Vice-Chancellor's introduction

It is a privilege to be Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield. This is a University with a richly deserved international reputation for outstanding research and teaching, and over a century of achievement across the full spectrum of academic life which, in its turn, has directly enhanced the lives of people all over the world.

During these challenging times, it is more, not less, important to have a clear understanding of what motivates our work, our values and our ambitions. As I have spoken in depth to colleagues and students about our vision for the University, I have been impressed by a common thread of determination to seek knowledge which makes a difference, to answer difficult questions and to open up understanding.

Our mission, vision and identity act as a commonly held explanation of our journey through understanding to knowledge, our definition of who we are, what values we have and our ideas of where we are going. It is this which informs our plans and priorities, as we translate our ideals into reality.

This vision chimes completely with our University of Sheffield motto which is taken from Virgil - "Rerum Cognoscere Causas". Two millennia after Virgil considered man's practical and political struggle to live well in the world, we continue to agree that a crucial element in human success is the process of ongoing discovery, of understanding underlying causes.

Our founding principles have of course found their application in contemporary times, but they continue to hold true in our teaching, and in our individual and interdisciplinary work. The University of Sheffield remains, as its founders hoped, a constructive and powerful community of scholarship with real benefits for individuals and society beyond.

We can all be proud that we are part of a University driven by a desire to make a difference in the world. We are confident that the knowledge we generate is important to all aspects of modern life and civilisation and our graduates go on to make a powerful, positive, contribution all over the world.

Our achievements are only made possible by having a clear understanding of who we are and the value of our contribution. This vision outlines the principles given practical meaning in this Strategic Plan and beyond that how we allocate our resources and plans at Faculty and departmental level.

I would like to thank all who contributed to the process of defining our values and vision, and who have considered in detail what these mean for our corporate planning. The University of Sheffield has a proud story to tell and our staff and students have a significant contribution to make. It gives me great confidence in our future to know that we will approach our opportunities and face challenges together in the light of an enduring vision.

Professor Keith Burnett
Vice-Chancellor