President's Weekly Update
11 May
I have previously emphasised the importance of our ambitions for the University, as described in Manchester 2020, and the actions we are taking to meet these. We have many areas of strength that we can be very proud of and need to build on, but also some areas of research and teaching where we are behind where we would wish to be. There is also a need to generate funds to invest in our future and to meet current challenges, as well as those we may face in coming years.
As I informed you in the joint email from myself and Professor Colin Bailey, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor to all staff earlier this week, the Board of Governors has approved proposals from the senior staff of the University to begin consultation with the Trade Unions in relation to reductions of up to 171 posts, in order to deliver our strategy, secure future financial sustainability and allow strategic investment in priority areas.
We fully recognise that this will bring challenges to the collegiate nature of our University and uncertainties for many staff. I can assure you that we will use our best endeavours to safeguard the core mission of the University and its integrity as a collegiate community.
The full statement and more information about the M2020 Programme can be found at:
Staff who may be affected by these proposals are being informed. Senior leaders from across the University have been briefed about the proposals and I chaired a briefing for Senate members which gave them the earliest opportunity to ask questions.
A great deal of work is ongoing as part of the recovery operation after the fire at the Paterson Building on The Christie site. We are making good progress in salvaging equipment and data and finding an alternative location for staff and students. I have been so impressed by the huge commitment of so many staff involved, who have worked far beyond what we could normally expect of them. They all deserve our thanks.
In a visit to the School of Physics and Astronomy, students were extremely positive about their degree programmes and the staff who they interacted with. They were particularly pleased that, following their requests, almost all staff now podcast their lectures, which is extremely welcome. In an open meeting with staff we discussed the implications of Brexit, devolution of regional powers and the newly elected mayor for Greater Manchester. I also heard about the many recent successes in the School, good progress on the Schuster Building extension and that student applications for study in the next academic year are very buoyant.
I chaired a meeting of Corridor Manchester in which we agreed the new name of the partnership organisation (to be announced soon), discussed each partner's activities and had an update on City Verve – an initiative using technology to create a smarter, more connected city. We heard about developments in transport and travel, energy and environment, health and social care and culture and the public realm.
I was interviewed for the Guardian with Professor Malcom Press, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, in the ‘2VCs’ series. The focus of the interview was on the implications of Brexit for universities but we also discussed student choices, government funding, student fees, and collaboration between universities. I was also asked about what I am reading, what I like to do and where to go on holiday.
Professor Ian Greer, Vice-President and Dean of Biology, Medicine and Health, and I also met Malcolm and Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of Salford University, to discuss plans to bring together health-related education more closely together across our universities.
It was a pleasure to introduce the Annual Peace Lecture, delivered by Marty Edelman, who holds an honorary chair with us, on ‘Trump’s America – Reality Show or New Political Reality’. It was a brilliant insightful and eloquent presentation on American democracy, the factors that influenced the US election and into Trump himself.
I have sent a note of congratulations to Andy Burnham, the elected mayor for Greater Manchester, and hope to meet him soon to discuss how we can work together to deliver benefit to the region.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
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