Transcript:

 

Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast:

Christmas 2023 has officially begun with the whole campus taking on a festive feel.

We're all looking forward to winding down and relaxing after a busy year.

It’s always important at Christmas to take a minute or two to reflect.

It's been another busy and challenging year here at Queen's, one in which all our students and staff have worked hard and delivered for themselves and for the University.

We're very proud of you, and proud to be part of the Queen’s community with you.

It's a difficult time in our world at present as many suffer the impact of violence, war and financial hardship.

We all hope for a more peaceful, stable and just year ahead.

I’m sure you are all looking forward to a well-earned rest over Christmas where you can spend time with family, catch up with friends and do all those jobs you’ve been putting off! Or just taking it easy.

Many of our International students choose to stay at Queen’s over the Christmas period. It’s important that they will have access to support staff throughout this period. So we're very grateful to those staff who'll be coming into work over Christmas to provide that support.

We, and those who choose to stay at Queen’s during Christmas, rely on and appreciate you for doing that. So a big thank you to all of you.

I’m looking forward to another great year at Queen’s. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, but I have absolutely no doubt that our committed staff and innovative students will continue to showcase the best of Queen’s in 2024.

It's my absolute pleasure to wish all of our students and our staff, and indeed the entire Queen’s community, a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2024.