First AUA South Regional Symposium: An Overview

by Giles Polglase, 

Director of Faculty Operations

Canterbury Christ Church University

The first AUA South Regional Symposium: Connect and Develop went brilliantly. We were hoping to get 15 to 20 participants, and we ended up with 31 attendees representing 7 HEIs in the South region! These were:

University of Chichester

University of Brighton

University of Portsmouth

University of Kent

Canterbury Christchurch University

University of Southampton

Southampton Solent University

The event was opened by Seamus Higson, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Chichester, who welcomed participants to the University’s Bognor Regis Campus. Seamus introduced us to the University and its progressive vision and estates master plan, including the development of a new Engineering School. The next speaker, Kevin Jones, Chichester’s Director of Finance then spoken on the benefits of AUA membership and his experiences of networking the AUA has provided him.

As the event was entitled Connect and Develop, this involved training and development sessions. The first session, entitled Applying Customer Service Principles to the Student Experience was presented by Dr Andy Clegg, Principal Lecturer in Learning and Teaching, University of Chichester. This was a

highly interactive and informative session which all attendees appreciated. The following session, delivered by Professor Bev Hale, Professor of Learning and Teaching at University of Chichester considered HEA Fellowship opportunities for enhancing the student experience which is something I believe we should be working in partnership with the HEA on.

After a networking lunch, I delivered a workshop entitled Networking for Success, which was a practical session considering how connected we are and taught some basic physical networking skills. Finally, Liz Hudswell, Head of Estates Planning and Administration at Southampton Solent University presented feedback on the AUA Study Tour to Germany and Switzerland.

I have to extend my thanks to Clemmie Quinn and Pippa Quigley at the University of Chichester for organising the event so well. Also, Nicola Sowerby is a real asset for the AUA and her support as Deputy Regional Coordinator is outstanding.