Welcome to the University of Essex Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anthony Forster

1. Welcometo the University of Essex • Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anthony Forster • Thursday 20 September 2012

2. Our founding principles and vision • Founded in 1964, we are interdisciplinary, international and inclusive. • Our vision • We are a globally competitive, research intensive, student-focused university that takes seriously its economic, social and cultural responsibilities to the eastern region, the UK and the world. • Today we have 16 departments and schools, and more than 30 centres and institutes.

3. Our four academic faculties Faculty of Science and EngineeringProfessor Jules Pretty Deputy Vice-Chancellor Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sustainability and Resources Faculty of Humanities and Comparative StudiesProfessor Jane Wright Pro-Vice-Chancellor Academic Standards Faculty of Law and ManagementProfessor Nigel South Pro-Vice-Chancellor Academic Partnerships Faculty of Social SciencesProfessor David SandersPro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise Supported by the Professional Services

4. Our national profile Ranked 9th in the UK for the quality of our research. Ranked 20th out of all mainstream English universities for student satisfaction. In the ‘1994 Group’ of 15 UK universities – others include Bath, UEA, Goldsmiths, Reading and Sussex. Partner institutions are Colchester Institute, Kaplan Open Learning, South Essex College, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, University Campus Suffolk and Writtle College.

5. About our students • Our students come from 132 countries • Colchester students 11,439Southend students 982Loughton students 444 • Total students 12,863 • 29 per cent are postgraduate students • 36 per cent are UK undergraduates from low-income households (< £25k) • 16 per cent of our students come from the EU • 22 per cent of our students come from outside the EU/international • 17 per cent of our undergraduate students are ‘mature’ students

6. A successful and ambitious institution We aim to provide the highest quality education for our students – and a first-class student experience We aim to maintain our position as one of the UK’s top ten universities for research quality We are committed to research-led teaching, our curriculum is informed by latest research, and our students undertake research themselves We aim to be in the top 25 in the Times UK league table Our £200m capital investment programme is improving educational facilities across Colchester, Southend and Loughton Campuses

7. Changes in Higher Education • The 2011 Higher Education White Paper • represented far-reaching reform for the sector – • but the Bill has been postponed. • What has this meant for the University? • We now charge £9,000 per year tuition fees • We have measures in place to support students from low-income families • We are operating within an increasingly competitive environment and • student expectations are high • Visa restrictions have the potential to impact on our international students • And not covered in the White Paper: a vision for the sector, research strategy or postgraduates

8. 2012 and beyond – highlights • 2012 • Research income up to £25.5m • Essex Centre for the Study of Integrity created • €1 million funding to study the economics of social networks • Biological sciences five-year research project on drought-resistant crops • Academic expansion strategy –100 new academic staff over five years • 2013-2014Preparing for the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF)

9. Revising the strategic plan for 2013 onwards We are revising the University’s strategic plan for 2013 onwards. This will involve ongoing consultation with Senate, staff and students. The final strategic plan and vision to be approved in 2013.

10. Contact details • Professor Anthony Forster FHEA FRSA AcSS • E-mail: vc@essex.ac.ukWebsite: www.essex.ac.uk/vcTwitter: @Forster_Anthony