President’s weekly message
23 March 2016
I talked to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Professor Glyn Davis, about the growing and significant collaborations between our universities. We agreed to follow up on the Manchester-Melbourne collaborative fund, particularly on our research beacons and to follow up discussions on common areas in teaching. I hadn’t been aware that Samuel Alexander (after whom the Arts Building is named) is a Melbourne graduate and they have a prominent statue.
The Dean of Student Affairs at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi, Professor S K Gupta, visited the University. We have a collaboration with them which is very focussed on science and engineering but we heard that they also have major research programmes in biological sciences, biotechnology, bioengineering and health - particularly cancer and pharmaceuticals, with strong industry links.
I met the incoming Head of School for Arts, Languages and Cultures, Professor Alessandro Schiesaro, who will join us in July. He has worked in a number of countries including Italy, the UK and the USA and has played a major role in international links in several of his former organisations.
I visited the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences which will be the new home for 19 staff from the current Faculty of Life Sciences. Much of our discussion was on the exciting prospects of creating a University-wide Institute of Environmental Science. The students we met were also positive about the changes --particularly those studying environmental sciences - and praised the quality of our teachers.
Significant progress is also being made in developing structures and roles in the new Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health:
I visited the Dental Hospital to see the training of our dental students. It was fascinating to see so many students working. I visited because some students had raised concerns about the level of support from nurses and for equipment that is needed to treat patients.
Diane Whittingham, who is the interim Chief Executive of University Hospital South Manchester (UHSM, also known as Wythenshawe hospital), came to see me to discuss how the University works with UHSM - which is home to a number of our joint research activities and where a number of our students train. We also discussed the opportunities and challenges as we move into the delivery phase of health devolution.
Professor Ian Greer, Vice President and Dean of Medical and Human Sciences, and I attended a dinner on campus for the council and executive members of the Association of British Healthcare Industries, attended by leaders of large and small companies working in this area. The purpose of the discussion was to develop links with Manchester in research and development and to hear about the opportunities arising from devolution of the healthcare budget to Greater Manchester, which happens in just over a week.
Professor Luke Georghiou, Vice-President for Research and Innovation and co-chair (with me) of ESOF, met to discuss progress on the conference, which is good. We are finalising the programme and plenary speakers, working on sponsors and exhibitions and publicising ESOF more widely. Register now at:
Professor Clive Agnew, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, and I had one of our regular meetings with Naa Acquah, General Secretary of the Students’ Union. We discussed student bursaries, the Just Fest event for students and the new Students’ Union Executive who will take over later this year.
Lucy Powell, who is the MP for Central Manchester and hence ‘our MP’, visited the National Graphene Institute (NGI). In my meeting with her, we discussed the major developments in graphene and the new Manchester Engineering Campus Development - just opposite NGI.
Last week, I highlighted the University’s response to a report by the Sunday Times on a story in which they raised concerns about the National Graphene Institute. You may also be interested in the following:
- Professor Luke Georghiou: Thinner than graphene (in Research Fortnight)
- Sir Andre Geim: Response to Sunday Times
Congratulations to Edward Astle, who will become the next chair of our Board of Governors in September this year when Anil Ruia steps down at the end of his term:
I had my own performance and development review, just after the Planning and Accountability Conference. The feedback from Board members was very positive, but with some helpful and constructive comments on things I could improve on.
I know that many staff will be away next week for Easter. I hope you all have a great break. There will be no message next week as I will also take a few days off, then travel to Singapore-for just two days and one night for alumni events and research discussions.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
Feedback
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