University Bookshop

Manager: M.C. Potter

Warwick University Bookshop is owned and run by the University, and is situated in the Arts Centre. It offers a comprehensive service to students, staff, departments and visitors to the University. The Bookshop stocks all the recommended titles for University courses as well as a broad range of background academic books. There is also a wide choice of non-academic titles, including fiction and children’s books. The Bookshop offers an ordering service, with access to thousands of books published worldwide. The Bookshop is also the home of ‘Warwick Gifts’, official merchandise from the University of Warwick.

The Bookshop aims to support and stimulate teaching and learning at all levels in the University. It is the main literary outlet of the Arts Centre, supporting the Writers at Warwick programme, and stocking an extensive range of general titles for Arts Centre visitors. A large selection of greeting cards is also available.

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday (Term)	9.00am - 8.00pm
Saturday (Term only) Monday – Friday (Vacation)	10.00am - 5.00pm 9.00am – 5.30pm

Enquiries: Telephone (024) 7652 3388 Internal 23388
Departmental/Business Accounts: Telephone (024) 7652 3791
Fax: (024) 7652 3792
E-mail: bookshop@warwick.ac.uk
For further information: www.warwick.ac.uk/go/bookshop

Language Centre

Director:E. Stewart, MA Edin, MA Lough, Dip Ed Glas
Manager: P. Parker, BA Open, MIIE (Elec)

The Language Centre offers multi-media resources for language learning, including four teaching laboratories, an Open Access section, with computer assisted language learning programmes, a recording studio and live television digital reception via satellite from a wide range of countries. The Centre is responsible for specialised language modules which are part of University degrees for the Faculties of Arts, Science and Social Studies. It provides teaching facilities and materials for the language departments and also organises specialised language options and service courses, employing full-time and part-time teachers for this purpose. An extensive programme of evening courses is also offered each year, details of which are available from the Language Centre. These courses lead to the award of Open Studies Certificates of the University. In addition to formal courses, the facilities may be used by students for private study in relation to their academic work, or by students and staff of the University who have foreign language or literary interests. There is a large library of CDs, tapes, DVDs, videos, CD-ROMs and other resources.

The Language Centre, located on the ground floor of the Humanities building on the Central Campus, is normally open during term time as follows:

Monday - Thursday	9.00am - 8.30pm
Friday	9.00am - 4.30pm
Saturday (Open Access Suite Only)	10.00am - 4.00pm

Opening hours during vacations are:

Monday - Thursday	9.00am - 5.30pm
Friday	9.00am - 4.30pm

Library

Librarian: A. Bell, BA E. Anglia, MA Sheff

The Library’s stock consists of more than 1,100,000 books and other printed works, and about 25,000 electronic journals available via the internet. Collections and services are concentrated in the Main Library. Small research collections are also held in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Mathematics and at Warwick HRI.

A web-based online catalogue provides flexible searching of the Library’s holdings, with direct access to the full text of electronic resources such as books and journals. The Library website also provides access to electronic information resources worldwide, including databases and reference works as well as gateways, compiled by the Library’s Subject Support Teams, to sources relevant to the University’s research and teaching. The resource discovery system Metafind, accessible from the Library catalogue and website, allows cross-searching of multiple databases. Off-campus access is enabled through the Library catalogue and Athens authentication.

The University’s research needs are supported through a combination of extensive print and electronic collections together with a document delivery service and national reciprocal membership agreements. Taught courses are supported by the provision of multiple copies of books in heavy demand and a short loan collection of reading list material that ensures students have access to core course texts. In addition, reference collections are available in The Learning Grid and The BioMed Grid. Special support is also given for the University’s Lifelong Learning programmes, and those taking approved courses are invited to register for use of Library facilities. Teaching and research are further supported by the Subject Teams, who offer training and enquiry services in their subject areas.

Applications from members of the public for reference facilities should be made in writing to the Librarian stating the reasons for the request.

The Learning Grid, located in University house, offers an innovative, integrated and flexible 24-hour facility to aid independent and collaborative learning. It contains a range of IT and multimdia equipment, including electronic whiteboards and presentation preparation and video editing tools, distributed across different study environments. There are also reference copies of heavily used course texts and skills manuals. The BioMed Grid, based on the Gibbet Hill Campus, is a smaller satellite facility of the centra Learning Grid, and is specifically tailored to the needs of Biological Sciences and Medical students.

An area of special development is the Modern Records Centre, which was established in 1973 with substantial help from the Leverhulme Trust Fund. The purpose of the Centre is to search out, collect and make available for research purposes and for posterity the primary sources of British political, social and economic history with particular reference to labour history and industrial relations. It holds the records of the T.U.C., the C.B.J. as well as those of many individual trade unions and employers’ organisations. Further enquiries about use of this collection are welcomed and should be addressed to the Archivist.

The normal opening hours during University terms are as follows:

Main Library:
Monday - Sunday 8.30am - midnight

Modern Records Centre:
Monday - Tuesday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday - Thursday 9.00am – 7.00pm
Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm

The Learning Grid:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

The BioMed Grid:
Monday-Friday, Sunday 12.00pm – 6.00pm

For up-to-date information and any changes to opening hours, see the Opening Hours notice within the Library or the Library website at http://www.warwick.ac.uk/go/library/

Information Technology Services

Interim Director: D. Hindmarsh

IT Services provides the resources and support necessary to allow all members of the University access to Information Technology for the purposes of research, teaching, learning and administration. It also provides the University’s telecommunications infrastructure and services.

Connectivity through the campus data network enables servers, workstations and PCs to share information, computational resources and peripheral devices. The network extends to all offices, open access work areas and other appropriate locations. In addition, there are areas with wireless connectivity for suitably configured laptop computers in buildings across the campus. A separate network provides always-on internet access to all bedrooms in the campus residence buildings. Many of the services, e.g. email and web-based services are provided through the internet and can be accessed by any connected computer, either locally or worldwide.

On campus PCs are connected to the central network and can access a range of applications and services. A wide range of software is supported for personal productivity, communication and specialist purposes. Central servers provide resources for general academic purposes, research of a computationally intensive nature and administration. In addition they provide services including networked file store, e-mail, news and distributed printing.

Teaching and learning resources are provided by means of open access work areas distributed across the campus. Within these, students may use PCs for desktop applications or to connect to central servers. Some of these areas are available on a 24 hour basis. A range of publishing and communications tools for the web, supporting teaching, learning, research and administration are also available.

All systems connected to the campus network, including all student systems in work areas, have access to the Internet by means of SuperJanet, the national academic backbone. This provides access to resources around the world including many national and international data sets. This link to SuperJanet is achieved across the West Midlands Metropolitan Area Network, which connects Higher Education and Further Education institutions.

Further services offered include capture and analysis for large amounts of data and online assessment facilities.

IT Services is responsible for the audio visual services in centrally timetabled rooms, including presentation direct from computer, from 35mm slide, OHP, videotape and film projection. IT Services also provides video conferencing facilities and an off-air recording service and can give help or advice on most aspects of audio-visual presentation.

The Department provides extensive support services. Provision includes a range of courses for staff and students as well as opportunities for independent study. All communication with the department should be directed initially through the Help Desk, which usually deals with queries immediately or will escalate and track them as necessary.

Consultation is welcomed at all stages of teaching and research projects using IT resources, from initial feasibility study and design through to completion. Staff are also available to give advice on the purchase of hardware and software, on methods of integrating systems within the campus data network and on the core applications available on the centrally served systems. Services are provided for analysing administrative system requirements, selection of software, implementation of packages, software development and the on-going technical management of systems. A team of advisers, each with a specific responsibility to one of the four faculties, give advice and support of developments in the use of IT for teaching and learning.

The University of Warwick Science Park

Director: D. N. E. Rowe, BSc Wales, MBA Brad

The University of Warwick Science Park was launched on 15 February, 1982 by Sir Keith Joseph, then Secretary of State for Education and Science. The Science Park is a joint venture between the University, Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and the West Midlands Enterprise Board. It aims to provide a focus for technology transfer and information exchange between University research and commercial exploitation of high technology processes, and to play an important role in the economy of the West Midlands region. This objective is being achieved by the creation of a working environment which provides a technology linking function between companies and the University, offers accommodation which is exceptionally well matched to the needs of growing high-tech companies and incorporates access to high calibre business advisory services for small and new starter enterprises.

The original 24 acre site and its extension of 18 acres, added in 1987, adjoins the central campus of the University and has been developed in stages. The first phase of 10 acres which includes the Barclays Venture Centre was opened by the Prime Minister in February 1984. The Barclays Venture Centre, which was extended in 1986, represents an investment of £1.7m by Barclays Bank and is designed to encourage the rapid growth of small start-up high technology enterprises by providing a range of common services specially designed for the purpose. Further buildings with larger units to accommodate the growth of existing companies and new larger concerns have been built in a continuous programme from 1985 to date.

Coventry City Council, the Science Park itself, English Estates and the West Midlands Enterprise Board have been the main providers of capital for the let accommodation. The existing buildings, which are fully tenanted, accommodate around 60 companies, ranging from teams from major companies such as Schneider, Parametric Technology Group and SUN Microsystems to new start-up enterprises including companies founded by academic staff of the University.

In April 1997 the Science Park’s first satellite project, the Warwick Innovation Centre located at the Warwick Technology Park in Warwick was opened. The Centre was funded by a venture between the University of Warwick Science Park and the Warwickshire County Council. Due to the success of this Centre, another Innovation Centre was developed at Binley Business Park, Coventry, a venture between the University of Warwick Science Park, Coventry City Council and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise (The Chamber). Both these Centres are run and managed along the same lines as the Barclays Venture Centre, thereby stimulating company formation and growth deeper into the region’s infrastructure. February 2004 saw the latest and largest building project on the main site, Riley Court, a 40,000 sq ft state-of-the art building which offers 33,000 sq ft of lettable accommodation.

A notable feature of the history of the Science Park has been the progressively strengthening links between the companies based on the Science Park and the University, to the advantage of both.

The Science Park organises and sponsors work experience programmes through the Student Project Scheme and KITTS which are designed to foster these relationships.

The Student Project Scheme incorporates the national STEP programme and second year students from the University of Warwick and other universities, across the West Midlands, undertake work projects for local companies during the summer vacation. In many cases this has resulted in innovative ideas and new technology, of value to both student and company alike.

Science Park based companies and high tech companies in the region also benefit from the constant planning of new initiatives by the Science Park management:

MINERVA – helps established businesses raise finance of £25,000 to £1million for expansion, and emerging businesses to find funding for start up and growth.

Ignite – is a start-up and early stage business development programme for high potential businesses, combining all our experience from supporting hundreds of entrepreneurs and business owners.

Techmark which provides a broad range of market assistance from strategic development to customer contact for innovative companies and individuals in both the UK and Europe.

The Science Park is managed by the University of Warwick Science Park Company Ltd, a private company incorporated in November 1982.

The Board of the Company has the following membership:

The Vice-Chancellor	Chairman of the Board
Professor S. B. Palmer	University of Warwick
Mr H. R. P. Thompson	University of Warwick
Councillor K. Foster	City of Coventry
Councillor D. Arrowsmith	City of Coventry
Councillor M. Jones	Warwickshire
Councillor A. Matchet	City of Coventry
Councillor R. Morris-Jones	Warwickshire
Mr A. Hope	West Midlands Enterprise Board
Mr K. Thomas	West Midlands Enterprise Board
Mr P. Burns	Independent Member
Dr I. Nussey	Independent Member
Mr N. Maris	Independent Member

The Director of the Science Park is the Chief Executive Officer, and is responsible to the Board of the Company for the management and development of the project.

The Science Park offers a portfolio of business support activities to help technology-based companies with high growth potential to overcome some of the barriers to their success. The principal focus is on helping such companies to access finance for start-up and expansion, and the provision of services designed to assist business growth and development.

The Science Park’s long-established activities of Technical Marketing, Student Placements and Networking were recognised as leading exemplar in winning the 2005 UK Business Incubator of the Year award.

Lifelong Learning

From its earliest days, the University has had a keen interest in lifelong learning and continuing education. A new focus for this work was provided in 2002 by the creation of the Centre for Lifelong Learning. The Centre draws together and develops the wide range of continuing and adult education initiatives underway in the University, including the Open Studies programme, part-time and 2+2 degrees and Foundation Degrees.

The University’s lifelong learning activities encompass the full spectrum of needs and clienteles. The University provides local adult continuing education in the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire regions, and the Open Studies programme in these areas now consists of some 350 courses attracting over 5,000 enrolments. Most of these courses are credit-bearing. There are Open Studies Certificates in Advice and Guidance, Archaeology, Counselling, Creative Writing, Ecology and Conservation, English Studies, Historical Studies, History of Art, History of Music, History of Opera, Journalism, Local History, Mentoring, Philosophical Studies, Psychology, Social Studies, Supporting Minority Ethnic Pupils’ Achievement and a range of languages. These programmes can provide a route into degree study with advanced standing.

The venues for Open Studies courses include Coventry, Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, Warwick, Rugby, Nuneaton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Solihull and the University campus. Responsibility for the administration of Open Studies courses rests with the Centre for Lifelong Learning. Many Departments and Schools within the University have developed programmes of continuing education, consisting of substantial numbers of post-experience courses, many of which have strong local relevance. Particularly noteworthy in this respect are the Integrated Graduate Development Scheme (IGDS) in Engineering, and the part-time MBA.

At the undergraduate level, the admission of a high proportion of mature students has always been encouraged. A wide range of opportunities for part-time study has been created for people unable to undertake a degree programme by the traditional pattern of full-time study. Specially designed part-time undergraduate degrees in Social Studies, Historical Studies and Literary and Cultural Studies were introduced in October 1987, and degrees in Health and Social Policy, European Studies, Law, Early Childhood Studies and History of Art have been added. These degrees may be taken by daytime or evening study, or by a combination of both, and on average they take six years to complete.

The University is involved in a number of collaborative ventures with other local educational institutions. It supports the newly created Open College Network (West Midlands Region), which accredits Access and other courses delivered by Colleges of Further Education in the region. The Access courses provide academically motivated students over 21 who possess few or no formal qualifications with an alternative to “A’ levels in preparation for entrance to Higher Education. The University partnership with local Colleges of Further Education provides a number of 2+2 degree courses which involve students spending two years at their local college before transferring to the University for a further two years. 2+2 degrees are offered in Social Studies and Early Childhood Studies.

In 2000 the University was among a small number of institutions awarded funding to develop prototype Foundation Degrees, and two of these courses were offered for the first time in 2001: in Learning Support (for teaching assistants in an early years setting) and in Community Enterprise and Development (for those working in or with the voluntary and community sectors). A Foundation degree in Post-Compulsory Education and Training has also been developed, building on the well established Cert.Ed (FE) programme which is run in partnership with local colleges.

The University was an early signatory to the national Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) and in this and other ways encourages wider access to and flexibility in higher continuing education.

Enquiries about Open Studies, 2+2 degrees, Foundation Degrees and other aspects of the Centre’s work should be directed to Dr R. Moseley (Centre for Lifelong Learning); enquiries about Part-time Degrees should be directed to Sally Blakeman (Centre for Lifelong Learning).

International University Links

As well as the Warwick-based International Office (http://www.warwick.ac.uk/go/international), the University also has nominated representatives in Hong Kong, Russia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, India, the Caribbean, USA, Pakistan, Jordan, Syria, and China.

The International Office is responsible for the administration of the Higher Education Foundation Programme (www2.warwick.ac.uk/go/hefp), which is taught at Warwickshire College (Science/Engineering and Law), Stratford-upon-Avon College (Business Studies and Social Science), and Solihull College (Chemisty and Biology) and HKUST CL³ in Hong Kong (Business Studies).

The major countries of origin of international students at Warwick include Cyprus, Germany, Greece, India, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, People’s Republic of China, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the USA as well as other states in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia.

The University has agreements to exchange students with several of the institutions listed below at undergraduate and postgraduate level. In addition, the University has 176 links with institutions in the EU, EEA and associated countries under the SOCRATES/ERASMUS Programme. Student mobility is an important part of these agreements, but provision has also been established for staff visits; five departments are participating in the European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS).

The University has exchange links with many overseas institutions, including the following: Universidad de Buenos Aires, University of New South Wales, Australia; Queen’s University, University of Toronto, York University, University of British Colombia, Canada; Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias y de la Education, Chile; East China University of Politics and Law, Hong Kong City University, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong University, Peking University, Renmin University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, People's Republic of China; Université de Bordeaux I, II, III, IV, Université de Caen, Université de Lille II, France; Tblisi University, Georgia; Justus-Liebig-Universitat Giessen, Universitat zu Köln, Padagogische Hochschule Kiel, Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, Germany; Hokkaido University, Nagoya University, Ritsumeikan University, Tokyo University, Waseda University, Japan, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia; Universidad de Guadalajara, Universidad Iberoamericana, Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla, Mexico; Erasmus Universiteit, Netherlands; Kinnaird College, Pakistan; Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Peru; Pontifica Universidad Catolica, Chile; University of Puerto Rico; Tomsk Polytechnic Institute, Russia; Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, Thailand; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Makerere University, Uganda; Arizona State University, Brown University, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Georgetown, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, University of Richmond, University of South Carolina-Columbia, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States of America.

Equality and Diversity

The Equality and Diversity Committee is responsible for discussing and making recommendations on matters relating to the promotion and monitoring of equality of opportunity throughout the University. It meets once a term and reports to the Senate and the Council. In addition, the Equality and Diversity Network provides a forum for all members of staff and students to discuss issues relating to diversity. The Network meets termly and liaises directly with the Equality and Diversity Committee.

The Equality and Diversity Committee and Network are chaired by Professor Y. Carter who is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor with particular responsibility for equality and diversity matters.

Further information on Equality and Diversity including the university policies can be found at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/equalops