2011 APM Conference – Sustaining Excellence
A brief note on what felt like a really good event, building on the success of first APM conference last summer and involving nearly 300 professional services staff from across the University.
Keynotes
In the main sessions we heard about the development campaign from Professor Jane Seymour together with an outline of the formal campaign laumch week in October and details of lifecycle, the John O’Groats to Land’s End ride being undertaken by the Vice-Chancellor and colleagues in August.
Chris Thompson, CFO, updated everyone on fees, funding and finances, highlighting the many financial challenges we are facing and how we are responding. We remain in a strong position but there is absolutely no room for complacency.
Professor Wyn Morgan, Director of Teaching and Learning, reported on the range of initiatives currently under way in teaching and learning including how we all have a part to play in delviering a world class student experience.
Workshops
There were some great workshops on offer, with the lean and speed-dating sessions proving extremely popular:
Workshop 1: An Introduction to Lean Process Methodology & Its Application Within The University
Workshop 2: Virtual Tour Of Campuses In Asia, Teaching Partnerships And Internationalisation
Workshop 3: Professionalising Marketing And Recruitment In Changing Times
Workshop 4: What Is Research Margin And Why Does It Matter?
Workshop 5: Why Do Universities Need To Make A Surplus?
Workshop 6: Speedy Professionals: Putting A Face To A Name
Workshop 7: Go Greener
Workshop 8: Balancing The Demands Of Work And Non-Work Commitments
Workshop 9: Building Positive Working Relationships: Why Do Colleagues In Teams Have Differences At Work?
Final session
We also had an entertaing Q and A session covering car parking, IT, marketing and environmental issues.
And finally the Vice-Chancellor wrapped things up, stressing the critical contribution made by all professional services staff in supporting the delivery of the University’s strategic plan.
Thanks are due to all the speakers, panellists and those staffing the stalls as well as the organising committee, headed by Hannah Robinson. Particular thanks too Karen of Classy Cupcakes for running the charity cake sale.
I hope colleagues found the day useful, met people they had not come across before and learnt something new.
