President's weekly update
10 July 2014
It’s so nice to see our students graduating this week and celebrating with their families. The first degree ceremony I presided over was packed as usual, with so many smiling faces - and the weather was rather nice. This time of year reminds me of the importance of students to the life of our University and it’s such a pleasure to see the graduates who benefit from the efforts of so many of our staff. Let’s hope the weather is good for the rest of the ceremonies - but not too hot. I met Sir Robert Leschler, who is Vice Principal (Health) of King’s College London and he later received an Outstanding Alumnus Award.
At the last Board of Governors meeting of this academic year, which was held this week, we covered a huge amount of business including the usual sub-committee reports, new policies, some changes to our regulations and updates on many ongoing projects. As their term of office as members of the Board comes to a close we said farewell and thank you to Neville Richardson, Afzal Khan, and Professors Pam Vallely and Andy Gibson, all of whom will stand down from the governing body at the end of this academic year and have done a fantastic job. Neville and Pam each spoke briefly at the reception after the Board.
Professor Colin Bailey and I were given a tour of the fantastic renovation and extension to our Whitworth Art Gallery which is due to open later this year. Maria Balshaw, Director of the Gallery, showed us the stunning extension out into Whitworth Park, and the opening up of some of the beautiful original design features of the building.
You can view photos of the work in progress at:
I attended an Extraordinary Board meeting of the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre MAHSC), in which we are a partner with several of the major local hospital trusts. The Board is chaired by Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council and the Director is Professor Ian Jacobs (Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences). At the meeting we heard about an extensive report on the governance and future plans and processes for MAHSC. Everyone recognised great progress to date and its importance for the partners. They also saw the need to push even harder to realise the fantastic potential of MAHSC, but more importantly for the health of the people of the region.
I met most of the staff who hold senior management positions in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences to discuss the appointment of the Vice-President and Dean to succeed Professor Colin Bailey when he takes up the position of Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. We had a very helpful discussion about the great strengths of the Faculty and the opportunities and challenges it will face. I expect that Colin’s ears were burning, as they were full of praise for his leadership and commitment.
I went to London for a Russell Group lunch with Liam Byrne, the Shadow Minister for Universities, Science and Skills and Chuka Umunna, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. Both are graduates of The University of Manchester. We discussed funding for universities, student fees, regulation, international students and the need for long term investment in science and innovation.
Alan Ferns (Director of Communications and Marketing), Terry Hudghton (Head of University Marketing) and I met with Louise Simpson from The Knowledge Partnership (a company we have been working with for some time on external stakeholder views and focus and distinctiveness of the University). I will be speaking at a conference in Michigan in October which Louise is organising where I will talk about the importance of communication to universities.
I met with Chris Oglesby (Chair) and Rowena Burns (Chief Executive) from Manchester Science Parks (MSP), in which the University is a minor shareholder. We are working closely with MSP on the ‘Oxford Road Corridor’, including the new ‘City Labs’ (the old Eye Hospital), which are due to open soon and developments at Alderley Park.
You may have seen the two excellent TV programmes on BBC2 about the history of University Challenge. They featured many of our teams and their ‘coach’ Dr Stephen Pearson from our Library. All came across really well.
You can watch them on iPlayer at:
I was pleased and surprised to receive a framed certificate from the Science Council saying that I am amongst the UK’s top 100 scientists in 2014. It will take pride of place in my office!
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
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