Encouraging Levels of Input to SRUC Strategy Discussions

12th May 2017

Principal and Chief Executive of Scotland's Rural College Professor Wayne Powell has expressed his thanks to the many individuals and groups who have given their views about SRUC's new strategy over the last month.

SRUC launched its new strategic vision on 19 April 2017 and since then has held 21 discussion meetings across Scotland involving staff, students and stakeholders. Those with an interest in commenting on the strategy were also encouraged to submit their thoughts by email to engage@sruc.ac.uk.

More than 900 people attended the meetings, while around 150 responses have so far been emailed to SRUC.

Amongst the huge variety of subjects covered in the feedback were the need for SRUC to deliver greater technical expertise to farmers and to generally work more closely with the agricultural community; the importance of the college’s regional presence and how local and national partnerships can best support it; and collaboration with universities and research institutes.

Professor Powell said: "The big challenges and opportunities emerging in the land-based economy require SRUC to be the best shape to fulfil its mission with an openness to new ideas, confidence and a collaborative spirit. The response to our call for assistance in developing the vision has been terrific; energising, innovative, practical and, crucially, realistic. No one should seek to deny that there will be challenging aspects to our change programme. Our firm commitment to maintaining a local and regional presence across all parts of Scotland has been welcomed. But this is very clearly one of the topics that will require really careful work in order to deliver the best outcome for staff, students, our partners and investors.

"The range of topics covered over the past month of engagement has been richly varied and truly reflective of an academic and research institution so intimately associated with Scotland’s rural economy. I am privileged to lead an organisation in which so many people care deeply about its future and are so focused on innovation and success."

Today (12th May) is the final day for submitting comments. The next step is for a summary of all the responses to be produced. This document will be considered closely by the SRUC Board and published in mid-June. Work will then begin on the operating model and change programme needed to implement the vision of a revitalised SRUC set out in the strategy paper.