The Vice-Chancellor’s foreword
As any year draws to a close, there is the opportunity both to reflect on the past 12 months and look ahead to the next. At what is a critical and hugely challenging time for universities in this country, it is important that we recognise our achievements and look clearly to the future. On no issue is this truer than Oxford Thinking, the Campaign for the University of Oxford. Reaching its £1 billion fundraising mark is truly impressive, especially against a forbidding economic backdrop. It includes a remarkable matched-funding initiative from Dr James Martin and also a benefaction of £75 million, representing one of the most generous gifts in Oxford’s 900-year history, from Mr Len Blavatnik to establish the Blavatnik School of Government. While these have been transformative contributions to the Campaign, every gift, regardless of its size, has been received with genuine gratitude and a sense of humility. Now it is time to come together across the collegiate University to plan a new phase; a recalibration of the Campaign that will set fresh aspirations for sustaining Oxford’s research and teaching excellence.
This Annual Review features several examples of the high-quality academic endeavour which is the rationale for our fundraising campaign. These examples demonstrate the huge range of work being carried out in the University, from groundbreaking research into strokes, through questions about fundamental issues of group living, to radiocarbon dating mapping out an accurate chronology of the kings of Ancient Egypt.
Another significant feature of this Review is its focus on teaching and on our students. In 2009–10 the University received a record number of applications. Our admissions staff are developing innovative ways to deliver on our commitment to attract the most talented students, whoever and wherever they are. Promoting equality of opportunity is fundamental to a civilised society. To achieve our ambitions in this area we must ensure that there are no financial barriers to prevent students from coming to Oxford. Support for student bursaries and scholarships – at undergraduate and graduate level – and for teaching must play a bigger role in our fundraising activity. As we reflect in these pages, our students too are making a significant contribution to our research, to the University’s work in its communities and to our commitment to encourage new generations to come to Oxford.
They will do so at a time of far-reaching changes to higher education funding. Both Houses of Parliament have now approved the Government's response to Lord Browne’s Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance. But whatever the external context, we must together ensure that Oxford remains among the very best universities in the world – a centre combining outstanding research and teaching, where the best and brightest staff and students can develop new understanding and knowledge for the benefit of all.
Professor Andrew Hamilton, FRS