Engineering a New Future

Engineering a New Future: Strategic Plan 2023-2028

“

The NMITE engineer is different. They solve problems, lead teams, and work together.

They do things that are right and responsible, and they will deliver lasting positive impact.

James Newby, President & Chief Executive

”

NMITE – Strategic Plan 2023-2028

Strategy for success NMITE – a breakthrough in UK university education.

With no precursor organisation or parent institution, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) has independently built a pioneering educational experience from the ground up.

We have come a long way since our inception. We are now firmly established in delivering distinctive educational programmes in which our students and industrial partners collaborate to solve key challenges currently faced by our ever-changing world.

Driven by passion and our commitment to innovation, we are paving a remarkable path as an independent institution. We stand proud in providing exceptional education opportunities in engineering and technology for trailblazing students across Herefordshire, the nation and from around the world.

We responded with resilience and ambition to the early challenges of launching during a pandemic, successfully securing registration as a new Higher Education provider and validation of our first and flagship Undergraduate Master’s Degree in Integrated Engineering. Since then we have grown, creating a specialised portfolio of courses that we will continue to develop. We’ve created two stateof-the art campuses in Hereford and recruited dedicated academic staff and professional service specialists to run them – this is testament to our unwavering commitment to providing quality education.

This ambitious five-year strategy outlines what we will achieve, and where we’ll be in 2028 after this next chapter in our story.

NMITE – Strategic Plan 2023-2028 1

Mission and Vision Our Mission To produce work-ready, world-conscious engineers who are creative, responsible global citizens focused on the social, cultural, economic, and environmental issues affecting the 21st century.

Our Vision To be a leader of change in education. Our breakthrough, interdisciplinary model of higher education will equip students with the diverse and creative problem-solving skills needed in an ever-changing world. We will deliver lasting impact, as we contribute to the civic life of the county, and our programmes will provide new opportunities for enhanced learning, career development and upskilling throughout the UK.

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Values All of our actions are driven by values that guide us towards our goals, inspiring us to reach greater heights.

Grit and Determination

Honest

We are determined in everything we do, demonstrating tenacity and courage in our approach.

We are honest and transparent in all of our interactions. We will take feedback seriously, but not personally.

Inclusive

Curious

We have a diverse workforce and community of students and we treat every individual with respect.

We are comfortable asking questions and encourage scrutiny and feedback.

Creative and Learning

Aligned

We are experimental in our practices, always pushing boundaries to find new ways of doing things and sharing our experiences.

We all work as one to advance the institution’s mission and its core aims.

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Five aims in five years Our vision will come to life through our five core aims. These aims fortify all that we do, every sub-strategy we create, everything we measure and monitor, and every outcome we seek to deliver.

1.

Academic quality and distinctiveness

2.

Inclusive cohorts and successful students

3.

Partnering for impact

4.

Operational and financial sustainability

5.

Skills for the future of work

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Academic quality and distinctiveness

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We give our students a university experience that is both challenging and rewarding. On our journey to 2028, our programmes will continue to be regularly updated, emphasising experiential learning opportunities which draw on our engineering expertise and align to our mission, to ensure they reflect the values of our core philosophy.

These learning experiences foster practical skills as well as valuable life lessons; they are underpinned by engineering excellence. By 2028, we aim to be well on the way to being a university with the power to independently award degrees.

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Inclusive cohorts and successful students

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We are committed to creating new pathways into degree-level engineering and technology. Our pedagogical approaches and support structures will provide students with the essential tools, resources, and services needed for success — not only on our programmes, but in their future lives too. We will attract more students who might not normally consider a career in engineering but have attributes such as resilience, determination and imagination.

We will have a diverse student community by 2028 that embraces differences; our students will be empowered to form a successful Students’ Union with sector-leading activities, volunteering opportunities and support services. We pledge a minimum of £500k per year in bursary and scholarship support to encourage female students, and those from local communities or underprivileged backgrounds to give equal opportunity access.

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Partnering for impact

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By 2028, NMITE will become a beacon of regional innovation and collaboration — where industry partners join forces with academia to create cutting-edge curricular challenges to give hands-on experience, making sure that every student is ready for what’s next in their career. Together with this network of partners, we will build a brighter future, by emboldening learners through a pioneering curricula. Our students will be highly sought after, often receiving offers from prestigious engineering brands before they even graduate.

Our Advanced Engineering Centres and joint programmes with external collaborators won’t just benefit the region, they’ll define it.

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Operational and financial sustainability

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By 2028, we will have solidified our reputation as an academic centre of excellence and cultivated a stimulating and supportive environment for students. We will build the sound foundations and long-term platform needed to consistently deliver academic distinctiveness. We will be resilient, able to withstand headwinds, and adapt to the unexpected.

We will be financially sustainable with support from our major donors. Our strategic investment in skills and infrastructure will make us the preferred destination for change-makers. We will be an employer of choice thanks to our favourable employment terms combined with an inspirational education proposition.

Image credit Speller Metcalfe

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Skills for the future of work

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To revolutionise the world of work in our region, we will equip the workforce of today and tomorrow with advanced skills that promise a brighter future and help address the chronic skills shortage throughout the UK. Going beyond just preparing applicants for jobs, our programmes strive to embed cutting-edge capabilities which open up new perspectives and prepare our learners to join this ever-evolving society. In line with these ambitions, by 2028 we aspire to be a leading provider of innovative training opportunities at our Skills Foundry, creating impact for employers while strengthening ties between educational institutions, partners and clients from all sectors.

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“

NMITE is Herefordshire’s greatest opportunity in terms of levelling up our local economy, re-purposing our towns and cities and enabling social mobility within our communities.

Paul Walker, CEO, Herefordshire Council

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Future gazing The NMITE of 2028 is a shining example of success: confident, proudly rooted in its region and contributing to its civic life, with hundreds of students studying on a range of courses and enjoying NMITE’s distinctive approach to learning.

Our graduates out in the world exemplify our values and demonstrate their skills in their exciting professional engineering careers.

We’ve extended beyond our original city base by operating sites across the county — making an impact within each community we serve and adding layer upon layer of value for students who come through this institution’s doors.

Our highly talented academic staff are among some of the brightest minds known in both higher education and engineering technology from all over the world.

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Our community By 2028, we will have a diverse community of students, well populated by groups typically underrepresented in engineering education and the professions.

Our students will be: » »

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building meaningful relationships with industry-leading employers, through inspiring partnerships and real world projects proactively contributing to their local communities through a variety of worthwhile extra-curricular activities to help develop invaluable skills and foster positive relationships in the surrounding area distinguished by their bold ambition, respect for where they come from, and openness to new ideas, and recognised for their characteristics as global citizens proudly acting as citizens of the county and viewed as such by residents, and mindful leaders, team players and advocates for sustainability and diversity who are openminded and considerate of consequences.

Our alumni will be enjoying successful careers and be generously contributing back to the institution and the next generation of NMITE students.

Our academic community will be “thought leaders” in new models of engineering education, evidenced by the external outputs they produce.

Our academic and professional services staff will: » »

work alongside industry partners in delivering programmes, projects and skills courses, and work with high levels of flexibility, and by their influence in the sector.

By 2028, NMITE will be an employer of choice for experienced and talented academic staff — attracting them from traditional institutions and industry.

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Our Infrastructure In 2028, our estate will: » » »

be sustainable – all new buildings will be built to the highest environmental standards include locations throughout the city and county, with sites selected in tandem with Herefordshire Council’s development plans, and provide high-quality dedicated housing for students, fit for their purposes and in partnership with other educational providers.

Our students will act as ambassadors for sustainable living, contributing to city projects for sustainable transport.

Image credit: Speller Metcalfe

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By 2028, NMITE will be: » » »

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award-winning for academic distinctiveness and quality financially sustainable with income from tuition fees and other commercial activities proudly rooted in, and associated with, the city and region, playing an active role in the civic life of the vibrant university city, with facilities outside Herefordshire, and trusted and consulted by employers seeking to prepare themselves for future skills needs.

Our Advanced Engineering Centres will provide a hub for partnership activity and deliver a range of programmes in partnership with other institutions, employers and industry. We will be a “skills hub” — constantly horizon scanning the future skills landscape and developing innovative interventions to prepare the workforce for the changing world of work.

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Engineering a New Future www.nmite.ac.uk nmite_ac

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The contents of this Strategic Plan are accurate as of February 2023 and are subject to change. This is in response to funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, outcomes of reviews and variations in staff or student numbers.