News archive – April 2021

WATCH: How well do you know your USS pension?
(06 Apr 2021)
Do you know the difference between DB and DC? Get to know the basics here.

Continued lifting of restrictions - no update for HE
(06 Apr 2021)
Arrangements for students unchanged

Wood Street Mission Lottery winner
(07 Apr 2021)
Announcing the winner of the April 2021 draw

Using NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app to access hospitality venues
(07 Apr 2021)
The guidance on accessing our venues or catered events has changed

Staff benefits update
(07 Apr 2021)
This week you can enjoy savings on holidays, outdoors and home services and sign up for a wellbeing talk

Supporting staff who choose to have the COVID-19 vaccine
(08 Apr 2021)
A message from Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility and Karen Heaton, Director of Human Resources

Universities UK launches consultation with USS employers
(08 Apr 2021)
Universities UK (UUK) has launched its consultation with 340 Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) employers, including our University, to gather their views

Looking back: Manchester Rag
(08 Apr 2021)
We take a look back at the origins of Manchester Rag activities

Trade Union meeting update
(08 Apr 2021)
Message from Karen Heaton, Director of Human Resources

Issues with emails affecting some University systems - update 2
(08 Apr 2021)
IT Services are aware of an issue affecting some services which send emails, such as the IT Support Portal, Oracle CRM, the older staff email service and others.

New techniques to track hospital COVID infection hotspots
(09 Apr 2021)
A Manchester team has applied new techniques to detect and track the transmission of COVID-19 in hospital

Our University signs the Care Leaver Covenant
(09 Apr 2021)
The covenant is a promise made by the private, public and voluntary sectors to provide support for care leavers aged 16-25 to help them move from Local Authority care to living independently

Extended deadline: share how your work impacts the Sustainable Development Goals
(09 Apr 2021)
We're looking for case studies showing how you are tackling the Sustainable Development Goals

Prize money available for novel ideas involving graphene and other 2D materials
(09 Apr 2021)
The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre has opened its annual Eli and Britt Harari Graphene Enterprise Award competition, which offers a £70,000 prize fund for novel ideas involving graphene and other 2D materials that have the potential to be commercialised

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
(09 Apr 2021)
Statement

The Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) launches this week
(12 Apr 2021)
PRES is a key source of detailed feedback from our postgraduate researchers, allowing us to identify what’s going well and the areas requiring improvement

Could you be a Flexible Working Champion?
(12 Apr 2021)
You could help co-create the future of work at our University

Watch live: Online open meeting on first steps to flexible learning
(13 Apr 2021)
Tuesday 13 April, 11.00am – 12.00pm

Understanding your pension
(13 Apr 2021)
From accrual rate to valuation – read the glossary of key terms from USS Employers

Nominations open for the Manchester Adult Education and Skills Awards
(13 Apr 2021)
An online event to celebrate the achievements of individuals whose lives have been changed by lifelong learning and the dedication of those who have enabled this to happen

Institute of Teaching and Learning Fellowships 2021/22
(13 Apr 2021)
A message from Professor April McMahon, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students

Surgical face coverings available on campus
(13 Apr 2021)
Our University has secured a supply of surgical face coverings which are available from building entrances

Voting opens for the Social Justice Photography Competition
(13 Apr 2021)
Vote for your favourite

Phasing out of Lime Survey and Select Survey
(13 Apr 2021)
Users who created surveys in Lime and Select Survey in the last 18 months have been sent an email from IT Services about the phasing out of these tools 

Governance review update
(13 Apr 2021)
The University has commissioned an external consultancy firm (Halpin Partnership) to conduct a review to look at the overall effectiveness of governance.

Microsoft 365 licenses and MyAnalytics
(14 Apr 2021)
After discussion with Microsoft, IT Services need to make a slight change to Microsoft 365 licenses for members of staff

Further return of students - latest government announcement
(14 Apr 2021)
A message from Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility and Chair of the Campus Management Group

New Head of the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
(14 Apr 2021)
Professor Thomas Schmidt appointed

TfGM recognises our University's contribution to sustainable travel
(14 Apr 2021)
Our University has been awarded a TfGM (Transport for Greater Manchester) Platinum accreditation for work supporting sustainable commuting, business travel and fleet vehicles

Sign up to attend our Counselling Service workshops
(14 Apr 2021)
A new schedule of workshops is now available to book

Staff benefits update
(14 Apr 2021)
Latest discounts and wellbeing support during stress awareness month

Issues accessing some University services - resolved
(15 Apr 2021)
Further updates on service issues

Use of Sci-Hub – risk and mitigation
(15 Apr 2021)
A message from Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research and Professor Christopher Pressler, John Rylands University Librarian and Director of The University of Manchester Library

Car parks - access and exit issues
(15 Apr 2021)
Due to a server outage, we are experiencing some issues at Booth Street West and Charles Street car parks

Policy@Manchester: In conversation with Dr Sherilyn MacGregor
(15 Apr 2021)
Join three academics from the Sustainable Consumption Institute to discuss what can be learnt from the daily household behaviours of diverse communities in the UK

Police release statement following incident of 14 November 2020
(15 Apr 2021)
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Times Higher Education Awards open for entries
(16 Apr 2021)
How to submit a nomination

How we're helping to build better cities
(19 Apr 2021)
Our experts to lead virtual event discussing Greater Manchester’s leadership in advanced materials – and how this could shape cities of the future

Bank of England Chief Economist takes Honorary Professorship at AMBS
(20 Apr 2021)
Andy Haldane, Chief Economist at the Bank of England, has accepted a prestigious Honorary Professorship from the University of Manchester and Alliance Manchester Business School.

University publishes its Stocktake Report for 2019/20
(21 Apr 2021)
Final report summarising progress against Manchester 2020 as we transition to our next strategic plan, Our future

UUK survey for colleagues who are members of USS or who are eligible to join
(21 Apr 2021)
An email has been sent to colleagues - deadline Wednesday, 5 May

Manchester global number one for action on sustainable development
(21 Apr 2021)
Our University is named world’s best university for action taken towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

How our cultural institutions are leading the way on sustainability
(21 Apr 2021)
Our cultural institutions continue to be at the cutting edge of climate change education, engagement and action.

How we're developing knowledge and skills to achieve the SDGs
(21 Apr 2021)
Our students are working across traditional disciplines and in more collaborative ways to tackle 21st century challenges

How we’re helping create renewable energy from water
(21 Apr 2021)
University leads biggest ever research project on sustainable development of the world’s dams – bringing power safely and changing lives

How we're addressing sustainable food consumption
(21 Apr 2021)
Our award-winning initiatives are helping to tackle food poverty, preventing waste, and supporting local and worldwide projects

University of Manchester Climate Network Meeting
(21 Apr 2021)
Sign up to attend on Thursday 22 April

Supporting staff who choose to have the COVID-19 vaccine
(22 Apr 2021)
A message from Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility and Karen Heaton, Director of Human Resources

Staff benefits update
(22 Apr 2021)
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre re-opening offer, family friendly deals and wellbeing options

Governance review – we want your feedback
(23 Apr 2021)
Attend a virtual discussion group or share your comments

Assessment support for students from the Library
(26 Apr 2021)
The Library is offering online assessment support for students for the upcoming revision and assessment period, including workshops, online resources, drop-ins and one-to-ones, and online study sessions.

Call for COP26 Innovation Showcase - deadline 11 May
(26 Apr 2021)
The Innovation Showcase Subgroup of the COP26 UK Universities Network is organising an Images of Innovation exhibition to showcase the innovative ways in which research is being applied to tackle climate change and build a more sustainable world.

Viewpoint: Danielle George - blended and flexible learning
(26 Apr 2021)
Blended and flexible learning – a look back and the road ahead

File Upload feature now available on QualtricsXM
(26 Apr 2021)
Qualtrics users can now ask participants to upload files with survey responses

Nominate someone for an SU Award
(26 Apr 2021)
Nominations for the SU Awards are open now until 13 May at 8pm

Wellbeing workshop: The 4Ds of Distress: Distract, Dilute, Develop and Discover
(26 Apr 2021)
Join Dr Warren Mansell, Reader in Clinical Psychology from the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, as he introduces the 4Ds approach – an intervention for managing work-related and academic stress

Northern universities launch new investment company
(27 Apr 2021)
The universities of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield are launching a new investment company to help boost the commercialisation of university spinouts and start-ups in the North of England

University’s Foresight Group publishes findings
(27 Apr 2021)
Message from Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor on how the pandemic has impacted our long-term plans – and a chance to contribute

Join the Venture Further Awards online
(27 Apr 2021)
£75,000 will be awarded to students and graduates with early-stage business ideas

Online staff open meeting with the Senior Leadership Team
(27 Apr 2021)
Thursday 6 May, 1-2pm

Join us to celebrate our Making a Difference Awards
(27 Apr 2021)
The event will take place on Wednesday, 12 May at 6pm live from Manchester Museum

Library Reshaping Project - union meeting minutes
(27 Apr 2021)
A message from Karen Heaton, Director of Human Resources

Introduction to Figshare at The University of Manchester
(28 Apr 2021)
Find out more at our webinars on 18 and 19 May

Trade Union meeting update
(28 Apr 2021)
Message from Karen Heaton, Director of Human Resources

President and Vice-Chancellor selected as advisor to UK Investment Council
(28 Apr 2021)
The new expert council, formed to maximise UK investment offer, will  advise the Government’s ambitious inward investment strategy   

Supporting staff having the COVID-19 vaccine
(28 Apr 2021)
A message from Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility and Karen Heaton, Director of Human Resources

Get set for our Virtual Purple Wave
(28 Apr 2021)
Choose from one of our four distances and join us as we run, jog and walk all over the world

Turing Scheme funding for international placements
(28 Apr 2021)
Following the announcement in December that the UK would not be participating in the next iteration of the Erasmus+ programme, the UK government announced the creation of a national mobility programme

Staff benefits update
(28 Apr 2021)
Health, fitness and wellbeing benefits and events to save a date

Reminder: UUK survey for members of USS or staff eligible to join
(29 Apr 2021)
An email has been sent to colleagues – deadline Wednesday, 5 May

Tackling racism and racial harassment at our University
(29 Apr 2021)
An update from Professor Nalin Thakkar and Mehrunnisa Lalani

How we’re creating sustainable livelihoods
(29 Apr 2021)
University research leads to group farming in India and Nepal, enhancing farm productivity and profits and empowering women farmers

Applications open - L’Oréal-UNESCO's Women in Science Rising Talent
(29 Apr 2021)
The 2021 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science UK & Ireland Rising Talent Programme is open for applications

Guidance on lockdown easing from mental health charity Mind
(29 Apr 2021)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Vital Topics webinar: cyber security challenges
(29 Apr 2021)
The latest Vital Topics webinar takes an in-depth look at how industry and academia are working increasingly closely to tackle the huge challenges - technical, economic, and social - around cyber security

Police appeal on former student
(30 Apr 2021)
Part of investigation concerning Reynhard Sinaga

UoM Climate Network Meeting
(30 Apr 2021)
The next meeting is on Thursday, 6 May

Understand your role in higher education – and develop your career
(30 Apr 2021)
Applications are open for the PgCert in Higher Education programme 2021/22 entry and are welcome from academic staff and PS colleagues

Support for our Staff Network Group members
(30 Apr 2021)
Our University has a number of Staff Network Groups (SNGs) which are a valuable way for colleagues to network, build contacts, share experiences, arrange events and socialise