Vice-Chancellor’s Christmas message

On behalf of Staffordshire University, I wish all students, staff and their families a wonderful Christmas and a successful year ahead.

We extend warm wishes to our extended University family; to those who are studying on Staffordshire University awards overseas, to our education partners, and to employers and businesses who make up a significant part of our Connected University community.

This time of year is an opportunity for reflection. We are delighted to have made great progress in the League Tables, rising to 44^th in the Guardian League Tables and 57^th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide where we also came in 9^th best for teaching quality and 22^nd in the social inclusion rankings.

We have also announced plans for the new Catalyst Building, part-funded by the Office for Students, which will take the place of the Brindley Building on the University’s Stoke-on-Trent campus and will become a flagship for students and the local community. The building will house the Apprenticeships & Digital Skills Hub, a new library, social learning spaces and a restaurant and café. It will also act as a study base for 6,500 new apprenticeships by 2030.

As someone who believes passionately in the transformative power of higher education, all of this makes me immensely 'Proud to Be Staffs'. There is a huge amount of positive work happening in our University and we are optimistic that we will have more great news to share in the New Year

For now I thank you all for your part in our success. I have every confidence that our Connected University will continue to grow and prosper with students at its heart.

Seasons greetings

Professor Liz Barnes

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive.