Process of appointing a professor in Portugal


Professor Hilary Cooper was a member of the ‘jury’ who considered an application for a full professorship from Dr. Maria Isabel Gomes Barca de Oliviera, at the University of Minho, in Braga in April. The event took place in a public meeting in the Rector’s Building, formerly the Medieval residence of the Bishps of Minho. Dr. Barca had submitted substantial documentation in advance, on the methodology of teaching history and social studies.


The first day consisted of a half-hour presentation on Dr. Barca’s CV followed by rigorous half-hour interrogation by Dr. Justino Periera de Magalhaes, Professor of Psychology at the University of Lisbon, then a presentation of her curriculum development work, interrogated by Dr. Joan Pages Blanch, Professor of Education Studies at the University of Barcelona.


On the second day Dr. Barca gave an hour-long lecture on international research into issues in history education. Professor Hilary Cooper then conducted an hour-long discussion of the lecture. As the Dean of Education,


Professor Hilary Cooper (2nd from left????) in Portugal


Professor Laurinda Leite, who chaired the panel said this was a very important to them as Professor Cooper was familiar with research into constructivist approaches, which are still not widely understood in Spain or Portugal. Dr. Barca was awarded the title of Professor. Professor Cooper said that she was pleased not to have had to defend her application in a public, adversarial meeting!


Working with horses? Easy as buttons!


A pony called Buttons is helping entry level students at the Newton Rigg Campus to overcome educational hurdles.


Not only is the 20-year-old bay gelding a very calming influence down at the University of Cumbria stables, but he is also helping young people gain valuable confidence and learn new skills.“The entry level students love working with him at the yard and he has got a fantastic temperament,” said experienced equine lecturer Val Unwin. At only 12 hands high, Buttons is short in stature but a giant in the personality stakes. “He is a gentle acharacter, very used to being handled and seems to enjoy all the attention from everyone,” added Val.


The students are working with Buttons and other horses as part of their Skills for Working Life certificate. Duties down at the yard include mucking out, watering, tack cleaning and grooming. They spend half a day at the yard every week. “Buttons is definitely my favourite,” said 24-year-old student Sarah Jennings who volunteered to walk the pony out for a series of photographs for this article. While Richie Gibson, 21, declared: “I like being down here as it’s great fun and we get to do lots of different things.”


Horses are well-known for their ability to bond with people, offering demonstrable health benefits in humans such as lower stress and cholesterol levels. Student Kevin Briggs, 17, added: “Buttons is great and we all like him.” Val added: “I do think that some of the students form a real attachment to the horses, sometimes more than with certain people. Another great thing about working at the stables is that there are a lot of duties at the yard that entry level students can do independently, which again is useful for building up their confidence.”


(L-R) Kevin Briggs, Buttons, Sarah Jennings and Richie Gibson


The students first started working with horses at the campus a few years ago. Jim Mills, entry level course leader, is delighted at the way the placement has panned out. “When we set out a few of the students had previous experience of horses, usually through school or the Calvert Trust. It’s self-evident that horses like Buttons give the students real hands-on experience working with large animals. This, in turn, increases their knowledge of animal care and adds to their practical skills.” he said.


Away from the stables, one of the entry level students, Kayleigh Hoggan, recently competed in the RDA (Riding for the Disabled) Regional Competition at Barrow. Representing Keswick (Calvert Trust), she came first in the dressage competition and first in the Countryside Challenge. “This was a brilliant result for Kayleigh and proof how working with horses can be so valuable,” added Jim. Jim’s entry level students hit the headlines last year when they successfully transformed Skelton churchyard into a haven for wildlife in association with Cumbria Wildlife Trust.


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