENT PEOPLE | ISSUE 7

Accelerating EnterpriseSolent Enterprise Manager Stephen Brown says Solent University is the UK’s most entrepreneurially

dynamic university. He’s helped more than 70 students turn their bright ideas into fully fledged

businesses and, he says, there’s plenty more to come.

BeginningsMyfirstjobwaswithelectricalheatingmanufacturer,Dimplex.BythetimeIleft,Iwasmanaginga£7millionbudget.

IjoinedSolentUniversityin2000andIlovedit.IworkedwiththeCommunityEnterpriseOffice,theforerunneroftheenterprisecentresandthestartofSPEED(StudentPlacementsforEntrepreneursinEducation).

ThroughSPEED,Igavementoring,trainingandfinancialsupportto70studentstart-ups.Ilovedhelpingyoungpeopletodeveloptheirideas;givingthemthepracticaltrainingtheyneeded.Itwasreal‘how-to’advice,includingbusinessdevelopmentplansandbook-keeping,thestuffthatturnsagoodideaintoaviablebusiness.

AfterSPEED,ImanagedtheSolentProductionsEnterpriseCentre.Itwasaprivilegetoworkwithcreativeprofessionalsandtoderiveaninsightintothevisualmedia.Wewereinvolvedinmorethan100projects.

And now...AsEnterpriseManagerwithSolent’sAcceleratingEnterpriseteam,I’msupportingenterprisingstudentsthrough

training,mentoringandfinancialhelp.Thescheme–developedthroughtheUniversity’sStrategicDevelopmentprogramme–isalsoembeddingentrepreneurialtrainingandsupportintothecurriculumandofferingshortcoursessothatevenmorestudentswillbeexposedtoenterprisetraining.

Your ethos is...Enterpriseopportunitiesshouldbeavailabletoeveryone,especiallythosefromdisadvantagedbackgroundsandnotjustthose‘destined’forsuccess.

How you help studentsHardadvice,inareaslikebusinessplans,contracts,salescallsandprotectingideas,withthe‘softer’stuff,likebuildingconfidence.About50%ofviablebusinessesnevertakeoffbecauseoffearoffailure.Someonemayhaveagreatideathatcouldgenuinelyfly,buttheyneverdoanythingaboutit.

I’mfascinatedbywhatdrivespeopletostartbusinesses.Whilepassion,determinationandenergycandeterminesuccess,effectivetrainingandtailoringcanreducechancesoffailure.

Most memorable studentsIcouldwriteabookaboutthestudents

I’vesupported.Butsuccessissomethingthatshouldbejudgedonhowfarpeoplehavedevelopedandnotjustonhowmuchmoneytheirbusinessismakingatanyonetime.Theentrepreneurialjourneycanvary.Somepeoplelearnimportantlessonsintheir20sbutwillnotreallybereadytostartabusinessuntiltheir40s,forinstance.

IcouldsingleoutBerekaSintanyehu,whocametotheUKfromEthiopia.Wesupportedherinsettingupacleaningbusiness.ShestartedwithafewcleaningtoolsandnowemploysthreeSomalianwomen.It’sasmall,buteffectivebusiness.

But,we’vehadreallygoodresultsrightacrosstheboard.Morethan40%ofthestudentswesupportarestilltradingthreeyearslater–that’sareallygoodstatisticandit’sgreatforthewealthofSouthampton.

What are those businesses?Hugelydiverse.Successfulstudentshavesetupbusinessinareasincludingart,coffeeshops,fashiondesign,film,illustration,software,treesurgery,graphicdesignandphotography.

16|Summer 2011

ISSUE 7|MARITIME

Ship Handling Centre is a winnerWhen Solent University acquired Timsbury Lake, it took on a spectacular piece of history – so it’s

fitting that the site will play a pivotal role in training the world’s supertanker pilots to make the

seafaring safer.

WarsashMaritimeAcademy’snewShipHandlingCentreispartofamajorinvestmentbytheUniversitytoensurethecontinueddevelopmentofitsspecialised,world-classmaritimetrainingfacilities–includingvitalsafetytraining.

Theoriginalmannedmodelshiphandlingcentre–oneofonlyfiveintheworld-wasmovedfromits10-acreMarchwoodsite,wheretoptrainingfortheinternationalshippingindustryhadtakenplaceformorethan20years.

TheacquisitionanddevelopmentofTimsbury,nearRomsey,markedthebeginningofanewchapterforthe9thcenturylake,whichhas,overtheyears,providedfishforthemonksofWinchester,drivenamedievalwatermillandbeenthehauntofcarpanglers.

NowithoststheWarsashmannedmodelsandclassroomfacilities,trainingpilotsastheynavigatetheirwaythroughthespeciallybuiltberths,basinsandchannelsdesignedtorecreateavarietyofcomplexandhazardousscenarios.

Thebuildingprojectpresentedaninterestingchallenge,involvingtransportingthefleetofnine-metrelongelectricpoweredmodels–includingatanker,abulkcarrierandapassengerferry–byroad.

…Thisisaterrificmilestone…

Summer 2011|17

MARITIME | ISSUE 7

Therewerealsoinnovativeschemestoprotecttheecologyofthelake,protectingthewildlife–includingrarenewts,ottersandwatervoles.TristanNorton,SeniorEcologistwithECOSA(Ecological,SurveyandAssessment)said:“WeworkedwithSolentUniversityfortwoyearstosurveythewildlifeonTimsburyLake.Itwasafantasticproject,witheveryoneinvolvedpullingtogethertomakesurethatecologicalissueswereatthetopoftheagenda.Webuiltholtsandwatervolehomesandenhancedpondsfornewts.

“Becausethemannedmodelsaresoquietandthereareonlysmallnumbersofpeopleonthelakeatonetime,thesespecieswillcontinuetothrive.”

JasonGifford,ProjectManagerofMorganSindallsaid:“Timsburywasacomplexproject.Weareproudofthesensitivitythatwentintomanagingtheenvironmentalandhistoricissues.”

AtoppingoutceremonywasattendedbyrepresentativesfromMorganSindallandProjectManagementandConstructionConsultancyGleeds,aswellasSolentUniversityandWarsashMaritimeAcademy.SeniorLecturer,MaritimeSimulation,PeterBarbersailedamannedmodeloutofthenewlyconstructedwetdockforthefirsttimeandgroupsweregivenatripononeofthecentre’sskiffs.Vice-ChancellorProfessorVanGoresaid:“ThisisaterrificmilestonefortheUniversityandWarsashMaritimeAcademy,whichshouldsecureWMA’spositionasaworldleaderinmannedmodelshiphandling.”

DirectorofWarsashMaritimeAcademy,AndyHair,added:“TimsburyrepresentsamajorinvestmentbytheUniversityonbehalfofWarsashMaritimeAcademythatwillkeepusattheforefrontofmaritimetraining.Thirtyyearsofexperiencehasbeenutilisedtomakethisfacilitystandoutfromourcompetitors.Feedbacksofarhasbeenbrilliant.”

TheUniversity’sChancellor,AdmiralTheRightHonourableLordWestofSpithead,officiallyopenedtheshiphandlingcentreduringaspecialceremonyattendedbyindustryrepresentativesandlocalresidents.Five-timesOlympicrowingGoldmedallistSirSteveRedgravealsoagreedtoswaphisoarsforthemoretechnicalapproachtosteeringamannedmodelboat,duringaseparatevisitinhisroleasambassadorforGleeds.

HewastakenthroughhispacesbyshiphandlingcentreseniorlecturerGordonMaxwellinatripthatinvolvedhimnavigatingpurpose-builtchannels.Hesaid:“Itwasquitehairysteeringthroughthetightareas,especiallywithvesselscomingtheotherway.

“SolentUniversity’sWarsashMaritimeAcademyShipHandlingCentreisanamazingfacility,whichhelpspilotstoprepareforawholerangeofsituationstheycouldencounterinreallife.Ultimately,itmeanstheyaremuchbetterabletohandleanemergency,”hesaid.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Apprentice awards Southampton’slargestpublicsectoremployerscelebratedtheachievementsofapprenticesemployedontheSouthamptonSkillsDevelopmentZone(SSDZ)duringaspecialeventhostedbytheUniversity.

TheSSDZ–acity-wideinitiativeledbySolentUniversity,withSouthamptonUniversityHospitalsNHSTrust,SouthamptonCityCouncil,SouthamptonPCT,JobCentrePlusandtheSkillsfundingAgency–providesroutesintojobsandfurthereducationfortheworkless,whilehelpinglocalemployersaddressskillsandworkforcedevelopment.Sinceitslaunch,64apprenticeshavebeenemployedand15havebeenofferedfull-timejobs.

Duringthecelebration,achievementawardswerepresentedtoJamesKellet,whoworkedforNHSSouthamptonCityduringhisapprenticeship,andLindaBudd,whoworkedforSouthamptonUniversitiesHospitalsNHSTrust.

New facultySolentUniversity’sWarsashMaritimeAcademyandFacultyofTechnologyhavejoinedtogethertoformanewMaritimeandTechnologyFaculty.

JohnMillican(DirectorWarsashMaritimeAcademy)hasbeenappointedDeanofthenewfacultyandretainsstrategicresponsibilityforWarsashMaritimeAcademy.

AndrewHair–whojoinedWMAnineyearsago,after19yearsatseaasaDeckOfficerwithP&OSteamNavigationandP&O/PrincessCruises–hasbeenappointedDirectorofWarsashMaritimeAcademy.

ISSUE 7|??????

18|Summer 2011

Graduate JobsSouth (GJS)

“We found the website very straight forward and easy to use. The positives have been the speed with which you can complete the recruitment process, and the saving of recruitment fees.”Chris Sharp, FourFront Ltd

Thousands of students and graduates are registered on the site looking for graduate jobs, internships, placements, and volunteering opportunities.

What next?1. Register online2. Upload your vacancy3. Candidates apply directly to the employer

www.graduatejobsouth.co.ukSupported by:

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ISSUE 7