Dear Colleagues,
With Christmas nearly upon us and the end of 2009 fast approaching, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all your efforts this year.
It has been a hard year economically, both nationally and internationally, and the Higher Education sector has not been immune. Universities have been facing serious funding difficulties. However, so far our University does seem to have weathered the storm better than most – in large part due to the remarkable effort across our community in all areas.
There has been plenty to celebrate in 2009. Our determination to excel has resulted in some outstanding successes – too many to list them all here and I apologise to those I am inevitably omitting.
On the research front, two excellent examples are the fact we were one of only 12 universities to be awarded EPSRC Knowledge Transfer Accounts (KTA), securing £3.4 million and that we were awarded two of the 45 doctoral training centres funded by the EPSRC – for Sustainable Chemical Technologies and Digital Media, Special Effects & Animation – securing over £12 million.
On the teaching front, we have just gained the Strategic Health Authority Contract for Clinical Psychology Doctoral training. We have revolutionised our Continuing Professional Development provision. Our Students’ Union was rated second best in the country. We have been chosen as the home of the TeamGB Paralympic squad from now until 2012. Our accommodation team won the Gold Standard in the Green Tourism ratings. Our estates team won the Bath in Bloom Gold award.
We finally got the scaffolding for 4 West off the Parade and opened the new Student Services Centre and 4 West Café. We began the construction of the East building and committed to build the Student Centre in Norwood and the new Arts Complex in order to provide the additional social spaces so badly needed.
2010 will certainly have its own challenges but I believe that we will tackle them with our characteristic determination and creativity.
It just remains for me to wish you and your families a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and all the very best for the New Year.
Professor Glynis Breakwell
Vice-Chancellor