University of Hertfordshire Strategic Plan 2007 - 2012

University of
Hertfordshire
Strategic Plan
2007 - 2012

Foreword
Our new strategy builds on the vision set out in the 2004-7 plan – widespread
engagement with business and employers, excellence in learning, teaching and
research and accelerating the widening participation agenda.The focus, however, is
sharper. Engaging with business and the professions will be the foundation for all of
our activities. In other words, business will be the lens through which we view the
world. In accelerating our ambitions to work with employers in new and creative
ways, we will embody a new model of a University – a University which has the
agility and strength to thrive in the new global economy.
This year, the University reviewed and published its vision, mission and values
statements.As part of this exercise, staff, students and Board Members were
consulted on the University's ambitions and core values.The final version of
our vision, mission and values statements represent the views of the University
community on its collective aspirations and the University's ethos.
Dr Denis E. Filer
Chairman
Professor Tim Wilson
Vice-Chancellor.

Context
The University of Hertfordshire is an ambitious and entrepreneurial University with an
international vision, putting students at the heart of what we do.
Since the publication of our 2004-07 Strategic Plan, the Higher Education environment has changed
substantially.The Higher Education Act 2004, which introduced powers to charge variable fees and
also established the Office for Fair Access, has lead to major change.This change will continue as
the full impact of the new fees and bursaries regime is realised.
Recent research into the role of Universities in their communities and local and national economies
points to the growing awareness of the wider role which universities and other educational
establishments play in today's society.The impact of University activity on economic growth in an
increasingly competitive global economy has come under growing scrutiny.This is demonstrated
most clearly in the Lambert review of University Business Interaction, the Ten Year Science and
Innovation Review, the Leitch Review of Skills and the Cox Review of Creativity in Business.
Collectively, these reports define an agenda which the University of Hertfordshire is strongly
positioned to address and indeed, it is one which we have been actively engaged with for a
considerable period of time.
In 2004, it was widely anticipated that Universities would develop increasingly differentiated
missions and this has proved to be so - a process likely to be accelerated by the advent of variable
fees.At the University of Hertfordshire, we defined our strategy as being firmly connected with
the business agenda, supporting our core activities in teaching and learning, research and widening
participation. Significant progress in engaging with business, accelerated by the merger of our
business partnership office with Hertfordshire BusinessLink (Exemplas) in 2005, has resulted in
the new strategic plan having a much more overt focus on close engagement with business and the
professions.This engagement extends to the private, public and voluntary sectors. In particular, the
changing face of the health sector - involving both the NHS and private health providers - presents
unique opportunities for the University to engage with the new employer agenda of upskilling and
remodelling the workforce.
Our distinctiveness is enhanced by leading edge research in strategically important disciplines.
We will sustain and grow our centres of research excellence and will invest in facilities and staffing
to ensure a thriving and active research culture.
Differentiation has led to positive change for the University of Hertfordshire. In the past two years,
the University has experienced unprecedented growth in student applications, allowing us to be
more selective in key subject areas. Major factors in this surge were the launch of the new de
Havilland campus in September 2003 and the growing reputation of the University as a dynamic
and relevant organisation, which engages closely with business and the professions.
Our staff are the key to our success and investment in staff development, in recruitment, retention
and reward will be vital ingredients in the successful delivery of the University's new strategy.

Vision
Our vision for 2012 is to be recognised as a new model of a university through far-reaching
engagement with business, community and international partners, shaping the future success
of our graduates operating in the global environment, and advancing the prosperity of our region.
Strategic Aim
The University is 'business-facing and business-like', deploying relevant and efficient business skills and
techniques in the leadership , management and educational activities of the University.This systemic
approach to business and to employer engagement gives the University its distinctive edge in an everchanging
Higher Education environment.
Throughout the planning period, the University's core activities will be filtered through the 'business
lens'.We define 'business' as the external economic environment - it includes employers in the public
and private sectors and those in self-employment. Our activities are guided by three key principles:
close engagement with our partners and stakeholders
flexibility, responsiveness and adaptability in all that we do
an ethical and sustainable approach to our business.
Adaptability to our changing environment is vital for our future success.As a core priority, the
University will simplify and re-align its infrastructure, processes and regulatory systems, to achieve the
necessary agility to thrive in the 21st century.This change will be underpinned by multi-disciplinary
approaches to core activities and a blurring of traditional boundaries which exist between professions,
disciplines and groupings of staff and students.
We will invest in the skills and expertise of our staff -
our core asset - to enable us to meet our strategic aims.

Mission
Our mission is to:
help our students achieve their maximum potential, with graduates distinguished for being
innovative, creative, highly employable and equipped for their future careers
play a key role in our region's economic prosperity and cultural development, by working closely
with businesses, the public sector and the wider community
continue investing in our people, courses, partnerships and facilities, and to be the leading university
in enhancing the student experience
undertake and exploit research, creating new knowledge that is disseminated, transferred and
applied; achieving international standing in key research areas
prepare our students to operate in the global economy, and to engender international and
multicultural understanding both within the University and beyond
provide an outstanding service and to ensure a rewarding experience for all who engage
with our University.
Values
The University has defined a set of core values which inform and sustain all of our activities.
putting students first
excellence and its celebration
innovation, creativity and professionalism
respect for the individual
enjoyment in learning and work

Shaping the Future
Success of our Graduates
Excellence in learning and teaching is at the heart of the University.The successful graduate of the
future will recognise their own need to learn throughout life and will seek new and flexible ways in
which to gain new skills and knowledge.
The University will be a lead player in the enhancement of learning at all levels and stages of life.
Teaching and learning is informed by research and scholarship, and the University will secure further
integration between teaching and research for the benefit of the University community. Hertfordshire
students will acquire skills which will enable them to be highly employable and entrepreneurial in their
chosen fields - working for an employer or as an employer.We will strive to ensure that the
opportunities which we offer are accessible to all who may benefit from them.
Our Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching - the Blended Learning Unit - is developing
advanced techniques for meeting learner needs and expectations. We will continue to invest in this
core area of business, developing and exploiting new thinking and new tools in the enrichment of the
student experience and graduate success.The University will promote lifelong engagement with
employers and learners through continuing professional development, in-house courses, knowledge
transfer projects, and by making learning and skills development accessible to all throughout their
working lives.
We will enhance the experience of our students - current and future - in their learning, social and
cultural activities through:
inspirational education, using advanced educational techniques based on exploration, and discovery
investment in advanced learning technology, complemented by individual learning support
investing in staff to support innovative and effective teaching techniques
remodelling our curriculum frameworks to embed flexibility, sustainability and global perspectives,
and to address student, employer and national skills needs
connecting student learning with a vibrant and active research base in specialist fields
promoting an integrated and multi-cultural mix of staff and students on all campuses
working with international partners to develop multi-campus programmes - creating
a 'global college'
establishing an active and self-managing international alumni network
providing professional development support for graduates during their careers
developing a new student forum facility, providing a safe and stimulating social and learning
environment for all of our students
working with Schools, Colleges, partner Universities, regional partners, Exemplas and the Sector
Skills Councils to develop learning opportunities which meet current and future regional skills needs
and student needs at all levels - creating a 'skills escalator'
integration of campus-based learning with learning in the workplace.

Far Reaching Engagement
with Business and the Professions
The University of Hertfordshire is a new model of a University - demand-led and market-leading,
with dynamic and pervasive relationships with business and the professions.
We will deliver this vision by:
embedding innovation, employability and enterprise skills into the lifelong learning of students,
staff and clients
investing in enquiry-led and user-led research, and nurturing new research talent in areas
of research excellence
shaping the new health agenda through active engagement with employers
engaging with regional businesses to widen and deepen our knowledge exchange and technology
transfer activity
matching student and graduate skills to businesses needs through proactive interaction with major
corporates and SMEs, and embedding business experience in the curriculum
delivering accessible education to employees through work-based and blended learning
working with FE Colleges and other partners to meet the full range of skills needs of regional
businesses and professions
creating a dynamic and fluid multidisciplinary unit to help exploit ideas
extending our widening participation strategy to engage proactively with employees who may
not previously have had the opportunity to study at higher levels
extending and developing our enterprise hub network, promoting knowledge exchange in areas
of economic growth.

Far Reaching Engagement
with the Community
The University plays a key role in the economic, social and cultural health of the community, working
closely with the University Court.As a large and complex organisation, the University takes a positive
approach to community issues.
We will:
work proactively with community leaders in areas of deprivation, to raise career and educational
aspirations from primary age onwards
launch a new community engagement function to promote positive community relations
progress the economic and social impact study action plan, and monitor its implementation
develop a campaign to encourage cultural donation and philanthropy for the benefit of
our students
work closely with our FE partner colleges to provide diverse and accessible opportunities for higher
education for Hertfordshire residents
extend community activities in volunteering, sports and the arts to reach and benefit a wider
section of our community
extend knowledge transfer into our community activities, building learning networks within our
neighbourhood
develop embedded, student-focused social and cultural activities to enrich the
student experience
embed sustainability into our business model and the ethos of the University
maximise the use of our physical resources by opening them up for community use.

Far Reaching Engagement
with International Partners
Far-reaching Engagement with
International and European Partners
Successful organisations in the global economies of the 21st century will require adaptable employees
who are able to lead and manage effectively within and across different cultures.The new global
environment is more competitive and volatile than ever before.The University will develop the
necessary agility to respond swiftly to the changing needs of the European and wider international
environment.
We will:
build strong links and networks with our partners in the Asia-Pacific region, South Asia, the Middle
East, Europe and North America
develop and embed the concept of global citizenship in our curriula, and extend this through the
Global College network
create high quality international partnerships to deliver new courses, collaborative research
knowledge exchange and business diagnostics, consultancy and solutions
develop new provision and new modes of learning which meet global skills needs
extend our European partnerships to provide new pan-European study programmes and knowledge
transfer and collaborative research projects
invest in all staff to build the skills necessary to extend our international reach
grow our international knowledge transfer activity by extending relationships with international
business and employer networks
develop international and European employer links through our alumni network
establish close links between University innovation clusters and those overseas.

Advancing the
Prosperity of Our Region
The University is at the heart of its regional economy and community, and will advance the economic
and social health of the region through innovation and knowledge exchange, teaching, learning and skills
development and user-led research.
The University can be located in different regions - the Eastern region, the Hertfordshire/London
region and regions which relate to specific areas of our activity. Meeting the future skills needs of our
regions means that we must attract the best talent - and this will be drawn from all sections of society.
Innovation and the exploitation of new knowledge is at the heart of the future economic wellbeing of
the UK and of this University. Bringing together Exemplas' business diagnostic expertise and extensive
employer relationships with the University's knowledge and innovation strengths will be a powerful
driver for change in business/university interaction. By tapping 'latent demand' in this way, the University
will contribute to a significant rise in regional prosperity, and will help the next generation of businesses
to expand and grow.
We will:
launch innovative mechanisms for employer engagement in higher education
develop a biomedical/biosciences cluster, providing new-style medical education in collaboration with
strategic partners, and supported by leading-edge research teams
strengthen our provision in Film, Music and Media to meet the growing needs of the creative
industries in the region
encourage further inward investment in the Eastern region
work with regional partners to make the most of the potential of the 2012 Olympics
with our Partner Colleges, build the skills of the regional workforce to meet the needs of SMEs
develop innovative techniques for tapping latent SME demand for university expertise
embed sustainability into our business model, from curriculum design to transport planning
develop new programmes which meet the skills needs of the built environment sector,
specialising in sustainability.