Welcome

University Rankings and Benchmarking: do they really matter?

Kingston, Jamaica
Friday 9 – Sunday 11 November 2012

University rankings and benchmarking is a subject that poses challenges to most of us today, as we seek to measure and demonstrate our university’s ‘value’ to prospective students, parents, alumni, governments, and other stakeholders.

The 2012 ACU Conference of Executive Heads will take a broader view of performance measures and benchmarking, examining other drivers such as economic policies, changing political and social agenda, staff recruitment and retention, and student aspirations. The event aims to provide a balanced portfolio of tools through which leaders can manage the full range of their work.

I am also delighted that this conference will mark the beginning of the ACU Centenary celebrations. Future Forward; design, develop and deliver is the centenary theme, and our activities will consider key issues relating to the future of international higher education: designing academics and universities for the future, developing tools to meet new challenges, and delivering, recognising and measuring growth, impact and success.

As you will know, Jamaica is one of the most beautiful and alluring island nations in the Caribbean, and I very much look forward to welcoming you.

Professor Nigel Harris, Chair of the ACU Council and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies