MEMORIES ‘Chocolate Kin G’ John Chuang Remembers University Life in PROFILE
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AUTUMN 20 11 SIGHT10 18 21 SWE ET MEMORIES ‘Chocolate Kin g’ John Chuang remembers University life IN PROFILE SIGHTAUTUMN 20 11 This year has been, and will continue CON T to be, a year of celebrations for the city’s iconic landmarks. University news 02 Profile – shoe designer, Aruna Seth 06 Equine developments 08 The Royal Liver Building marked its and family commitments, I am always The changing face of Liverpool 10 centenary with a three-day celebration, inspired to hear about their personal including a spectacular sound and light journeys and to see how passionate and A match made in Liverpool 12 show on the waterfront in July. The new enthusiastic they are about the University Museum of Liverpool also opened its – despite the fact that for many of them, Benefits and services 14 doors with a record-breaking 13,000 graduation is the first time they have ever visitors on the first day, and with visited Liverpool! Our online degrees Profile – ‘Chocolate King’ John Chuang 16 exhibitions celebrating all things are the University’s fastest-growing World-class vision for student halls 18 Liverpool. Finally, the University’s very programmes, and in response to the own Victoria Building will be celebrating increasing number of online graduates Events – dates for your diary 21 its 120-year anniversary in 2012. Founded we are going to be launching a number largely through philanthropic support and of new webinars this year, open to all 1,000 for £1,000 25 providing the inspiration for the term alumni, regardless of where you are ‘redbrick university’, the building is still an located. Keep an eye out for the Benefactors update 26 iconic landmark on campus, and a promotion of them via the website Past events 28 popular visitor attraction as the and e-newsletter. University’s gallery and museum. Finally, as the UK gears up for the International update 30 Those of you who subscribe to the Olympics next summer, we are excited to alumni e-newsletter will be aware of the have a three-time Olympian and twice Honorary graduates 32 University’s £600 million investment in World Champion kayaker, Karen Furneaux facilities across campus, and work on the as guest speaker at an event in Toronto in Profile – detective Maurice Godwin 34 first phase of these developments is well June. We are also planning an event in Student life 36 underway. Comprising new residences, New York and our first event in Grand state-of-the-art teaching and research Cayman, which will mark the 30th In touch 38 facilities, and future plans for a student anniversary of the Cayman Islands Law village on the current Carnatic site, these School partnership with the University, Careers 42 developments are testament to the and will see the launch of an alumni In memoriam 44 thriving nature of the University, and our association. More details about these, commitment to maintaining excellence. and other events, can be found on We are of course aware of the need to page 21-24. ensure an even better student experience As always I hope to meet as many for future generations of graduates, and of you as possible over the coming year, alumni play a critical role in all aspects of and hope you enjoy reading this issue this. If you are interested in getting more of insight. involved in any capacity, please do get in To contact the Alumni Relations touch with me or a member of the team. and Development Team please call I always enjoy meeting graduands and +44 (0)151 795 4639 or email: their families during Graduation Week; Karen Brady [email protected]. but this year we saw the largest cohort to Head of Alumni Relations date of online graduates receiving their To contact the Editorial Team call degrees. Often undertaking their study T: +44 (0)151 795 2348 +44 (0)151 794 2250 or email: whilst juggling demanding full-time jobs E: [email protected] [email protected]. ENTS A match made in Sweet Liverpool memories 16 12 Liverpool: The changing face of the city 10 Racing ahead 08 The world at her feet 06 Diary Murder in mind dates 21 34 UNIVERSITY NEWS A word from the Vice-Chancellor “I’m sure that many of you in our extended enhance our position as one of the top 1% alumni community are aware of the current of universities in the world. changes and developments taking place in “The continued support of alumni, the British higher education sector. friends and donors is a major factor in “These changes are creating some building upon our resources and interesting opportunities and challenges for contributes to making the ‘Liverpool universities, but the University of Liverpool is experience’ one that is second-to-none well placed to seize the opportunities and for our students.” Investing he University is investing £600m £600 million in its facilities to benefi t researc h and as part of its commitment to providing a world-class studen t experience student experience and research environment. The investment includes Ta £250 million redevelopment of its student accommodation (see page 18) and a further £350 million is earmarked for investment into the academic estate at its city-centre campus and Leahurst campus in Wirral. Patrick Hackett, Chief Operating Officer, said: “We’re making these investments to support our Strategic Plan with particular emphasis on enhancing the student experience and research excellence. “We are investing in our accommodation, teaching and research facilities in order to ensure that the University can continue to offer everything that students expect from a world-class University.” Computer-generated image of the £25 million Centralised Teaching Laboratories, which form an integral part of the campus enhancements Universities to explore closer collaboration The University is exploring the benefits Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Howard of a closer collaboration with the Newby, said: “Whatever the outcome of the University of Lancaster. discussions, the potential breadth of Discussions are focused on ways in collaboration will only be pursued if it which the two universities can collaborate supports development of our Strategic Plan, in their long-term strategic interest. adds value for each institution, and puts us The two institutions already partner in in a position where we can take advantage of medical education, particle physics through recommendations in the Government’s White the Cockcroft Institute, zoonosis research, Paper on Research and Innovation due to be and the Doctoral Training Centre published in the autumn.” in Social Sciences. Tuition fee changes Focus on ‘grand challenges’ The University has announced that it will be increasing its tuition fees to £9,000 per annum for As part of its commitment to produce undergraduate students starting research that has a tangible impact upon in the academic year 2012-13. individuals, policies and the planet in This move has come about which we live, the University is focusing as a result of the Government’s academic efforts on the ‘great grand introduction of increased fees in challenges’ faced by mankind. higher education institutions across The University has developed a new the UK. As is the current case, research strategy concentrating on seven students will not be required to pay themes, which will be vital in responding to any tuition fees upfront – the world’s grand challenges. They cover repayments will only begin when a sustainable energy, security and conflict, graduate is earning above a personalised health, materials of the future, Government-set threshold which is environmental change, global health and currently £21,000. changing cultures. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Professor Dinah Birch, Pro-Vice- Sir Howard Newby, said: “The Chancellor for Research, said: “These University remains committed themes will not only enable the University to ensuring all students have to focus its expertise and resources, by access to a world-class education bringing academic communities together, at Liverpool, regardless of but will maximise our chances for bidding background or ability to pay. We are for funding opportunities that are ever all aware that Liverpool offers much more thematically focused.” more than a high-quality degree and To support the strategy, the are proud that our students benefit University has invested in structures and from a vibrant research environment mechanisms that will facilitate stronger with excellent teaching facilities research, supporting collaborations and as well as first rate careers the provision of research intelligence on guidance and a wealth of emerging research areas and funding extra-curricular activities.” opportunities. UNIVERSITY NEWS HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING University invests Launch of to recruit more institute to develop world-class scientists new energy sources The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences has The University has opened the first invested more than £20 million to attract interdisciplinary centre dedicated to energy additional world-class researchers. research in the North West. The University is recruiting 23 academics of global The Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, named standing to join the Faculty which brings together world- after the 19th century engineering pioneers George and leading expertise from medicine, biomedicine, veterinary Robert Stephenson, will undertake research into renewable health and biological sciences, creating one of the most energy sources such as fuel cell technology and biofuels. comprehensive groupings of researchers in the UK. As supplies of current fossil-based fuels diminish, the The new Faculty is organised around a number of development of new energy sources is one of the defining institutes which reflect key research strengths at Liverpool. challenges of the 21st century. The Stephenson Institute will They are designed to enable new interdisciplinary bring together energy-related research activities to focus on alliances and close engagement between clinical and developing clean and sustainable energy technologies non-clinical research groups in both human and including hydrogen generation and storage, solar harvesting, animal health.