I am clear that the dichotomy between the immediate and the long term will shape my first year leading this institution. I am equally clear that, by drawing on the sense of togetherness, cohesion and collaboration in this amazing community of academics, students, professional staff and alumni, and by working with our friends and stakeholders, we can come out stronger and can be better placed for an exciting future. And we will learn long term lessons as we deal with the short term issues before us, whether that’s being more innovative and ambitious in our use of digital innovation,or being a true civic partner, with a clear sense of our responsibilities to the wider communities in which we live, especially in these unprecedented times.

COVID-19 pandemic is a tragedy with great human and economic cost that has touched so many areas of our lives. It also sets a profound series of challenges for the higher education sector, and for society more generally.

For this we have to thrive and be even better placed both to foster the next generation of global citizens and to undertake research of true global impact and reach. We must maintain an unrelenting focus on our long term ambitions.

These ambitions will be reflected in our new strategy – to provide an outstanding education which will attract, excite and retain high quality students from diverse backgrounds, and equip them to succeed in a competitive global employment market and to make a positive difference !

Umar Ismail Khan

Chairman