President's Weekly Update

1 May 2014

I hope that you all enjoyed a break over Easter - and have enjoyed the recent good weather. I spent most of the week just after Easter at meetings in London.

At Senate this week we discussed government funding, student recruitment, the results of the latest ‘Student Barometer’, actions to be taken if a marking boycott proceeds, changes to regulations, research conduct, the University of Manchester Research Institute (UMRI) and grant income and recovery of costs on grants.

We have today been informed by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) that the full and final pay offer of 2 per cent has been accepted by an overwhelming majority of UCU members who voted in the recent consultative ballot. UCU’s HE committee meets tomorrow to consider the outcome of the ballot. The remaining Trade Unions are of course still consulting on the final pay offer.

Senior University staff had a joint dinner with members of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), of which I am a member. We discussed how the University can further contribute to the City and local region - with particular emphasis on health, entrepreneurs, start-up companies and local businesses, international links and our campus.

At the dinner we heard a wonderful story from a local lead of an international company who went to the Far East to try to negotiate a significant deal - which he felt his company might struggle to land. It transpired that the local lead negotiator of the Far East company was a University of Manchester graduate in Engineering with incredibly fond memories of his time at the University - the deal was signed without any difficulties!

We also talked about how the LEP can help with the European Science Open Forum (ESOF) conference in 2016, when Manchester will be designated European City of Science. A few days later the ESOF committee came to meet us and had a very constructive discussion with our local leads on the Forum.

I visited two Schools this week - Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) and Manchester Pharmacy School (MPS).

In EEE, we met some happy students, who had some specific comments on what we could be doing better. One student was full of praise for how the University had supported him from his earlier experience in film studies, through our Foundation year to a degree in electronic and electrical engineering. He is now looking forward to a career in space science in North America!

In MPS, we talked with staff about distance learning and research funding and again met a group of students who praised their staff and aside from some small niggles, seemed very happy.

I also visited the Centre for New Writing which is now an internationally recognised hub of contemporary literature and creative writing. I was fascinated to hear of its links with science and writings about science. Since its foundation in 2007, the Centre has achieved a 200% growth in the number of students, and has had a number of iconic chair appointments - initially Martin Amis, then Colm Toibin and now Jeanette Winterson. Sadly Jeanette couldn’t be there as planned because she has broken both her feet - though remarkably came in the evening before to meet her teaching commitments.

The University’s new website has just launched and I’d urge you to take a look at www.manchester.ac.uk – I think it’s looking great and will really help to enhance the reputation of our University. The Division of Communications and Marketing has been working on the new site for more than nine months – if you have any comments or feedback contact andy.simmons@manchester.ac.uk

I spoke at an event at Manchester Art Gallery on public engagement to research staff who are supported by the Wellcome Trust. The event was meant to be for 30 participants, but 50 turned up. Its key purpose was to consider how scientists can work in partnership with organisations that are used to engaging the public. It was attended by representatives of the major cultural institutions in the City including the leaders of our own Manchester Museum and Whitworth Art Gallery. I gather that it ended with participants forming a human pyramid on potential interactions!

Senior staff from Queen’s University, Belfast visited us to hear about our activities in public engagement. They met me and had discussions with a number of staff undertaking public engagement in Schools and in the Directorates of the Student Experience and Social Responsibility. They were keen to hear how we are trying to embed a culture of public engagement.

At the Imperial War Museum North, I launched a major Medical Research Council funded initiative in psoriasis research called PSORT, which is led by this University in partnership with several other academic centres, many companies and importantly patients. I was very struck by how the consortium has engaged major stakeholders well beyond the academic community and by the very high incidence and impact of psoriasis, which is not recognised by many.

Other meetings this week included Capital Planning Sub-Committee and Finance Sub-Committee and I had separate discussions on social responsibility, preparing for Planning and Resources Sub-Committee, budgets, operational priorities and communications. So a busy first week back in Manchester after Easter!

Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor

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