Annual Review 2009-10
Vice-Chancellor's introduction
We are continuing to achieve significant success at
Essex despite the many challenges now facing the UK's higher education sector.
In 2009-10 we saw excellent performances in student recruitment, research income
and our overall financial position as our local, regional and international
impact continued to grow.
Effective management and the hard work of colleagues
on all sides of the University have helped achieve our best financial results
for many years. We are exceeding many of our key strategic targets, with total
income rising to £139 million in 2009-10, an increase of 13 per cent.
A record level of research income was won for the
third consecutive year with grants and contracts rising 16 per cent to £21.1
million from £18.2 million in the previous year.
Our international commitment to research excellence
was boosted when Jawaharlal Nehru University in India became the first member of
our Global Alliance, which is building lasting research-orientated partnerships
with leading universities.
We have managed to square the circle of increasing
student numbers whilst simultaneously improving student satisfaction.
Record numbers of students began courses at the
University this year, while the National Student Survey ranked Essex in the top
20 nationally, a significant improvement from 34th last year. In addition, the
University was placed in the top 15 for best all-round student experience
according to the
Times Higher Education
(THE) survey.
Major projects completed as part of our £200
million-plus capital investment plan include the £5 million Teaching Centre and
£1.4 million Sports Centre redevelopment at the Colchester campus, as well as
the £36 million University Square student accommodation and a new teaching suite
at the Southend Campus.
Work on the infrastructure for the Knowledge Gateway
development at the Colchester Campus has begun. World-renowned architect and
Essex alumnus Daniel Libeskind has been selected to design the landmark building
that will house the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution at the heart
of the Knowledge Gateway.
In Southend we are working with partners on the £26.9
million Elmer Square regeneration project which will include a shared library
plus new teaching and learning space.
Although this has been an excellent year we do find
ourselves in a time of dramatic and radical change in the landscape of higher
education. We will need to deal with a very different dynamic in terms of home
and European Union student recruitment, and will need a tight focus on the
quality of student experience. We will need to develop our international
activities further, and deal with potential changes to the student visa system.
I am confident that the University of Essex is
well-placed to deal with these challenges. We have the necessary resolve and
vision, complemented by an excellent staff, a strong academic focus and
well-functioning management systems. As ever in our almost 50-year history we
will adapt to the new circumstances and will, I am sure, emerge from the period
of uncertainty stronger and more successful.
Professor Colin Riordan
Vice-Chancellor
