Yesterday I participated in a digital celebration ‘2021 China-UK Education Online Gathering’ and ‘Online Chinese New Year’s Gala’. It was a review of how Chinese students and University partners across the UK had responded in supporting Chinese and other international students. It was a delight to be reminded of the activities and care that so many people and organisations have exhibited. There were also glimpses into activities at several Universities, including our own. This week I also recorded my own message to our students and colleagues to mark the new Lunar Year which is celebrated next week. I wanted to share that I found this moment touching as it is so important to remember that the legacy from 2020 very much includes our shared moments of solidarity, kindness and friendship – not only to international students isolated on foreign campus but also to so many students and colleagues isolated in their home setting. Our international students in our different locations have needs for support at all levels including assurance of being eligible to receive vaccines in the same manner as any other student, of which I have assured them.
A sense of community, fairness and belonging are important to us all at the University, as expressed in our values. An important part of working together across our multinational organisation is the development of a stronger sense of cultural understanding and awareness around equality and diversity and what it means to be a truly inclusive community. The very mention of this topic evokes different reactions but in past months I think we have gained a greater determination to want to talk about difficult topics. In my video conversation this week I talked with Sharan Virdee, Equality and Diversity Partner. Sharan has been playing a role in leading thinking in the sector and in supporting thinking and action across the University in this area. We discuss how this is not so much about hardwiring a set of rules but developing maturity and appetite for addressing issues. You can listen to the conversation here and hear about her suggestions for the top three priorities for us to consider.
So next week in the Lunar New Year, China enters the Year of the Ox. My modest knowledge of Chinese (thanks to our Confucius Institute for Business and Communication) is that the word Ox ( 牛 ) is pronounced (‘New’) and in Chinese also means ‘brilliant or awesome’. I think we can all share in wishing our Chinese friends and students a prosperous and awesome year – 恭祝大家牛年大吉 !
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor