Message from the Vice-Chancellor

Tuesday, 02 December 2014

Graduation at Henley South Africa

Conscious of the number of other messages that have come out recently, I have held back from writing one of these more informal updates. However, my recent trip to South Africa, and the approaching end of term, have prompted this message.

I made my first visit to Henley South Africa during the last week of November. Based in Johannesburg, Henley has nearly 800 students at any one time studying for an MBA. In addition, many more are taking other management and coaching qualifications. Executive Education is another strong feature of our work.

The highlight of the week was, undoubtedly, the graduation ceremony on Tuesday night. Around 150 students graduated on what was an exuberant, lively and happy African family occasion. For many reasons, it was very different to what I am used to at London Road but, like our ceremonies there, celebration was the predominant mood.

The rest of my time in South Africa was, quite rightly, packed full. Events included meetings with staff, a dinner for our key partners and stakeholders, a reception in the presence of the British High Commissioner, two breakfast briefings, a visit to the African Leadership Academy and numerous media interviews. We also had time for a very interesting tour of Soweto and a visit to the home of Nelson Mandela.

The end of term and, of course, Christmas are almost upon us. It doesn't seem like any time since Welcome Week in September, no doubt due to the extended warm and dry weather which lasted until the end of October. There were occasions when I thought that it was still June, with so many people sitting outside across the three campuses (that's an all-year-round option in South Africa, as I found last week!).

I would draw your attention to our Christmas Fair on the Whiteknights campus on Wednesday 3 December, as well as our winter concert in the Great Hall on Saturday 6 December and the candle-lit carol service in the same venue on Monday 8 December. I hope that I might see you at some, or all, of these occasions.

Sir David Bell KCB

Vice-Chancellor