INSIGHTSCHOOL OF

COMPUTER

SCIENCE AND

INFORMATICS

SUM

MER

2014

AWARD WINNING

CREATIVE UNIVERSITY

WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY

FOR DMU STUDENTS

COMPASS DIRECTS DMU GRADUATE

CHAMPION SHIREEN TO PERFECT JOB

WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATICS2014 is an exciting year for De Montfort University (DMU), with ground-breaking research, campus developments and the launch of #DMUglobal.

In this magazine you can learn more about the University, including the exciting transformation of our campus, our contribution to the local community with our innovative Square Mile project and our #DMUglobal initiative, which allows students to gain an international experience.

You can also read about the achievements of our current students and graduates and learn more about the fascinating projects our academic staff are involved in such as the Supercomputer built with minimal costs and a new system that can track and predict congestion which can help reduce traffic jams and pollution.

We hope you enjoy reading Insight and look forward to welcoming you to DMU.

FOLLOW US:For the latest news and information relating to De Montfort University

@dmuleicester

For the latest news and information from the Faculty of Technology

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GROUND-BREAKING RESEARCH, CAMPUS DEVELOPMENTS AND THE LAUNCH OF #DMUGLOBAL

INSIGHTAWARD WINNING CREATIVE UNIVERSITYFor the second year running Which? University has named De Montfort University (DMU) as one of the top creative universities in the UK. The views of more than 16,000 students from both the 2012 and 2013 Which? University student surveys have revealed the top-rated universities for a variety of areas, including creative, sport and nightlife.

This is the second consecutive year that DMU has been named as one of the top creative universities in the UK.

Students were asked to rate their university on the role that music, theatre, art and dance played in university life, as well as the amount of art-related societies, events and facilities open to students.

Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor of DMU, said: “To know that for the second year running students have named DMU as one of the UK’s top creative universities is a tribute to the innovation of our staff and the quality of our facilities.

It also reflects the excellent employability rates for our students and the exciting internships that we offer, be it with Ubisoft, Gap, Hugo Boss or Hewlett Packard.

Jenni Allen, Head of Which? University, said: “The academic and extra-curricular experience at university varies widely. With increased tuition fees, it’s never been more important for prospective students to weigh up all the options and make sure they make the right choice for them.”

A UNIVERSITY FOR THE PUBLIC GOODIt has been a clean sweep for DMU’s innovative Square Mile project as it has won a series of awards. Both the Guardian University Awards and the Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards, have recognised the University for its commitment to bringing about positive change for the public good through its innovative Square Mile project.

The project utilises a network of student volunteers and academic experts to run projects that have a positive effect on the lives of people in Leicester. DMU Square Mile is the brainchild of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dominic Shellard, who said: “Students and staff at DMU come to DMU to make a difference. DMU Square Mile exemplifies

this. I couldn’t be more proud of our selfless volunteers who have worked so hard.”

“DMU is securing a global future for our students in an increasingly competitive world and seeking to equip them with the skills and experience required by employers. Square Mile initiatives are fundamental to this aim.”

There was even more success for the project at The Times Higher Education Awards, where it was it was highly commended in the ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community’ category. The University as a whole has also been honoured on a recent visit to India with the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for its work with the community.

To learn more about how you can get involved with square mile visit dmu.ac.uk/dmusquaremile or email squaremile@dmu.ac.uk

WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY FOR DMU STUDENTS WITH #DMUGLOBAL#DMUglobal is an exciting programme offering the majority of DMU students the chance to enjoy an international experience during their studies – providing relevant work, volunteering and study–related opportunities on campus, in the UK or at destinations across the world.

Studying at DMU and taking part in #DMUglobal will help strengthen your CV, broaden your cultural horizons and develop your personal resilience. When you graduate, you can stand out in an increasingly competitive global employment market.

Supported by British Airways, the programme reflects the university’s global outlook, and commitment to the best student experience and graduate employability.

DMU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard said: “#DMUglobal reflects the importance we place on providing students with a first-class experience and equipping them with the employability skills to prepare them for the world of work.

“DMU is able to call upon its extensive network of global partners to make some incredible opportunities available to our students.

“We strongly believe that in this increasingly globalised world, living, studying or working abroad – even if just for a short time – can make a significant difference to your outlook and development as well as adding value to your degree.”

#DMUglobal has already given students the chance to work and study all over the world, including opportunities in Brazil, Japan, China, Italy, Hong Kong, India, Turkey and on campus.

There will be many #DMUglobal opportunities from September 2014, including those linked to courses. More information about how to apply and financial support will be available before the start of the academic year.

For more details visit www.dmuglobal.com and if you have any questions or comments, email the team on dmuglobal@dmu.ac.uk

INCREDIBLE

OPPORTUNITIES

AVAILABLE

SPECTACULAR TRANSFORMATION OF DMU’S CAMPUS IS UNDER WAYA multi-million pound investment has begun which will provide the modern, inspiring environment DMU’s students deserve.

DMU’s £90m campus transformation project continues at pace as the university presses ahead with its plans to provide cutting-edge new buildings and teaching facilities.

Huge diggers moved in to tear down the old ceramics block, former students’ union and parts of the Fletcher complex, off Mill Lane, which will eventually make way for exciting cutting-edge buildings and teaching facilities, providing DMU with one of the best higher education complexes in the country.

Forty-eight years after the Queen Mother officially opened DMU’s Fletcher complex, described at the time as ‘truly revolutionary’, the centrepiece tower block now stands empty, ready for a complete refurbishment inside and out.

The new complex will house the university’s internationally-renowned schools of Fashion and Textiles, Art, Design and Architecture. A ground-breaking Confucius Institute – to promote Chinese language and culture – will also be housed there.

The striking new and refurbished buildings will be surrounded by open parkland, creating a ‘green lung’ running through the heart of what DMU intends to be the finest city centre campus in Britain.

The spectacular new teaching spaces and facilities will ensure DMU offers the ultimate student experience and prepares its students better than ever before to enter the world of work. Umesh Desai, deputy director of estates, said: “We are very happy with the progress being made in what is probably the most ambitious project ever undertaken by DMU.

“Over the next two years we can look forward to some truly innovative and radical new buildings taking shape and the creation of a green lung, in the form of superb, landscaped open parkland, which we know will ensure our students and staff work, and relax, in wonderful surroundings.”

The showpiece works are just the latest element of the wide-ranging project. Since summer 2013 the university has overseen:

• Provision of first-class teaching and learning facilities for students and staff in the Art Factory, Mill Studios, Wellesley House and Heritage House.

• Installation of solar panels on the roofs of the Hugh Aston Building, Gateway House and the Edith Murphy Building, saving DMU £25,000 a year in energy bills while dramatically reducing CO2 emissions.

• Creation of modern and relaxing student “breakout” areas in the ground floors of Gateway House and the Queens Building.

• Opening of a new Leicester Media School at Bede Island, offering industry standard technology for cutting-edge courses such as Game Art and Animation.

• Beginning of updating facilities in the Hawthorn Building.

INSIGHT

INCREDIBLE

OPPORTUNITIES

AVAILABLE

TRULY INNOVATIVE AND

RADICAL NEW BUILDINGS

TAKING SHAPE

SUPERCOMPUTER CREATED ON THE CHEAPA four-man team has harnessed a university’s bank of computers to create a supercomputer – at a fraction of the cost being spent elsewhere. The team have developed a way of linking their high-spec multimedia computers to utilise their unused resources, especially at weekends and night-times.

A string of machines with more than 500 computational cores between them in DMU’s Creative Technology Studios have been linked into a cluster, labelled the Memenet.

The idea germinated between Professor Neri and Dr Lorenzo Picinali, a senior lecturer in music technology who runs DMU’s Fused Media Lab.

Controlled by an external computer in the university’s Centre for Computational Intelligence, the cluster has been working in the background creating algorithms (problem-solving programs) without affecting work being done by students.

Professor Neri said, “Part of our project consists of letting the machine design the algorithms itself. The machine analyses the problem and makes the decision. In order to do this we need to run very extensive computational experiments – many algorithms, many times, on many problems. Other universities have been spending over £1 million on supercomputers, our idea is that we have many little computers and we can distribute our optimisation algorithms over all the available computational cores.”

“At the same time, we do not use the full power of each machine because those machines are for the students to use. Our processes are going on in the background using only a little part of the capabilities of each machine. We can do this without disturbing the students at all. Actually the students can continue their normal study day without even realising that our algorithms are running in the background.”

INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT WITH VIGLEN A REAL BOOST

BSc Business Information Systems student Gerald Onuorah, decided to join De Montfort University after a student talk at his college.

Gerald said ”The students talked about what DMU gives you in terms of helping you gain your footing in a prospective career via the courses with industrial placement years. This was the first time I had heard of placement years and I was adamant on attending a university that could help you gain an edge in career opportunities after you graduate.”

Gerald completed a 15 month industrial placement at Viglen where I worked as a Junior Product Development Engineer.

“I applied for the role at Viglen to gain an insight into prospective careers in the field of ICT. I feel every student should go on a placement year as it puts you in better position to understand your field of study and the everyday tasks you will eventually undertake in the future, this will not only improve your chances of a career role after graduation but it also provides you with a clear identification of specific areas of your chosen field you might wish to delve into after studying. It also builds on many of the skills needed in a work environment such as organizational and interpersonal skills.”

INSIGHT

IT ALSO BUILDS ON

MANY OF THE SKILLS

NEEDED IN A WORK

ENVIRONMENT

A COMPETITIVE EDGEComputer Sciences student Edward Tempest decided to join De Montfort University after visiting us on an Open Day.

Edward said “The course offered a good mix of software engineering. During the course I have gained practical skills designing and developing software. I have also improved on my communication skills with the contact I have with tutors, others students and staff from across the University.”

Edward has just completed his placement at MMT Digital where he has spent nearly 14 months working as a new media developer.

Edward said “I decided to do a placement because the majority of graduates would not have 1 years experience working in a professional environment and this will surely give me an edge when applying for jobs, the placement has helped me to solve problems more quickly and efficiently.”

Edward has been offered a two day contract with MMT Digital whilst completing his final year of study. Edward says he would recommend this course to other students looking to study, “DMU has provided me with a well-rounded experience, everything from how to live on my own, to the skills I have learnt on the course.”

After graduating Edward is hoping to study a postgraduate course at DMU.

COMPASS DIRECTS DMU GRADUATE CHAMPION SHIREEN TO PERFECT JOBDe Montfort University graduate Shireen Hussain has been offered a job by the company she had originally joined for a four week internship as part of the innovative DMU Graduate Champions scheme.

Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK’s largest contract catering and support services business, was so impressed by Shireen’s hard work at the company’s Birmingham offices that it has now taken her on full time in its learning and development department.

The 24-year-old, who graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Business Information Systems, said: “I am so delighted to have been offered a job. DMU Graduate Champions is a fantastic scheme. You have four weeks to work for a company, put everything you have learned into practice and you could get a job at the end of it, which is just brilliant. Even if you don’t get a job, the experience you gain will look so good on your CV and stand you in good stead for the future.”

Mr Nice, Early Careers Manager at Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “Getting experience in a real working environment is massively important. It is a very competitive market out there. Shireen has been a welcome addition to the team and brought some great skills with her so we have now offered her a position and we are glad to have her here.”

POLICE AND DMU UNITE AGAINST CYBER-CRIMEPolice from across the East Midlands came together at DMU to form a united front against online crime. The Cyber-Crime Conference brought together police forces from across the East Midlands to address the growing threat that such crime poses.

Offences range from attacks on computer networks and the use of viruses to steal data, to the use of cyberspace to facilitate traditional crimes such as forgery, sabotage, drug smuggling and people trafficking.

DMU is home to the Cyber Security Centre, a research and knowledge hub dedicated to cyber-protection. Several DMU experts including the centre’s director Dr Tim

Watson were key note speakers at the event which examined how best to prevent computer crime and trace cyber-criminals.

Deputy Chief Constable for the East Midlands, Peter Goodman - who also speaks for the Association of Chief Police Officers on Cyber-Crime - said: “We are building some very technically complicated capabilities to be able to understand the nature of these attacks and be able to bring the offenders to justice, whether they are in this country or abroad. Businesses and individuals rely on the internet for so much of our daily lives. That is why it is so important that we are building these skills and a network of relationships with colleagues in academia such as those at De Montfort University.”

CHAMPIONS IS A FANTASTIC SCHEME

INSIGHTCABINET MINISTER PRAISES WORK OF DMU AND DELOITTECabinet Minister Chloe Smith has praised the ‘vital’ work of De Montfort University after it joined forces with business advisory firm Deloitte.

The DMU Deloitte MSc in Cyber Security - the first collaboration of its kind in the UK – brings together world-class experts at DMU’s Cyber Security Centre and Deloitte’s industry specialists to provide the nation with the next generation of highly-trained cyber security professionals, who will protect businesses and individuals from the growing threat posed by cyber attack.

The MSc was launched at the House of Lords in the presence of cyber security experts, business leaders and Ms Smith, Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, whose responsibilities include cyber security. The event was hosted by DMU Chancellor Lord Waheed Ali.

Ms Smith said: “The UK already has a world-wide reputation in education and learning and we aim to make this the same for cyber security. A growing expertise of people with the skills and knowledge to give the UK a competitive advantage in cyberspace, improving the UK’s cyber security capability, is a priority for this government. Partnership and collaboration between academia and industry is vital. That is why partnerships and multidisciplinary MSc Cyber Security programmes such as these are so welcome.

This is absolutely the right direction to enable us to seize the opportunities in cyberspace that are shaping our lives and business today. I think this partnership is exactly the kind of initiative that is needed.”

James Nunn-Price, Head of Cyber Security for Deloitte, said: “Computing and the internet have changed our lives forever, and businesses and individuals have to deal with the growing threat of cyber attacks, which are increasing at an alarming rate. It is essential that the UK has the skills, strategy

and techniques to tackle the cyber threats. By partnering with DMU, we are able to offer a degree that will play an extremely important role in enabling highly-relevant, real world skills and cyber management capabilities. These will be essential to dealing with cyber risk, a matter that is high on the agendas of boardrooms and government.”

IS THIS THE END OF TRAFFIC NIGHTMARES?The average British motorists spends 72 hours - or three days - out of their driving year being caught up in traffic jams which not only sends our stress levels soaring, it also increases air pollution from the noxious exhaust fumes of cars and vehicles sitting still.

De Montfort University researchers are identifying ways to better control and predict bottlenecks that could lead to quicker journeys and fewer queues.

The secret of its system, called iTRAQ – Integrated Traffic Management and Air Quality Control – is using computational intelligence.

The mathematical solution that the team has developed is capable of learning, of being “trained” to predict traffic patterns and alter the traffic light sequences to speed up traffic flow.

The benefits? Quicker journey times, fewer queues, better air quality and lower stress levels for drivers. No wonder that local authorities are queuing up to talk to the DMU team.

Dr Ben Passow. of DIGITS, said: “It’s exploring whether we can have an increase in traffic volume in the city and manage that in a better way. At the same time, can we reduce pollution levels?

“The system, using Computational Intelligence methods, comes up with a solution. Preliminary results seem to indicate we can do quite a good job with this technique.”

The system “learns” from historic traffic movement data fed into it. It uses this data to forecast patterns and predict traffic flow.

The iTRAQ system was tested in real time, but in simulation. This found that traffic flow sped up 89% of the time that the system was monitoring the junction, there were fewer delays and air quality improved.

SPORTS CLUBS HOST DMU CHAMPIONSGraduates from DMU have been gaining essential work experience and boosting their job prospects by taking part in an innovative new scheme called Graduate Champions.

The Graduate Champions scheme run by DMU is offering its recent graduates the chance to take up a month-long intensive work placement to enhance their CVs and help them stand out from the crowd in a furiously competitive jobs market.

Each graduate is contracted and paid by DMU to complete 18½ hours a week of graduate-level work over the space of four weeks and the university pays the living wage of £7.65 per hour.

The first wave of graduates took up prized placements at Leicestershire County Cricket Club (LCCC) and Leicester City Football Club (LCFC), who both have partnership agreements with DMU. The verdict from the graduates taking part in the scheme is that it will provide them with a huge boost when they embark on their chosen career paths, filling them with confidence as they get to apply their skills as graduates to solve real- world problems in the workplace. A total of 17 graduates have been working at the cricket club while another six were based at LCFC.

WORKING AT LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB

LCCC chief executive Mike Siddall is delighted with the way Graduate Champions is helping the club – and his new recruits. He said: “I think this scheme is fantastic. It is an opportunity for us to offer graduates great work experience, working on key projects for the club and using their skills to come up with some answers.”

“Thanks to Graduate Champions we have young brains coming here with fresh ideas that are going to be a huge benefit to us and them.”

“Graduate Champions is really helpful. It is very difficult getting a job at the moment so having the chance to get this sort of hands-on experience is excellent.

It is a bridge between university and the world of work and allows us to use our skills as graduates to help a respected name in the sporting and business world.” Shyam Pankhania 21, graduate in Business and Marketing

“DMU focuses a lot on employability when you are studying there and it is great that they are recognising that graduates need support to. We are learning how important group work is and how important it is to have good communication skills. It is providing a great insight into the working world.”

Priya Gandhi 21, graduate in Psychology

“I think Graduate Champions is a really good scheme. Working for such a professional organisation, and being given such an important task, is great for our CVs and our future prospects.” Gareth Dakin 29, graduate in Media Production

HELP THEM

STAND OUT FROM

THE CROWD

WORKING AT LEICESTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUBTom Crosse, marketing executive at Leicester City, praised the Graduate Champions scheme, saying: “This gives the graduates a great experience and it will look brilliant on their CV. We are a huge football club and hopefully working here will create great opportunities for them.

“It is great for us to have all these extra people, with graduate experience, working for us. It is busy all the time and the additional help is very welcome.”

Computer Science graduate Priyanka Balcrisna was involved in the pilot of the scheme during the autumn term, taking up a placement working on IT projects for the club.

As soon as she told potential employers about the placement, opportunities came knocking, and she is now looking forward to starting work as a junior developer in the IT section of Nottingham-based property support service Styles and Wood Group plc. Priyanka will provide IT support and help develop the company web pages.

“I think the Graduate Champions scheme is amazing. As a graduate, you really need to show employers that you have commercial experience and that is exactly what DMU is helping us to do.

“I am really getting to see how it all works in the real world. It is a unique and enjoyable experience that will also look good on my CV. Leicester City are really supportive.

We have supervisors and get excellent feedback every day to help us learn and improve.”

Jiteche Quessou, 23, graduate in Graphic Design

“I am really enjoying the work. I feel as though I am learning something new every day and building up new skills that will make me more employable. Graduate Champions is definitely a good idea”

Pooja Desai, graduate in Software Engineering

INSIGHT

A GREAT EXPERIENCE

AND IT WILL LOOK

BRILLIANT ON THEIR CV

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