News round-up

Read our news in brief

 

Striking gold for teaching quality

The University has become one of just a handful in the UK to strike gold across the board in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). In a lengthy report, the Office for Students praised the student experiences offered by the University as being of outstanding quality. It also highlighted outstanding provision across the majority of courses and subjects in relation to student outcomes. 
The success marked an improvement on previous TEF ratings, demonstrating the significant efforts being taken to improve the experiences of students while they are at the University. The TEF panel also said there was compelling evidence of positive student feedback and high levels of student satisfaction, and acknowledged the support provided by the University to ensure every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, can reach their full potential.

Delivering excellence in teaching and learning is absolutely core to our mission of advancing knowledge and transforming lives. We are committed to helping students get the most out of their studies and extracurricular activities, so they are prepared for whatever opportunities and challenges might come their way in the future

John CurnowJohn Curnow
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Education and Student Experience

TEF Gold logo with all areas 2023
 

Graduating alongside legends of screen and score

The thousands of you who graduated in September 2023 might not have realised that you were on the same stage as an icon of the big screen, and one of the country’s most celebrated composers. Sir Roger Deakins CBE and Judith Weir CBE were among those to be awarded honorary degrees for their work with the University, and their significant contributions to wider society. 
From humble beginnings in Torquay, Sir Roger has become one of the greatest, most respected and influential cinematographers of all time. He has received 16 Academy Award nominations and is best known for films including The Shawshank Redemption, A Beautiful Mind, No Country for Old Men and Skyfall. 
Judith is the first woman to hold the role of Master of the Queen’s Music and then, since 2022, Master of the King’s Music. Since the honour was conferred, she has written pieces for national occasions including the First World War centenary, the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral and the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Sir Roger Deakins CBE with our Vice-Chancellor Judith Petts receiving his honorary degree
 

Addressing the global challenge of sustainable food production 

With the global population set to exceed nine billion in the coming years, major advances are needed to provide sustainable sources of food. Already recognised for its pioneering research in agriculture, aquaculture and sustainable food production, the University has launched a new initiative which will significantly expand both its capacity and capabilities. 
The  Centre of Research excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems (CRISPS) is being supported by a grant of more than £5.7 million from Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England (E3) Fund. It will increase the numbers of researchers looking into the issues, train a new generation of researchers, establish a number of new facilities across campus, and scale up collaborations with businesses and policy makers.
Lettuce growing under lamps (courtesy of Getty)

Providing sufficient food to feed an expanding human population is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. At the same time, we need to establish ways to reduce carbon emissions and reverse the dramatic decline in biodiversity. The University now has the capacity to work with existing and new partners to meet those challenges head-on.

Richard PreziosiRichard Preziosi
Director of the Centre of Research excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems (CRISPS)

 

And finally...

In December 2023, the University won the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category at the Times Higher Education Awards. The award was in recognition of ongoing work by the Peninsula Dental School and Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise to provide high quality training and care across the South West.