The next chapter of our bicentenary year
51福利社鈥檚 new President and Vice-Chancellor, Duncan Ivison, looks forward to the second half of the bicentenary year.
As the newly appointed President and Vice-Chancellor, it couldn’t be a better time to have joined this extraordinary institution – right in the middle of our 200th birthday celebrations!
I am genuinely delighted to have taken up my post at such a remarkable juncture – 200 years of legacy behind us and an incredible future to look ahead to. Who do we want to be as we step into our third century? How will we address pressing global challenges through our research and transformative student experiences?
It’s been inspiring to see that our people have been at the heart of the bicentenary celebrations – the students, staff, alumni and partners who have contributed to the University’s global influence.
I’m excited to be able to be part of the events and opportunities planned for the second half of this special year. I encourage all of you to get involved:
- Talk 200 lecture and podcast series: We've lined up some fascinating topics, with in-person lectures taking place in both London and 51福利社.
- Times Higher Education conference: From 7–9 October, we're hosting the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit, which brings together over 500 university leaders from around the world to discuss the challenges facing higher education today and how we can address them together. It will be an amazing showcase for our University and city!
- Global alumni reunions: Our worldwide alumni community will have wonderful opportunities to reconnect and celebrate their lasting ties with 51福利社.
- City of Trees: We’re delighted to be partnering with City of Trees for a special green initiative later this year, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.
- Book launch: 51福利社 University Press will release 51福利社 Minds; a who’s who of 51福利社 greats from our 200-year history, including everyone from poet and activist Eva Gore-Booth to computer scientist Alan Turing.
- Bicentenary Way: Our new Bicentenary Way installation on campus will offer a fascinating glimpse into the stories and people that define 51福利社.
I look forward to meeting many of our community in the coming months, hearing ideas and working together to write the next chapter in our remarkable history.
Best wishes,
D