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School of Arts, Languages and Cultures

Update from Head of School (SALC)

18 Dec 2017

China Trip, Winter Graduations, Season’s Greetings

Visit to China (Dec 2017)


Dear Colleagues,

I have recently returned from a trip to China, where I met with senior colleagues from the Beijing Normal University (BNU). This was an opportunity to celebrate the existing partnerships SALC has with BNU and also to discuss exciting plans for future collaborations. Karen Wang and I also met with several other important universities with which we have discussed possible cooperation: Beijing University, Fudan, Shangai Normal and East China University of Science and Technology. I was pleased to see that Manchester is highly regarded and there is genuine enthusiasm for strengthening existing partnerships or forging new ones – as indeed Oliver Richmond and I had already found out during our visit to US institutions in October.


It was wonderful to celebrate with colleagues at the SALC Christmas Reception on Tuesday 12 December. As well as raising a glass with colleagues for the end of an extremely busy semester, the event marked the completion of the capital estates refurbishment project in the Samuel Alexander Building, and was an opportunity to thank the very many members of staff who have contributed to the successful completion of the project over the years. The newly refurbished (and uncluttered) North Foyer has already been booked for two exhibitions. All we need, now, is a name!


On Wednesday 13 December we celebrated the School’s winter degree ceremonies. We celebrated our students’ wonderful achievements, and it was especially rewarding to see one of our History graduates, Rebecca Brooke, being awarded the prestigious Student of the Year Award.


2017 has been a difficult year for the School. Whilst challenges never end, we should look at 2018 with some optimism, not just because we have set in motion some ambitious plans which should hopefully come to fruition over the next few months, but because SALC continues to be a strong and valuable outfit.

I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your hard work and contribution to our School, and to wish each of you a happy and peaceful holiday season.

Best wishes,
Alessandro


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Professor Alessandro Schiesaro, Head of School