Driving growth, powering prosperity, and helping communities flourish

Vice-Chancellor reflects on the future of higher education
Aerial image of Graduation
In a speech at her final Civic Reception as the University of Plymouth’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Judith Petts DBE has taken the opportunity to remind VIP guests of the importance of universities.
Alongside the traditional look back over another year of success in research and education, Dame Judith highlighted higher education’s vital role:
UK universities train 2.7 million students every year and contribute £130 billion a year to the UK economy. The University of Plymouth provides 5% of the city’s GVA (gross value added). The UK needs its universities as engines of innovation and change. But to do this we need a sustainable funding model. By 2025/26, funding per student in England will be the lowest in some 25 years. Latest data shows that some 40% of Universities UK members will report a deficit for 23/24. I should stress at this point the University of Plymouth will report a healthy surplus to ensure we can continue to invest.
She went on to express further concern for universities, including threats to international student markets and the future availability of capital funding that has supported transformational change in recent years.
But Dame Judith remains optimistic about the future and Plymouth’s opportunity to shape it – especially with the support of civic leaders, partners, donors and other friends of the University, including the latest group of people to receive Honorary Doctorates :
The reason Plymouth continues to be at the heart of driving growth and prosperity and creating places that allow communities to flourish is that we have continued to make wise investments in the key assets – people, infrastructure, and equipment.

But we can only achieve all we do, through strong partnerships and collaborations and through the generosity of our donors. So thank you for all your ongoing and unwavering support and friendship in our endeavours.
And finally, at the event held on Tuesday evening in the University’s Graduation marquee, Dame Judith reflected on her long career in higher education, as well as asking everyone to join her in a toast to the University of Plymouth.

This is my final graduation week, after some 20 years of having an official role on a graduation stage – successfully managing during all that time to not have to read out the names of graduates which has to be the most difficult job!

I retire at the end of September after some 45 years in higher education and over nine years as the Vice-Chancellor at Plymouth.
I have no doubt that the University will continue to thrive and have a significant impact regionally, nationally and internationally. My successor – Professor Richard Davies who is joining in October from Newcastle University – will find a great institution and a great place.

Judith Petts DBEProfessor Dame Judith Petts DBE
Emeritus Professor