Executive Director's Report

摘要

My columns are usually mainly a summary of Institute activity. However, on this occasion I will start with a comment on a web posting following a Times Higher Education (THE) article. The topic was the report of the Maths Stats and OR (MSOR) summit held in January to discuss how further funds from HESTEM for development of the maths curriculum should be invested. It was an excellent meeting that produced a range of ideas, which have been developed into the current funding calls that the MSOR is advancing. The meeting addressed a range of issues including what might be done to respond to criticism from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) that it would like more emphasis within STEM degrees on skills that are of great value in the workplace; skills such as communication, presentation, problem solving and team work. Of course it would be more constructive if the CBI advertised that they offer higher salaries to graduates with these skills, or promoted their programme of undergraduate placement opportunities, but I guess the glass half-full mentality is all too prevalent. Anyway, a report of the summit was printed in THE summarising the recommendations, of the heads of department and other col-leagues, related to problem solving, increasing industrial linkage, assessment, and sustainability.