Essex celebrates a year of success

Our Annual Meeting and Summer Reception gave us a chance to celebrate all our achievements over the past year including being named University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards.

The audience included many friends of the University including representatives from partner institutions, organisations and businesses.

• Read the Vice-Chancellor's full speech on his blog

Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster told those attending: "I would like to start by highlighting one of the best things that has happened for us this year: being named University of the Year by the Times Higher. These annual awards really are the Oscars of Higher Education – and this honour is recognition of the impact that we are making here at the University of Essex.

"One of the Times Higher Education awards judges said 'This is a university that is putting people first.' And we have done this by seeking to live up to the founding vision and our values by putting students and staff success at the centre of what we do."

Unwavering commitment to excellence

He added: "We are a growing university of 16,500 students and 2,200 staff, and this year we have seen a record number of applications in students wanting to study here at Essex.

"Despite unprecedented challenges within our sector, the uncertainties of Brexit, and the Augar Review of post-18 education funding, we continue to focus on our unwavering commitment to providing excellence in education and research for the benefit of people and communities."

Launch of Chancellor's Appeal

The day also saw the launch of Essex Change Makers the new Chancellor's Appeal by Speaker of the House of Commons Rt Hon John Bercow MP, our Chancellor. He said: “I am proud to be leading this Appeal. Essex has transformed my life and opportunities, and I believe Essex Change Makers will have a huge impact for our students and communities around the world."