Dear colleagues,
Having concluded the ‘catch-up’ graduation celebrations over the past fortnight, I was delighted to see that so many of our graduates from 2020 and 2021 were able to participate in the ceremonies that mark the culmination of their studies. It was important that we gave these graduates the opportunity to have the same experience as their forerunners, and the positive comments from our graduates and their families demonstrated the deep appreciation for what the University had done.
I would like to extend my thanks to all those colleagues who joined the academic procession, which is an important aspect of the ceremonies.
The commitment and efforts of colleagues across the University in planning no fewer than 22 of these extraordinary celebrations for over 4,000 graduates, being there to ensure their smooth running, and creating a joyful and memorable day for all is testament to Strathclyde’s ‘can do’ attitude and reflective of our organisational Values.
We are now nine years into our journey of being a Values-based organisation – our Values describe ‘how things are done’ at Strathclyde; effectively our institutional DNA. We are committed to ensuring that our Values remain authentic, credible and underpin how we treat others, how we expect to be treated and how we make decisions.
Our Strathclyde Medals celebrate these Values by recognising the individuals and teams who put them into action and exhibit them in everything they do. To date, we have presented 95 Individual awards, 64 Team awards and four Principal’s Special Awards that we introduced in 2020.
In order to support our alignment with our People Strategy and Vision, I am proposing that this year we ask for nominations for people who have demonstrated excellence in the Values, within themed categories, including: Excellent Student Experience; Leadership; Outstanding Colleague; Innovation; and, On Campus Services – i.e. our staff that have delivered services and/or maintained campus facilities.
I would strongly encourage you to think of the colleagues and teams that best exemplify our Values and put them forward for these awards. Nominations for the 2022 awards can be made using the online nomination form until 6 May. Winners will be presented with their Medals at an in-person ceremony on 30 September.
Our staff are central to our success and you may remember that, following the retirement of Dr Veena O’Halloran from the post of University Secretary and Compliance Officer, we took the decision to create two new Senior Officer roles of University Secretary and of University Compliance Officer.
I was delighted to announce earlier this week, that following a rigorous search, application and interview process, we have now made appointments to each of these positions. Dr Stuart Fancey will take up the post of University Secretary, while Louise McKean will be our first University Compliance Officer. Stuart is currently the Director of Research and Innovation at the Scottish Funding Council and Louise has most recently been the University’s Legal Counsel. Each will form a key part of Strathclyde’s leadership and both colleagues will sit on the Executive Team.
Finally, I was delighted to meet with Stephen Duffy, CEO of Alter Technology TÜV Nord, last week, when he visited the Technology & Innovation Centre to announce the opening of the company’s new Photonics Design Centre within the building.
The decision to co-locate with the University reflects not only the value that Glasgow City Innovation District offers to business and industry but also the high esteem in which our research capabilities and innovation system are held. Our Department of Physics has an internationally-leading capability in Photonics and Quantum Optics, and was ranked first in the UK for Physics research by the Times Higher Education. I am sure the new Centre will provide a real boost to the Scottish Photonics industry, the wider Scottish academic sector and the growing innovation ecosystem in Glasgow.
Thank you for your continued contribution and have a good weekend. For those of you taking annual leave over these Easter weeks – please enjoy a well-earned break.
Best wishes,
Jim