QS Rankings

As you may have seen earlier this week on our social media and in some of the academic press, we have, once again, topped the QS World University Rankings by Subject which is fantastic news. With our veterinary science 2025 result, this means that for the last 5 years straight (and 6 of the last 7) we have been ranked #1. I am grateful to you all, staff and students, for all your contributions in making this happen.

Those of you who have heard me speak on the importance of the QS system to us will know that perhaps the most valuable of the metrics is the opinion of our peers with respect to our academic reputation – and to be ranked first amongst equals is a real honour and a privilege. Of course, our research metrics and, increasingly, the satisfaction of those who employ our graduates are also absolutely key but above all it’s the consistent performance, year after year for which I am so grateful. Thank you.

Colin Whitaker HonDVetMed HonFRCVS

Last week saw the death of one of RVC’s alums, Colin J Whitaker. In his eighties, many will be unaware of Colin’s many contributions to animal health but by far the most significant was his identification of a case of BSE (Mad Cow Disease) on a farm he attended as a practitioner in the mid-1980s. He knew he was looking at something new and his persistence saw the disease investigated, described and ultimately controlled.  One Health is a relatively new term, but there is no doubt Colin’s clinical acumen and commitment resulted in one of the greatest contributions to human health in a generation.  Colin was a proud RVC graduate – it is on legacies such as Colin’s that we have built and continue to build our reputation. He would have been very pleased with Wednesday’s news.

US Federal Funding

I realise that many are watching the developments that are taking place in the USA very closely. I do want to reassure those who may be concerned that, whilst changes might take place with the Department of Education, there is no sign individual support will be affected. Of course, one never knows, but please be assured we are considering and updating mitigation strategies to ensure we are in a position to address issues should they arise.

SU Awards

We had a terrific evening in our new atrium at Hawkshead on Wednesday  for the SU awards. Being able to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our student clubs and societies, as well as outstanding individuals, in an “Oscar” style ceremony made for a thoroughly enjoyable event in a whole new format. The final act of the evening was the announcement of the election results and the shape of the new SU team.  Many congratulations to all who took part – nominees and winners – and a thank you for transforming our new space into a proper venue! If you missed it this year, book early for next. 

Hoping for a return to the beautiful spring weather of last week…

Have a great weekend.

Stuart

Here we are already in the second month of our Gregorian Calendar, in a world that seems more unsettled than ever in recent times. As parts of the planet celebrate religious or lunar festivals others are engulfed in grief and tragedy, facing the harsh realities of war, economic turmoil and social disruption, to the extent that makes life near intolerable. Yet we go on.

Recently returned from a visit to the USA, and notwithstanding the dreadful events in California and the awful recent air disasters, one might be tempted to focus on the change in mood following the new administration. Truth be told, there is a deep sense of anxiety in some quarters as the apparent threat to at least some aspects of free speech increases and a reprioritisation of funding bites. And this in a sector so long champions of academic freedom, social challenge and equality. Closer to home, the financial outlook for many universities here looks bleak as the new government here wrestles with the many calls on limited resources.

Yet, however inexorable the pull of the negative, we must persevere and remain focused on the good and on what tomorrow can be like…as my old mentor would say in times of strife, “These things pass…”. The RVC has a long history that goes back to 1791 and the time of the French Revolution. A review of world events over the centuries shows we have weathered several major conflicts, at least three pandemics, and countless highs and lows of the economic cycle, including five major recessions. Despite this, we find ourselves in the privileged position of enjoying a period of unprecedented success.

How can this be? Personally, I have no doubt… it’s all about the people. It’s about those who have gone before us. It’s about those here now. It’s about you, and the values we hold.

So, what are these values?

If you go and have a look at our strategic plan which maps our ambition and direction, you will see them set out:

1. Compassionate… as we strive for happy, healthy and resilient individuals and communities.
2. Professional … as we aspire to the highest standards of behaviour and conduct in all our work and study.
3. Respectful … of one another, with tolerance and understanding at the heart of our desire to create a diverse, inclusive and open culture.
4. Committed … to our work and study, to our research and innovation, to our teaching and our learning, to the student experience, to the prevention and cure of disease, to the care of animals, and to our people.
5. Curious … in all our endeavours as we improve, evolve and innovate, being the best we can be.

Easy to say and, for sure, more difficult to live, especially in an uncertain world, but I have no doubt that if we stick with these, embed them in our every day and require them of those with whom we work, we will be just fine.

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So, aiming for the stars ... those of you who have followed these blogs over the years will know that from my house in Hatfield I have spoken about the night skies above Hertfordshire and the path of the International Space Station as it shoots by overhead. Well, beside the unusually close juxtaposition of the Moon and Venus in January, this month will see seven of the planets in our solar system all visible at the same time. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are currently visible but, on the night of 28th February, for one night only, they will be joined by Mercury. The “stars” may not be in perfect alignment but it is a rare seven-planet spectacle in our night sky that will not happen again until 2040.

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Finally, as we mark World Cancer Day, thank you to all those who attended the funeral of our colleague, John Barr, last week. A huge turn-out at a very large and desperately sad gathering, your presence and support for him and those close to him were RVC at its best. For one of our best. For one of our stars.

As ever,

Stuart