• Award Winning Students’ Union Takes Gold
• Andrew West Appointed Chair of AMOSSHE
• First John Hawley Trophy Awarded
• SUGS Success
• Fresh New Look for the Staff Webpages
• It’s uSpace - But Not As We Know It
• New English Language Teaching Centre Opens
• University Astronomer Makes Stellar Discovery
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SUGS Success

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In May, 40 postgraduate researchers (PGRs) from departments across the University took part in the first ever Sheffield University GRAD school (SUGS). 

The event was opened by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Keith Burnett and organised by the University’s Careers Service working in partnership with Research and Innovation Services.  It was launched as a pilot programme with all second, third and fourth year  PGRs invited to apply for a place.  However it proved so popular that it ran again in July.

GRAD schools are aimed mainly at PGRs funded by Research Councils and competition for places has increased in recent years.   SUGS was an intensive, three day, non-residential course.  It gave participants the opportunity to reflect on their career plans and to develop their communication, team-working and critical thinking skills through a range of experiential learning activities.  Meanwhile outdoor exercises gave participants another aspect of training and development.

The courses were held at Halifax Hall and the course content was delivered by tutors from the Careers Service, Human Resources, LeTS and MBB as well as two tutors from outside the University.   A total of eighty PGRs took part and well over half of these were international researchers.  By embedding the course within the University and using mainly internal staff, the cost of the events was significantly reduced.  At the same time, participant feedback from both courses was extremely positive, proving SUGS a critical and financial success.

Another course is planned for the spring of 2011, with publicity about the event commencing this month.   If you would like to know more about SUGS or get involved in tutoring roles please contact Jane Simm, Course manager  (j.m.simm@sheffield.ac.uk )  at the Careers Service.