President's weekly update
29 April 2021
Senior colleagues, members of the Students’ Union and I completed our annual series of School visits, this time all by video. In the School of Social Sciences, students asked about the plans for studies next year when we hope to be back to more normal activities, but are having to plan for scenarios given uncertainties and study abroad. We were asked about the possibility of fee rebates and explained that while the delivery of teaching is of course very different, we are still intending to meet the expected learning outcomes. With staff we heard about the strength of their REF return, the School’s major contribution to social responsibility and positive feedback from students about their teaching and learning.
Students in the Alliance Manchester Business School were full of praise for their staff but wanted m
This week I had one of my regular small meetings with staff from all parts of the University, who were very much looking forward to returning to campus. They expressed a feeling that universities seem to be under ever increasing scrutiny and accountability and some were concerned about loss of local Professional Services support. Some felt that the University had grown - in fact, until this year when we took extra students, our staff and student numbers have remained almost static since we were formed in 2004, while many competitors have grown dramatically.
Prior to Senate we
The University Foresight Group, chaired by Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, has been working for nearly a year looking at the future of our University. They have now published some of the outcomes and are seeking wider input from staff.
I took part in a meeting with some of our donors and alumni with Professors Sir Andre Geim and Danielle George and questions included the applications of graphene, extra-terrestrial life, solving climate change and attracting young people into science and engineering - hardly trivial topics.
I have joined the UK Investment Council chaired by Lord Gerry Grimstone and with about 40 members, almost all leaders of industry. At the first meeting of the Council we discussed areas of UK strength and international partnerships.
I chaired our Awards and Honours Group which considers candidates for national honours, honorary degrees and the University’s Medal of Honour. As usual this was a pleasant but difficult task. We welcome nominations from staff and students for worthy candidates and we particularly welcome more diversity. If you have suggestions please contact deborah.black@manchester.ac.uk.
At the Oxford Road Corridor Board, which I chair, we heard that COVID infections and hospitalisations are reduced significantly and activity is starting to return to the city and Oxford Road. Many outdoor creative events are planned but we don’t yet know if some social distancing will still be required over the summer.
A number of Russell Group Vice-Chancellors met with senior staff at Treasury to discuss the significant and growing losses on research and teaching of UK undergraduate students. For the latter, the fee has remained constant since 2012 with a loss in real terms of 21%.
I joined a meeting of our Hong Kong Foundation to update them on our activities and recent events and noted our strong partnership with the Chinese University of Hong Kong. We also thanked Dr Eric Li who is stepping down as chair of the Foundation after many years of providing outstanding leadership and direction. Eric will be succeeded by
In partnership with the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield we launched Northern Gritstone which is seeking to raise £500m from investors to fund spinout enterprises from each institution. With the other Vice-Chancellors I wrote to the Prime Minister to ask for his support for an initiative which will create jobs and sustainable growth in the North of England.
Next week is a Bank Holiday when I hope you all manage to take a break.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor