From Vice-Chancellor and President Karen Cox and Professor Richard Reece, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education & Student Experience

On behalf of all University staff, we would like to wish you, your families and loved ones a happy Christmas and best wishes for the festive season.

This has been an incredibly challenging year for many. However, here at Kent, there have been some wonderful examples of the student community supporting each other and working together to achieve great successes during these difficult times.

As we approach the end of 2020, we feel it is important to recognise your hard work, tenacity and willingness to adapt. We know how much our staff have appreciated your support and the way you have coped so well with the challenges you have faced as a result of COVID.

Thanks to a huge effort from many staff from across the University, and amid some very negative press reports relating to students’ return to campuses nationally, we have had relatively low numbers of cases of COVID-19 amongst our students and staff. This is a massive credit to you for the steps you have taken to help keep our communities safe.

Looking ahead to 2021, we feel optimistic that we will return to a more normal way of life in the not-too-distant future. It will be wonderful to see you able to engage fully in all aspects of University life once more.

Staff from across the University are busy planning for your return in Spring. There will be a wealth of events, activities and opportunities for you to develop your skills and to connect with other students. Please check out our Safe, Study, Social site for all we have planned and how we are improving your experience at Kent.

In your academic school, staff have been listening to your feedback and developing in the areas you care about most. This includes improving their systems for online teaching and ensuring you can access the resources and guidance you need to support your learning.

We will be running a Web Chat on 6 January 2021, during which we will answer all your questions about Spring term; the booking form for this is now open so please do sign up. There are lots of different events taking place next year, so make sure you check out the University’s Events Calendar.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Kent and for the start of the new Spring term on 18 January 2021.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.

Karen & Richard

Professor Karen Cox | Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience