UCS Strategic Plan 2010-2015

Vision

By 2015 UCS will be a fully functioning, cohesive, student-centred higher education institution. Its high quality and innovative teaching and learning focused on vocationally relevant areas will be cost effective and underpinned by selected nationally/internationally recognised research and scholarship.

Mission

Our mission is to be a distinctive, sustainable, ‘can do’, connected university provider that strives for the highest standards in teaching and learning, research and enterprise and works flexibly with a network of partners to fulfil mutual objectives at local, regional, national and international level.

Strategic Objectives

The specific strategic objectives of UCS are:

  • To provide a high quality student experience
  • To produce confident, employable, enterprising students
  • To act as a beacon of aspiration and achievement in promoting widening participation in Suffolk and beyond
  • To recruit increasing numbers of students of ever-higher calibre in the national and international marketplace
  • To suitably balance undergraduate and postgraduate study
  • To promote national/international research informing our teaching
  • To diversify our external income streams in a challenging environment
  • To sustainably balance income against expenditure
  • To serve the needs of our network of collaborative partners in the wider communities in which we operate, including professional bodies and employers
  • To be a place to learn, explore, challenge and achieve in a spirit of openness and mutuality
  • To be an institution of high repute in the fields in which it operates

In order to do this we shall:

  • Attract, support and retain excellent staff, including academics skilled in teaching and learning, research and enterprise
  • Develop an effective and efficient university infrastructure supporting students and staff
  • Work closely and collaboratively with the University of Essex and the University of East Anglia and other key partners, including through shared services as appropriate
  • Refine and promote externally the UCS brand

Values

The values of UCS are:

  • To place students at the centre of our activities
  • To be open and accessible to all who can benefit from higher education
  • To pursue an equality and diversity agenda
  • To be an active, responsive and positive influence on our local communities
  • To recognise, respect and suitably reward staff and students
  • To support a spirit of exploration, investigation and innovation
  • To be prepared to take risks, responsibly and with appropriate mitigation
  • To seek continuous improvement and enhancement in all our activities
  • To consistently maintain high ethical standards