----- Forwarded message from anne.makela@oulu.fi ----- Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 09:10:31 +0000 From: Anne Mäkelä anne.makela@oulu.fi Reply-To: Anne Mäkelä anne.makela@oulu.fi Subject: [Bklist] Chaperone-system To: "Bklist@lists.oulu.fi" Bklist@lists.oulu.fi

Dear all,

there will be a new "system" launched at our department by the start of the autumn semester 2013.

Background: at the last teaching feedback day we discussed (again) about the fact that many of the biochemistry students quit their studies during or after the first year. Reasons behind this are likely various, but as you know, one of the common complaints we hear is that there is not enough biochemistry in their studies and they don´t really get the feeling of being a biochemistry student much at all. In our case this is most likely not going to get any better by the time that teaching is organized on two different campuses, and the first year students are mostly spending their time at Linnanmaa, far away from the "mother-department".

However, for any university department to function well (= to have money and people working), it needs the students to come in and also to finish their studies.

This is the reason why Chaperone-system will be started. It aims to help the department to keep the students.

Chaperones (PhD students and post docs taking part in this system) will offer the students an easily approachable link between their studies and the real working life of a biochemist. Chaperones will also help the students to integrate into the department of biochemistry, which will be of big importance especially after the merger.

In practice this will be done by approaching the students personally. At the beginning of their studies, at one of the general info sessions organized, the students will see the faces of the chaperones and get the info about their becoming involvement. During the fall, from October/Nowember on, chaperones will visit the small groups (pienryhmät) to tell about their work/projects and answer possible questions. Each chaperone will then have his/her "own set of students" (2-4) with whom to have talks, coffee moments and some hands-on work to give the student a little glimpse of how it is working in the lab. The purpose is that via these organized meetings the students would have some knowledge of the everyday work of a biochemist, a little bit of experience of the lab work, and at least the courage to approach the staff members, at least the chaperone, with whatever question related to biochemistry or their studies. It is not the main task of chaperones to advice which courses to take etc., but it is a part of our job. The "official" study-advices are still given by Jari and other senior scientists at the department.

So shortly, a task list of a chaperone:

- To be present at the first info session. - To visit the small groups to tell about his/her work. - To meet with his/her students a couple of times for chatting and getting to know the students better. - To organize a small experiment in the lab, lasting for a half a day or so. - To be a person for the student, who can guide and give answers in issues related to studying biochemistry or working as a biochemist.

At the moment in the group of chaperones will start Anja, Arne, Juha, Kaija, Maija, Rajesh, Teemu and me, Anne. We welcome everyone who is interested to operate as a chaperone, to help the student´s proteins to fold into the direction of biochemistry! :)

If you got interested, just email me!

Meanwhile, have a great summer everyone!

BW, Anne

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