The University of Nottingham

Currently there is lively debate in higher education about the future of the university campus.

It is true the pace of new technology and developments in technology-enabled learning are changing the way students learn, the way we teach and the way we communicate. But you cannot overlook the advantages of physical location: heritage and the spirit of the environment; face-to-face contact with teachers and other learners; leveraging learning from each other; the privilege of being exiled to a place which exists only to promote learning and personal development.

Campuses will continue to be profoundly important meeting places. At Nottingham, we have meeting places that are second to none. Most see University Park as Nottingham’s signature campus, a mature parkland of stunning beauty we have occupied since 1928 when the great Sir Jesse Boot picked it out as the location for a ‘great people’s University’. It is a magnificent location: a place to be nurtured, and a place to nurture.

In 2007 we published Campus Views, a collection of images of Nottingham’s campuses, specially commissioned from distinguished architectural photographer Martine Hamilton Knight. The result was a compelling affirmation of the extraordinary beauty of our campuses. But these special places change. Since Campus Views was published, the pace of development across our campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia has been remarkable. Many new buildings, gardens and spaces have been created to support enquiry and learning; so much so that we judged the time right for a successor to Campus Views.

That successor is Aspects of a Global University. We again went to Martine to capture the spirit of place. She has done a wonderful job, visiting all of our campuses to shoot fresh images of the new architecture designed with an eye to visual appeal, but also sustainability. I hope this collection will please our alumni and friends and remind us all of the special places we have the good fortune to inhabit, enrich and enhance; places that remain conducive to creativity and learning; places that inspire. You can buy a copy at:
https://store.nottingham.ac.uk

Sadly, one of our greatest supporters and someone who shared a fondness for our great campuses, passed away earlier this year. Alumnus and benefactor Ron Haylock was a truly remarkable person. His interest and tireless enthusiasm for us knew no bounds. From his time as a student in the 1960s, through to his role as President of Council and beyond, he was a passionate supporter of our University. He had a decisive role in creating the University we know today, and the impact of his expertise endures. He was universally liked and respected. On a personal level, I feel honoured to have known him and worked with him for the past 20 years, and I will miss him greatly.

By the time you read this I will have completed my third Life Cycle challenge and will no doubt have that familiar feeling of fatigue in my legs. The aim this year is to raise £300,000 for stroke rehabilitation by riding to all the capital cities of the UK and Republic of Ireland. It’s not too late to support the team’s efforts and I’d be delighted if you would consider this.
http://tiny.cc/LC3