John Coyne's Column
There has been much to celebrate in the autumn term as the university has had a real sense of purpose in the face of the current transition in Higher Education.
As the news of the national picture unfolds it appears that we are doing relatively well. Some of the major shortfalls in recruitment numbers reported make me more positive about our own performance. Our students are doing well and their achievement outcomes, progression rates, programme completions and general engagement are all moving positively. Our students and staff continue to get national prominence in peer awards and competitive arenas - a tangible demonstration that we are 'on the pace'!
I have been delighted by the general reaction to the latest round of improvements in our physical estate. It is clear that these have been welcomed by our community and have enhanced their felt experience. It is astonishing how much impact well-thought-out projects can have (not just physical ones) - especially when they respond to and focus upon a very clear student and staff need. That is why we are currently in active consultation mode with students and staff to set priorities for our next phase.
The student representative conference was another success from UDSU - with a high level of engagement and genuine challenge from the student body regarding the academic heart of our institution. In the New Year we shall be having a major exercise with staff to ensure that we are in tune with their evolving needs for learning spaces, work areas, career building and information requirements. We have to ensure that we give meaning to our philosophy of being student centred and values led.
The theme of 'next steps' was prominent in the Executive team's annual retreat - when we take the management team, Academic Board and Governing Council off site for a very full 24 hours to examine the key themes in our world and our major priorities.
We emerged with a re-affirmation of our core purpose as a student-centred and learning-led university that cares about and is rooted in its geography. Giving further expression to this academic heart and raising our ambition as a source of original thinking and delivery will be essential in the emerging competitive environment. The sector increased by a new university when the College of Law became the University of Law and a recent announcement heralds the intention of a major private Indian university to establish a campus for 15,000 students in the UK.
Little by little the new world is unfolding, but our recent honest self-appraisal shows that we have the platform in place from which to continue our success. The ultimate test will be how we can leverage new competitive advantage from this base that will demonstrate further why we should be a natural choice for the ambitious student.
