Sussex 2025

VC's open staff forum: 21 February 2017

The Vice-Chancellor's annual Year Ahead Address and his termly open staff forums have provided opportunities to update staff on the latest strategy developments.

During each event the Vice-Chancellor gives a presentation and then invites questions from the audience.

Questions about our strategy


Sussex has outgrown its current campus. Arer there any plans for a further campus and, if so, would this be in the UK or another EU country?

We are considering lots of different options as part of Strategy 2025. Please get involved with the next round of workshops.

People are developing quantum computers on campus but I often can't send an email using our antiquated system. Can you ask ITS to provide a definitive timescale for infrastructure improvement?

We know that improving our technology is absolutely critical to running the University today and in the future. Infrastructure improvement in this way will form a key part of our new strategy. It will become a lot clearer in the coming months what we need to do, to deliver our plans. An improved – and more likely ‘transformed’ technology provision - will very likely form part of that.

Is the University planning to offer online courses, MOOCs or flexible study options at either UG or PG level? This would probably improve our relationship with the local community.

Online distance learning is really important for us and we’re working hard to get our proposition right. As you can imagine all the points you raise are being considered as part of Strategy 2025. I want us to be far more flexible in what we offer – especially through taking advantage of the latest technologie 

What is our strategy for technology in teaching and learning?

Having a technology-led approach to teaching is the direction of travel we have to consider. It could be an extremely exciting journey for us.