Student Services News

Would you like to experience life as a student on a Chinese campus? Are you interested in gaining an insight into modern China? The University is offering to fund up to 20 undergraduate students to complete a 12-day course at the NUIST Academy in Nanjing, China.

This is an exciting opportunity to study on a cultural and academic programme learning about Chinese philosophy, modern history and local culture.

As well as taking part in academic study at the University, you’ll have a chance to take Chinese language classes and experience cultural activities such as Kung Fu and calligraphy. There will also be time to explore the rich heritage of the ancient city of Nanjing, capital of China’s eastern Jiangsu province.

The scholarships will cover most of the associated costs, including tuition fees, flights, visas, accommodation, organised trips and excursions.

Undergraduate students from any discipline and in any year of study are welcome to apply. Students must be enrolled at the time of the programme. Places are limited so there will be a selection process to short-list up to 20 people, with a number of places reserved for Widening Participation students.

Participation in the programme will also be formally recognised by the University.

To apply, please complete the online application form here.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 March 2019.

If you have any questions, please contact the Erasmus & Study Abroad Office by emailing studyabroad@reading.ac.uk.

Have you met with your Academic Tutor recently?

Your Academic Tutor is your main point of contact for all things relating to your course, and we recommend that you meet with them at least once each term to discuss your academic progress and development.

The goal of your Academic Tutor is to help you make the most of your studies and get a clear idea of what you can do to develop further. During meetings, they can help you to set goals for your academic and personal development, advise you when making decisions relating to your course and direct you to other University services where appropriate. Regular meetings with your Academic Tutor can help you to reflect on your progress and ensure that you are taking full advantage of the development opportunities available to you.

In order to fully benefit from meetings with your Academic Tutor, it helps to go in with an idea of the things you would like to talk about. If you’re not sure what to talk about or how to best prepare for your meetings, take a look at the Online Toolkit to get some ideas. You can even download an Academic Tutor Meeting Template to help you keep a record of what you spoke about in your meeting and track your progress.

If you don’t know who your Academic Tutor is, you can find out by logging into RISIS, selecting ‘Programmes and Modules’, then ‘Programme Information’. Your Support Centre should also be able to advise you.

Further to yesterday’s news that Thames Valley Police had discovered a body in their search for Daniel Williams, our Computer Science student who has been missing since Thursday, formal identification has now confirmed, sadly, that this was Daniel.  Our thoughts are with Daniel’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

There is nothing harder for our community than the death of one of our own and we are committed to supporting our students and colleagues in every way we can. The University will stay open this week, with teaching and most other scheduled activities going ahead as planned. While I believe this provides our community with an opportunity to come together and support each other, I fully understand if you personally do not feel able to participate. We will all be experiencing different emotions and we will respect your decision.

I would like to invite you to attend a gathering in Daniel’s memory, on Thursday 7 February at 5.15pm in RUSU’s 3sixty. RUSU will remain open until 8pm as a space for students and colleagues to spend time with one another and offer support.

A book of condolence will be available at tomorrow’s gathering and in RUSU for the coming weeks. If you wish to, you are also very welcome to leave flowers at the dedicated site outside RUSU.

We have set up a dedicated webpage for students to provide information on the range of support services available at this time. Please visit www.reading.ac.uk/support-information. Everyone has a different way of coping, but it is important to seek support when you need it and I would encourage you to make use of our specialist teams – we are all here to help.

 I am aware that a number of you have raised concerns with regards to safety around the lake. We cannot speculate about any of the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death and we will continue to support any further investigations. However, any concerns raised will be reviewed, along with outcomes from the Police investigation, and will inform any appropriate action that we take. I understand that there is a petition calling for improved lighting on campus and I have invited the students involved to meet me to discuss their concerns further.

The Police restrictions around the lake area have been removed. However, our Security Service will continue their normal overnight campus patrols, supported by the Police at least until the weekend. Our Security Service can be reached 24-hours a day in emergencies on 0118 378 6300 and on 0118 378 7799 for general enquiries. The team also provide a Chaperone Service for students.

Kind regards,

Professor Robert Van de Noort

Acting Vice-Chancellor

Earlier today, we received the very sad news that Thames Valley Police had discovered a body in their search for Daniel Williams, our Computer Science student who has been missing since Thursday.

We have not had a formal identification yet, but this is nevertheless a very difficult time for Daniel’s family and friends, as well as our wider community.

It is important that we have the opportunity to come together and support each other while we await further news. As such the University will be open on Wednesday, and teaching and other scheduled activities will take place. This provides our community with a sense of continuity and solidarity, but we fully understand if some do not feel able to participate. We all respond and react differently and we will respect the decision you make.

We are committed to supporting our students and staff in every way we can. If you would like someone to talk to please contact our Student Welfare Team in the Carrington Building, available from Monday to Friday 10am-4pm.

Our Chaplaincy Centre are also available to provide support. If you would like to speak to someone out of hours, the Samaritans provide a 24/7 hotline (dial 116 123). You can also use Big White Wall, a free online community available 24 hours a day.

The Police restrictions around the lake area have been removed. However, our Security Service will continue their normal overnight campus patrols, supported by the Police at least until the weekend. Our Security Service can be reached 24-hours a day in emergencies on 0118 378 6300 and on 0118 378 7799 for general enquiries. The team also provide a Chaperone Service for students.

A formal identification has not taken place yet, and we will keep you updated as soon as further information is available.

The Department of Computer Science and the Chaplaincy would like to invite all students to attend our ‘Gathering in hope: A vigil for Daniel’ this afternoon (Monday 4 February) at 5.15pm in RUSU’s 3sixty.

The vigil will provide an opportunity for our community to gather in solidarity and hope for Daniel’s safe return, as well as to share our emotions and support each other at this difficult time.

Further information about the ongoing search for Daniel and what to do if you have any information about his whereabouts has been shared on the Me@Reading student portal and our Student Services blog.

If you feel worried or would like to speak to someone, please contact our Student Welfare Team. Our Chaplaincy Centre is also available to provide support. If you would like to speak to someone out of hours, the Samaritans provide a 24/7 hotline (dial 116 123). You can also use Big White Wall, a free online community available 24 hours a day.

We are continuing to work closely with Thames Valley Police to find Daniel Williams, a University of Reading student who has been reported as missing.

As Daniel was last seen on our Whiteknights campus, the Police have been actively searching there and in the nearby area. We are very concerned for Daniel’s welfare and are supporting the Police in every way we can. Thank you to everyone who has supported the search by sharing posts online – please do continue to share the appeal for information from our Facebook and Twitter pages. 

Daniel is 19 and a second year Computer Science student. He was last seen at 12am on Thursday 31 January in RUSU at the bar. He did not return to his accommodation and has not been seen by friends or housemates since. Police say it is out of character for him to go missing.

Daniel is white, 6ft tall, slim build, has short light brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen he was wearing black or blue jeans, a black hooded top and black shoes. He was wearing a black t-shirt underneath with a distinctive white motif on the front.

If you have any information about Daniel’s whereabouts please call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101, quoting the reference URN 1307 31/1.

We will keep you updated as we receive further information from Thames Valley Police. 

Support for students

If you feel worried or would like to talk to someone, please contact our Student Welfare Team. Our Chaplaincy Centre are also available to provide support.

If you would like to speak to someone out of hours, the Samaritans provide a 24/7 hotline (dial 116 123). You can also use Big White Wall,  a free online community available 24 hours a day.

Our on-campus Security Service can be reached 24-hours a day in emergencies on 0118 378 6300 and on 0118 378 7799 for general enquiries.

Following today’s disruption, we anticipate that services usually open over the weekend (for example, the Library and our catering outlets) will be open as normal.

Based on the current forecast, it is expected that our campuses will be open, with all teaching and other activities resumed from Monday. If the situation changes we will update Facebook, Twitter,  Me@Reading student portal and our Student Services blog with the latest advice.

Met Office warnings remain in place. Please only travel if it is safe to do so and ensure you wear appropriate footwear.

For the latest weather forecast please visit BBC Weather. Other useful resources include:

National Rail website – for train travel information

Reading Buses website – for local bus information

Automobile Association website – for advice on driving in winter conditions

National Health Service (NHS) website – for advice on keeping warm and healthy during cold weather

Thames Valley Police is appealing for help to find Daniel Williams, a University of Reading student, who has been reported as missing.

Daniel is 19 and a second year Computer Science student.

He was last seen at 12am yesterday (31 January) in RUSU at the bar. He did not return to his student accommodation and has not been seen by friends or flatmates since. Police say it is out of character for him to go missing.

Daniel is white, 6ft tall, slim build, has short light brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen he was wearing black or blue jeans, a black hooded top and black shoes. He was wearing a black t-shirt underneath with a distinctive white motif on the front.

If you have any information about Daniel’s whereabouts please call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101, quoting the reference URN 1307 31/1.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.