VC's Summer Message

Dear student

It seems like only two minutes since I wrote to you in January as I joined the University as Vice-Chancellor, and yet already we are approaching the end of the academic year – at least for those of you studying as undergraduates.

I would like to thank everyone for giving me such a warm welcome. It has been lovely to meet and chat with you as I’ve walked around campus, or at some of the student events I’ve been able to attend such as the UoBe Festival, the Langar on Campus, and the Community Iftar.

Thank you also to those who have taken the time to come to student lunch sessions and the open sessions I hold every few months; it has been great to discuss with you some of the amazing things you have been involved with while at university, as well as areas where we need to make improvements. If you have not had the opportunity to feed back in this way, please consider completing the SELT survey (deadline 26 June).

Some of you will know Professor Deborah Longworth, and I am delighted to let you know that she has now been appointed as our permanent Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education. Deborah is committed to continuing our efforts to make sure Birmingham is an innovative, exciting and rigorous place to learn, and I know she is looking forward to continuing to work with you.

We are approaching our summer graduation ceremonies, one of my favourite times of the year! It is fantastic to see graduates, friends and family bringing our campus to life as you don your gowns and caps, chat with friends, eat and drink, and have photos taken to look back at in years to come. I look forward to seeing some of you at your official ceremony in the Great Hall; I particularly enjoy seeing the look of pride on your faces, and those of your family and friends, as we celebrate your achievements. You will have received information about your specific graduation already but if you have any questions check the FAQs on our website. And don’t forget to honour the tradition of walking under Old Joe on your way out of the ceremony!

Looking forward to the start of the next academic year, our arrivals weekend will be taking place for new students on 17 and 18 September, with Welcome Week beginning on Monday 19 September. It will be lovely to see some new faces on campus and it is a great opportunity to make new friends. While Welcome Week focuses primarily on our new students, there will be a range of events on campus and at the Guild of Students that you can all participate in. You can stay up to date with the latest events on the Welcome page here. And if you’re interested in paid part-time work opportunities during your studies, please look at our Worklink pages – we have a variety of roles available and are currently looking for Welcome Assistants for September.

For those of you leaving us this summer, I wish you all the very best for your onward journey, wherever and whatever that may be. You will remain part of the University’s family as alumni, so please stay in touch and let us know where you go. And if you need support in the future our Careers Network service can provide assistance up to two years after you graduate.

I wish you every success for the future!

Best wishes

Adam