Love Your Work and the Place You Work

It is a great thing to be proud of who you work for and where you are based. In the past few decades, I have seen my university and school advance so much. From being very much a follower, a few decades ago, we have become so much more confident about our place in the world and our impact. So, I am so pleased that the university won the Higher Educational Institution of the Year award last night at the Herald Higher Education Awards 2024:

The university also won two other awards and was a finalist for seven categories. Overall, the impact of our work is seen in our highly successful cybersecurity spin-out companies, and in our inspirational students:

As I teacher, I get the chance — every single semester — to meet a new set of students, and where I can learn as much from them as they do from me. And, every so often, a truly exceptional talent comes along, and I’ve seldom seen such dedication to her students and to the care of others than Shalu. This is a true role model in your world that can be transformed by the power of education.

And, to my amazing home city? It is, too, a privilege to live and work in such an educated, beautiful, cultured, enterprising and captivating city. It lives and breathes education, and its success will be built on those who come here to study and, hopefully, make it their home. We have grown four successful spin-out companies in the city — and two more on the way — and the city has helped in every way possible. It has enabled collaborations we would not have gained in any other part of the world.

Another academic year is closing for me, and I am so happy that I can teach and research the subjects I love and to amazing students. I can’t wait for it all to begin again in the next academic year.

So, if you can, love your work and the place you work. Education can truly change the world.