Provost's Update No. 1 (November 2016)

TEF

The University has committed to submit to TEF2 and the written submission is currently under development. There has been significant opposition from the Student Union and an extraordinary meeting of Senate to discuss the issue was held on 9^th November. The possibility that engagement with TEF will be linked to the right to sponsor international students has created a compelling case for participation, notwithstanding the concerns about the efficacy of the current process. The Russell Group has convened a working group on TEF as the request of government and it is hope that this will provide a mechanism to shape the future development and operation of the framework.

Higher Education and Research Bill

The bill continues its progress through Parliament and there have been a number of recent Government amendments tabled which address some of the criticism from the sector. These include:

1. There will be representation on the OfS board for someone who has experience of representing the interests of students

2. Including a clause to give the OfS a new duty to monitor the financial sustainability of the sector.

3. Restrictions on Governments ability to influence the provision of a particular course of study (mitigating some of the concerns around academic freedom).

4. The requirement for all registered providers to publish student protection plans and bring them to students' attention.

5. The addition of postgraduate training to UKRI’s functions

Stern Review

There has already been extensive discussion around Stern – most notably at the last HoDs Forum – so just a reminder here. HEFCE are taking the view that the principles of the Stern Review should be regarded as accepted in full, although there will be some bargaining around aspects of the detail. Areas in which we have a high degree of certainty include:

• The census date will be November 2020 with results announced in 2021
• Expectation of 100% submission of all “research active” staff is correct.
• There will be a move to gain coherence between the REF and the TEF, in particular, the exam question for the Russell Group is how our research culture impacts and enhances the student experience and teaching and learning.
• Use will be made of HESA data and there will be cross-correlation between REF and TEF to ensure that there is not excessive game-playing in altering contracts of staff. Our management of our HESA data becomes very important in this scenario.
• Weightings are likely to be similar, as is the subject taxonomy and the reliance on a quality profile
• Impact cases and assessments of environment are expected to be at an institutional level

California

The project to establish, initially, a Graduate School and then a full campus just outside of the State Capital of Sacramento, California is continuing to progress. The regulatory environment allows us to start with 2 courses only and we have chosen Masters degrees in the area of data analytics and behavioural science. These have been through University approval processes and we will soon be submitting for approval to operate the University of Warwick in California from California’s Bureau and Private Post-secondary Education.

London

The University is continuing to build its presence in London. Our position as one of the founder members of the Alan Turing Institute means that we have significant research activity in progress involving colleagues from Computer Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics. Warwick Business School’s operations from the Shard are going from strength to strength with a range of taught provision including MBA and DBA programmes and Executive Education with a range of clients including the Bank of England. There is also activity in relation to CUSP and he London Film School.

Warwick in London, under the leadership of Professor Abhinay Muthoo, is a University wide unit which is currently working with a variety of academic units to deliver a range of non-award bearing short courses.

Visas

Our licences to sponsor international students and staff are due for renewal and the University may well be subject to an audit of its processes. HR have asked me to remind everyone of the importance of complying with the ‘Right to Work in the UK’ page. The link to the page is here . The updates can be found at the bottom of the page under the title ‘Recent Updates’. HR Advisers will routinely circulate this information to HoDs.

Modern Slavery

The University – like other large employers – is required to produce an annual statement setting out the steps taken during each financial year to ensure there is no modern slavery in the University and its supply chains. This policy has been signed off by Council and will appear on the University’s web site in due course.

Year End Finances

You’ll probably be aware the University has achieved a higher than expected surplus at the end of the 2015-16 year. In part this reflects the higher than expected student recruitment, a significant cost savings and also the recognition of significant R&D tax credits. The size of the surplus is og huge importance as it is the surplus which will fund new capital investment in both buildings and equipment.

Capital Projects

Plans for a new Humanities Building are progressing well as are the plans for an inter-disciplinary research facility on Gibbet Hill

Warwick Monash Alliance

Our alliance with Monash has been extended for a further five years and the Alliance itself has recently been recognised with a major award in Australia. The Warwick-Monash Alliance Board will be meeting in Melbourne in early December

Shanghai

The Vice Chancellor has recently signed an MoU in with Zhizhu Higher Education park in central Shanghai. This will potentially provide the University with a physical base in Shanghai from which a range of partnerships can be developed alongside options for in-country teaching. Lawrence Young is currently leading a scoping exercise around options a proposed Shanghai base.

Guild of European Research Universities

The Guild of European Research Intensive Universities, an initiative which Warwick has been leading, was formally launched in Brussels in late November. Along with the University’s European Advisory Board which met earlier in November, this development (which has been led by Jan Palmowski) will help ensure that Warwick continues to be actively engaged in Europe.

Best wishes,

Adam Waddingham : 06 Feb 2017 10:25 |  Comments (0) |  Report a problem