To say the last two years have been challenging would be a huge understatement. We have all had to deal with the devastation this global pandemic has caused in our homes, communities and societies, but positive things have also come out of the crisis.

As Vice-Chancellor I have been very proud of our students, staff and alumni family for the many ways in which they have responded to the situation – from our final year students who supported frontline staff throughout the pandemic, to our researchers who worked tirelessly in laboratories trying to understand this devastating disease. Then there are our alumni who, when we launched our appeal in March 2020, responded from all corners of the globe with donations of support to fund vital research, support our students and provide PPE for our frontline workers.

Thanks to all of you.

Our ability to continue with our research throughout the pandemic was vital and it will continue to be so in the coming months and years ahead as our society recovers. You can read about our response in depth here.

You will have read in the last issue of Alumni about the campus developments, including the teaching and performance centre. We were delighted to announce last year that this will now be known as the Creativity and Learning Centre, in recognition of support of the University and the City Region. Although we haven’t had the opportunity to be on campus very often to see the construction take shape, work has continued on site and I look forward to welcoming you to the centre next year.

To all of our alumni, volunteers, donors and supporters – thank you again for your continued support of your University.

From the Desk of

VICE CHANCELLOR