Dear colleagues,
The past week has seen events in Ukraine dominate the news, as well as all of our thoughts and concerns. The situation is deeply worrying and I know you will join me in wishing for a rapid and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
We have been in touch with our staff and students from both Ukraine and from Russia to assure them the University is here to support them in any way that we can. As a sign of our solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our condemnation of the aggression we are witnessing, we have raised the Ukrainian flag on our campus and will be illuminating a number of our buildings in its national colours. I am sure you will also join me in commending Strath Union for making the arrangements to receive donated items at its welcome desk for refugees from Ukraine. More information on the appeal can be found on the Strath Union website.
Please note that any staff member who would like to access support can contact the independent 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme helpline on 0800 882 4102. This service can provide telephone and face-to-face counselling and if you feel your concerns are affecting your ability to work, please speak to your line manager.
I am also writing to all of our students to assure them of our support for those from the affected region and to explain how the Higher Education community across the UK is coming together in these difficult times.
As an outward-looking and socially-progressive University, Strathclyde prides itself on being part of a global community. We value diversity and believe in the power of people from around the world, and from all walks of life, working together on our mission to make the world better educated, sustainable, prosperous, healthy, fair and secure. Our values epitomise how institutions – academic, public and private – should treat their people and create a thriving, supportive culture and environment; these define who we are and how we behave.
Earlier this week, the University Court met for their first session in 2022. The meeting took place in TIC and, as ever, the members provided constructive challenge and support as we continue to deliver against Vision 2025.
The topics covered included: a review of activities and the external environment, which I presented; a discussion on international recruitment and the markets we operate in; a review of our mid-year performance against our 16 key performance indicators; and, our Quarterly Business Report. Our Court members give their time generously – not least the external lay members – and we benefit from their perspectives, experience and input on the strategic direction and performance of Strathclyde.
I would also like to remind you that places for my upcoming Principal’s Engagement Sessions, which begin on 17 March, are available to book now. Spaces for these sessions are already filling up fast so please take the time to reserve your place using the links on our website. The sessions are an opportunity for you to hear from me and members of my Executive Team on our progress against our ambitious Vision 2025 Strategy. It is also your opportunity to ask questions, which can be submitted in advance by replying to this email.
Please also do take the time to contribute your ideas to the development of our Digital Strategy and how we might use technology to deliver a sustained and strategic change to the way the University operates. We welcome your ideas on what we might achieve using technology, rather than about specific tools or software packages. You may want to consider how we can make existing processes more efficient, use data more effectively or deliver services in different ways. For more information, and to submit your ideas, please visit the Strathclyde Innovation Forum website.
Finally, I was delighted last week to see Strathclyde win the Collaboration in Net Zero category at the Centre for Engineering Education and Development’s (CeeD) Industry Awards. This is a network involving business and academia which delivers peer-to-peer best practice sharing. Strathclyde won the award for our work on the development of a Carbon Neutral Innovation District, one of 10 projects forming part of Strathclyde’s vision for a response to global climate change which supports the University's Net Zero target by 2040 or sooner.
This award recognises Strathclyde’s thought leadership and vision, combined with a strong ambition, our ‘can do’ attitude, and partnership working. At the same ceremony, I was also pleased to see Professor Bill Ion – of the University’s Department of Design, Manufacturing & Engineering Management (DMEM) – receive the Peer Recognition Award, in acknowledgement of his work in engineering education throughout his career.
As always, many thanks for all your contributions to delivering Strathclyde’s activities.
Enjoy the remainder of the week and have a good weekend when it comes.
Best wishes,
Jim