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CHAIR’S FOREWORD
CHAIR’S FOREWORD
THE YEAR IN REVIEW Colin Hughes Chair of the Board of Governors
Few would deny that this has been a tumultuous period for the UK’s higher education sector and while Staffordshire University is by no means immune to the challenges posed by the global coronavirus pandemic, the 2019/20 academic year has been one of continued learning and positive momentum for our institution. Indeed, much of the progress achieved by our Connected University during the past 12 months has resulted either directly or indirectly from innovation driven by the outbreak.
Our transition to remote teaching and learning in March 2020, our combined efforts to prepare a COVID-secure environment ahead of the new academic year, and our return to campus in September 2020 all served to inform our new ‘blended’ approach. Through a combination of virtual and on-campus delivery this model is not only offering a greater range of learning opportunities and increased flexibility to our students, but it is also aligned with our commitment to become the UK’s foremost Digital University. On behalf of my fellow Governors, I would like to thank colleagues from across our Schools and Services for their professionalism, dedication and commitment during the past 12 months. Their ability to remain flexible amidst a rapidly evolving landscape, and capacity to drive the student experience forward through innovation, have proved invaluable to our University’s ongoing success. I am also immensely grateful to our Students’ Union and the wider student body for their continued collaboration and support during what has been an incredibly challenging time for all. Despite the obstacles we have faced we have pressed on with our 2030 Strategy, preparing the way for next-generation courses, next-generation learning environments and, most importantly, a next-generation student experience. As we move towards a more agile, innovative and lean operating model that leverages data and cutting-edge automation to enable us to adapt quickly to market demand, the future of our institution looks extremely bright.
