Court meeting: 7 December 2015
The University Court had its most recent meeting on 7 December.
We publish regular updates on matters discussed at all Court meetings, during which members consider matters of strategic importance to the University.
Meetings of the Court are held five times a year.
Governing body
The Court is the University’s governing body and its legal persona.
With a focus on strategic direction, it takes the final decisions on issues of fundamental concern to the wellbeing of the University.
Detailed information on the membership and activities of the University Court, including meeting agendas, papers and minutes, is available online.
Detailed information on University Court
Summary of Court meeting: 7 December 2015
The following reports are summaries of a selection of items discussed and agreed at Court on 7 December.
Honorary Assistant Principal
Court approved the following appointment:
Professor Eve Cordelia Johnstone CBE
Honorary Assistant Principal Mental Health Research Development and Public Understanding of Medicine with immediate effect until July 2017
Annual Report and Accounts 2014/15
The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2015 were approved.
This contains detailed information about the University, including performance against the University Strategic Plan 2012-16 during the past year, a section on social responsibility and sustainability, and a section on financial information and trends.
Financial highlights were noted, including growth in University Group income by 4.9%.
The document is available at the following website.
Student Experience
Court received an update on ongoing work to enhance the student experience, including approaches we are taking to learning and teaching and celebrating its success.
‘Building a New Biology’ project
The business case for the provision of new and redeveloped facilities for the School of Biological Sciences in and around the Darwin Building at the King’s Buildings Campus was approved, along with funding for essential enabling works. More details are available on the ‘Building a New Biology’ project website.
Data Technology Institute
The business case and funding for a Data Technology Institute, the third and final phase of the Potterrow development, was approved. The intention to seek external funding to enable co-location of industry in an innovative outward-facing facility alongside academic staff and postgraduate students was welcomed. More details are available on the Data Technology Institute website.
Annual Review 2014/15
Court approved the proposed articles for inclusion in the 2014/15 Annual Review, to be presented to the February meeting of the General Council and circulated to stakeholders. The document will be published in early 2016 at the following website.
Edinburgh Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
Court approved the planned direction of travel to establish an Edinburgh Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and collaborating with Schools across the University. More detailed plans will be considered within the University’s internal Planning Round.
Other items
Court approved the formation of an Intellectual Property & Investment Group (IPIG) to act as an oversight body for innovation and entrepreneurship within the University; considered progress made in 2014/15 against the Strategic Plan targets and KPIs; considered the approach to updating the Outcome Agreement 2016/17 following refreshed guidance from the Scottish Funding Council; received an update from EUSA, including its annual Impact Report; and received reports from its Committees on activities being undertaken in support of Court.
Further information on the remit and work of Court and its Committees can be found online.