With Semester 2 teaching drawing to a close, many students now have a few weeks’ to pause for a break before they embark upon their busy exam schedules. Thank you to everyone who has made the continuation of learning and teaching possible across all our campuses and under all the varying conditions we’ve had to face, and for arranging an exam timetable and delivery that is flexible to all levels of restrictions. I know many of you will be busy in the coming months with marking and assessing work, and I am very thankful for the dedication everyone continues to show in helping our students to achieve their goals.
The end of Semester 2 also means the end of our Sports Union year – and what a year it has been! The recently held Annual Awards Ceremony (virtual of course) celebrated all their achievements over the year. It is wonderful to see how everyone adapted to the circumstances and didn’t let long periods of not being able to get together in person dull their enthusiasm, creativity and energy for all the activities on offer. The Sports Union Volunteers have been invaluable in keeping everyone involved – I invite you to join in the celebration by looking back at the highlights of their year.
I’m hopeful that many of you will be able to take some well-earned time off over the Spring break ahead for many of us, and to take advantage of the various Rest days and Buildings Closed days at different campus locations. I also look forward to seeing you at the next All Staff Executive Briefing on Monday 12 April, 9am UK time, 12 noon in Dubai and 4pm in Malaysia. The programme can be found here.
One final comment: I would love to receive your views in our Annual Staff Survey – if you have not completed this, please find the link in the email from BMG Research in your inbox. The deadline for completing the survey has been extended to 5pm UK time on Thursday 7 April.
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor