How you learn

3.1 Guided Independent Study

The organisation of Guided Independent Study weeks (GIS) is an important aspect of the learning and teaching strategy of the University. In each module you may have up to 3 weeks of GIS in each semester. A GIS week is not a period of time when students are left to work on their own without academic guidance. It is a part of academic delivery process which has a structured and planned approach to the organisation of the academic support in students learning, and which is organised as a out-of-class-teaching activities that help to integrate, reinforce and induce better understanding and deeper learning of students. During GIS weeks module teams can organise formative or summative assessments such as CW progress reports, presentations, in-class tests, intermediate revisions etc.

3.2 Study Guidance

This course is based on student centred approach rather than teacher led: students are expected to develop as autonomous researchers and critical thinkers, to prepare them for their

35 careers and lifelong learning. In addition to the taught modules within the course curricula the University offers the Personal Development Programme (PDP) consisting of academic guidance and a range of training sessions for students to develop their learning and other professional skills. To learn more about PDP refer to the Section 1.2 and 3.4.

Attendance

WIUT has an attendance policy; please refer to the Academic Registry office for details. You highly recommended to attend all lectures and seminars and if you are to be absent for more than 3 days to seek approval from the Course Leader and Dean. Moreover the analysis shows very strong positive relationship between student’s attendance and performance.

3.3 The Library and IT Services

The Westminster International University in Tashkent has a Library that is part of the Learning Resource Centre (LRC).

When you enrol you will be given a card, which acts as your University ID card and library card.

New students should present their ID cards to a member of library staff at the library counter who will validate the ID card on the library system. This usually takes only a minute.

The library has three main areas:

• Quiet study areas and Main Book Stock on the lower/ground floor

• Group study area where you can work with fellow students, use your laptop, etc

• A reception, Reservation Desk, PC and enquires

The library has a large collection of books, but it is impossible for the library to provide a lending copy of every book for every student when they want it; we have neither the funds nor the space to do this. Therefore students must be prepared to use reference copies in the library and it is important to allow time to reserve copies already out on loan. Students are advised to purchase their own copies of recommended core textbooks wherever possible.

Books in heavy demand are purchased in multiple copies, some of which are designated for one week loan or less or for reference use only. The borrowing allocation is up to 5 books at a time.

Fines and Sanctions

The library operates a policy of charging a fine for the late return of a book. The Fine system is clearly stated and there are no exceptions. The system was introduced to improve the circulation of books and not to make money for the library. It is your responsibility to return the book on the due date. If all students did so then there are enough books for each student to borrow. And the library would not receive any money from fines.

There are other sanctions for the misuse of the library and you must ensure you understand the regulations.

The library currently subscribes to local periodicals, magazines and newspapers. The library is continually growing and actively pursues the addition to the library stock of both British and Uzbek orientated business publications.

Opening Times

The library is open 6 days a week in term time:

Monday 9:00-20:00 Tuesday 9:00-20:00 Wednesday 9:00-20:00 Thursday 9:00-20:00

Friday 9:00-20:00 Saturday 9:00-19:00 Sunday Closed

Guides to the use of the Information Resource Centre are available from the Library lending desk on the second floor.

IT provision

WIUT has over hundred desktop PCs available for student use. These PCs are to be found on the second floor of the building.

Most of these machines are located in one of four computer classrooms: rooms 208, 209, 202 and 215. You can use these machines at any time between 09.00 and 21.00 provided that there is no timetabled class, taking place. Business Information Systems students are provided with the separate laboratory in the room 215.

All PCs have Internet access and office applications. Most area of the University is covered with Wi-Fi Internet access.

The WIUT Help Desk is the first point of contact for many IT applications and services.

Contacting the Help Desk

There are multiple ways to get technical assistance from the WIUT Help Desk:

• By phone: 2387406 or ext: 466

• Visit the Help Desk room in 2nd floor for Face-to-Face IT Support Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Submit a Help Request via the [email protected] Helpdesk Policy

• WIUT Help Desk services only university hardware and software.

• Every student or staff must present his ID card before we take any action.

• WIUT Help Desk does not share University owned software or pirated software with students or staff.

• Any hardware or software upgrade is done under the supervision of the I.T. Manager.

• Under heavy and critical situations I.T. Manager sets the priorities and directly supervises the actions.

• University students or staff is not allowed to download or install pirated software. This policy is enforced by applying server side software.

• PC labs are open from 9:00 a.m. to 20:00 p.m.

Help Desk Services

• Maintain PC labs, computer peripherals and other IT teaching facilities including the equipment of the Copy centre, provide timely and accurate service in distribution and receipt of notebooks, projectors and other equipment for teaching process, organize first hand prompt response to enquiries of staff and students re IT facilities (computers, copiers, computer peripherals, projectors and other equipment).

• Being present and visible in the Help Desk and available to users requiring technical

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• Responding to questions from callers; remotely assisting users with technology problems.

• Attending IT training sessions. Becoming familiar with available technology changes or problems.

• Wi-Fi Maintenance and troubleshooting.

• Maintaining students’ printing accounts.

• University computer maintenance and support.

• LRC Workstation Hardware/Copy Centre maintenance.

• Assisting and providing trainings to university personnel, Expertise in Office programs such as Word, Excel, Visio, Project, Outlook, Access.

• Set up and configure computers for new users and are typically responsible for any physical work relating to the computers such as repairing software or hardware issues and moving workstations to another location.

Available software

University has four PC labs №202, 208, 209, 215(for BIS students only) and the library PCs. All PCs in PC labs have core software installed on them, which includes:

• Operating System Windows XP Professional

• Adobe Reader

• Internet browsers Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera

• MS Office Package including a. Microsoft Access b. Microsoft Excel c. Microsoft Frontpage

d. Microsoft Office Proofing Tools e. Microsoft Photo Editor

f. Microsoft PowerPoint g. Microsoft Word

• Kaspersky Antivirus

• DeepBurner for write CD

• Windows Media Player

• DjViewer

• Print Manager Plus - Client

• K-Lite Codec Pack

• Macromedia Flash Plugin

• Macromedia Shockwave Plugin

• QuickTime

• Information Law system "PRAVO"

• Information Law system "Norma"

Room 215 also includes (for BIS students only):

• Microsoft Visio

• Microsoft Visual Studio 2003 Professional, Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Express Edition Room 208 also includes:

• Microsoft Project

Library PCs have an access to Library Information System OPAC and WebOPAC.

You will also find a number of PCs in the Learning Resources Centre and these can be used anytime during the opening hours of the centre. In addition the Library Group Area has a wireless system where you can use a laptop .

In order to use the University’s computing resources you will need to have an account. An account will be created for you when you first enrol on your course and you will be shown how to use the computing facilities during Induction Week.

Printing, copying, and computing help and advice is available from the copy centre (Room 204) and from the technician’s room (Room 203).

Access to the University of Westminster on-line resources

As one of the requirements of the collaborative provision the University students have access to the University of Westminster, London, on-line resources. The University students are given personal accounts to use the University of Westminster intranet functions as well as email services.

3.4 Personal Development Planning (PDP)

During your course of study you can expect to develop a number of personal and transferable skills, which will help develop yourself, assist you in making the best use of your study and leisure time. The course team and PDP trainers’ and tutors’ team will help you to develop and enhance these skills which will benefit you in your future career.

During the period of your course, WIUT will be further developing a programme to support the development of both your employability skills and your personal development planning.

There is a complex program aimed to help you develop and further enhance your personal and professional skills both yourself and with the help of our experienced members of staff.