President's weekly update
5 April 2023
Budgeting and planning
It is the time of year when we consider plans for next year and our targets for things such as student numbers, income and expenditure and other measures of success for the year ahead and the next five years, to be agreed with the Board of Governors.
These plans inform budgets for all areas of the University for the next one and five years. This is being done in the context of rising costs due to inflation while many of our income streams (notably UK undergraduate fees) remain static (ie falling in real terms), as they have done for the past 10 years. The budget needs to be approved by our Board Finance Committee, and then the Board, and is submitted to the Office for Students.
Industrial action update
UCU published the results of their aggregated (ie across all universities) re-ballot to extend the current mandate on industrial action on pay and working conditions and the USS pension for a further six months. In each ballot well over 50% of the membership voted and the vote was strongly in support of further industrial action, which may include a marking and assessment boycott.
The USS Trustee confirmed that the current position on the funding of the pension is likely to allow reversal of changes implemented in April 2022, though this depends on the outcome of the formal valuation which is ongoing.
International activities
Our external international advisory board heard about success with our current global partners (Melbourne and Toronto), planned new European partnerships and collaborations in other parts of the world.
Health research
I spoke at an event organised by our Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing, which considers the health, disadvantages and support needed for the elderly, particularly in our city region.
I also attended the first meeting to consider the mid-term review of Manchester Academic Health Science Centre which is considering success against plans and goals and the next stage for the Centre.
Notable visitors to the campus
Alex van Someren, Director General and Chief Scientific Advisor on National Security, spent time with me and others. Alex has an honorary chair with us and visited the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre and heard about our developments in digital and AI.
I also spent time with Lee Kai Hung, a very generous donor to the University who supported the new Chinese Gallery in our Museum, which will be formally opened later this month, as well as our Manchester China Institute.
Simon Segars is one of our eminent alumni and another generous donor, who is based in the USA. I presented him with an Outstanding Alumnus Award then he spent time in Computer Science and MECD.
Will Spinks, our former Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer also popped in to catch up. He is still helping us in a number of areas.
Congratulations to Jodrell Bank’s First Light Pavilion
They won a hugely prestigious National Civic Trust Award! If you haven’t visited the amazing facility you must do - a good trip over Easter.
Next week
There will be no message next week as I know many people will be away. Have a great break if you can and happy Easter.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor