In the past year, we have made remarkable progress in developing our partnership working between students and staff, supported by the Student Partnership Agreement. It’s a key element common to bringing together our intentions to build more flourishing communities, to lead out in pioneering education and connecting globally across the campuses. I was reminded of how far we have come during our Global Student Liaison Committee this week. It was truly inspiring and uplifting to speak to each of our student leaders from across our campus network, to hear them deliver high-quality reports and share their sense of excitement in what is being achieved. We have achieved a momentum we must not lose sight of because it will help us to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am grateful to have the support of such a dedicated team of student representatives who have stepped up to this challenge.
Across our campuses, there is more to draw inspiration from. In Dubai, our Ramadan scholarships have been launched this week and attracted great attention from local media and prospective students. We have also released grants using money from our #OneWatt campaign to support students in hardship. In Malaysia, our first Online Foundation students have been welcomed to the University, for our inaugural wholly digital foundation programme for young students. In the Borders, we helped a local charity, the Galashiels Men’s Shed group, to complete hundreds of protective face masks using elastic donated by our School of Textiles. In Edinburgh, one of our alumni has received much needed protective equipment for the care group she manages, thanks to our academics who used their contacts to source supplies. And in Orkney, staff and postgraduate students are finding new ways to stay connected. You can find out more by watching my video call (“There you are! …Orkney”) with Dr Joanne Porter.
There is much to praise, but I also recognise the effects of the continued restrictive measures in each country we operate in are taking their toll. I celebrated my (60th!) birthday at the weekend, separate from friends but fortunate to be surrounded by my family. Not everyone is as lucky, and some in our community are finding it tough to adapt and are separated from their families. We must do all we can to support our colleagues and our students. It is the right thing to do and we may need their support in return. Look after your health and wellbeing. Do the best you can. If you need support, seek it early through our University resources or speak to your manager. Next week we will be launching a pulse survey to allow staff to feedback on how they are coping, and I hope you will take part.
This pandemic is an extraordinary test of resilience and I want to thank colleagues in the University Executive for their resolve and support. Over the last few weeks they have shown dedication to the University values, a commitment to fairness and leadership by example. This week the Vice-Principal and I agreed we will take a 20% salary cut and the rest of the Executive will sacrifice 10% until the end of this financial year. We have taken decisions to support our students, such as breaking accommodation leases, which have been the right thing to do but have come at a cost. Sacrificing some of our pay now indicates the seriousness with which we are taking our responsibilities as we map the road ahead. I have written to all staff this week to provide more detail about how we are approaching the challenging financial pathways ahead, and I will continue to provide regular updates.
Thank you for your support and stay safe.
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor