News 5


Dental course celebrates 50th graduate


UN expert reports on Iran


A UN Special Rapporteur based at Essex has published his third report highlighting the continuing problem of human rights violations in Iran.


Dr Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights situation in Iran, accepted a Visiting Fellowship at Essex in order to draw on the expertise in the Human Rights Centre and School of Law. His latest report suggests a revised Islamic Penal Code increases the number of crimes punishable by death and leaves the laws relating to stoning vague and open to abuse.


Despite this, Dr Shaheed believes the Iranian Government is listening to international criticism, and is hopeful that by spending the second year of his mandate at the University he can assist progress in what he believes is “a great nation with a tremendous culture”.


Staff Survey 2012


The online Staff Survey 2012 is live until Tuesday 11 December, and all staff are being strongly encouraged to take part.


Staff who regularly use e-mail at work will have received an e-mail reminder if they have not yet completed their survey. Staff who do not use e-mail regularly will have received paper copies.


The survey was devised by a group of University staff, including trade union representatives, working with survey experts Capita. The confidential survey will help the University identify strengths and weaknesses and where improvements are necessary.


www.essex.ac.uk/staff/survey/


The School of Health and Human Sciences has celebrated its 50th graduate from the Foundation degree in Oral Health Science.


Graduates from this programme are permitted to register with the General Dental Council and practice as a dental hygienist within the UK.


Dr Ahmed Shaheed who is spending a year at the University


His report reveals the high rate of executions in Iran – more than 600 in 2011 and 141 officially- announced executions between January and June 2012, with claims of a further 82 secret executions.


He has also revealed that 80 per cent were for drugs-related offences and many of those executed are convicted in the absence of fair trial standards.


Dr Shaheed said: “If Iran must have capital punishment, it must at least comply with international law.”


The report also shows that journalists and human rights defenders face constant threats in Iran and have been subjected to targeted persecution which has led many to flee.


www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp? symbol=A/67/369


The dental hygienist programme, which started at the University in September 2007, was one of the first courses to be offered at the newly-built Southend Campus, which benefits from a state-of-the-art oral health clinical skills laboratory, where students hone their clinical skills.


From an initial cohort of nine students, there are now 50 graduates of the programme now working as dental hygienists and a further 32 students currently progressing through the programme.


The Oral Health Sciences team have recently developed a BSc Oral Health Science programme which will allow registered dental hygienists to continue their professional development to become a dental therapist, who can do more tasks than a hygienist.


Dr Phillip Cannell, programme lead for Oral Health Science, said: “Latest research evidence clearly indicates a very significant role for the dental therapist in the delivery of a high quality dental service.”


Awards for environment and Freshers’ campaign


The University and the Students’ Union each won categories in the Colchester Business Awards.


The Environmental Awareness award recognised the University’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions significantly and raise environmental awareness through all its work – including research and teaching, sustainable transport and energy infrastructure.


Strong feedback for its Freshers 2012 campaign helped the Students’ Union win the Excellence in Marketing award. The campaign was the SU’s biggest and most successful ever.


Estate Management Procurement Apprentice Charlotte French was a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year category and the University was also finalist in the Active and Sustainable Travel category. Procurement Manager Liz Anderson said Charlotte “has rapidly become a vital and popular team member.”


Did you know?


Essex was chosen to be one of the first universities in the UK to host Challenge Workshops led by original BBC Dragon and Honorary Graduate Doug Richard.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24