As we embark on the new year, I want to reflect on what was an extraordinary year of progress for our University. The merger to become City St George’s, University of London was a significant milestone in our history. Its success is due to the commitment and collaboration of colleagues across City St George’s as well as the support and advocacy provided by our global alumni community.
Together, we have created an institution that is greater than the sum of its parts and will provide the scale and resilience required for our future success. We have the opportunity to share our strengths, talents and resources to enhance our teaching, research, strategic partnerships and alumni networks of mutual benefit the world over.
It fills me with pride and confidence that already we can evidence success. City St George’s was recently named the top university in London for our ability to improve the life chances of our undergraduate students. The English Social Mobility Index (SMI) ranks universities based on the social distance travelled by their graduates, combining access, continuation and graduation outcomes measures. I am proud of this external recognition which highlights our shared strengths and the hard work colleagues put in to educating our students and supporting them to succeed.
Research colleagues secured the first funding grant for a project involving colleagues from our Clerkenwell and Tooting campuses since the merger. The project will map currently available data and streamline infectious disease data using artificial intelligence (AI) to help address key global health targets.
CitAI, the Artificial Intelligence Research Centre of the former City, University of London, has relaunched as the broader CitAI City St George’s. It is the University’s AI Hub for interdisciplinary research in the investigation of the theoretical foundations of AI and the development of cutting-edge AI technology and its applications to health, fintech, renewable energy, the creative and automotive industries and science.
Earlier this month, we welcomed Professor Natalie Armstrong as the inaugural Executive Dean of our new City St George’s School of Health & Medical Sciences. Professor Armstrong brings a collegiate and focused approach to developing the unified School as well as maintaining key relationships with external stakeholders, including partner NHS Trusts.
Another exciting new initiative is the inaugural Festival of the Professions, a vibrant platform for interaction, learning, and career exploration. The inaugural Festival of the Professions will launch in February and feature a series of events designed to showcase the University’s alignment to Business, Practice and the Professions.
As these examples demonstrate, our commitment to excellence in education and our distinctive focus on business, practice and the professions remains unwavering. With your continued support and engagement, I am confident that we will continue to capitalise on the transformational changes we have embarked upon elevating your university to new heights.
As we embrace 2025, I encourage you to stay connected with your alma mater. Whether through attending events, sharing your insights, or contributing as donors or volunteers, your involvement is vital to our collective success. Together, we can continue to build a community that nurtures talent, encourages lifelong learning, and creates lasting change.
I wish you all health, happiness, and success for the year ahead. May it be a time of renewal and inspiration for each of you. Together, let us continue to carry our shared values into the world, creating meaningful impacts in our communities and beyond.
Thank you for being an integral part of our City St George’s community.
Enjoy reading this edition of Alumni News!
Warm regards,
Anthony
Anthony Finkelstein
President, City St George’s, University of London