People

Maria collects innovation award

Computer Science lecturer Dr Maria Fasli has collected another award for developing innovative teaching.

She receives a £5,000 Innovative Teaching Development Fund award for a project which aims to produce practical guidelines for developing software agents.

The award follows her success in obtaining a £50,000 National Teaching Fellowship last year.

The latest award, from the Higher Education Academy in partnership with Microsoft, is specifically aimed at driving the development of innovative teaching in Computer Science and IT.

Dr Fasli’s project will develop a set of principles to help students in the design and implementation of software agents using Microsoft.NET technology.

Dr Maria Fasli

Shine award for Essex student

An Essex student has won the regional round of the Shine International Student Awards.

Benito Miron Lopez, a PhD student in the Department of Government, collects £1,000 as the East of England winner in the British Council-run competition, which attracted entries from thousands of international students studying in the UK.

Students had to write an inspiring ‘letter home’, highlighting how their experiences in the UK have enhanced either their career prospects or their personal development.

Benito, who has served as the President of the University’s Mexican Society and as President of the Mexican Student Society in the UK, said: ‘I wanted to put in a paper the small and big achievements, and to see how my experiences in the UK, ranging from involvement in the university and community life, work experience and participation in cultural activities, have broadened my sphere of interests and enriched my personal and academic life.’

He will now travel to London for the national award ceremony, to be held on 26 and 27 April. He has also been invited to 10 Downing Street for the launch of the next phase of the Government’s international strategy for education.

Benito Miron Lopez

Retirements

Farewell to Wyvern wonder

After 27 years of service at the University, Jan Briggs retired from the University this month.

Jan joined Essex back in 1978 as a part-time Clerical Assistant to the Information Officer then within the Academic Section. She stayed with the Information Office as it moved to External Relations and became the Public Relations Office.

During her time at the University Jan has worked on every edition of Wyvern from when it was a twice-monthly newspaper to the monthly version that is currently published. Jan co-ordinated a major part of the production of Wyvern, in particular the what's on pages, notices, letters and advertisements.

Jan joined friends and colleagues at a celebration to mark her retirement. She said: 'Having worked in the Public Relations Office and helped with the production of Wyvern for the past 27 years, I would like to say thank you to colleagues, past and present, and friends I have made in the University over the years for the many memories I take with me into my retirement. I will think of you often and remember you always.'

Jan Briggs who is retiring after 27 years at the University

Long-serving ESE staff retire

March saw the retirement of two long standing members of the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering.

Finance Clerical Officer, Pat Baker and Departmental Superintendent, Tony De'Ath, have clocked up almost 71 years of experience between them.

Pat retired after working in the Department since 1974. During her time at Essex she was the financial rock to 11 out of the 12 Heads of Department.

Departmental Superintendent Tony De’Ath joined the University in 1964. He started as a technician in the Department, moving up to a senior technician in 1971 and on to the role of Departmental Superintendent in 1978.

Also in the printed April edition of Wyvern:

• Re-appointment for Essex law academic
• Staff receive awards
• Commonwealth bronze for hurdler