At a time when we are being asked, increasingly, to keep our physical distance, in so many ways our connectivity in the virtual digital space is increasing. The University global community is coming together in many different ways to support each other, share our successes and our concerns, as well as provide our students with an effective and caring and quality learning experience -in spite of the challenges around every one of us. I draw great personal strength and positivity from the fact that through these things we are enabling our students to continue to learn and progress their education and gain a sense of fulfilment.
The effects of the global pandemic mean that we are all having to make physical changes to our lives. But the effects of the pandemic can also be invisible. The stress of coping, the worry for the future, the strain of not being able to see our family and friends, all these things can take a toll on our wellbeing and our mental health. Across the University, we need to continue to take these issues very seriously and now more than ever, it is important that we promote the support available for both staff and students to help everyone as we work through difficult times. This week, in particular, you may have seen – in the communications on the staff portal and via emails – that we have been focusing on wellbeing ahead of World Mental Health Awareness Day on Saturday 10 October. Activities have ranged from online yoga to our Global Mental Health Conference, which was run in conjunction with our Student and Sports Unions. Our Global ‘Time to Talk’ sessions for students have not only provided essential access to counsellors but have also enabled students from across the world to connect and share. Ahead we will continue to find ways of supporting and encouraging each other, and of harnessing the benefit of our global connectivity and friendships.
An activity that can help bring people together, as well as help with mental health and wellbeing, is music. This week I spoke with Dr Steve King, our Director of Music, about how he is connecting with our musicians virtually to create incredible musical compositions and – dare I say it – planning for a virtual Christmas Concert! You can hear our conversation here. We may only be at the start of Semester 1, but Steve already has our Christmas Concert well under construction. Looking even further ahead, plans for staging 200 concerts next year are a great way to collaborate, engage and be creative as we celebrate our Bicentennial year. As we look forward to that, we can also look back on some of Steve’s previous creations with the #OneWatt Voices – I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 and Caledonia by Dougie Maclean.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was meeting with Sir Geoff Palmer, Professor Emeritus and human rights activist, and I’m excited to share the first part of our conversation. Fittingly, for Black History Month, we retrace Geoff’s early career path. He has inspired many of us with his thoughtful response to many issues around Black Lives Matters and this film is a chance to hear more about the influences that shaped his worldview.
Please look out for more content to inspire and create conversations and debate across the University as part of Black History Month.
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor