Professor Mary Stiasny's Keynote address

The pursuit of quality

The University of London has a long history of working both locally and globally, a history which goes back to 1858. Then the driver was to enable students, wherever they were in the world and regardless of their ethnicity, religion, gender or any other identifier, to study for a degree of the University. This was a major step in providing higher education opportunities to all. Today we continue to hold to that tradition of openness and access. But underpinning our approach has always been a strict, even rigid, adherence to and quest for quality. The pedagogical platforms, the provision of resources, the rigour and independence of examinations, and the carefully managed relationships with Teaching Centres worldwide all contribute to the continuing strength and reputation of the degree itself, the quality and integrity of the student experience and the qualification each student achieves.

Over the last 160 years the University and its partners have developed a model of delivery and quality which is unique in the global context and which holds the student at its heart. The commitment to the student as learner, the student experience as a whole, and the ultimate outcome for students has driven the evolution of this form of high quality transnational education. It articulates with a complex set of contractual relationships where the University works across some 50 countries with a network of highly regarded Recognised Teaching Centres. These Centres share the commitment to best practice locally and globally for the transnational students of the University of London.