BEING WESTMINSTER

When I first joined the University as Vice-Chancellor and President in 2018, I pledged that the wellbeing, health and safety of our students, colleagues and University community were at the top of my agenda. In 2020, our wellbeing is more important than it has ever been.

I write to you at a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt by all of us and will no doubt have affected you in many different ways. Above all else, I hope that you and your families are safe and well. And for those of you who are on the ‘front line’ in the fight against the virus, a heartfelt thank you for all you are doing.

With challenge comes opportunity, and I am enormously proud of the way in which the University of Westminster community has come together to demonstrate our values of being compassionate, progressive and responsible, through our collective response to the pandemic over the past few months.

As COVID-19 took hold earlier this year, we immediately created a digital ‘twin’ of our University. Our educational programme went wholly online to enable our 22,500 or so students and colleagues to work remotely in the UK and around the world. As we begin the new academic year, our students will be able to learn through a combination of digital, safe physical and blended solutions.

We also established an array of initiatives to help all our students in need, which you have supported in The opportunities created through your masses. your support are a really inspiring

Our COVID-19 Response Fund appeal illustration of what makes us Westminster. raised over £360,000 to help our most I am deeply grateful to our amazing vulnerable and deserving students in the network of alumni and friends whose wake of the pandemic, to ensure they invaluable volunteering and generous could continue to reach their true potential donations have helped our students regardless of the obstacles they faced. and their wellbeing at this time. This included supporting students who For members of the Class of 2020 had lost their part-time jobs, and those who are reading this, I know how who faced sudden difficulty in paying for disappointing it was that we were not day-to-day living costs including rent, able to hold our graduation ceremonies “THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER IS AN EXCEPTIONAL ORGANISATION. WE HAVE A PROUD HISTORY, A UNIQUE SPIRIT AND A CONFIDENT SHARED DIRECTION FOR THE JOURNEY AHEAD”

food or medical costs. Laptops were provided through our ‘Stay Connected Scheme’ to those students who needed them to study remotely, while the ‘Stay Sheltered Scheme’ offered accommodation bursaries for our overseas students who could no longer return to their home country over the summer holidays. in July at the Royal Festival Hall. We still plan to hold these during 2021, when we hope social distancing measures and freedom to travel will allow all of us to share in these celebrations together. In the meantime, the University is here to provide you with resources and guidance to help

you prepare for your future career. If you haven’t already, please do take advantage of your Class of 2020 careers support package: westminster.ac.uk/classof2020

Despite the questions and uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, I am confident about our

future. The University of Westminster is an exceptional organisation. We have a proud history, a unique spirit, and a confident shared direction for the journey ahead.

I look forward to many continued collaborations with our alumni and supporter network. In the meantime, I encourage all of us to show compassion to each other, and to look out for our individual and collective wellbeing at a time when it matters so very much.

Best wishes Peter