President's Weekly Update
26 April 2018
At Senate this week we discussed proposed changes in the structure of the Faculty of Science and Engineering from nine Schools to two Schools which would be named the School of Engineering and the School of Natural Sciences. Senate approved these proposals. We also discussed revisions to academic promotions and the University’s relationship with Universities UK (UUK). We are a member of UUK which is an umbrella organisation representing most universities in the UK. It also has a wider role in representing over 350 organisations in relation to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), irrespective of whether or not they are members of UUK. In a similar way the University and College Union (UCU) represents all staff who are members of the USS, irrespective of whether they are members of the UCU. We also noted the composition of a task and finish group of Senate members which will review the effectiveness of Senate and we discussed how they might consider the role of School Boards.
At a meeting of academic and Professional Support Services ‘heads’ we discussed wider engagement with staff and future plans for the University, which elicited many comments. I also updated staff on our plans to support students who have been disadvantaged through recent industrial action. This message has just gone out to students.
Staff engagement was also a significant topic at one of the Inspiring Leaders Programme cohorts that I attended where participants felt that staff want to be ‘more involved’ in how the University works.
I was interviewed by Kirstie O’Mahony, the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper The Mancunion. We discussed industrial action and the impact on students, transparency over the setting of Vice-Chancellors’ pay, our plans for North Campus, the likely impact of Brexit and the best and worst parts of my job.
I visited Levenshulme School where I gave a talk to about 200 female students from Year 10, aged 14-15, about our University’s research, my job as President and Vice-Chancellor and about studying at university. They asked many questions about being a scientist, about female leaders, how to decide what to study and again - the good and the bad parts of running a university.
I spoke to the Council of the Academy of Medical Sciences in London about: ‘What the Academy can do to support universities.’ I raised advocacy for the role and contribution of universities to society, support with external stakeholders and influencers including government, funding bodies and industry, help with international partnerships and the importance of sustainability of funding for research. The event was attended by Sir John Kingman, Chair of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), who also talked about sustainable funding and the need to demonstrate value (social and economic) of research and innovation to government.
In a visit to the School of Health Sciences students were keen to attend more courses delivered by the University College of Interdisciplinary Learning (UCIL), wanted more food outlets to stay open later in the day, raised some communications issues and concerns about wellbeing and mental health issues particularly among postgraduate students. In the staff meeting, questions were raised about support for staff on fixed-term contracts, staffing changes last year in the Faculty, pensions and support from Human Resources and our Contracts Office.
I gave a first year lecture to biology students about neurodegenerative diseases and what happens in the brain to cause damage quickly, for example after a stroke, or more slowly, for example in Alzheimer’s disease. I’ll follow this up with a lecture on recent research in this area. This reminded me of a lecturer in my first year at university who inspired me by not just focusing on the basics, but speaking with passion about his current research.
I attended the memorial service in our Whitworth Hall for Sir Andrew Gilbart QC, who was a High Court Judge and ‘Recorder of Manchester’ until his recent and untimely death. Andrew had attended many events at the University. Presenters include his son and a number of High Court Judges who described Andrew as a proud ‘honorary Mancunian’ in very uplifting and amusing speeches.
I hope you will encourage students to complete the National Student Survey (NSS) of satisfaction which provides us with valuable feedback. The closing date for this year’s survey is Monday, 30April.
Finally, you’ll be aware that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on Friday, 25 May. Every member of staff has a personal responsibility to ensure that they are complaint with the new legislation. To find out what you need to do read this handy five minute guide or visit the GDPR pages on StaffNet.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
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