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Meeting updates

UEB 19 January 2015

19 January 2015
Mairwen Harris

Mairwen Harris

From left to right: Professor Patricia Price, Claire Sanders, Professor Hywel Thomas, Professor Dylan Jones, Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Professor Colin Riordan, Jayne Dowden, Professor George Boyne, Mike Davies and Professor Karen Holford.
From left to right: Professor Patricia Price, Claire Sanders, Professor Hywel Thomas, Professor Dylan Jones, Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Professor Colin Riordan, Jayne Dowden, Professor George Boyne, Mike Davies and Professor Karen Holford.
  • UEB reviewed a paper outlining progress on the development of new University Research Institutes (URIs).  At its meeting on 7 July 2014 UEB gave in-principle approval to the development of four new URIs and renewal of the existing ones, subject to successful completion of identified milestones. This paper provided an update on the existing URIs and three of the four new URI proposals. A paper on the fourth URI, the Data Innovation Institute, will go back to UEB at a future date. UEB agreed to progress the following URIs – Systems Immunity, Energy Systems and Crime and Security. The existing URIs – European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Sustainable Places and Cardiff Catalysis Institute– were also renewed.  It was agreed that there would be a formal launch for the URIs in London and Cardiff in the autumn 2015.
  • UEB approved the HEFCW submission to Welsh Government/Department of Business, Innovation and Skills outlining the University’s initial indication of intended projects for 2015/16. The priority schemes submitted will be the development of existing University Research Institutes and the next round of new University Research Institutes.

 UEB received the following regular reports

  • PVC Student Experience and Academic Standards Monthly Report.  The University has received advanced notification that it has funding for four of the five bids to the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s Academic Staffing Scheme for 2015/16. These will be announced shortly. The University is working with the Coleg to agree funding for a fifth. In addition, four bids to the Coleg’s research scholarships scheme have now been submitted.  It was noted that the Senior Staff Meeting on 19 January will include a presentation by colleagues from FutureLearn on the potential role of MOOCs in supporting the impact agenda. Work is in progress to develop two further MOOCs for launch in 2015.  Muslims in Britain and Community Journalism will re-run in February and March respectively.  The ARE process has now been completed across all Colleges. Key findings and actions arising for Colleges and/or the University will be considered by the ARE Executive at a meeting on 14 January.
  • Chief Operating Officer’s Monthly Report. The report included updates from each of the corporate Professional Services Departments. There continues to be substantial attention to improvement in systems and processes, including:  introduction of an intranet; systematic improvements to student surveys; payroll improvements; and introduction of further self service functions for staff.  The need for reliable, accurate business intelligence and management information has been recognised across the Professional Services. Work continues to improve data definitions, the structure in which data is held, the quality of inputting and reporting.