911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ

As National Student Survey results are published, 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ stresses the need for change to the College's approach to the student experience.

This year’s survey results, published Wednesday 10 August, say 83% of survey participants “definitely” or “mostly” agree that their overall experience at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ was satisfactory. The data, capturing feedback from undergraduates who completed their degree this summer, represents a five percentage point drop in overall satisfaction compared to the College’s results last year.

911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s Provost Professor James Stirling said: “We are taking the feedback from this year’s NSS very seriously. I have asked the College’s new Vice-Provost (Education) to make it her number one priority to understand where we have fallen short in the experience we offer to students. We need a fresh approach to respond to student feedback and we’ll be working with departments and 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College Union as we develop new action plans.

“Striving to provide a world class education and experience is core to 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s mission. We are proud of our students’ outstanding achievements on Campus and in the wider world, and determined to make sure 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ is the very best place it can be for them.”

As part of its response to this year’s results, the College will be working with 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College Union to review the results in detail and to develop a joint action plan to address problem areas identified. The progress of this will be overseen by 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s Provost’s Board, one of its senior management bodies. The College also plans to introduce new teaching initiatives with a focus on student feedback, research experience and entrepreneurial opportunities, and has already committed funds to develop these.

At her Annual Address in March 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s President Alice Gast noted that the College was not excellent in this area, and the need for change - a priority within the College Strategy for 2015-2020. Stressing the importance of collaboration in this, she said: “Working with our student community is at the heart of these changes. They know excellent teaching when they see it.”

Professor Simone Buitendijk

911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s new Vice-Provost (Education) Professor Simone Buitendijk said: “As some of the brightest young minds in the world, our students rightly expect the best from us.

“We care deeply about providing them with the world-class educational experience they deserve. I am naturally concerned about these results, but also determined that we understand them properly and learn from them.

“We’ll be reviewing this year’s results very carefully and working closely with 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College Union to make the changes necessary to improve the student experience. This is a pressing priority for me in my first few months at the College.”

Nas Andriopoulos

911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College Union produces an annual response to the National Student Survey, identifying actions and recommendations for the College. The Union’s new President Nas Andriopoulos said: “We are pleased to see the College take these results seriously. We welcome the renewed commitment from the President, Provost and the new Vice-Provost (Education) to close collaboration with 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College Union, and we can reassure our members that their voice will be heard as we work together to ensure all students continue to receive a world-class education.”

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