Happy Christmas

Friday, 13 December 2013

At this time of year, we share the pleasure felt by many students and their families during two days of Graduation ceremonies. Yet I can hardly believe that a year has elapsed since we were doing exactly the same thing last December.

2013 has been another busy, interesting and exciting year at the University. Each and every one of us will pick out our own highlights. Our teaching and research continues to thrive, the latter being illustrated very recently by a strong submission from the University to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework or REF. This time next year, I am sure, we will be digesting the results from that process.

Personally, I have enjoyed attending many academic seminars and teaching and learning 'showcase' events which have constantly reminded me of all the great work that happens here, day in and day out.

Our students continue to make a huge contribution to that sense of community here at the University. RUSU, the Students' Union, is a genuine partner and I appreciate hugely its constructive and, at times, properly challenging approach. More broadly, over 150 clubs and societies enable students to enjoy their time at Reading to the full.

Improving our campuses has been another priority in 2013. New facilities have appeared, from additional student accommodation through enhanced technology to refurbished floors of the Library - with much more to come on that front.

On the international front, building work has started on our new campus in Malaysia. This comes in a year when nearly 25% of our students are from overseas. My own visits to China, Malaysia and Canada have underscored the value of our global engagement, a theme that will resonate strongly in the coming year.

But nothing ever stands still in the world of higher education. In the last week, we have been digesting the implications of the Government's surprise announcement that universities will soon be able to admit as many students as they want, with no restrictions on numbers. No-one saw that coming and it's tempting to wonder what other surprises might be in store in 2014.

I have also enjoyed the wider life of the University. I have been a regular attendee at public lectures, 'In Conversation' events, and music and drama events. I have also had huge fun at a diverse range of student activities from talent contests through to inter-university competitions.

This past week alone has seen me at the Winter Concert and Carol Service, both held in the Great Hall. With a group of our students, I sang carols around the Christmas tree at No 11 Downing Street and had a wonderful night with our Big Band as they performed in 3Sixty.

So there's never been a dull moment. For that reason, I am looking forward to time in Scotland for a period of rest, relaxation and, yes, reflection over Christmas. Wherever you will be over the holiday period, I hope you too will have a good break.

I wish you the compliments of the season. I look forward to working with you again in 2014.

Sir David Bell KCB

Vice-Chancellor