Transcript for the video embedded on the University of Leeds Strategy 2020-2030 page.
[Music playing.]
[Views of the Parkinson Tower, Laidlaw Library and wider University of Leeds campus.]
[Professor Jeff Grabill is sat in front of a bright glass wall. A caption says: Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Leeds.]
Jeff says: One of the real advantages of executing our digital transformation strategy is it does prepare the University to engage the world in a different way.
[Professor Caroline Orfila sits down in front of a bright glass wall. A caption says: Professor Caroline Orfila, Global Food and Environment Institute, School of Food Science and Nutrition.]
Caroline says: Digital education has opened many opportunities for us here at the University of Leeds. We have developed many open educational resources with partners across the world, and we want to make these available through our digital platforms.
[Simone Buitendijk stands in front of the Great Hall. A caption says Simone Buitendijk, Vice-Chancellor, University of Leeds.]
Simone says: I believe it gives us great opportunities to bring our teaching and our research to large parts of the global population, to think about the core mission of the university and how to enhance it through digital transformation.
[Bird’s eye views of international city landscapes.]
Caroline says: We aim to remove boundaries to learning, allowing learners across the world to access high level educational materials.
Antonio says: We are fostering innovation in learning and teaching.
Jeff says: A whole new world of research-led educational possibilities is available to us because of digital transformation in the university and because of the way in which we can leverage digital technologies to create new educational opportunities.
[Professor Steve Banwart sits down in the Parkinson Court. A caption says Professor Steve Banwart, Director, Global Food and Environment Institute, School of Food Science and Nutrition.]
Steve says: I lead the Global Food and Environment Institute and that group tackles the global challenges that are linked together.
[Professor Andy Dougill sits down in a laboratory. A caption says Professor Andy Dougill, Executive Dean, Faculty of Environment.]
Andy says: This work crosses many sustainable development goals - those looking at reducing poverty, alleviating hunger, climate action, and building global partnerships to address all of those challenges.
[Sithembile Ndema Mwamakamba appears on a screen in a busy common room space. A caption says: Sithembile Ndema Mwamakamba, Director, Policy Research and Analysis, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN).]
Sithembile says: Our partnership with the University of Leeds involves a fair exchange of ideas and FANRPAN is involved at all stages as an equal partner in design and delivery of the programme. We want to help humanity.
[Antonio Martinez-Arboleda sits down in Parkinson court and smiles into camera. A caption says: Antonio Martinez-Arboleda, Academic Lead in Open Educational Practice.]
Antonio says: We want to improve the environment. And we can only do that with the contribution of many people across the world.
[Views of African markets, farms and people exchanging goods.]
Andy says: So with the University of Pretoria, we've set up a food system research network for Africa to address the issues of how we can provide a more sustainable food system appropriate for the African context.
[Professor Lindiwe Sibanda appears on a screen. A caption says: Professor Lindiwe Sibanda, Director and Chair, African Research Universities Alliance. Centre of Excellence in Food Systems, University of Pretoria.]
Lindiwe says: Out of the Leeds strategy, it is clear that we have a lot in common. They value collaboration. They have a high quest for impact in everything they do. And, most important to us, is the University of Leeds commitment to interdisciplinary hubs that are training the next generation of global citizens.
Andy says: Research evidence from real world field situations is critical to understanding the nuances of the challenges faced in the African food system. And is that research understanding which underpins all the learning resources we produce in here.
[Technical equipment in a laboratory. A researcher using tools to study plants.]
Steve says: We see the opportunity to access and deliver new knowledge that is co-created in a global classroom.
[Professor Lesley Green appears on a screen. A caption says: Professor Lesley Green, Director Environmental Humanities South, University of Cape Town.]
Lesley says: What's surprising about the digital innovation is the kinds of possibilities that it's opened up. We can really work very, very well together in teams in different parts of the world, co-teaching courses with universities elsewhere.
Antonio says: That means that other institutions would be contributing to the resources that we have created.
Caroline says: We want them to communicate with each other to improve these resources for the future.
Antonio says: Our learning resources are being accessed by millions of people across the world.
Caroline says: We work with the digital education team at Leeds. They transform content into a very engaging digital material that can be put on our digital platform. Open educational resources can take many forms.
Antonio says: Videos, handouts.
Caroline says: Interactive web pages.
Antonio says: There are a lot of members of staff who are producing podcasts.
Caroline says: We even have interactive notice boards.
Antonio says: These resources can be adapted to the local needs by different institutions.
Caroline says: Enabling researchers, educators across the world to have access to high level materials that they can apply in their field.
Antonio says: Knowledge comes back and enriches the learning of our own students.
Jeff says: Once we have executed that digital transformation strategy, we're better able to build and deliver online programmes to learners anywhere in the world.
Caroline says: It is a great time to be involved in open access education and research. I think that the culture is changing towards openness and collaboration. And I think that the materials and the research that we produce in this way are a lot more meaningful and have wider reach.
Steve says: There's a great opportunity in the way that we work in bringing education and research together. These things are no longer separate activities. It makes me feel like there's no challenge on the planet that we cannot solve the way we're working at Leeds.
[Caption says: Universal values, global change. 2020 to 2030.]