The University of Nottingham

A few weeks ago I had the great honour of receiving, on behalf of the University, the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for our research on Global Food Security.

The prize is the most prestigious form of national recognition open to a UK academic institution and receiving it from Her Majesty The Queen during her Diamond Jubilee Year made the formal presentation at Buckingham Palace a particularly special occasion for me.

We also learned earlier this year that we are now the most popular university in the UK, according to the number of applications received for the 2012 intake. In the same way that we often bask in the considerable achievements of our alumni I hope that you too will share our sense of pride in the achievements of our University communities here in the UK and on our campuses in China and Malaysia.

Global food security is also one of the major challenges that we are tackling through the largest fundraising campaign in our history.

Impact: the Nottingham Campaign

was launched last October and will raise £150m to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. A major Campaign landmark was established a few weeks ago with the opening of the first Nottingham Potential IntoUniversity Learning Centre, made possible through an extraordinary gift from the David Ross Foundation. Nottingham Potential marks a step-change in our work with young people in Nottinghamshire by supporting some of the most deprived young people in the region and providing them with a pathway to success.

Many of you may remember that last year I led a team of colleagues on a 1,030-mile cycle ride from John
O’ Groats to Land’s End to demonstrate my personal commitment to our Campaign. The first Nottingham Life Cycle raised £229,000, and I say first because we are going to do something similar! Life Cycle 2 will take place this summer and you can find out more on page 9.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us in kind and with donations so far. I urge to you read more about what we are trying to achieve through the Impact Campaign and invite you to join us in our endeavours. Together, we can make an impact on our world. More information is available at: http://tiny.cc/UoNImpact.

Finally, please do not forget to join us for May Fest 2012 on 19 May. It is a great day out for our alumni and friends and their families because there is so much on offer. I am always delighted to welcome alumni to the University so please do come back and see us.