Message from City President, Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein – July 2023

Photo of President Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein.Summer has arrived in London and we are getting ready to celebrate City’s Class of 2023 as they are about to graduate and venture into their careers – equipped with a brand-new degree certificate and determined to make a difference to society around the world.

It has been a busy time on campus. We continue to work with St George’s, University of London, on plans to create a combined multi-faculty institution. Subject to final formal approval of both Councils in the autumn, we are now focusing on further due diligence and detailed plans for joint operation. As the university for business, practice and the professions, the combination with St George’s will enable us to secure enriched multidisciplinary research capability, build new academic activity at the interface of health with business and management; law; policy; engineering; computing; communications and creativity, and enhance our positioning to address the challenges of our time.

I am grateful to all our alumni who participated in the recent survey about the merger with St George’s. Your contributions and opinions are invaluable as we pursue this significant development for City and our community. The commitment of our alumni and your continued support of your University is a source of great pride for me and all of us at City.

I am also proud to share with you that City’s Network for Racial Justice led on the University’s commemorations of the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush ship arriving into Britain from Jamaica carrying over one thousand people. People from the Caribbean that emigrated to the UK between 1948 and 1971 are known as the ‘Windrush generation’. Many went on to work in industries, or as part of the then newly established NHS. In the 75 years since, through sacrifices and hardships, British-Caribbean people have made foundational contributions to British society, the UK’s modern culture, and to redefining notions of ‘Britishness’. I invite you to read reflections on the anniversary.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Alumni News.

Have a great summer!

Best wishes,
Anthony

President
City, University of London