President's weekly update
20 April 2023
Discussions with staff and students
This week senior colleagues and I met with staff and students from two of our Schools.
the School of Health Sciences, key issues raised by students were the impact of industrial action on their studies, clear signposts to sources of support and help for students while on field work abroad. One said we felt more like a family than a university! In an open meeting with staff, we discussed opportunities for degree apprenticeships, concerns workload and wellbeing in areas with very high student numbers and the financial sustainability of the sector and growing dependence on international students, given that most income streams have been declining in real terms.
In the School of Environment, Education and Development, students praised the support they receive but made some comments about improving academic content, academic advising and module selection. The latter should be greatly improved for the next academic year as we have implemented new measures through our Student Experience Programme. They also commented that some had been impacted by strike action. Staff asked about progress on Innovation District Manchester (which is very good), our flexible learning programme, internationalisation progress, the concerns and opportunities of ChatGPT, achieving zero carbon targets and research contracts.
Emeritus Professors lunch
About 60 of our emeritus professors, many of whom are still active in the University, attended this annual event in the Whitworth Hall. Kim Graakjaer, Head of Bicentenary Planning and Delivery, spoke about our plans for the 200th anniversary celebrations next year, then I gave a general update on the University. They had many suggestions for the bicentenary and asked about the impact of AI on our research and teaching, the further development of the campus, improving student satisfaction and the challenges of research collaborations with some parts of the world due to government security limitations.
Board Committees
Our Board Finance Committee reviewed the significant progress on Innovation District Manchester (IDM) and heard updates on our strategic change programmes and student residences, in addition to all the regular finance items and capital activities. IDM will deliver 1.8 million square feet of office space for innovative companies equivalent to about 10,000 jobs, 1,300 new homes and over 90,000 square feet of public realm.
At a meeting of the Board Remuneration Committee, we reviewed the latest data on gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps and succession planning amongst other things.
Horizon Europe
You may have seen that the government has published a draft of what is often termed 'Plan B', called Pioneer, which is the plan for research and innovation if the UK does not associate with Horizon Europe. The government has stressed that association is still very much the preferred option and negotiations have begun between the UK government and the EU.
Industrial action
UCU had reported from its poll of that 85% agreed ‘to note’ progress on the USS pension such that no action would be taken at present on the scheme. However, 56% of those responding voted to reject current offers on pay and working conditions. As a result, a marking and assessment boycott will begin on 20 April. As always, we will do our utmost to mitigate the impact of the boycott on the progression and graduation of our students.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor