Word of the Vice-Dean

As we look toward the end of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an intense but truly rewarding year for our Faculty. We have faced a number of major tasks, not least the conclusion of the University’s Research Evaluation. This was a challenging, multi-year effort, and FSTM performed very well. This outcome is the result of your collective dedication, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed.

We have also invested significant energy in preparing our next four-year plan. This process is demanding, detailed and strategic—and once again, your input has been invaluable. Thank you for your thoughtful engagement, your ideas, and your commitment to shaping a strong future for the Faculty.

Our teaching programmes, the bedrock of everything we do, continue to deliver excellent outcomes. Preparing and delivering courses, supporting students, recruiting and registering new cohorts, scheduling lectures, organising events and graduations—together these tasks form an immense, inter-connected effort. It works only because so many of you work hard, collaborate effectively, and care deeply about our students’ success. My heartfelt thanks to each of you.

The recent announcement of FNR CORE and OPEN results also brought very good news for FSTM, with a strong set of funded projects in an exceptionally competitive landscape. Congratulations to the successful applicants. For those not funded this round, I encourage you to stay positive, use the feedback constructively, and begin preparing for the next deadlines in April 2026. A special thank-you goes to our research facilitators, whose support is essential to both our proposals and our project delivery.

This newsletter highlights just a fraction of our achievements—but it reflects the breadth, energy and excellence of our community. Thank you for all that you do.