Strategy 2020
I have been reflecting over the summer months on the progress that we have made to date. Myself and colleagues from the University Leadership Team (ULT), have been out and about over the last few weeks talking with many of you and answering questions on a range of topics. These conversations and your honest feedback have helped me get a sense of the feelings and concerns people are experiencing at this stage of our journey.
There is no doubt Strategy 2020 is ambitious in its reach and scope, but we developed it together not simply to survive in a highly competitive and increasingly challenging environment, but to become the organisation we want to be and, importantly, believe we can be.
Our direction is an exciting one, I recognise the journey is not always going to be easy, but the ULT and Senior Leadership Group are committed to supporting you to achieve these goals. There will inevitably be times when our confidence is tested. Meeting the scale of transformation we seek will require our continued energy, momentum and innovation. It's important that we keep sense-checking where we are, and reflect honestly on the challenges to be overcome. Please remember, however, that this reflection builds on the back of my genuine belief in our collective ability to achieve our ambitions through the contributions of every individual.
In the meantime, thank you for your efforts over the past year and your ongoing commitment through this climate of change and challenge. Please do continue to feedback and work closely with your line managers about how you are feeling, your ideas and your concerns. This will help to drive us forward.
Celtic Renewables
I was delighted to see that Edinburgh Napier spin-out Celtic Renewables has secured an £11million grant which will help it build the world's first plant dedicated to the production of advanced biofuel from the residues of the whisky industry.
UK Transport Minister,
Andrew Jones, announced the funding during a visit to the University on Monday. You can read the full story on the
intranet news.
Warm congratulations to Professor Martin Tangney, founder of Celtic Renewables, we wish him ongoing success.
Campus Conversations
At the first Campus Conversations of the year, I will discuss in more detail our achievements from 2014/15 and look forward to the next couple of years as outlined in our Strategy, while reflecting on our external environment. I'm also happy to discuss anything that you feel we should so please email
principal@napier.ac.uk with any suggestions.
- Monday 2 November - Sighthill 1.D.02, 9.30 - 11.30am
- Tuesday 3 November - Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre, Craiglockhart 9.30 - 11.30am (live streaming)
- Wednesday 4 November - Merchiston A17, 2pm - 4pm
Please use the voting buttons to reserve your place or email
ercevents@napier.ac.uk. Please RSVP so that we can plan catering.
Times Higher Education Award nomination
Congratulations to Dr Paul Ferguson and colleagues who have been nominated for The Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Digital Innovation in Teaching or Research. The award recognises the innovative use of digital technology to improve an institution's teaching, learning or research activity.
It is a wonderful achievement to be recognised externally for your work and innovation such as this helps us to build our academic reputation. Good luck at the awards later this year.
Kind regards
Professor Andrea Nolan