Foreword

Sir Moir Lockhead  
Sir Moir Lockhead

This document sets out the strategic vision for the University of Aberdeen over the next five years.  It is an exciting vision that has been developed not just by the Principal, the senior management team and the governors, but by the entire University community.

The involvement of the University’s staff in the development of this Strategic Plan is vital. The translation of the Strategic Plan into reality will require the continuing commitment to excellence and innovation that the University’s staff, led by the Principal, have demonstrated in recent years. It is well known that higher education is in a period of considerable change both nationally and internationally. There are significant financial challenges, while the expectations of society for universities continue to grow. Arguably this makes the competitive environment for universities more difficult than at any point in the last twenty years.

This underlines the need for the Strategic Plan to recognise the challenges the University of Aberdeen will face in seeking to build on the significant success it has achieved in recent years. Equally the University has to be ambitious if it is to advance its position amongst the world’s leading universities. Significantly this is a Plan that is both aspirational and achievable.

In taking the Plan forward, the University’s staff can be certain of the enthusiastic support of its governors. The University Court also recognises the responsibilities it has for monitoring the University’s progress towards achieving the objectives of the Plan. Similarly, the Court is aware of how important the University is to individuals, organisations and businesses whether they are local, national or international. In these challenging times, the University of Aberdeen will need more than ever to harness the support of its partners and its alumni if it is to realise this strategic vision and thus ensure it remains well placed to meet the needs of the many communities it serves.

Whatever your connection with the University may be, on behalf of the University Court, I commend this Plan to you.

Sir Moir Lockhead
Chancellor’s Assessor and Senior Governor of the University Court