Dear colleagues,
Earlier this week, I was delighted to kick off proceedings at the inaugural Glasgow Tech Fest, an event developed by the Glasgow City Innovation District team with support from our Strathclyde Inspire colleagues. The business event was aimed at bringing together the large and small players in the Glasgow tech community to give attendees the opportunity to learn from their peers, expand their networks and build invaluable connections to support their businesses.
It was an excellent success, with more than 450 people from a range of sectors in attendance, online and in-person in our Technology and Innovation Centre. Through GCID, the University is playing a critical role in accelerating the growth of product-based technology businesses and I look forward to Tech Fest running again in the future, as part of an impactful programme of events within the District. It was also really encouraging to see TIC bustling with conference delegates again, as bringing people together is a key part of what makes a successful Innovation District.
Following on from last week’s news that Strathclyde was selected as the Best Employer (Large) at the prestigious S1 Jobs Recruitment Awards, this week we learned that the University’s people and projects have been shortlisted for seven awards at the Herald’s Higher Education Awards.
They are:
- Enhancing Student Learning - Strathclyde Inspire
- Research Project of the Year (STEM) - The Microplate Dx project
- Outstanding Business Engagement in Universities
- The Sir Jules Thorn Centre for Co-Creation of Rehabilitation Technology
- A Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Fathom Systems - Innovative use of Technology - moving from in-person to remote teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community - Social Responsibility Pathways
- Lifetime Achievement Award - Dr Veena O'Halloran
These awards celebrate excellence in Scotland’s universities and to be shortlisted across six categories is further recognition of the extraordinary work happening across the University. The nominations also include a further two for our students and colleagues working in Strath Union, who were shortlisted in the Widening Access and Supporting Student Wellbeing categories.
Many congratulations to all involved and for these terrific achievements. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow on 31 May 2022. Full details can be found on our website.
As we celebrate our ongoing success, please remember to recognise the colleagues and teams that best demonstrate our Values and nominate them for a Strathclyde Medal. Nominations for the 2022 awards can be made using this online form until 20 May and winners will be presented with their Medals at the end of September. The Medals ceremony is an annual highlight for me, and it is always a pleasure to acknowledge and award staff from across all areas of the University.
As Scotland moves further into a more stable period of living with COVID, all routine testing and contact tracing will stop at the end of April. From next week (1 May 2022), the University will no longer require you to notify us that you have COVID. Instead, staff will return to reporting their absences in the regular way, following the University’s Sickness Absence Management Policy.
Finally, as you know, our staff and students are requested to continue to use face coverings indoors on campus until the end of April. We will review this approach at our Executive Team meeting next week and I will update you on our decision in my message next Thursday. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government is encouraging people to continue to wear face coverings on public transport and in indoor public spaces.
Please enjoy the May Bank Holiday and the long weekend when it comes, and best wishes to those of you celebrating Eid al-Fitr.
Best wishes,
Jim