Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today: 

Hello and welcome back,

I hope you are looking forward to the Summer term. There are lots of student experience opportunities available and I’ll be highlighting some of these in my weekly updates. Do keep an eye on your Sussex inbox, the Student Hub news and events sections, and the University Instagram account to make sure you do not miss out on ways to build connections and make the most of this term.

I am very pleased to announce that last week saw Sussex, in partnership with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), retain our first in the world ranking for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, for the eighth consecutive year. This recognises the University’s strengths in teaching, research and reputation, in a subject focused on addressing urgent global issues. In total, we have five subjects ranked within the global top 100, with especially strong performance for the social sciences. You can read our full update on the Student Hub.

We have also been recognised for our outstanding student support in a national competition hosted by the UK Advising and Tutoring Association (UKAT). The award celebrates our outstanding commitment to supporting students and to student success through academic advising. I am also pleased that Sussex was recently included in a round-up of the best neurodivergent-friendly universities in the UK.

Looking ahead, this term brings some exciting events and opportunities through our partnership with Brighton Festival – including a competition that launched this week to win a pair of event tickets! The Radical Remembering event is a particular highlight that will feature Subira Joy, our Stuart Hall Scholar here at Sussex. Find out more about other student-led events below.

I know jobs and careers support continues to be a big student priority. The University’s Careers, Employability and Entrepreneurship team works hard to provide information, advice and practical support to help all of you achieve your aspirations. This week, see the latest on our Startup Sussex competition. 

Finally, I want to wish those of you celebrating a happy Passover next week.

Please read on for your regular update, including:

• Students shine in Startup Sussex, our annual entrepreneurship competition
• Sustainable Sussex Fortnight this April
• Festival of Ideas events on campus – run by students, for students
• Measles and mumps: check if your vaccinations are up to date
• Eat Central is going greener
• Support with private sector renting
• Sussexsport app now available
• Poetry and resilience workshop with Jenny Mitchell (24 April)
• Education partnership with Towner Eastbourne – opening up art and university for young people

Students shine in Startup Sussex, our annual entrepreneurship competition

At the end of last term, we celebrated our annual entrepreneurship competition. The eight finalists pitched their ideas to a panel of judges in front of a live audience to secure funding to take their startups to the next level.

The winner of the night was Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Systems MSc student Dr Shuaib Karmani who won first place for both the Business and Social Impact Awards. The £10,000 from the awards will help to move forward his business Nhealth.Ai, a smart wearable patient health monitor that could save up to 50,000 lives a year and save the NHS £227 million annually.

Read on to find out more about the other Startup Sussex 2024 winners.

Sustainable Sussex Fortnight this April

Check out our full programme for Sustainable Sussex Fortnight happening between 15-29 April. It is packed with a range of fun and insightful events and activities, from hearing William Attenborough at this year's Pitch for the Planet competition, to taking part in a citizen science project monitoring biodiversity. Get involved in making the University of Sussex more sustainable.

Festival of Ideas events on campus – run by students, for students

As part of Brighton Festival, our Festival of Ideas is back, featuring an engaging programme of talks and events, led by students and staff from the School of Media, Arts and Humanities.

As part of this we have a series of student-led events starting from Monday 22 April! These are all free and right here on campus. Check out this video interview on Instagram that our Digital Media Creators filmed with some of the students leading these events.

Measles and mumps: check if your vaccinations are up to date

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease which can spread quickly and cause serious problems in some people. The free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella.

Speak to your usual doctor (through the on-campus NHS health centre if you are registered there) to make sure your vaccinations are up to date. You may be able to get these free of charge if you register with a doctor.

Please read the full update on the Student Hub news pages for more information.

Eat Central is going greener

Eat Central has been closed since 25 March for a 12-week refurbishment that will see it transformed into a vibrant, flexible venue with a new food court-style feel. The redevelopment will include a number of exciting sustainable touches in keeping with Sussex’s ambition to become one of the most sustainable universities in the world. Read on to find out more.

Support with private sector renting

Many of you will now be securing properties in the private sector for your returning years of study. This will involve understanding and signing a tenancy agreement. A tenancy agreement is a legal document and it is important that you take time to read the agreement and to identify the responsibilities of a tenant. Find out more about the support available to you with your private renting, including a presentation to help you understand your tenancy agreement.

Sussexsport app now available

Everything Sussexsport is now available in one place! Our new app can be used to book classes and ActiveUs sessions, view timetables and stay up to date with events. Plus get workout inspiration direct from the Sussexsport team.

Download now and you will be the first to know about any new classes or equipment, facility closures or changes to opening hours with our push notifications. Search for ‘Sussexsport’ in the App Store or Google Play store.

Poetry and resilience workshop with Jenny Mitchell (24 April)

Join award-winning poet and Sussex alumna Jenny Mitchell for a workshop on 24 April as part of the Wicked Problems series. The workshop, in conjunction with the Black at Sussex programme, will explore poetry and resilience.

Education partnership with Towner Eastbourne – opening up art and university for young people

As part of our Education Partnership with Towner Eastbourne, who hosted the prestigious Turner Prize in 2023, we recently took part in a special screening to celebrate a series of educational workshops local school students completed with the University’s Widening Participation team. You can read about the project on the Student Hub.

With best wishes,
 
Kate

Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)

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