New five year Strategic Plan launched

Students and staff joined with the Vice-Chancellor to launch the Strategic Plan.

Students and staff joined with the Vice-Chancellor to launch the Strategic Plan.

11 February 2013

Aberystwyth University has launched its Strategic Plan that sets out its vision for where it wants to be in five years’ time.

Over the past 12 months the University has undertaken extensive consultation with students, staff, the governing body and stakeholders, which included a series of open “Shaping our Future” sessions.

This has led to the development of a document that clearly sets out where Aberystwyth University wants to be in 2017.

The University has set itself six challenges over the next five years that will help it achieve its aim of becoming a leading interdisciplinary institution, making an impact in Wales, in the UK and globally.  These are:

•        Creating opportunities
Breaking down barriers to access, supporting students and staff to succeed and grow, embedding employability across Aberystwyth’s curriculum and promoting experiences that allow students to test and develop their skills, valuing people and maximising their potential, reflecting social responsibility in all that the University does.

•        Research with excellence that makes an impact
Building on Aberystwyth’s research successes to make a difference by addressing global challenges and providing a way of understanding the future through the past.

•        Teaching that inspires
Enhancing Aberystwyth’s recognised world class student experience through investment in quality infrastructure and an excellent portfolio which emphasises employability and lifelong skills, equipping its students for future success.

•        Engaging the world
Building its international reputation, attracting students and staff from across the globe and working in collaboration with internationally-recognised partners.

•        Working in partnership
Collaborating with other universities, with the local community and Further Education, with employers and businesses and with the University’s alumni, building global partnerships, enriching the experience of its students, its staff and its partners.

•        Investing in the University’s future
Growing its resources and investing in its environment to deliver on its strategic priorities, ensuring Aberystwyth’s future sustainability and growth.

The University’s overall goal is to ensure that by 2017 Aberystwyth is consistently ranked in the top 30 universities in the UK, and the top 250 in the world.

Professor April McMahon, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University said:
“It is a pleasure and a privilege to present the University’s new Strategic Plan. I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to its development.”

“Since my arrival in Aberystwyth 18 months ago, I have been learning more about what makes this such a special university, and what gives us such opportunities and such outstanding potential for our future. That means the development of the University and our contribution to Wales, but crucially also the linked development of our people, our communities and the advances in knowledge, expertise and economic growth to which we contribute.”

“Our ambitions for the next five years are underpinned by values which our students and staff have communicated to us. These are values which we know are of central importance to all those who will be working to make the vision of Aberystwyth 2017 a reality. Aberystwyth 2017 is possible because of the people who embody the existing strengths and values of Aberystwyth 2012.”

Copies of the Strategic Plan 2012-2017 are available at www.aber.ac.uk/strategicplan

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