President's weekly update
17 March 2022
Ukraine
The ever-worsening situation in Ukraine continues to dominate the news and our thoughts. We are regularly updating our site on
In addition to support for staff across the University, we are working closely with CARA (Council for At-Risk Academics) and have agreed to establish a number of fully funded scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate taught students and postgraduate researchers affected directly by major conflicts and disasters. Further details of these will be announced shortly.
Meetings with heads of departments and divisions
In the Faculty of Humanities, about 35 heads of departments joined the meeting and raised a range of issues including new staff recruitments and new degree programmes, efficiencies in curricula and assessment, research expectations, the importance of Professional Services staff, staff who have to work overseas and concerns about supporting students with mental health problems.
At a similar meeting with heads in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, heads of divisions expressed concerns about operations and the need for efficiencies, particularly with research contracts, the costs of data storage and minor capital works, though I explained that the latter is currently very constrained by workforce and supplies. They are keen to promote interdisciplinary research especially in bioengineering and biotechnology.
Other internal meetings
At one of our regular meetings with Students’ Union officers, we discussed ongoing testing for COVID, remote access for students who are ill or have problems travelling, cost of living pressures for students, strikes and their likely impact and supporting students affected by the crisis in Ukraine.
The Students’ Union has agreed that any savings on pay deducted from strike action should be used to support our students who may be struggling with the rising cost of living and for students affected by major conflicts and disasters.
It
Industrial action
Over the recent five days of industrial action by UCU over pay and conditions,
CBI
At an event organised by the Confederation of British Industries (CBI), I spoke on how to enhance partnerships between universities and businesses. Our successes include Innovation District Manchester, our strategic industry partnerships, Northern Gritstone, Innovation Factory, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre and our support for start-up companies led by staff and students. The CBI is keen to demonstrate the major impact of universities on society and the economy and to increase opportunities for students’ work placements and experience in the commercial sector.
Russell Group
The Russell Group held the first in-person away
In our private meetings we discussed the situation in Ukraine, pay, pensions and industrial action, financial sustainability of research-intensive universities and concerns about inflation, which is impacting on everyone and all
Congratulations
Congratulations to our Chancellor Lemn Sissay who has just received his OBE from HRH The Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor