Welcome back for a new academic year!

There have been some changes at Queen Mary over the summer, including an ongoing initiative to make the University a better place for you to work and socialise. Look out for more updates around campus this week.

Remember to download the QMUL app if you haven't already, which is packed full of useful features such as library book reservations, and PC and study space availability. We've also improved the timetable function for mobile devices.

We hope you have a great start to the year!

Going for Gold – working towards excellence in education at Queen Mary
Stephanie Marshall, Vice-Principal
(Education) at Queen Mary, and Redwan Shahid, Vice President Education at Queen Mary Students' Union, share details of a new initiative to ensure the best student experience and excellence in education at Queen Mary.

New anatomy centre at 
Malta campus
The new anatomy centre next to Gozo General Hospital will be the focus of teaching activity at the School of Medicine and Dentistry's Malta campus from this September.

A selection of appearances of Queen Mary staff and students in the media. To submit a story or subscribe to daily updates, email press@qmul.ac.uk.

Take a look at some of our biggest stories over the summer – from smile-loving goats to air pollution research and a groundbreaking stem cell trial to treat Crohn's disease.

The views expressed in the articles do not reflect those of Queen Mary University of London as an organisation.

A new academic year, time for a new start?

The start of the new academic year is a time of renewed good intentions, but like New Year’s resolutions, these can fall by the wayside all too quickly. The Advice and Counselling Service share their advice for establishing good habits for the year ahead. You can also check out their top 10 money tips to help you manage your finances.

Advice and Counselling Service Tuesday evening appointments

The Advice and Counselling Service offers pre-booked counselling appointments on Tuesday evenings.

The Disability and Dyslexia Service has moved

The Disability and Dyslexia Service is now located in room FB3.06 on the third floor of the Bancroft Building, Mile End campus. Find out more.

Nina Clifton has just finished her MSc in Global Public Health and Policy at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. While she was still completing her studies, she bravely took on the Man vs Coast challenge to raise money for the charity Help Refugees. We caught up with her to find out more about the event and why she is so passionate about this cause.

Undergraduate Open Day – Saturday 6 October

Our next Undergraduate Open Day will take place on Saturday 6 October. Join us in welcoming 6,000 prospective students and their guests to our Mile End campus as they attend subject talks, take tours of the campus, discover student accommodation and visit the Students' Union Hub. You are welcome to join in the fun and visit the food festivals in Graduate Square and at Canalside.

Careers & Enterprise programme of events

The Careers & Enterprise events programme offers a variety of careers fairs, employer presentations, skills sessions and workshops. Bookings are open now. With almost 150 events and over 400 employers on campus, you’ll be sure to #FindYourFuture. Keep up to date with activities on the Careers & Enterprise website.

Get smarter in your job search

Overwhelmed by too many job sites? Looking for paid opportunities? Interested in working while you study? Check out the Careers & Enterprise jobs section for over 1,400 paid internships, part-time work, work experience and graduate roles.

Become a volunteer tutor with The Access Project

The Widening Participation team are looking for volunteer tutors to work with students for an hour a week on campus as part of our new partnership with The Access Project, a pioneering education charity that helps bright young people from disadvantaged backgrounds gain places at top universities. No teaching experience is required, and full training and ongoing support will be provided. A training session will take place on campus on Wednesday 10 October. To book a space, or if you have any questions, please get in touch with Jessica Benson-Egglenton at j.benson-egglenton@qmul.ac.uk.

Commonwealth100 free online leadership programme

Are you looking for a way to develop your leadership skills that fits around your schedule? Using an interactive online platform with videos, articles and exercises, this free programme from Common Purpose gives you the chance to work with a diverse group of young leaders from across the Commonwealth to explore open source leadership: a new leadership model co-created with over 1,000 young Commonwealth leaders. More information is available on My.QMUL.

Community Engagement Awards 2018 – nominations now open

Nominations are now open for the Community Engagement Awards, which celebrate Queen Mary's connections to our local community and wider society. These awards recognise the partnerships and collaborations that bring benefits to local residents, wider communities and Queen Mary students. If you would like to nominate your project, or for more information, please visit the Public Engagement website.

Learn Mandarin Chinese with the Confucius Institute

Spaces are available on the Queen Mary Confucius Institute’s Mandarin Chinese language courses for students of all levels. Whether you have an interest in Chinese culture, are planning a visit to China or looking to improve your employability, these classes are for everyone! Register now.

Enter the Wellcome Photography Prize

The Wellcome Photography Prize invites entries of images that stimulate conversations about the health challenges of our time. The overall winner will receive a prize of £15,000 and all the winning and shortlisted entries will go on show in a major public exhibition at the Lethaby Gallery in July next year. The deadline for submissions is Monday 17 December.

Are you a vaper who also smokes?

If you use both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes, and are willing to help us with an important study, please call 0207 882 5722, email health-research@qmul.ac.uk or visit the website for more info.

Banking and Finance Society: Taster session and industry networking – Tuesday 25 September, 6.30-8.30pm

Show and tell: TED-style talks hosted by the School of English and Drama – Wednesday 26 September, 6-8pm

Confucius Institute: Chinese painting workshop – Wednesday 26 September, 6-8pm

City of London Sinfonia: Goldberg variations - Bach and the cosmos – Wednesday 10 October, 7.30pm

Go Abroad Fair – Wednesday 17 October, 11am-3pm

Imperial War Museums Short Film Festival 2018 – Thursday 25 - Monday 29 October