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President's Weekly Update

13 October 2016

Plans for the UK to leave the European Union (EU) continue to cause much uncertainty and concern. Some of the more worrying recent statements from government have now been either withdrawn or significantly modified. It was reassuring to hear the earlier statement from the Prime Minister that non-UK EU nationals will be able to remain in the UK after Brexit. We have also already had qualified assurances that the full costs of Horizon 2020 grant funding will be met by the government, if the UK becomes ineligible to participate - though it is hoped that universities will reach a situation where we can participate in EU funding schemes. Just this week, we learnt that EU students planning to study in the UK for entry in 2017 will have full access to loans as they currently do, and will be expected to pay Home (ie UK) fees for the duration of their study.

As a global university with many international staff, students and research projects, it is extremely important that we welcome and support colleagues from around the world. Despite concerns that the outcome of the EU referendum might impact on student recruitment, the number of non-UK, EU students registering to study with us this academic year is at or above expected levels.

The University’s own EU Group which I chair has been monitoring developments carefully and issuing updates, and Universities UK and the Russell Group of universities (we are members of both) have been very active in lobbying. Similarly I have attended many meetings on Brexit, regionally and nationally.

I spoke at a meeting entitled ‘Beyond Brexit’ at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, organised by the accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and attended by about 150 regional business leaders. I outlined the most pressing issues for universities and stressed the importance of international links and mobility.

I also attended a private dinner organised by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in London, where senior women from business, media and universities discussed what Brexit means for the UK, the issues it raises and how we address them. The discussion was led by Miriam Gonzáles Durántez, a senior lawyer and very engaged in European issues.

At an additional meeting of our Board of Governors’ Finance Committee, Steve Dauncey (Director of Finance) and I outlined known and potential future financial pressures on the University and the actions we are already taking to address these. We also discussed plans that we are working on to further mitigate  our adverse financial position and additional likely pressures, particularly as a result of the growing deficit in universities’ pension funds and Brexit.

Senior colleagues and I had an event with the new (for this academic year) members of the University’s Students’ Union Executive. The General Secretary, Naa Acquah, continues in post from last year, which is helpful in maintaining continuity. Each member of the Students’ Union Executive told us about their current activities and plans, which span helping students with financial and health issues; engaging international students and those who live at home; working with our local communities; supporting student reps in Schools; planning social events; celebration of Black History Month and a range of wider issues including sustainability, student fees, TEF and Brexit.

I gave ‘evidence’ at an event held by the London Finance Commission with Sir Richard Leese and Sir Howard Bernstein, Leader and Chief Executive of Manchester City Council respectively. The Commission wanted to hear about the benefits of devolution of powers and budgets to Greater Manchester and how this might apply to London.

We held what is likely to be the last meeting of the Local Organising Committee of ESOF (EuroScience Open Forum) which took place in Manchester in July. The Committee, co-chaired by Sir Howard Bernstein and me, received the final reports from Vicky Rosin, the Programme Director. ESOF was attended by over 3,500 from 80 countries. There was a huge press presence (500 media and science communicators) and many positive news stories and enthusiastic feedback from delegates, and it looks (fingers crossed) like we broke even on the finances, so a particular thanks to our many great organisers, volunteers, speakers, sponsors and partners.

It was a pleasure to see our Chancellor, Lemn Sissay, this week as we prepared for our Foundation Day on Wednesday, 19 October. Tickets for attendance have been allocated but the whole event will be streamed live from 4.30pm and available to watch later at:

It was a pleasure to take part in a planning meeting with my research colleagues in Manchester to discuss recent progress in our research - including one clinical trial just about to start in patients with sub-arachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) and one being planned in early dementia.

 

Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor

Feedback

Please send comments to: president@manchester.ac.uk

     

President's Weekly Update

13 October 2016

Plans for the UK to leave the European Union (EU) continue to cause much uncertainty and concern. Some of the more worrying recent statements from government have now been either withdrawn or significantly modified. It was reassuring to hear the earlier statement from the Prime Minister that non-UK EU nationals will be able to remain in the UK after Brexit. We have also already had qualified assurances that the full costs of Horizon 2020 grant funding will be met by the government, if the UK becomes ineligible to participate - though it is hoped that universities will reach a situation where we can participate in EU funding schemes. Just this week, we learnt that EU students planning to study in the UK for entry in 2017 will have full access to loans as they currently do, and will be expected to pay Home (ie UK) fees for the duration of their study.

As a global university with many international staff, students and research projects, it is extremely important that we welcome and support colleagues from around the world. Despite concerns that the outcome of the EU referendum might impact on student recruitment, the number of non-UK, EU students registering to study with us this academic year is at or above expected levels.

The University’s own EU Group which I chair has been monitoring developments carefully and issuing updates, and Universities UK and the Russell Group of universities (we are members of both) have been very active in lobbying. Similarly I have attended many meetings on Brexit, regionally and nationally.

I spoke at a meeting entitled ‘Beyond Brexit’ at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, organised by the accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and attended by about 150 regional business leaders. I outlined the most pressing issues for universities and stressed the importance of international links and mobility.

I also attended a private dinner organised by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in London, where senior women from business, media and universities discussed what Brexit means for the UK, the issues it raises and how we address them. The discussion was led by Miriam Gonzáles Durántez, a senior lawyer and very engaged in European issues.

At an additional meeting of our Board of Governors’ Finance Committee, Steve Dauncey (Director of Finance) and I outlined known and potential future financial pressures on the University and the actions we are already taking to address these. We also discussed plans that we are working on to further mitigate  our adverse financial position and additional likely pressures, particularly as a result of the growing deficit in universities’ pension funds and Brexit.

Senior colleagues and I had an event with the new (for this academic year) members of the University’s Students’ Union Executive. The General Secretary, Naa Acquah, continues in post from last year, which is helpful in maintaining continuity. Each member of the Students’ Union Executive told us about their current activities and plans, which span helping students with financial and health issues; engaging international students and those who live at home; working with our local communities; supporting student reps in Schools; planning social events; celebration of Black History Month and a range of wider issues including sustainability, student fees, TEF and Brexit.

I gave ‘evidence’ at an event held by the London Finance Commission with Sir Richard Leese and Sir Howard Bernstein, Leader and Chief Executive of Manchester City Council respectively. The Commission wanted to hear about the benefits of devolution of powers and budgets to Greater Manchester and how this might apply to London.

We held what is likely to be the last meeting of the Local Organising Committee of ESOF (EuroScience Open Forum) which took place in Manchester in July. The Committee, co-chaired by Sir Howard Bernstein and me, received the final reports from Vicky Rosin, the Programme Director. ESOF was attended by over 3,500 from 80 countries. There was a huge press presence (500 media and science communicators) and many positive news stories and enthusiastic feedback from delegates, and it looks (fingers crossed) like we broke even on the finances, so a particular thanks to our many great organisers, volunteers, speakers, sponsors and partners.

It was a pleasure to see our Chancellor, Lemn Sissay, this week as we prepared for our Foundation Day on Wednesday, 19 October. Tickets for attendance have been allocated but the whole event will be streamed live from 4.30pm and available to watch later at:

It was a pleasure to take part in a planning meeting with my research colleagues in Manchester to discuss recent progress in our research - including one clinical trial just about to start in patients with sub-arachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) and one being planned in early dementia.

 

Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor

Feedback

Please send comments to: president@manchester.ac.uk