Tag: students

Edinburgh College opens new digital care hub for students

Edinburgh College has launched a new digital care hub, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, designed to provide greater skills and opportunities to health and social care students in the Lothians.  

The Edinburgh College Digital Care Hub, located at the College’s Sighthill Campus, will equip students with the transferrable skills required to fulfil a successful career in areas including Health and Social Care, Dental and Pharmacy with a particular emphasis on technology enabled care.  

The hub will focus on building students’ digital and practical skills through its state-of-the-art equipment, supporting experiential learning in a purpose-built setting. 

It contains a replica medical ward with patient room, toilet and wet room facilities; an infection control and decontamination area; a reflection room; a care at home room; as well as a virtual reality room designed to give students an immersive experience which demonstrates how a patient with dementia experiences day-to-day life.  

Within the care hub students have access to realistic patient simulators with true-to-life responsiveness, in a variety of care settings, enabling them to develop patient testing and care skills. 

Also key to the role of the digital care hub is embedding the principles of professionalism amongst students and fostering the meta skills required to work in a care environment including communication, nurture, resilience, initiative and leadership. 

The new facility hosts the Edinburgh College and University of Edinburgh Social Care Academy which provides an agile pathway to a career in health and social care specifically for school pupils.

As part of the programme, pupils study units in digital skills for health and social care, mental health, the human body, infection prevention and control and safe beginners for health and social care.

After successfully completing the programme, pupils are able to progress on to further studies with the College or university or advance into employment.  

The digital care hub was launched during an event attended by representatives from key institutions connected to the College and the new hub, and brought together those with a collective interest in supporting the future of the health and care sector.  

Audrey Cumberford, Edinburgh College Principal and CEO, said: “We are delighted to be launching our Digital Care Hub in partnership with the University of Edinburgh.

“The facility will provide practical learning experiences for pupils and students as well as exposing them to many sector specialisms which they ordinarily might miss out on without having access to specialist equipment in a health and care setting.  

“The COVID pandemic has highlighted the importance of our health and care workers across the country and through addressing the national skills gaps in digital enabled care, the Digital Care Hub, through partnership working with industry, is ready to provide a pipeline of future workers equipped with the skills and knowledge required to meet the demands of the sector and population.”

Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Edinburgh, said: “We are delighted to work with Edinburgh College on the Digital Care Hub, which will be an excellent resource for those considering a career within health and social care.

“Harnessing technology to support learning in this way and simulate real-life scenarios in the workplace will enable students to make informed choices about their future, built on their own ambitions and potential.” 

Student discounts at Fort Kinnaird

Stores and restaurants across Edinburgh are celebrating the return to university with a range of exclusive discounts and promotions for students across the city. 

From Monday 20th to Monday 27th September, students visiting Fort Kinnaird will be able to make the most of offers from brands including New Look, Schuh, ProCook and many more. 

Here are all some of the great student discounts that will be on offer throughout the week: 

·       Boots – students can receive 10% discount all year round and can take advantage of the below offers from Monday 20th – Sunday 26th September including: 

o   Clarins – three complimentary samples to every student 

o   Bare Minerals – free seven-day sample of the new foundation 

o   Benefit – free fun size mascara when purchasing two products 

o   Mac – free 10-day foundation sample 

·       Pizza Express – 30% off food and drinks every Sunday – Thursday all year round with a valid UniDays ID   

·       Office – 20% off full price items (Monday 27th September to Sunday 3rd October) 

·       ProCook – 10% off (Monday 20th – Sunday 26th September)  

·       River Island – 20% off (Monday 20th September – Thursday 3rd October)  

·       Schuh – students receive 20% off (Monday 20th – Monday 27th September), there will also be a ‘spin-to-win’ station (while stocks last) 

·       The Perfume Shop – students receive 15% off (Monday 20th – Sunday 26th September) 

·       Trespass – 15% off (Monday 20th – Sunday 26th September) 

·       Fat Face – 20% off (Monday 20th – Sunday 26th September) 

·       Accessorize – 10% off all year round  

·       New Look – 10% off all year round  

·       Tessuti – 10% off all year round  

Valid student ID will be required. 

For more information please visit: https://www.fortkinnaird.com/  

HMRC warns students of scams

University students taking part-time jobs are at increased risk of falling victim to scams, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning.

Higher numbers of students going to university this year means more young people may choose to take on part-time work. Being new to interacting with HMRC and unfamiliar with genuine contact from the department could make them vulnerable to scams.

In the past year almost 1 million people reported scams to HMRC.

Nearly half of all tax scams offer fake tax refunds, which HMRC does not offer by SMS or email. The criminals involved are usually trying to steal money or personal information to sell on to others. HMRC is a familiar brand, which scammers abuse to add credibility to their scams.

Links or files in emails or texts can also download dangerous software onto a computer or phone. This can then gather personal data or lock the recipient’s machine until they pay a ransom.

Between April and May this year, 18 to 24-year olds reported more than 5,000 phone scams to HMRC.

Mike Fell, Head of Cyber Security Operations at HMRC, said: “Most students won’t have paid tax before, and so could easily be duped by scam texts, emails or calls either offering a ‘refund’ or demanding unpaid tax.

“Students, who will have had little or no interaction with the tax system might be tricked into clicking on links in such emails or texts.

“Our advice is to be wary if you are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or personal information. We see high numbers of fraudsters contacting people claiming to be from HMRC. If in doubt, our advice is – do not reply directly to anything suspicious, but contact HMRC through GOV.UK straight away and search GOV.UK for ‘HMRC scams’.”

In the last year (September 2020 – August 2021) HMRC has: 

·         responded to 998,485referrals of suspicious contact from the public. Nearly 440,730 of these offered bogus tax rebates   

·         worked with the telecoms industry and Ofcom to remove 2,020 phone numbers being used to commit HMRC-related phone scams 

·         responded to 413,527 reports of phone scams in total, an increase of 92% on the previous year. In April last year we received reports of only 425 phone scams. In August 2021 this had risen to 3,269

·         reported 12,705 malicious web pages for takedown

·         detected 463 COVID-19-related financial scams since March 2020, most by text message 

·         asked Internet Service Providers to take down 443 COVID-19-related scam web pages.

By June this year, more than 680,000 students had applied to university, and over 900,000 held part time jobs during the 2020-21 academic year.

  1. HMRC’s advice is:

Stop: 

·         Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information. 

·         Don’t give out private information or reply to text messages, and don’t download attachments or click on links in texts or emails you weren’t expecting.

·         Do not trust caller ID on phones. Numbers can be spoofed.

Challenge: 

·         It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests – only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

·         Search ‘scams’ on GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact  and how to avoid and report scams. 

Protect:

·         Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. Report scam phone calls on GOV.UK. 

·         Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, and report it to Action Fraud (in Scotland, contact the police on 101).

  1. Data about student university applications can be found here.
  1. Data on part-time student employment can be found here.
  1. Follow the National Cyber Security Centre’s steps on keeping secure online at CyberAware.gov.uk.
  1. Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice

Three new mobile vaccination buses target Scotland’s students

The Scottish Ambulance Service has launched three new mobile vaccination buses to cover the whole of Scotland – with a bus dedicated to the east, west and north of the country.

Over the last seven months, the Service has been working in partnership with health boards and local authorities to support the delivery of the national vaccination programme. With the launch of the new buses, one of the key priorities will be to ensure that students are able to access vaccines.

There will be further clinics at the University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, Glasgow Caledonian University and Glasgow University, where it will be parked up at different locations including Murano Street.

The east bus will be at locations in the Scottish Borders, including at Borders College in September, while the north bus will be working with secondary schools across the Highlands.

Pauline Howie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “Our fantastic staff and our close working with Scottish Government, Health Boards and local authorities across Scotland has meant we can reach into communities via our mobile vaccination bus to ensure everyone has the chance to be vaccinated.

“With university students set to arrive on campuses across the country, we want to ensure they are protected, so over the coming months our vaccination buses will be located at universities and campuses to ensure every student can protect themselves, and others, from Covid-19.”

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “These new vaccine buses, along with those being run by some NHS boards, makes it even easier for students to get vaccinated. As well as going round schools in the Highlands, they will also visit university and college campuses around Scotland Earlier this year we announced the international students will also be included in our national programme.

“The increase in case numbers in recent weeks means it remains vital everyone who is offered a vaccine takes up the invitation. The vaccine buses has been an excellent addition to our national vaccination programme and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved for their hard work.”

Gillian Plunkett, Director for Student Experience at City of Glasgow College, said: “Throughout this global pandemic the health and welfare of our students has been our top priority. We are delighted to welcome the NHS Mobile Vaccination Unit. It offers immediate access for students and staff who have still to receive their first vaccine, or their second dose.  

“While we continue with our hybrid learning and teaching approach this new academic year, we are encouraging our students to take up the vaccine which is strongly recommended by the NHS as providing the best protection against the effects of Covid-19.”  

The mobile vaccination buses will also be helping communities across Scotland, so that everyone can receive the appropriate Covid 19 vaccines for their age group. New funding has been provided by the Scottish Government for the buses, in order to improve accessibility to vaccine clinics across the country.

University of Edinburgh graduates in celebration to remember

Recent University of Edinburgh graduates celebrated their achievements at a unique event last night with the help of two city icons – Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo! 

This was the first in a series of celebrations across four days with nearly five thousand graduates from summer/winter 2020 and summer 2021, plus their guests, taking part in these processions in the magnificent setting of the Castle. 

Combining two of Edinburgh’s most famous institutions, the Tattoo and the University of Edinburgh, provided graduates and their guests with a night to remember.

Attendees were piped over the Castle drawbridge, then led in a procession by senior University academics, walking up through the Portcullis Gate and past the cannons, through Foogs Gate then into Castle Square accompanied by Tattoo dancers, pipers, drummers and fiddlers who provided entertainment along the way.

Graduates and their guests then entered the magnificent Great Hall, where they were capped by the University of Edinburgh’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Mathieson. 

The first group were joined in their procession by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who walked with them and passed on her congratulations to graduates. 

Professor Peter Mathieson said: “Over the last 18 months, our students have faced challenges like no others before them, so it’s fantastic to offer them such a special event to celebrate not only their achievements, but their resilience and commitment shown throughout the pandemic. 

“It was a truly memorable moment to see our former students complete their University journey at such a spectacular and iconic setting and we are very grateful to the teams at the Tattoo and Castle for working with us to make it possible.”

Buster Howes, CEO of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “We’re committed to supporting the people and organisations of Edinburgh as the City starts to open up again.

“It’s been a privilege to collaborate with the University of Edinburgh and Historic Environment Scotland to give Edinburgh’s graduates a chance to celebrate with their families, their achievements over four years, which latterly have entailed significant challenges.

“We wish Edinburgh University’s graduates every success in the future – this is just the beginning for them!”

For more information about this year’s University of Edinburgh graduation, please visit: www.ed.ac.uk 

Exams back on the timetable for Scotland’s schoolchildren

National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams will be held in spring 2022 if public health advice allows, the Scottish Government has announced.

The decision has been informed by public health advice and by the views of partners, including those on the National Qualifications Group, which includes representatives of young people, parents, teachers and other education professionals.

Course content has been reduced compared to a normal year to take account of the disruption to learning that young people have experienced. These modifications have already been confirmed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Due to uncertainty over the pandemic, two contingency plans will be in place.

If there is further significant disruption to learning as a result of COVID-19, but it is still safe for exams to go ahead, there will be further modifications to courses and assessment.

If public health conditions do not allow for an exam diet to take place, awards will be made on teachers’ judgements based on normal in–year assessment. 

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Exams will take place next year if safe to do so.

“Fairness for learners sitting exams in 2022 is at the heart of our plans. Assessment modifications across national courses for the next academic session have already been confirmed by the SQA in recognition of the disruption to learning that young people have experienced. We will set out details on further support available for learners in September.

“Careful contingency planning has taken place in case there is further significant disruption to learning or if public health conditions do not allow for the holding of an examination diet.

“These contingencies offer stability for teachers and learners in the coming academic session and will allow their focus to be on normal practices in teaching, learning and assessment.  More detailed guidance will be issued by the SQA at the earliest opportunity.”

Commenting on the announcement, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “It is no surprise that the Scottish Government has stated its intention to reinstate an exam diet in 2022, should public health advice allow.

“The EIS would have preferred to see exams by-passed for S4 students in the interests of supporting education recovery and wellbeing among this cohort.  It remains to be seen whether the reductions in course content for this year as recognition that young people have been adversely affected by the pandemic through no fault of their own, will suffice.

“It is essential that appropriate and robust contingencies are in place should it be necessary to cancel the exam diet on public health grounds. We saw earlier this year the damage caused by decisions being made too late without adequate contingences in place and the huge workload and stress that was placed on students and staff as a result.

“In the longer term, the process of reviewing the qualifications system and replacing the SQA must learn lessons from recent experience. The EIS has long been concerned regarding the lack of accountability of the Scottish Qualifications Authority to the teaching profession and the over-emphasis placed on annual high-stakes exams at the expense of continuous assessment.

“The EIS believes that now is an appropriate time to consider the future shape of learning and assessment in the senior phase, alternative models of timetabling and the timing of qualifications to better serve the needs of Scotland’s learners, as part of the process around replacing the SQA.”

Don’t assume it’s COVID – it might be meningitis, charity warns

CHARITY MENINGITIS NOW are urging young people off to university or the world of work this Autumn not to assume it’s COVID-19 if they feel ill – it might be meningitis.

As A-level results are announced and thousands of young people contemplate their future, the charity is concerned that the combination of new-found social freedoms, the desire of young people to mix in large groups and a move to campus-based accommodation for students, present the ideal opportunity for infectious diseases to spread, putting young people at a higher risk of meningitis.

It’s calling on young people to carefully consider their actions if they or any of their friends fall ill. In particular, Government advice to self-isolate if COVID-19 is suspected could have the worst possible consequences if the illness is not COVID-19 but meningitis or septicaemia.

One person who knows, only too well, the consequences of making the wrong assumption, is 26-year-old Londoner Nick Gilbert, who is spearheading Meningitis Now’s awareness campaign.

In 2018, Nick felt under the weather, but assumed he didn’t have anything serious. After resting overnight, he went about his business the next day and even went on a date.

But just 24 hours after first feeling ill, Nick collapsed, vomiting in a busy central London street. His symptoms were mistakenly assumed to be drunkenness by the many people who saw him.

Fortunately for Nick, a young woman passer-by helped him to hospital, where his meningitis was diagnosed. Nick went on to make a good recovery.

“I dread to think how the outcome could have been different if I’d just gone home and shut myself away from everybody,” Nick said. “It’s vital that anybody who feels ill does not automatically assume it’s COVID-19.

“Learn the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Let someone know if you are feeling unwell. If you are concerned about yourself or a friend, trust your instincts and get urgent medical advice. Call NHS 111 or in an emergency dial 999.”

Ryan Bresnahan wasn’t so lucky. His mum, Michelle, who set up the Bristol-based charity, a Life for a Cure, following Ryan’s death from meningitis in 2010, has been campaigning tirelessly to raise awareness of the symptoms of the disease and funds for research.

Ryan was a fit and healthy 16-year-old when he was tragically struck down by Meningitis B within an hour of first feeling ill.

Michelle said: “I know only too well how devastating this disease can be and have seen the worst it can do, destroying young lives and tearing apart those who remain.

“No-one should be left counting the cost of making the wrong assumption – meningitis can affect anyone at any time but we need to highlight that teenagers and young people are the second most at risk group of contracting the disease, after babies and toddlers.”

Meningitis Now chief executive, Dr Tom Nutt, said: “Research has shown that up to a quarter of 15 to 24-year-olds carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in the back of their throats compared to one in 10 of the general population.

“Whilst many young people will have been vaccinated against MenACWY, which protects against four strains of meningococcal meningitis, at school, we estimate that up to half a million under-25s may have missed this important vaccination. If that’s you – contact your GP and see if you can get up to date with your vaccinations.

“And very few young people will have been vaccinated against MenB, which is the strain that causes the most cases of bacterial meningitis in the UK.

“Common complaints such as a hangover and Freshers’ Flu are often given as reasons for a person not feeling too well – but we are asking young people not to simply assume this is the case. A headache and fever are also common signs of meningitis, which is why it is so important that if young people feel unwell, they should not jump to what seems the obvious conclusion – COVID-19 or just a hangover!”

The early signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can be similar to ‘flu, tummy bug or a hangover and include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, stomach cramps and fever with cold hands and feet.

More specific signs and symptoms include fever with cold hands and feet, drowsiness, confusion, pale blotchy skin, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and a rash which doesn’t fade under pressure.

Meningitis Now has a free information pack for parents and students, including leaflets, signs and symptoms cards and fridge magnets – all of which contain lifesaving information.

Find out more and request a pack at www.MeningitisNow.org

Teaching union welcomes school re-opening plans

Following the announcement from the First Minister on the reopening of Scotland’s schools, EIS Assistant Secretary David Belsey said: “The EIS welcomes the Scottish Government plans for schools to reopen with broadly the same mitigations in place as when they closed earlier this year.

“We agree the continued wearing of facemasks, physical distancing measures, effective ventilation of classrooms and good hygiene regimes need to remain in full force.

“The Scottish Government’s acknowledgement of the importance of  strengthening the guidance around ventilation and the additional funding to close any gaps in this provision is extremely welcome and a significant improvement to the current mitigations.

“The completion of vaccination programmes for all school staff is vital and the EIS believes that voluntary vaccination of 12 – 17 year-olds would be sensible and may go some way towards making schools safer places and help to address the anxieties of some young people.

“The six week period of no changes to mitigations will provide a degree of reassurance to school staff and some certainty as to what to expect when returning to classrooms.

“This will also allow for meaningful consultation between Scottish Government, Local Authorities and teachers’ unions before any further changes. The EIS will study the new guidance and seek to address any emerging issues with the Scottish Government and employers.”

More than half of UK students considering dropping out as mental health plummets

University degrees lose value with employers

  • 55% of students are considering dropping out of their courses, while 63% say their mental health and wellbeing worsened since the start of the academic year
  • Three in 10 businesses say a job candidate’s degree doesn’t matter at all, while 56% say that it is generally not important
  • However UCAS data reveals university applications have risen

More than half of UK students were considering dropping out this academic year, while two thirds have suffered a decline in mental health, a new study has found, alongside the fact that 56% of companies do not consider a degree important when recruiting.

The research by money transfer service RationalFX found that student mental health is declining, with a recent ONS survey revealing that 63% of students said their mental wellbeing had worsened since the start of the academic year in September 2020. Furthermore, 55% of students say they are considering dropping out of their courses.

In addition, new graduates will encounter a job market where 30% of business owners say a degree is not important at all when recruiting, while a further 26% rate the qualification as not very important, according to a poll by YouGov.

Despite this, the numbers for university applications this year have risen. New data from UCAS reveals that there have been 10% more applications for this Autumn, rising from 281,000 last year to a record 311,000, with 44% of school leavers applying for university places.

Commenting on the study, a spokesperson for RationalFX said: “Choosing whether to study for a degree has always been a big decision, but the impact of the pandemic has probably made it even more significant.

“For the majority of employers, a degree is far from essential, and for many students the last academic year has been very difficult. And with the cost of attending university higher than ever before, it is certainly not a decision to be taken lightly.”

Only 14% of businesses say a degree is very important while one in four consider it somewhat important. Larger businesses are more likely to consider a degree valuable when hiring a new employee, with 56% saying that it is important, compared to one in five small businesses.

The employment sector that places the greatest importance on degrees during the hiring process is Legal, with IT & Telecoms coming in second.

Finance and Accounting comes in third, followed by Media & Marketing, Manufacturing and Construction.

Marketing is split with 47% of businesses believing a degree is important, and 50% saying it is not. The sector that places the least importance on having a degree is hospitality and leisure.

Younger business owners are much more likely to value a degree, with 23% of those aged under 35 rating one as very important, compared to just 8% of UK business owners aged 55 and over.

Businesses in London are more likely to value a degree when they are looking for new hires, with 62% considering it at least somewhat important, while nearly of half of businesses in Wales (46%) say the qualification is not important at all.

The analysis was conducted by RationalFX, which is one of Europe’s leading international payment providers. Its competitive exchange rates, market expertise, suite of FX products and online payment platform enable bank transfers in more than 50 currencies worldwide.

Employment Sector and their opinion on the importance of a degree for a new hire
SectorVery importantSomewhat importantNot important at all
Legal402611
IT & Telecoms193917
Finance and Accounting213318
Media/Marketing/advertising/ PR & Sales182923
Manufacturing132531
Construction112540
Retail141635
Hospitality and Leisure61348
UK businesses and their opinion on the importance of a degree, split by region
RegionVery importantSomewhat importantNot important at all
London273517
Southeast72529
Southwest72437
Wales111346
Scotland141936
North62239
Midlands152128
https://www.rationalfx.com