A farewell message from Professor Alistair Fitt, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes
Next week, I will step down as Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes. It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the University for the past ten years, and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you - and the thousands of students from all over the world who came before you - for making my time as Vice-Chancellor so fulfilling. Your creativity, enthusiasm and passion have been a constant source of energy for me.
It has been an eventful decade, with challenges such as the pandemic, as well as lots of positive changes and developments at Brookes - from the huge strides we have made as an environmentally friendly university to, most recently, the construction of our fantastic new buildings at Headington Hill.
I am immensely proud of our students and staff, and everything that they achieve and contribute at this wonderful university and beyond. And I am proud of our supportive, inclusive Brookes community. As I said at last month’s graduation ceremonies, I hope you will recognise and take forward not only your academic attainments at Brookes but also the relationships, skills, and personal and professional growth that will enable you to make positive contributions to your communities and to wider society.
You may have seen in previous messages that I will be succeeded as Vice-Chancellor by Professor Helen Laville, who takes up the role on 1 August. I am certain that Oxford Brookes will continue to achieve great things under Helen’s leadership, and I know she is looking forward to getting started and meeting as many of you as she can.
Thank you, again, for all that you contribute to life at Oxford Brookes. I wish you a restful summer and the best of luck for the next academic year or, if you are finishing your studies, with your future career.
Best wishes
Professor Alistair Fitt
Vice-Chancellor
Oxford Brookes University