UEB, 11 June 2018

• It was noted that Professor Stephen Bentley would be standing down from the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering Dean of International role on 31 July 2018 and would be replaced by Professor Omer Rana.
• The recent submission to Welsh Government for GCRF funding had been successful.
• It was noted that the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering Grand Challenge Week was taking place this week. The idea of the event had come from the School of Architecture which had been supporting a very successful School Grand Challenge Week for a number of years. This is the first College wide event and is aimed at encouraging students to work on real time projects.
• It was noted that the launch of the new Environmental Sustainability strategy at the Volvo Ocean Race had been very well received with the Vice-Chancellor being commended in the Senedd following the event.
• It was noted that a number of members of the University community had been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for their exceptional contribution to society:
  • Professor Billie Hunter, Royal College of Midwives Professor of Midwifery in the School of Healthcare Sciences was awarded a CBE for services to midwifery and midwifery education in the UK and Europe;
  • Professor Graham Hutchings, Regius Professor of Chemistry and director of the University’s Cardiff Catalysis Institute was awarded a CBE for services to chemistry and to innovation;
  • Professor Haley Gomez, of the School of Physics and Astronomy who was awarded an MBE for services to astrophysics, astronomy and outreach activities.
• UEB received the University’s draft submission to the Joint Expert Panel (JEP). The response had been prepared by Cardiff University’s USS Actuarial Valuation Technical Group on behalf of the University.
• UEB received the proposal for a fast-track process designed to achieve rapid agreement and sign-off of low risk contracts with external businesses and other partners. It was agreed that the Research and Innovation Services should pilot a fast-track contracts approach for an initial six month period and report back to the Chief Operating Officer.
• UEB received and approved the draft South Wales Crucible Science and Innovation Audit Science ahead of its submission to Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 29 June 2018.
• UEB received and endorsed the Cardiff University Press policy, the paper would be considered by Senate on 20 June 2018.
• UEB received and approved, subject to some minor amendments, the revised Governance Framework. The framework summarises the key governance arrangements as they related to the University for the academic year and had been updated to make the workings of the University more transparent and accessible in addition to incorporating changes which had taken place since the last version.
• UEB received a paper providing information on the newly established UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as detailed in its Strategic Prospectus, with a particular focus on its stated commitments, funding released to date (and confirmed as forthcoming), and some observations on new ways of working in this new funding landscape.
• UEB received and noted the new Public Affairs strategy which had been developed in consultation with internal stakeholders to support the objectives of The Way Forward 2018-23. The strategy sets out how Cardiff University will work with political stakeholders in the years ahead to meet corporate aspirations, and sets out more structured approaches towards managing key stakeholders, attending party conferences and running engagement events.

UEB received the following regular reports

• PVC College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences monthly report
• PVC Student Experience and Academic Standards monthly report
• Estates projects monthly report
• External environment update