President's weekly update
21 December 2016
Senior colleagues and I visited HOME, the new cultural centre in Manchester. The Director and Chief Executive, Dave Moutrey gave us a guided tour of the very impressive facilities including five cinemas, theatres, gallery, practice areas, bar and restaurant. HOME was originally located in the Cornerhouse on Oxford Road but since its move to very impressive surroundings on First Street it has been receiving about a million visitors a year - including some very small ones which we saw queuing for the show.
Last week we held the winter degree ceremonies. The one I presided over on Friday for the School of Materials was particularly large and diverse, and featured many hugs from graduating students and a lot of selfies!
In another ceremony, I gave out post-graduate certificates for our staff who have completed a diploma in higher education run by our Institute of Education. Nearly 80 staff, both academic and Professional Support Services staff, have undertaken this programme in their spare time.
We had a visit from senior staff representing the German based company Qiagen. I met Dr Dirk Zimmerman, Vice-President for Research and Innovation, to discuss the many recent developments in biology, medicine and health in Manchester.
Professor Clive Agnew, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students and I had a regular meeting with Naa Aqua, General Secretary of the Students’ Union, to update on the Union’s activities, discuss the Teaching Excellence Framework and our ongoing efforts to promote student safety on campus.
I met the new interim Chair of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Kathy Cowell, who has stepped in after the very sad death of Steve Mycio. I was also interviewed as part of an external stakeholder review of Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.
Professor James Thompson, Associate Vice-President for Social Responsibility, and I reviewed progress in this area, the topics discussed at the staff dinner last week and plans for the next year which will include further focus on a few key areas and demonstration of how our research and teaching contribute to social responsibility.
I joined a dinner for our research leaders (Vice-President, Associate Vice-Presidents, Vice-Deans and senior Professional Support Services staff) after their away day. We considered what are our core strengths and emerging areas in research and innovation, new funding opportunities and the potential implications of proposed changes to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) which are likely to be implemented next year.
There will be no messages from me over the Christmas break until 12 January. I hope you all have an enjoyable holiday and a well-deserved rest!
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
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