POLICY: School Governance and Management - Vision and Values Statement POLICY URL: https://lsi-ac.uk/policy/b203f34e-da16-48b7-9019-dd8da79eab75 POLICY STATEMENT: The School is committed to fostering a culture of academic excellence and innovation. We nurture a dynamic community that thrives on exploring new technologies and advancing digital engineering. Our purpose is to empower students, staff, and faculty with the insights and skills needed to excel in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, underpinned by principles of curiosity, respect, and collaboration. POLICY PRINCIPLES: ------------------ - Excellence : Striving for the highest academic and professional standards in all our pursuits; - Integrity : Acting with honesty and ethical principles in all aspects of School life; - Inclusivity : Creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and every individual is valued; - Innovation : Encouraging creativity and innovative thinking to advance knowledge; - Collaboration : Working together across disciplines and cultures to enrich learning and research; - Responsibility : Exemplifying social responsibility and contributing positively to society; - Respect : Fostering a culture of mutual respect and consideration; - Equity : Ensuring fairness and equity in all our practices and policies; - Learning : Championing lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity; - Community : Building a supportive and engaging School community; - Sustainability : Committing to environmental sustainability and responsible stewardship; - Global Outlook : Embracing a global perspective in education and research initiatives. REGULATORY CONTEXT: ------------------ This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following: R1. Office for Students (OfS): Regulatory framework for higher education in England - This framework outlines OfS' primary aim to ensure positive outcomes for students, including access, success, and progress in higher education. It covers quality academic experience, progress into employment, and value for money. R2. UK Government: Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (HERA) - A UK legislation that reformed the higher education and research sector, particularly by establishing the Office for Students and UK Research and Innovation. R3. Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): Making Use of Credit: A Companion to the Higher Education Credit Framework for England - This framework determines the use of credits for courses, measures student workload, facilitates transferability, and ensures eligibility for graduation by reflecting both contact hours and independent study requirements. R4. Office for Students (OfS): Sector-recognised standards - The standards set with regards to B5 and B8 of the OfS' conditions of registration for higher education institutions. R5. Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): The Quality Code - This code represents a shared understanding of quality practice across the UK higher education sector, protecting public and student interests and championing the UK's reputation for quality. METRICS AND KPIS: ------------------ The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as key performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations: M1. Adoption Rate of Innovative Learning Technologies: At least 60% of courses integrating new technologies annually. Adoption of innovative technologies enhances teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and prepares students for a tech-driven workforce, aligning with institutional goals for innovation. M2. Curriculum Review and Update Rate: 100% of academic programs reviewed and updated at least every 6 years. Regularly reviewing and updating the curriculum ensures that courses remain current, pedagogically sound, and aligned with both academic advancements and the institution's strategic priorities, which helps maintain accreditation standards and enhances student outcomes. M3. Graduate Employment Rate within 6 Months: Measure the percentage of graduates employed in their field of study or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. 85% employment or further education rate within six months post-graduation. High graduate employment rates indicate the effectiveness of the institution’s educational offerings and career support services, which is crucial for reputation and student recruitment. M4. Industry Partnership Engagement Index: Establish at least 15 active industry partnerships annually, with a minimum of 10 contributing to curriculum development or student placements. Strong industry partnerships ensure curriculum relevance, provide practical experience for students, and foster research and funding opportunities, aligning with strategic goals for growth and impact. M5. On-Time Graduation Rate: Achieve a graduation rate of 80% or higher within the expected timeframe. A high on-time graduation rate reflects the quality of academic programs, effective student support services, and student satisfaction, which are critical for institutional success. M6. Operating Surplus as a Percentage of Total Revenue: Maintain an operating surplus of at least 5% of total revenue each year. Demonstrates financial health and the ability to invest in future growth, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives without compromising fiscal stability. M7. School Survey Satisfaction Rate: Measure student satisfaction using internally conducted school surveys, focusing on teaching quality, support services, facilities, and overall experience. Achieve an average satisfaction score of 90% or higher in all key areas annually. Regular internal surveys provide direct feedback for continuous improvement, reflecting the effectiveness of policies and services in enhancing the student experience. M8. Student Diversity and Inclusion Index: Track the diversity of the student body by measuring the representation of different demographics (gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability) across all programs. Achieve a diversity representation index score increase of 10% over three years and ensure retention rates across all demographics are within 5% of each other. A diverse and inclusive student body creates a richer learning environment, meets equity goals, and enhances the institution's reputation for inclusivity and social responsibility. SECTION 1: Our Purpose: Vision, Mission, and Core Values ------------------ 1.1. Introduction and Manifesto: Recent breakthroughs in AI and other deep technologies have opened up unprecedented opportunities to create a better tomorrow. The age of abundance is within reach, and profound innovations are possible across every industry, sector, and aspect of our world. But we have a massive legacy. Transforming the world as we know it, into what it can be, won't happen on its own. It's an exciting but also challenging journey that requires strong leadership. It needs leaders who not only know their business domains but also understand technology and the art of innovation. Leaders who can see what's possible, and who can make it happen. Forging those skills is what LSI is all about; Our mission is to foster a community of professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this new landscape. We educate them on how to use AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for innovative thinking and pioneering solutions. We believe in a future where technology is shaped by diverse, intelligent minds, working together to create a more inclusive and forward-thinking society. And we achieve that by offering practical, AI-driven education that applies directly to real-world scenarios; In this rapidly evolving digital age, adaptability and continuous learning are key. At LSI, we prioritise these values, ensuring our students are not only equipped with current knowledge but are also prepared to embrace future advancements. Our curriculum is dynamic and constantly updated to reflect the latest thinking, tools, techniques and ideas, keeping up with the rapid developments in AI and other digital technologies; Ultimately, our goal at LSI is not just to educate but to inspire. We aim to ignite a passion for innovation in our students, empowering them to become leaders who will drive positive change in their industries and communities. We envision our graduates as catalysts for a brighter, AI-enhanced future, where technology serves humanity in profound and meaningful ways; LSI is more than an educational institution; it is a movement. A movement towards a future where AI and innovation are at the heart of solving the world's most pressing challenges. Join us in shaping this future. Join us at LSI. 1.2. Vision: The School has a vision to forge leaders of our AI-augmented tomorrow. 1.3. Mission: Given the pace at which technology is shaping society, the shortage of people with the knowledge and skills to lead the charge, and the lack of diversity among those leading digital transformation, the School will immerse learners in an expansive and practical tech-powered study experience, using the latest technology, and transform them into tech leaders that unite and inspire all stakeholders involved in digital projects at all levels of change (team, organisation, and society). 1.4. Values: The School's values are:; Lifelong Learning;; Impactful Pioneering;; Practical Wisdom;; Bold Leadership SECTION 2: Strategic Goals ------------------ 2.1. Strategy Aims: The School's strategic aims (SAs) are:; SA1: Pedagogical Excellence; Pioneering cutting-edge and AI-powered teaching methodologies, tools and environments to inspire critical thinking and adaptability, empowering leaders for an AI-augmented future; SA2: State-of-the-Art Curriculum; Curating forward-thinking curricula representing the latest thinking in the domain, rooted in real-world application, empowering students to become leaders with the vision and confidence to pioneer progress in the digital age; SA3: Impactful Professional Network; Fostering a community of forward-thinking changemakers through diverse networking initiatives, including hosting industry events, roundtable discussions, and guest lectures, boosting visibility, lifelong learning and cross-industry collaboration and networking opportunities; SA4: Distinctive Brand; Gaining sustained global recognition as a leading institution in digital engineering, innovation management, AI, interdisciplinary studies, scholarship and student success and impact; SA5: Gold-standard for Student Experience; Continually raising the bar for student experience and inspiring a passion for lifelong learning; SA6: Global Scalability; Establishing a global platform to nurture a diverse community of leaders from around the planet who will transform the world for an AI-augmented tomorrow. SECTION 3: Implementation of Strategy ------------------ 3.1. Roadmap (by Board of Governors): The School’s plans for implementing these strategic aims are:; Employability: We will design curricula for programmes with our graduate attributes in mind, so that our students acquire the practical skills in leading-edge technologies and innovative thinking they need to progress. This is where theory meets practice, ensuring that all our students are equipped not just to understand the future, but to shape it; Programmes: We will design dynamic undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Pursuing a programme at the London School of Innovation will be more than just academic advancement. It will be an immersion into the world of innovation. We will also design short courses. All of our programmes and short courses will equip students with the insights and skills to navigate and shape the rapidly evolving digital landscape, whether they are seeking to develop or advance in their current role, or carve a new path in the realm of digital engineering and beyond; Careers and Support: As part of our innovative Careers Advisory Scheme, we will assist all students in finding the right career path. The programme will provide advice on choosing the right career path, developing careers, acquiring the skills employers seek, and achieving career goals. We’ll organise workshops and employer presentations to help our students network. The School will offer online career consultations for students and alumni up to two years after graduating. In addition, it will offers 1:1 appointments to help with decision-making, learning about postgraduate study, completing application forms and writing CVs, finding a job, and practising interview techniques will be offered. This will all be part of a broader means of support that places students at the heart; Innovative Pedagogy: A student’s journey at LSI will be underpinned by a blend of academic rigor and also practical application. We will design an AI-driven, personalised learning experience, where each programme is tailored to student’s professional contexts, providing real-world relevance, and immediate applicability. We’ll use automation and AI systems to guide each student through a personalised journey of learning by doing. Pre-designed challenges will be presented to each student throughout their programmes in a bespoke environment where the student gets to solve those challenges while receiving specific feedback from a virtual mentor. The feedback from the virtual mentor will allow the student to identify areas of improvement, and develop their skills further. This approach to learning will provide a more engaging and effective learning experience than traditional methods; Research Programme: Research and innovation are in the School’s DNA. We aspire to be a leading institution where impact-driven technologists come together from around the planet to re-invent the human experience. In contrast to most universities, the focus of our research is not to just understand and expand the edges of human knowledge. It is to reimagine what’s possible. We will have a strong research programme, including looking at the Science of Adult Education. Our research is inventive, experimental, agile, and bold. We will ensure our teaching and research are synergistic. We recognise the coupling of teaching and research in all that we do and engage all our academic staff in both. We ensure that the duality of our mission is reflected in all of our operations; Partnerships and Networks: We will form partnerships. An undergraduate and postgraduate student’s education at the School will connect them with a wide network of professionals and others who share our drive and vision. Together, we will form a community of forward-thinkers, each playing a part in crafting the narrative of our times; Inclusivity: We will consider every qualified applicant regardless of their financial means. Their talent, nurtured by our education, makes treasure. No matter their circumstances, they deserve a chance to shine in this world. We will provide scholarships, and will work with external bodies to secure more funding; Our academic focus will be on teaching and skills development. We are not a generalist university. We will only provide education in the subject area of computing and also relevant business and management skills related to digital projects. SECTION 4: Student-Centred Approach ------------------ 4.1. Placing Students at the Heart of What We Do (by Board of Governors): Every aspect of the School's work focuses on its students. During their time with us, staff and students form a diverse and inclusive community which helps students reach their full potential, flourish as individuals, and go on to positively impact the world. The School's roadmap is driven by its Student Charter:; Innovation: We will invest in and offer programmes that are innovative, flexible, and tailored to meet the needs of our diverse student population; Excellence: We aim to excel at our core function, i.e. education delivery. We will use state-of-the-art technologies in our learning and teaching systems to maximise learning effectiveness and efficiency; Support : Throughout their time with us, we will ensure that students have access to peer, academic, and professional support; Inspiration: The curriculum we offer will challenge students to become creators and knowledge makers. We will inspire them to reimagine a better world; Collaboration: We will encourage students to actively involve themselves in the development of our programmes. We will listen to what they have to say about their experiences; Community: Students and staff will form a learning community built on mutual respect. We will support this community with a physical and digital environment that embodies the way our students want to learn and live; Influence: By providing a distinctive, positive, and inclusive experience for our students, we will engage with, and influence, the wider educational sector; Outcome-focused: Our education will result in real outcomes, and a positive ROI for our students. We train and educate our students based on real-world problems and demonstrated market needs, and help them connect with leading employment or entrepreneurship opportunities. SECTION 5: Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) ------------------ 5.1. Strategic Plan (by Board of Governors): The School’s Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) Strategy also plays are an important part:; We put students at the heart of everything we do; We make a difference through using or developing technologies; We develop staff and unlocking potential; We are a great place to work and learn SECTION 6: Sustainability & Environmental Policy ------------------ 6.1. Sustainable Development in Strategy and Planning (by Board of Governors): The School is committed to sustainable development, and ensuring the well-being of people and the planet. It will:; Employ and develop our individual and collective skills and knowledge to improve local and global sustainability, both social and environmental; Safeguard the environment by reducing both pollution and harmful social impacts; Meet or exceed our compliance and regulatory obligations; Achieve net-zero carbon emissions by or before 2030; Teach students and staff about sustainability issues including the UN Sustainable Development Goals; Develop a zero-waste institutional culture of 'rethink, reduce, reuse and recycle; Minimise unnecessary transport by incentivising staff and students to live within walking distance of the campus, and facilitate cycling; Instruct staff to favour supplier products and services with verifiably high social and environmental standards; Embed a culture of sustainability in the work we do, both theoretically and practically.