21 December 2009 - 4 January 2010

This will be the last ALT Reflection this year, so we wish everyone a very happy, peaceful and restful Christmas from the whole team in the Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic).  Updates will resume on 4 January 2010.

Reflection

The winter solstice marks the turning of the year in the final days of the decade which is becoming known as 'The Noughties'.  When the days are short and the weather is grey, it feels like a good time to reflect on the year that has passed and the year that is to come.  Over the vacation, many people will be making time with their families and friends to take a break to relax and consider lessons learned, how far we've travelled and where to go next.  Many have much to celebrate personally and professionally this year, but this has been a challenging period for us too.  For me the best aspect of this year's work has been a refocusing on the core business of the University, the centrality of the student experience.  Assessment, learning and teaching are being foregrounded to a greater extent than ever before.

When we return in the New Year, our perspectives are likely to be different.  We start the new decade with a new Vice-Chancellor and a sense of renewed optimism that many of the problems we have encountered in the past are being addressed and remediated.  Here's to a positive and productive New Year!

Sally Brown
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
S.Brown@leedsmet.ac.uk