UoRM one year on: VC to unveil commemorative plaque
Thursday, 02 March 2017
As part of the formal celebrations marking the first anniversary of the launch of University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM), Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell and Provost Tony Downes will unveil a commemorative plaque, signed by British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vicki Treadell CMG, MVO.
Vicki Treadell conducted the formal inauguration of UoRM in February 2016, and was also presented with an honorary degree as part of the official proceedings.
The presentation will take place on Friday 3 March. As part of the proceedings, Sir David Bell will deliver a speech praising the successes over the past twelve months. He will also invite colleagues to take part in the 2017 Staff Survey, set to go live from Monday 6 March and open to all UoR colleagues across the globe.
A full transcript of the speech is available below:
Welcome everyone.
It doesn’t feel like a year ago that we were all standing here in our academic finery, waiting to mark the opening of our beautiful new campus here at EduCity and formally launch the University of Reading Malaysia to the world.
It was one of the most important milestones in our 90 years as a university. One of my proudest days in my time as Vice-Chancellor. And a real celebration of building this state-of-the-art campus and our community from scratch.
Yes we face challenges expanding student numbers, building our academic base and making the University financially self-sufficient.
But at a time when the UK is seen as turning in on itself, our long-term investment in Malaysia shows our unreserved support for, and commitment to our education and research, our staff and students from wherever in the world they come.
And my message is today unambiguous. You are equal partners, friends and colleagues. You play a vital role in the life of the wider University. And we are proud of your outstanding contribution and energy you bring to the Reading and Henley family.
I know the hard work didn’t stop 12 months ago. In the past year you have given your all to help the university establish itself and grow.
We have doubled student numbers in the last year and it’s great to see our campus come alive.
Our research programme is being established, our skills as teachers and educators are being developed and we are growing the number of programmes we can offer students.
We are making our mark on the region and giving our students and researchers new opportunities by setting up collaborations with developers, businesses and education partners.
The first President and Executive Officers for RUMSA have been elected – I had the pleasure of meeting them yesterday. Our students are ambitious, talented and hard working. They are award winners; international delegates and small business owners – and I know inspire us all.
Every day, each of you contributes to making our community here even stronger.
We are not going to rest on our laurels though.
We all need to listen and learn from each other to create a work environment that helps us achieve our best – so the senior management equips with to do a great job here; to develop your career with us; and to drive the organisation forward.
So on Monday, we are giving everyone here an opportunity to do just that by launching a major listening and engagement exercise with you.
This is the first ‘global’ survey for our 4000 staff from across three continents.
We want to find out what’s working? What’s not working? And what we need to improve on? It’s your feedback that will help shape the future of our University and help it to grow.
Tony will be sending out details later in the week but I encourage you take part and tell us what you think.
Together, we will create an environment where staff and students alike can continue to learn, develop and thrive.
Which just leaves me to unveil the commemorative plaque, signed this time last year by Honorary Degree recipient, Her Excellency, the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vicki Treadell.
It gives me great pleasure to thank you all for everything you’ve achieved and wish you every success in the future.
University of Reading Malaysia marks first anniversary