Court news

Forward planning was very much the theme at the Court's February meeting, with discussions on institutional planning, restructuring the University, the future of nursing education in Fife and preparations for the RAE.

Chancellor

The Court welcomed the decision of the joint selection committee of Court and Senate that Lord Patel of Dunkeld should be appointed as Chancellor of the University, to succeed Sir James Black from 1 April 2006.

Strategic Plan

The Principal reported that one outcome of the Senior Management Team's recent away-day was a recognition that the principles underlying the existing strategic plan for the period to 2007 were still sound and that care should be taken in introducing new priorities not to eclipse the implementation of current plans at Faculty level. It had been agreed that the new strategic plan should be as much about consolidation of the progress made in recent years as about looking to the future.

A draft of the new plan for the period to 2012 is expected for the Court's next meeting in April. In the meantime, following discussion at the December meeting about the emerging themes for the plan, the Court received topic papers on the student learning experience, student employability and staff development - their purpose being to provide members with a more detailed understanding of current developments in each area. On staff development, it was noted that the University was at an important juncture, with a new organisational structure being introduced (see below) and a new strategic plan in preparation. The time was right for a stronger investment in staff development to support the change agenda and, in consequence, the resourcing of this activity would need to be reviewed.

Restructuring

The Court received a paper by the Principal, setting out final proposals for the restructuring of the academic disciplines of the University into four Colleges. These had been approved by the Senate at its meeting on 8 February. The Principal acknowledged that the timetable for implementation, with the main elements of the college and school structure to be put in place by 1 August, was challenging; the view of the Senate, however, was that the restructuring should be carried out as swiftly as possible. The Court was provided with reassurance that the processes for appointing the heads of colleges and schools would be both fair and transparent. The Court approved, by 18 votes to 1, all the recommendations relating to the restructuring, including final ratification of necessary amendments to the University Charter and Statutes (which are now subject to approval by the Privy Council). The restructuring proposals may be consulted at https://secure.dundee.ac.uk/academic/.

Nursing - Fife Campus

The Court was apprised of proposals for consolidating in Dundee from 2007/08 the theoretical part of the pre-registration nursing curriculum, including the transfer of teaching and support staff from the Kirkcaldy campus. Fife-based students would continue to spend more than half of their studies on placements in health and social care settings in Fife, while the University would retain a post-registration and postgraduate educational facility and library in Fife (in a location yet to be determined). Consultation on the proposals was taking place with NHS Fife (which owned the Kirkcaldy campus), the Scottish Executive Health Department, staff and students, professional organisations and trade unions, and other interested parties. It was stressed that the review was on-going and that final proposals would be submitted for the Court's approval later in the academic year.

The Dean of Nursing & Midwifery explained the reasoning behind the proposals, including the benefits for students and staff in interacting with their own discipline and the wider University community in Dundee. One important aspect of the proposals was to assess the feasibility of extending articulation agreements with colleges of further education in Fife as an entry route for nursing students. Currently 20% of applications to the School came via further education and there was scope for this proportion to be increased. Court members were strongly in favour of such an approach, which would uphold the University's commitment to nursing education in Fife and address some of the concerns of the local community. The Court agreed to note the position and to await final proposals in due course.

Research Assessment Exercise

The Court received a report from the Vice-Principal (Research & Enterprise), drawing together the outcomes of externally assisted reviews of the University's research portfolio in preparation for the 2008 RAE. Professor Boxer explained both the significance of the RAE for the University's core income and the University's approach to the management of research. Strategically the University aspired to international excellence in all areas: some centres of activity had achieved that goal, while others were still striving to get there. It was important to take proactive steps to protect excellence, as it was all too easy to jeopardise high RAE grades through neglect. At the same time high performers could be used to assist other areas; effort was also invested in supporting smaller concentrations of high quality activity, including the development of partnerships.

The internal reviews had been intended to highlight the potential for improvement. It was explained that, while a few had yet to be completed, the reviews had been carried out over a period commencing in October 2004 and consequently there had been adequate time for recommended actions to be taken. Generic issues had also emerged from the review process which were being addressed across the University: these included providing support for key staff, mentoring arrangements for junior researchers and striking an appropriate balance between teaching and research duties. The Court endorsed the approach being taken to prepare the University for the RAE.