Engagement, impact and civic mission

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Engagement, impact and civic mission

Canterbury, our historic base, has been a seat of learning for centuries, while we are at the heart of Medway's bid for City of Culture 2025. We have a distinct European identity through centres in Paris and Brussels, and are proudly global in outlook.

We are determined to build on this to meet local, national and international need. Our Kent 2025 strategy highlights ours initial aims to ensure that we are a civic university. We've since published our mid-term review which looks at where we are and what the next steps will be.

Mid-Term Review

What we've been working on

  • Appointed a new Director - who will bring together a more coherent focus on achieving Engagement objectives.
  • Delivered on recent civic initiatives - the Kent and Medway Medical School, the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries and the Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships. We are now using them as exemplars of regional contribution and impact.
  • Working in partnership with local government and organisations in Kent and Medway - to enable economic growth and contributes to long-term sustainability and quality of life in Kent.
  • Continuing our work with disadvantaged groups across the region - in order to promote access to the University.
  • Signed up to the UN Sustainable Development Goals - agreed a carbon net zero target for 2040 and are challenging staff and students to see if we can do better.
  • Focused our fundraising efforts on the Kent and Medway Medical School - through a fundraising campaign that supports our strategic ambitions.

Our place in the community

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Serve our communities

Contribute actively and substantially to their health, wellbeing, priority and success.

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Enhance learning and teaching

and research and innovation, drawing out synergies and inspiring new perspectives and novel approaches that benefit all our communities.

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Develop and communicate

Communicate an exciting and evidenced narrative of the University’s significant contribution to our community.

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Develop closer regional partnerships

including local authorities, NHS Trusts, schools and colleges to deliver an ambitious programme of positive change for the people of Kent and Medway.

Contribute to student experience

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Highlight the value of active citizenship

through enhanced volunteering opportunities, global experiences – both real and virtual. 

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Develop an ehanced alumni strategy

This will reflect the fact that these values and this engagement represent lifetime commitments of the University towards our alumni.

Introducing ICCI

The new Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries will bring people together to create the future, putting us at the heart of cultural regeneration in the region.    

"There is a wealth of creative expertise on our campuses and the wider region, and our aim is to bring creative professionals together with students and researchers to showcase innovation in the cultural and creative industries."

Professor Catherine Richardson

Visit ICCI

Kent and Medway Medical School

Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) is an exciting collaboration between the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University which will inspire the next generation of medical professionals. 

KMMS - Our Vision

  • Be a beacon for first class medical education and research 
  • Draw on the distinctive strengths of both universities
  • Provide distinctive, socially diverse and insightful graduates, 
  • Enable, influence and drive changes within the clinical workforce to deliver high quality healthcare and outcomes across Kent and Medway. 

"Setting up the new medical school is a unique opportunity to make a real difference to the health care provision in our region. Our innovative course will prepare a new generation of doctors to deliver 21st century person-centred medicine."

Professor Chris Holland

Visit KMMS