Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
- The Vice-Chancellor advised UEB that later that day it would be formally announced that Sir Ian Diamond is to become the next Chair of our governing Council, from 18 April 2024, succeeding Philip Greenish. A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of our University, Professor Sir Ian Diamond is currently the UK’s National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority. UEB warmly welcomed the appointment and looks forward to working with him next year.
- UEB noted a number of developments at national Government level since its last meeting: the Autumn Statement, which included a series of investments in science and technology and the creation of long-term world-class Discovery fellowships for emerging top mid-career talent in science, engineering, and mathematics, to be backed by a £250 million endowment to the Royal Society; publication of an independent review of university spin-out companies, including recommendations which are broadly in line with our own direction of travel; a promise of a more evidence-based approach to UK research, development and innovation in the Government’s response to the independent Paul Nurse review of UK research; and the House of Commons Education Committee’s review into universities’ response to the summer marking and assessment boycott.
- UEB were very pleased to hear the results of our annual Home Office visa compliance assessment, which showed a refusal rate of 0.13%, an enrolment rate of 99.6%, and a course completion rate of 99.21%. By any standards these are excellent results, and UEB expressed its thanks to all our colleagues in the visa and immigration service and in faculties who have contributed to such a strong outcome. UEB also heard that early data from the introduction of the MyEngagement attendance monitoring is also starting to provide us with greater useful insight.
- UEB noted a statement from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) that from 1 January 2024 it is introducing new open-access requirements on long-form publications which result from its research funding. This is in line with the UK Government’s ambition that publicly funded research can be accessed and built on by the research and innovation community, and wider society. The principle features of the new policy are that monographs, book chapters, and edited collections arising from UKRI funding are available to the public within 12 months of the date of their publication; and that the publications should be available with a Creative Commons (CC) licence.
- UEB reviewed and endorsed a draft consultation response to Research England on the assessment of people, culture and environment (PCE), which will help shape the future REF (Research Excellence Framework) 2028 policy and guidance. UEB thanked members of the University’s REF Planning Group for their work on the draft consultation.
- UEB noted a letter from Higher Education Minister Robert Halfon MP updating education institutions on recent developments on the journey to implementation of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LEE), including new information on the approach to a future third category for OfS registration. We will continue to watch developments with interest.
- UEB noted a letter from the Office for Students requesting formal information about our students’ union, as it prepares for the implementation of new free speech functions. Recent legislation will strengthen the legal requirements on providers and students’ unions in relation to free speech and academic freedom. The legislation also extends OfS regulation on free speech matters directly to students’ unions and provides for a new complaints scheme, operated by the OfS, to consider free speech complaints about providers and students’ unions.
- UEB noted that the staff engagement survey closed at the end of last week with an overall completion rate of 69%, up 3% from the previous survey, and an overall engagement score of 77%, up 3% from the previous survey. The results are now being collated in detail before being shared with faculties and Professional Services directorates.
- UEB noted that the member consultation into changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) ended last week, with 92 responses. At a sector level, everything looks on track for a January 1 implementation. Meanwhile we are planning further drop-in Q&A sessions around pensions for the New Year.
- UEB discussed the closure report for the Modernising Student Experience project, originally initiated in 2019 then impacted by the pandemic, to significantly improve the student experience through the development of our student services delivery models. The project vision was clear: “Students across our campuses visit Student Hubs to speak to our friendly team about any aspect of University life. These spaces are welcoming, vibrant environments that promote inclusivity and a sense of community and belonging. Colleagues across the Education and Student Experience Directorate work collaboratively to deliver accessible and exemplary support and services that are underpinned by consistent and effective processes and designed by staff and students. Altogether, this offering encourages our community to thrive and gives our students the opportunity to focus on their studies and make positive memories that will last a lifetime”.
- UEB heard that the project vision was achieved in full, providing a friendly team for students to speak to in student-centred, welcoming, and vibrant environments that promote inclusivity and a sense of community and belonging. This was clearly a very successful project, and has already been nominated for a national award, but there was also a recognition of an inevitable tension in such change projects between students and staff needs and preferences. UEB congratulated all those involved in the project, in which they should take great pride, and in the continuing excellent service being provided to our students.
- Finally, there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.