Latest message from the President & Principal
Wednesday 8th March 2025
The start of another academic year is always exciting as the arrival of the majority of our students brings life and energy to our campuses – a very warm welcome to all those joining us for the first time… and welcome back to those returning. Our sense of community is strongest when we come together as a university and when we look forward to learning, researching, working, caring, treating, teaching or whatever brings each of us to the table.
This first blog of the year comes, as previously, with news, reports, and opinion, usually in no particular order, and always with the caveat that some of what you might read are my own personal views. Usually, I look for the positive and the uplifting, but in these troubled times we have to acknowledge that many are less fortunate than us and we have to face the fact that the continuing violence and discrimination in our modern world, home and abroad, give serious reason to reflect, restating our values and commitment as a community. Shaped by professionalism, respect, inclusivity, freedom of expression, caring and compassion, we condemn intolerance and strive to ensure our university is a safe place for all.
I will share key information in the coming weeks, so please keep an eye on your inbox and the usual message forums, including Message of the Day. Recent posts include details on Black History Month, Menopause Awareness Month, and Dyslexia Awareness Week - please do take a look. But, for this blog, and keeping it brief:
Our Chair
- I am delighted to welcome Lord Kakkar as our new Chair of Council. Responsible for oversight of our governance (and my boss!) Lord Kakkar is an emeritus of (human) surgery and has had an outstanding professional, academic, and political career. I look forward to working with him as we chart the seas ahead.
- In welcoming our new Chair, we must, of course, say farewell to Barbara, Baroness Young of Old Scone who served in the role for the last six years. Absolutely emphatic that there should be no fuss, as was her wont, I simply extend our grateful thanks to her for all the wisdom and support she provided during some of the most testing times in our history.
Thanks
- Thank you to everyone who has made Welcome Week such a success. With so much information it can be overwhelming and I suggest that amongst the most important is “5 Ways to be Well”… as relevant in your 1000th day as in your first!
- Thank you, too, to those hosting our September Showcase which was run alongside Open House for prospective students and an alumni gathering seeing almost 700 people on the Hawkshead Campus. The event offered members of the local community the opportunity to understand more about what we do and engage with a range of talks, demonstrations and scientific exhibits.
- And great news that the RVC has performed so well in the Knowledge Exchange Framework – an important measure of the relevance of our research to commerce, industry and broader society. My thanks to all involved in delivering this outcome.
Accreditations
- As some will already have seen, following the EAEVE/ESEVT visit in May, the European Committee of Veterinary Education has renewed our accreditation - really good news in what is a busy year with our accreditors and regulators.
- And hot off the press – and see the separate announcement on Message of the Day – the Council on Education of the AVMA has awarded full accreditation to the RVC. I realise this has been a source of stress and uncertainty for many and I, too, am both delighted and relieved. Again, to all who were involved, thank you and congratulations.
More Hellos and goodbyes
- I am very pleased to welcome Professor Jodi Lindsay to the RVC as our new Head of the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBS). Jodi brings a wealth of experience in microbial pathogenesis, having built an exceptional career at St George’s, University of London. She will be primarily based at our Camden campus.
- I take this opportunity to thank Professor Caroline Wheeler-Jones for her leadership and dedication over the past nine years. Although not retiring, her contributions as Head of Department have been instrumental in shaping the direction and success of CBS, and we greatly appreciate her commitment.
- Welcome, too, to Sam Horne, our new CFO. Sam joined us a few months ago and has, after an extended handover period, taken on the position from Julie Waterfield who has now retired from the RVC after an outstanding career. Sam joins us with experience from several different sectors and will be dividing her time between Camden and Hawkshead.
And finally, for this blog
- Today we celebrate our Autumn Graduation in the Student Learning Centre at Hawkshead. Always a happy event, be sure to share in the joy as we wish our most recent graduates well as they take the next steps in their careers. And to our graduands, many congratulations!
More anon...
Wishing you all a great start to the term and looking forward to seeing you around the campuses.
As ever,
Stuart