01/06/2017 - 09/06/2017_JUNE_WEEK_1 

 

I attended a session on Spectrum Networking Event on 1st June with other fellows. I was made to understand that, the network was setup within the University to represent University of East London Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff.  The Network operating challenges were identified as: lack of vision and capability, time and resources.

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On the 2nd May, I had an interesting and educative session with other fellows at UEL on the topic: “Understanding Self and Others”.  This was organized and delivered by the Associate Director (IT Services), Gurdish  Sandhu. This session highlighted on:

• How you know yourself   

• How we get our energy

• Where we get our energy

• How we make decision 

• How we organize in life 

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She emphasized on the difference between:

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• Extravert: Getting energy through interaction and outer world. 

• Introvert: Producing energy through inner world

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I had one hour meeting session with the Head of Data Protection and Information Security of the University, Mr. Craig. It was interactive with great knowledge sharing session. Mr. Craig is an IT security expert, who has strong background in social engineering and data act regulation. He highlighted on the University’s IT security audit and roll over in 2015 for the adoption of strict data protection policy for the University.  We discussed issues on data protection and information security policy sustainability issues, policy training awareness for users and current data Act regulations binding Universities in the world. 

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I visited and had a tour of the UEL old Campus Library (Stratford library block) on 7th May with other fellows.

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On the 8th May, we had a brief meeting with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Nora Ann Colton. At this meeting the Deputy Vice-Chancellor had an in-depth feedback from fellows regarding their learning objectives of the fellowship and also had the opportunity to share with fellows the strategic plan of the University and upcoming development projects.

 

Friday, 9th May was another session with Gurdish, on the topic: Leadership and Management. She made me to understand that, managing people in organization is difficult than managing systems. She further explained that, leadership is: showing the way through vision, mission and strategy.

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12/06/2017 - 16/06/2017_JUNE_WEEK_2

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We attended Ph.D Manager workshop organized and delivered by Kulvinder. This workshop showcased the electronic Ph.D application admission process of the University.

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On the 13th May, I had the opportunity to attend an international conference on the theme: “Internet of Things” (TechXLR8) at Excel London. I participated in the following sessions of the conference:

• Using IoT Data in Insurance to Improve People’s Health

• IoT as a driver to reduce logistic costs: Use case of the heating oil business

• Why the c-suite is imperative in driving successful IoT initiatives

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I travelled to Birmingham University on 15th May and had a tour of the University new Library Complex with other fellows and Gurdish.

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On 16th May, 2017, I attended an international Library Directors conference organized by ExLibris on the topic: “Changing role of the library and the demands placed on it in the context of the increasing importance of teaching excellence, student success and research management”.

 

The conference sessions included:

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• The changing role of the library

• The challenges for libraries in managing research data

• Using mobile applications to measure and support student attainment, success and engagement

• Research Services Platform - Next from Ex Libris

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19/06/2017 - 23/06/2017_JUNE_WEEK_3

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I had a meeting on 19th May, 2017 with UEL technical team  to observe the operations the University's Library e-resources software (Alma and Primo). I observed that all the University's eResources are hosted on the cloud. 

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I visited the UEL Stratford Campus Library with other fellows and observed the provision of the following at the library Block:

• Eating area, self-service and Disability (Assertive) area

• Book return e-space

• Bookable PC (Lab)

• Print service Area

• Space for postgraduate students​

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I participated in a meeting with Prof. Stephen (Information Director at Sheffield University) on 22nd May on the integration of libraries and library teaching curricular at Sheffield University. 

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I had a follow up meeting on the same day with Ken Chad (Library Consultant) on direction of library technology. He identified some challenges confronted by libraries in computerizing their systems.

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Weekly meeting with Gurdish on 23rd May on: Digital Leadership and Strategy Development. Digital Leaders: Business, technology and personal competencies to exploit their digital ecosystems.  She discusses issues on how to be digital leader by: becoming digital fluent, developing new capabilities, willingness to experiment and promoting collaborations. She made fellows to understand that strategy plan for any organization is very important. It is the direction and scope of any organization over a long-term

 

She outlined the best approaches to strategy development as: consultation/participation and shared understanding.  In addition, she shared with fellows the main aspects of strategy plan: strategy formulation and implementation. 

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26/06/2017 - 30/06/2017_JUNE_WEEK_4

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On the 26th June 2017, We had one day Public Speaking workshop delivered by Vince Stevenson (Director of College of Public speaking). I was taught to adopt some best practices in public speaking which include: vocal development, planning, preparations, practice, posture/body language, eye contact and facial expression. 

 

I learnt at this session that, it is important to have a clear mindset of what type of speaker you want to be and what you want other audience to perceive you.

He stated that a speech structure should include introduction which must capture at least: Rhetorical question, bold statement, quotation, startling statistics or story reflecting the theme.  He added that, the main body within the speech structure may also capture at least: stories, case studies, rhetorical questions, and summary/contrast.

 

At this session, I had the opportunity to learn the three (3) universal laws of public speaking:

• It is not what you say, it is the way you say it

• Know our audience, it is not for them -  keep it straight

• Plan, prepare and practice

 

All fellows were made to deliver two minutes ad hoc presentation to demonstrate their understanding of the session. Fellows were assessed and advised individually on the best way to do a presentation. 

 

I Visited University of Central London (UCL) with other fellows and had a meeting with the Library Director Mr. Ben Menu.  We were updated on the library customer services delivery, research data management and the University’s Press services. I had a tour of the UCL library on the same day with other fellows.

 

We attended Persuasion communication and influencing skills workshop on 29th May, 2017 at UEL. This was another interesting educative and interactive training session organized for fellows as part of the internship programme to improve their communication skills. This workshop was delivered by Susan Glenn. The purpose of the session was to:

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• Develop and improve ideas on persuasive communication skills which will help fellows positively to influence others.

• Increase fellow’s effectiveness in a challenging environment.

• Build rapport and develop relationships more quickly and effectively 

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At this session I was able to learn about the The INSPIRE Model and at what time to apply it.

She highlighted on the following key points to consider before having any meeting engagement:

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• Purpose - the valid business reason for the meeting – make a statement of intent

• Process - the agenda - what will be covered – use win:win language, e.g. we, understand, explore

• Payoff - why should the person bother to see you - think win:win

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She advised fellows on creating RELATIONSHIP during engagement to achieve better results.

 

I had a session on 30th May, delivered by Gurdish on the theme: “Digital Capability” with some highlights on digital strategy goals, purpose and principles. Some of the digital strategy goals mentioned included: 

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• Building digital capabilities

• Transformation of business process

• Adopting effective digital solution

• Stimulating digital innovation

• Building digital competence

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And some of the principles are:

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• Drives digital transformation, not technology

• Drives digital maturity 

• Blend digital with the physical

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In her presentation, she identified the following drivers as Digital capability Audit/ Gap Analysis:

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• People ( staff required to drive the strategy)

• Processes (mapping of stages or steps )

• Policies

• Systems/Technologies

• Digital Content.

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