Aston University received its Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth II on 22 April 1966. The Charter of the University outlines objectives appropriate to a technological university: "to advance, disseminate and apply learning and knowledge by teaching and research, for the benefit of industry and commerce and of the community generally: and to enable students to obtain the advantage of university education, and such teaching and research may include periods outside the University in industry or commerce or wherever the University considers proper for the best advancement of its objects." The emphasis is given to the placement year system, and the maintenance of strong links with industry arises naturally from the institution's history. The motto of the University is the same as that of the City of Birmingham.
The development and articulation of Aston University's strategy allow us to communicate our ambition, objectives, and priorities to state what is most important to us and identify our points of distinction. This strategy has been framed differently from most university strategies, and deliberately so. Most strategies are defined around the University's principal activities, usually research, education, and engagement.
Instead, we have structured this strategy around the beneficiaries of Aston University, the parties external to the University, and whom we exist to serve. We will continue to offer support to our beneficiaries because their future success is critical to us. We have categorized our beneficiaries into students, external organizations (comprising businesses, public entities, the not-for-profit sector, and the professions) and Birmingham and the West Midlands region. These groups benefit from their engagement with us; they are also, directly or indirectly, the providers of almost all the funding on which we, and other universities, exist. If we understand and meet the needs of our beneficiaries, our future success is well-assured.
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