President's weekly update
22 April 2021
The THE have released their global ranking of the social impact and actions on social responsibility and sustainable development of over 1200 universities, measured against the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first year that this was collated we came third in the world and top in the UK. Last time we were placed eighth in the world but remained top in the UK. In the rankings just released we came top in the world and the only UK university in the top 10! This is a remarkable achievement, and one I am personally delighted about since I have had a passion for ensuring that we have impact and public benefit since my appointment. Indeed, it is ten years since we first launched social responsibility as one of our three core goals. This latest achievement reflects the very hard work of so many staff and students for which I thank you, and a special thanks to Dr Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility, and his colleagues who prepared our submission.
Senior colleagues, officers of the Students’ Union and I held two meetings with student course representatives, one in the Faculty of Humanities and the other in Science and Engineering (FSE). They gave us really valuable feedback from students on assessments (generally preferring more based on course work), their wish for more practical classes in FSE, IT support for on-line learning and time-tabling. They also expressed their sadness at missing graduation ceremonies, as these have had to be deferred, though they made the great suggestion of a student ‘yearbook’. They very much appreciated the efforts that staff have made and recognised the difficulties and uncertainties we have faced.
I met first year students as a follow up question and answer session to my biology lectures on brain diseases. They asked many brilliant questions which went on for 40 minutes. I don’t have very much time these days to teach students, but it is always such a pleasure to hear the depth of their enthusiasm and curiosity.
At a meeting with officers of our Students’ Union we had a wide ranging discussion on the difficulties of the recent valuation of the USS pension, the distribution of the student living cost support fund and how Innovation District Manchester will help students in training placements, graduate employment and opportunities for start-up companies.
I attended a meeting of our North American Foundation (NAFUM) which supports fundraising. Much discussion focussed on attracting more students from North America. Our applications have increased by over 70% this year, but from a very low baseline. NAFUM is fundraising for more scholarships for students from North America.
James Baker, Chief Executive Officer of our Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, and I spoke at an event organised by Greater Manchester Combined Authority on ‘Material Gains’ about how new materials can help the region and beyond to achieve zero carbon emissions. The event was hosted by Alok Jha, the science correspondent from the Economist. It included one of our former PhD students, Dr Beenish Siddique who has started a spin-out company based on 2D materials to develop hydrogels that can be used in vertical farming. We were all asked what our region would be like in 2038, the target date for net zero. We all described an innovative region which nurtures and attracts talent and supports taking new ideas to market, especially where they can contribute to net zero.
Several colleagues and I met Bill Galvin, the Chief Executive of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). We pushed quite hard on what we see as an overly prudent valuation which has led to costs which are simply unaffordable for both employers and employees and discussed options for future payments and benefits. We discussed the difficulties and complexities of pension valuations which are based on a whole set of assumptions that can have marked impact over the duration of pension benefits which for some staff could be 70 years.
The five Vice-Chancellors of Greater Manchester (GM) universities are working together on civic engagement and developing a Civic Universities agreement, which would be the largest in the country. We held a meeting to progress this with leaders from GM Combined Authority, staff from Public First, a policy and research company and several other staff from our universities.
At the Paterson Redevelopment Board we heard about progress on the new building which is now going up quickly and so far is on time and on budget. We still have a significant gap in fundraising which is proving challenging for all charities in the COVID environment.
I chaired a meeting of the Russell Group with leaders at the Wellcome Trust, including Sir Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome, to discuss the sustainability of research funding, how universities can help to deliver wider benefit to society, Wellcome’s current funding portfolio (note they are now valued at $50 billion) and his expectations for the autumn when he thinks that almost all our staff and students will have been vaccinated.
Our Board Finance, Staffing and Remuneration Committees were held and attended by Halpin, an organisation which is undertaking an external review of our governance and will also attend meetings of the main Board, other sub-committees and Senate.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor