President's Weekly Update
30 March
Brexit
Article 50, which formally starts the process for the UK to leave the European Union, has been triggered, but the next stages are not yet clear. As far as this University and its staff and students are concerned, we expect no significant changes for quite some time, but we will continue to argue hard for our key principles and for assurances from government. Recognising that this latest development will add to the concerns of many of our staff and students, I want to re-state that The University of Manchester is proud to be a global university that welcomes staff and students from across the world. For a longer message from me please see:
I attended an event hosted by KPMG (a professional services firm) and the Financial Times with leaders of several regional companies to discuss Brexit. We shared many of the same priorities, particularly the continued mobility of staff (and for us, students) and the need to demonstrate that the UK is welcoming to those from around the world who wish to study and work here.
In the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, we heard about major initiatives in research. Students raised some minor issues but were also positive about their teaching and the use of technology. Staff wanted to hear about the review of the Faculty, the plans for Manchester Engineering Campus Development and told us how much they value our Foundation year.
In a visit to the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, we also heard about research successes. Students stressed the importance of their field courses and research facilities and praised the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons. Staff asked about plans for our estate and how additional government research funding and new PhD students would be allocated.
I met with senior staff in our Library to discuss their future strategy, digitisation, how they support our three core goals, the work of the John Rylands Library on Deansgate and external partnerships, particularly with our local communities.
We held two celebrations. The first was the tenth anniversary of our Equity and Merit Scholarships which, to date have provided scholarships for over 200 very talented students from some of the poorest countries in the world to study at our University. Without scholarship schemes like this, these students would not have been able to access postgraduate education and many have already been very successful in their careers. We heard some of their fantastic stories and achievements and you can find out more by watching this film:
Scholarships are supported by the great generosity of our donors, some of whom were at the event in the Whitworth Hall with current Equity and Merit scholars, staff who help to run the scheme, members of local community groups and our Chancellor, Lemn Sissay.
We awarded the University’s Medal of Honour (our highest non-degree award) to Vicky Rosin who has spent many decades working for the City of Manchester and who, last year, led the very successful EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) conference in Manchester. At the event we also handed over an international client award from the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers to Vicky to recognise the great success of ESOF 2016.
I chaired an event to discuss a report on Inclusive Growth in Greater Manchester (GM) which was led by Professor Ruth Lupton and colleagues in the Faculty of Humanities. The event was attended by senior staff from the University, local councils and companies and debated how we can drive more inclusive growth and how ‘anchor organisations’ in GM can better work collaboratively.
Elizabeth Denham, the UK’s Information Commissioner (IC), met me to discuss graduate recruitment and potential research links. IC’s head office, with about 400 staff, is based nearby in Wilmslow so we considered many areas of mutual interest in research and graduate employment.
At the Board meeting of Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) we noted the formal re-designation of MAHSC by NHS England and future plans for the closer integration of MAHSC with other health bodies in Greater Manchester.
Professor Ian Greer, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, and I attended part of a Board meeting at Salford Royal Foundation NHS Trust to discuss collaboration in neuroscience research and to develop a joint strategy to build on the huge opportunities.
At one of our regular meetings with members of the Executive of our Students’ Union we considered the possible or likely next steps for the Higher Education and Research Bill after major amendments have been made in the House of Lords. We also discussed students’ safety and mental health and freedom of speech on campus.
We were visited by two senior staff from the Wellcome Trust to discuss translational research, new approaches to interdisciplinary research and health devolution which they saw as a fantastic opportunity – we are following up!
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
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