your manchester The Magazine for Alumni and Friends August 2008

New Chancellor Tom Bloxham

Friday night on the town Embryonic ideas 'The future's green' Rag's colourful history features...

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President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Gilbert 18 welcome to your m

Welcome to this latest edition of ‘Your Step change improvement is perhaps best ‘Big Five’ (Imperial, Cambridge, Manchester’, the magazine for alumni and illustrated in the research field, where Manchester, University College London friends of The University of Manchester. research grant and contract income has and Oxford) and the rest”. grown by over 40 per cent in just three As you will see from the cover of this years, and where we are beginning to One notable success in the research field magazine, we have a new Chancellor, witness the world-leading impact that our occurred in September 2007, when we elected by alumni and staff, who will take- Research Institutes are having in fields as were able to announce the successful up his role in August. As a graduate of the diverse as cancer studies, poverty reduction outcome of a competitive bidding process University and a successful public figure in and nuclear science. Indeed, the University to Tesco plc to create a Sustainable his own right, I am sure that Tom Bloxham is emerging as a genuine research Consumption Institute (SCI) in partnership will prove to be a powerful figurehead and powerhouse with total research with the University. The investment from ambassador for the University. As well as Tesco will be at least £25 million over five welcoming his election, I would also like expenditure during the first three years years and will lead to the establishment to take this opportunity to pay tribute to growing from £269 million in 2004-05 to of a Research Institute of genuine Anna Ford and Sir Terry Leahy for all their £375 million in 2006-07. international significance which will help sterling work as Co-Chancellors. They This research success was confirmed in a tackle climate change and deliver a both played an important and influential league table compiled by the Times Higher revolution in green consumption. role in the inauguration of the new Education Supplement and based on the University and the promotion of its number of awards received from the five In the teaching and learning field, interests over the past four years, both major research councils. This showed applications to study at the University in public and ‘behind the scenes’. Manchester in first place having been remain buoyant and last session saw As you will see from some of the stories awarded 163 research grants, followed by record levels of enrolment by international covered in this magazine, the University Cambridge with 158 grants. In a similar students and students enrolled on continues to make real progress towards vein, the widely read Research Fortnight programmes relying predominantly on meeting the Goals set out in the Manchester published its own ‘Research Success on-line and distance learning. There has 2015 Agenda , our ambitious strategic plan Rankings’ and stressed that: “in terms of also been a continuing programme of to position The University of Manchester as sheer volume, both of applications and investment in academic facilities and one of the world’s leading universities. awards, there is a clear break between the support services.

2 YOUR MANCHESTER contents

Around the campus 4 University elects new Chancellor 8 Uncovering cancer 10 23 Green consumption 12 The Manchester Leadership Programme 14 Embryonic ideas at the new Research Institute 16 John Rylands Library re-opened 18 Favourite Friday 16 28 night hang outs 20 Digital 60 - Celebrating the birth of the computer age 23 Studying Abroad - a modern equivalent of the ‘Grand Tour’ 26 manchester Rag Week at Manchester 28 Manchester is a magnet All that said, this University, like kindred never going to be an easy task and for Chinese students 32 universities around the world, faces a real building sustainability into our ambitious challenge in addressing the urgent need for agenda was always going to present the Alumni in the spotlight 34 quality improvement in the undergraduate greatest challenge. But due to the Alumni Association news 36 learning experience in an age of ‘mass’ commitment, creativity and hard work of higher education. Following a major strategic our staff we are firmly on track. We are Development news 40 review of our undergraduate education, we also grateful for the valuable and practical are currently implementing some far- support that we are receiving in this task reaching changes in the way that we teach from our graduates around the globe and this magazine contains many examples of Your Manchester is published by the students. We are confident that the changes Communications, Media and Public Relations we are making will benefit students, the support that alumni offer to specific Division in conjunction with the Division of projects and initiatives. Development and Alumni Relations, establish a distinctive ‘Manchester’ approach The University of Manchester. to undergraduate study and provide a lead I thank you for your continuing support For further information concerning any of the for other universities to follow. of the University and I hope that the articles in this issue please contact: highlights that we have selected for the Donna Prince, Co-ordinating Editor/Alumni There is no better illustration of the Officer, Division of Development and Alumni pages of this magazine will give you a commitment that we are making to Relations, The University of Manchester, flavour of the range of the University’s G9 Christie Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, our students and our staff than the activities and successes over the past year. M13 9PL. transformation of the campus itself. We tel +44 (0)161 306 3066 fax +44 (0)161 306 8066 have now completed Phases One and Two email [email protected] of our ambitious Capital Programme, The articles printed here, to the best of our which together amount to £401 million knowledge, were correct at the time of going worth of new state-of-the-art buildings and to press. We cannot guarantee that all articles submitted will be printed and we reserve the facilities. These are described in detail right to edit material where necessary. elsewhere in this magazine. Furthermore, the views expressed in this Professor Alan Gilbert magazine are not necessarily those of Transforming our very good university into The University of Manchester, The University of President and Vice-Chancellor Manchester Alumni Association, or the Editor. a world leader in higher education was

YOUR MANCHESTER 3 Around the campus...

New-look campus

The first two phases of the University’s ambitious plans for improving the campus are now nearing completion with £400 million of the current £620 million Capital Programme now achieved. This is the largest building programme ever undertaken at a UK university. University Place, the new £65 million flagship building for the University with its distinctive rotunda on Oxford Road, was opened in April 2008 and is set to become the focal point for major events and a point of first contact for prospective students and members of the public. Other completed projects include the Stopford teaching labs, Functional Biology, the Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, Smith Building, the Chemistry Building, the new multi-storey car park, the spectacular John Rylands refurbishment on University Place Deansgate (see page 18 for more details), the Alan Turing Building (Astronomy, Mathematics, Physics and Photon Science) and the Arthur Lewis Building (Humanities). There has also been a major programme of investment in public areas between buildings on the campus. Work on phases Three and Four will begin shortly.

Alan Turing Building Arthur Lewis Building Professor gives Beethoven a hand Music Professor Barry Cooper And what I've also done, which has has published what he considers is not been done before, is to relate what the definitive version of Beethoven's Beethoven wrote to what we know 35 sonatas. about the notation and performing Professor Cooper spent ten years styles of his day, wherever there's any examining the pieces, which include uncertainty. This detailed commentary three little-known works that Beethoven should be of great help for all wrote when he was twelve. The result is performers. If you know the sonatas a three-volume publication that contains well, you'll certainly be able to tell Professor Cooper's revised manuscripts the difference.” and a 150,000-word commentary to Professor Cooper is one of the world's assist performers. leading Beethoven experts and is widely He said: “What I've done is try to known for completing the first reproduce what Beethoven actually wrote movement of Beethoven's unfinished - and what he meant to write - more tenth symphony, premiered at the Royal accurately than in any previous edition. Festival Hall in 1988.

4 YOUR MANCHESTER Super scanners to fight terror and tumours Scientists from the School of Materials have developed a 3-D colour x-ray machine which can detect hidden explosives - and elusive tumours. The prototype scanner creates three- dimensional colour images of objects in a fraction of the time needed for existing x-rays. Unlike normal x-ray machines, it can distinguish between different materials and be programmed to tell the difference between bone, flesh and skin or to recognise drugs or Graduation day: Sammy Gitau with his programme director, Dr Peter Mann hazardous substances. The scanner has greater detection Miraculous journey powers because it picks up all the light present in an x-ray beam - ends with graduation whereas existing machines detect only some wavelengths. It means A former Kenyan slum child who A group of wives of local and detailed images can be created in found a University of Manchester international officials helped Sammy to one simple scanning motion, prospectus in a dustbin finally achieved convert cargo containers into classrooms reducing the scan time from hours his dream of gaining a Masters degree from which he could teach skills such as to just a few minutes. in December 2007. carpentry and computing to Professor Robert Cernik, from the disenfranchised youngsters. Sammy Gitau discovered the documents School of Materials, said the new inside a discarded cardboard wallet Another EU official encouraged Sammy system could eventually replace decorated with the University’s name in to apply to the University’s MSc in the existing CAT scans in medicine, as a neighbourhood near his home in ‘Management and Implementation of well as being used to detect hidden Mathare, Nairobi’s oldest slum district. Development Projects’. drugs and weapons at customs or to test for problems in aircraft design. Sammy became his family’s breadwinner Sammy said: “After the drugs put me in a at the age of 13 when his father was coma, I remember hearing hospital staff "Current imaging systems such as killed in a hammer attack. After he was telling me I was going to die and when spiral CAT scanners do not use all beaten by angry mobs for thieving he you are dying, you make a deal with God. the information in the x-ray beam", he said. "We use all the became a drug seller in 1997. “You just say, get me out of here and I wavelengths present to give a colour But after reading references to his will do anything. I will go back and stop x-ray image. The method is highly country on a page about a course at the children going through the same kind of applicable to biomaterials, with the University’s renowned ‘Institute for life as me. possibility of specific tissue Development Policy and Management’, “If it wasn’t for my amazing experience identification in humans or Sammy established a community and support from my friends at The identifying explosives, cocaine or resource centre which lobbies for fresh University of Manchester and constant heroin in freight." water and an electricity supply, as well support from donations around the as helping young men to come off drugs world, this dream would never have and find a job. become a reality.”

YOUR MANCHESTER 5 Breakthrough in birth-defect research Scientists have discovered how to prevent certain craniofacial disorders in what could ultimately lead to at-risk babies being treated in the womb. University researchers, working with colleagues at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas, have successfully treated mice with Treacher Collins syndrome – a rare genetic disorder characterised by International underdeveloped facial bones, absent or deformed Student of ears and occasionally cleft palate.

the Year The team had previously Professor Mike Dixon, Faculty of Life Sciences Manchester student Stephenie Siew found that the condition, Jean, a 24-year-old medic from which affects one in Now, writing in the journal “This is the first time that a Malaysia, has been named 10,000 individuals, was Nature Medicine, the congenital defect has been International Student of the Year. caused by a mutation in a researchers have shown that successfully treated and single gene called TCOF1. preventing the neural crest provides genuine hope She claimed her title in the UK final of They later discovered that cells from dying allowed within a realistic timeframe the prestigious competition in April, this mutation causes cells, mice with the Treacher of one day preventing one of 12 regional winners who known as neural crest Collins gene to develop these conditions in gathered in London to meet a final cells, to die prematurely normally. The principle, say humans,” said Professor judging panel. in the early stages of the authors, could also be Mike Dixon from the More than 1,500 students from 127 pregnancy resulting in applied to other single-gene Faculty of Life Sciences. countries entered the sixth annual the facial anomalies. birth defects. International Student Awards - run by the British Council to highlight international students and their contributions to life in the UK. Major entrepreneurial Each student was asked to write a personal ‘letter home’ in English, fund for new ideas detailing the out-of-class achievements that help make their Manchester has launched a unique departments - which have benefited from time in the UK so rewarding. £50 million venture fund for University UMIP’s stringent business selection and In addition to having a part-time job, entrepreneurs by teaming up its in-house development programme. intellectual property company UMIP with Stephenie has won a Royal College of President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor MTI, the UK’s leading technology Paediatrics and Child Health Student Alan Gilbert said the initiative established investment manager. Prize. She has also participated in a a hugely creative vehicle for providing regional debating tournament and The Fund, which was officially launched in academics with access to capital to been involved in ‘Save a Baby's Life April 2008, will provide opportunities to develop the world-leading research into Society’. invest in businesses emerging from the world-beating companies. University’s ‘five-star’ rated academic

6 YOUR MANCHESTER A bog body mystery Manchester moves up Lindow Man, the 2,000 year old body found in a peat bog at Lindow Moss near academic Wilmslow in 1984, has re-visited The Manchester Museum as part of a special world ranking exhibition. On loan from the British The University’s ranking in the Museum, he will be on display until ‘Academic Ranking of World 19 April 2009. Universities’ carried out by the ‘Lindow Man: A bog body mystery’ will Institute of Higher Education at the explore the different stories relating to Shanghai Jiao Tong University (which Lindow Man, and look at what he means is generally regarded as the most to us today. Seven people with particular reliable of international rankings) has connections to him have been interviewed risen to 48th (from 50th in 2006, for this exhibition. Their personal 53rd in 2005 and 78th in 2004). This experiences provide a unique insight into places the University 9th in Europe in the impact that he has had on their lives, 2008, up from 24th in 2004. and those of many others. President and Vice-Chancellor displaying him in a respectful and A number of groups including pagans, Professor Alan Gilbert said: “The sensitive way and preparing visitors for improvement in the University’s archaeologists and curators, have been their encounter. involved in consultations which have positioning is encouraging and the informed the way his body has been put www.lindowmanchester. gap between this University and those on display, with emphasis being placed on wordpress.com ranked above it is narrowing, but there is no scope for complacency. There remains a long way to travel to get to our 2015 goal”. Sporting Success

and water polo whilst the Sugden Centre University will be used for badminton, basketball, fencing, taekwondo, indoor volleyball honoured and wrestling. More immediately, law student and with Green swimmer Mike Rock is heading to Beijing to represent Great Britain at this summer’s Gowns Olympic Games. The University has been recognised for its environmental practices and The 20-year-old (who took a year off from commitment to sustainability in the his law degree in a bid to make the squad) ‘Green Gown Awards’ for various qualified at the British Championships in initiatives in student residences, Two of the University’s sporting venues Sheffield, which doubled as the Olympic including installing recycling centres, have been selected to appear in the trials for Team GB. auditing energy usage and official London 2012 pre-Games Training Mike, who received a University Sports distributing charity bags for Cancer Camp Guide. Scholarship to study at Manchester, will Research UK. The Green Gowns The Manchester Aquatics Centre and the compete in the 100m and 200m butterfly Awards are now in their fourth year Sugden Centre will both be available for events after a double gold medal winning and have become the most use by athletes from all over the world in display in Sheffield. prestigious recognition of best the lead up to the London 2012 Games. practice in universities and colleges. A delighted Mike said: “To see my dreams The Aquatics Centre will be used for come true in something I’ve worked so hard swimming, diving, synchronised swimming for is unbelievable. I’m just so happy.”

YOUR MANCHESTER 7 The University’s new Chancellor talks about his vision for Manchester

New Chancellor

Even as a schoolboy in London, was a good thing and Alan Gilbert has the region and other parts of the UK – Tom Bloxham MBE had his eye on real vision,” he says. “That is very and beyond.” Manchester, but not even he could important. If you don’t know where As if to prove the point The Wall Street have imagined when he started here your destination is, you’re never going Journal Europe has added to the as an undergraduate that 25 years to get there.” acclaim, praising Urban Splash’s lead in later he would have played such a He sees quite a few parallels between using environmentally-friendly pivotal role in changing the face of the the University’s progress and outlook – techniques in its developments – city and the region beyond – and and that of the company he has built another parallel with the University’s become Chancellor of the University. from scratch over the last 20 years, green policy. No-one could be more delighted and Urban Splash, which has earned Still only 44 years old, Tom Bloxham enthusiastic about taking on the international respect for the part it has maintains a youthful appearance – and challenge. “It is a huge pleasure to played in regenerating Manchester and a youthful outlook. From his spacious have been elected,” he says. “I am its region by breathing new life into glass-walled office in Urban Splash’s looking forward to doing what I can to disused buildings and city-centre living. headquarters in Timber Wharf, he help the University achieve its aim of “Like the University, we are proud to surveys the Castlefield scene of becoming world-class and standing be based in Manchester, but we are regeneration where he started as a alongside the best.” also proud to be a national and young graduate, with no formal He is very supportive of the University’s international brand,” he says. “Both of training in property, 20 years ago. And clearly-stated ambition. “The merger us have a positive impact on the city, the new skyscraper of the Hilton Hotel

8 YOUR MANCHESTER nearby symbolises further the the best-branded developers in Election of the amazing success of his vision. the regeneration business, pioneering the rebuilding of “When I arrived in Manchester in Victorian factories into loft-style Chancellor 1982, it was a culturally vibrant apartments and working closely city, but it was a synonym for The process to elect a new Chancellor of the with the public sector to develop post-industrial depression,” he University was completed on Wednesday, mixed-use communities on says. “The buildings were black, 4 June 2008. Mr Tom Bloxham was duly elected abandoned brownfield sites”. bomb sites still existed and at six to serve as the next Chancellor of The o’clock the shutters came down. His reach has spread to other University of Manchester in the ballot of Staff, The change has been cities – Liverpool, Sheffield, Alumni and General Assembly members. He phenomenal – it’s a positive Walsall, Birmingham, Plymouth, secured just over 51 per cent of the valid votes place now, a lively European and, Bradford, and Leeds. Tom is a cast and will take up post on 1 August 2008 for indeed, a world city.” socially-conscious, caring man. a period of seven years. “There’s still a lot to be done,” No-one has done more to make The total number of voting papers issued he says. “If you go a mile outside it what it is – and no-one enjoys across the three constituencies was 52,884. Manchester city centre in almost it more. He helped to create the 9,186 valid votes (just over 17 per cent of any direction, there are pockets bars and clubs for which the city the voting papers issued) were cast during of poverty and areas crying out is renowned now – and he the voting period, approximately 25 per cent for economic regeneration.” makes full use of them. He is a were returned by post, and almost 75 per cent hard worker, but by no means a Again there are parallels with the were cast via the secure voting site. workaholic. He is modest, University, with its interest in the The total number of votes cast were as follows: likeable and good-humoured – underprivileged, as witnessed by Thomas Paul Richard Bloxham 4695 and Irene and looks back fondly to his the work of the Brooks World Zubaida Khan 4491. student days. Poverty Institute. The alumni constituency comprised of the He read Politics and Modern He also has a wider cultural 40,000 members on the Alumni Register. History. “I had three great interest. For the past eight years, A notification was placed in Your Manchester years,” he says. “University gives he has been Chairman of North 2007, which invited alumni to register for you time to think about West Arts and a member of the elections and receive information on the problems and teaches you to Arts Council. He also chairs the proceedings of the Alumni Association.* think for yourself. In the first Manchester International year, I was in Oak House, which Festival, which was inaugurated Since 2004, the role has been carried out was great – and I still have last year and will take place jointly by broadcaster and journalist Anna Ford, friends from that time. I also again in 2009. the first woman Chancellor in the Victoria spent a lot of time in the Middle University of Manchester’s history, and Sir Terry Tom is very much involved in the Bar and the Cellar Bar in the Leahy, the Chief Executive of Tesco plc and city at all levels and, as Students’ Union. I would former Chancellor of UMIST. This was the first Chancellor, he is keen to build on encourage all students to enjoy election of a Chancellor since the establishment the connections between the their time here - and get as much of The University of Manchester in 2004. University and the city. “I out of it as I did. I just wish I’d welcome the strong links that The Chancellor is the officer of the University got a better degree, but I was a exist, exemplified by Alan Gilbert fulfilling the function of non-executive Chair of mediocre student academically and Sir Howard Bernstein,” he the General Assembly and presides over and in my second year I started says. “And I see the University as Congregations of the University for the up in business. By my third year, I having an even bigger role in the conferment of degrees. was set in my ways – running my future of Manchester.” own business – and opened a *If you are not on the Alumni Register and would shop.” He got a 2:2, though the A married man with two teenage like to be involved in such processes in the future University gave him an Honorary sons, Tom enjoys life. His please ensure your email address is continually Doctorate a couple of years ago. interests include ski-ing and updated on the alumni community website: Manchester United. And of As an entrepreneur, he started course, he supports and attends modestly, “selling posters and www.manchester.ac.uk/ a lot of arts events. records in the Union”, yourmanchester developing into this “Bigger He is positive, enthusiastic and a Splash” business and then man of action. Tom Bloxham If you do not have access to the internet then diversifying into bars. Then, in MBE is “thrilled at the prospect please contact the Division of Development and 1989, came the Castlefield of being Chancellor of this Alumni Relations at the address shown on page venture. Now, Urban Splash is great University.” 3, providing your details and indicating that you hailed by The Times as “one of wish to be kept informed of the proceedings of the Alumni Association.

YOUR MANCHESTER 9 Uncovering Cancer

Cancer remains the UK’s biggest killer and its incidence is increasing by about 1 per cent each year. But survival rates are also on the up thanks to pioneering scientific research

Two teams of researchers at the killed by the body’s natural defence leaders in a variety of University are currently unravelling mechanism, and also by anti-cancer partnerships with what happens when breast cancers drugs like chemotherapy. As a result major investors in spread from their primary site to other these breast cancer cells are able to cancer research such parts of the body, making them much spread to other areas of the body and as Cancer Research more difficult to treat. form new tumours. UK (CR-UK), Breakthrough Breast Dr Andrew Gilmore is examining a Dr Brennan said: “Notch proteins appear Cancer, the PACCAR process called ‘anoikis’, where the to shield breast cancer cells from the Foundation, the Wolfson body ambushes and kills rogue cells body’s natural defences and also from Foundation and the Department which are moving around the body. chemotherapy. This research will help to of Health. The Muriel Edith Current breast cancer treatments have uncover exactly how Notch proteins Rickman Foundation has also provided been designed to kick start anoikis in have this effect, and whether inhibiting generous funding to support the an attempt to kill the cancer cells. the action of these proteins may be one Muriel Edith Rickman Chair in Breast However, cancer cells somehow learn way of making chemotherapy Oncology and associated laboratories. how to avoid being destroyed by this treatments more effective.” process, which means the treatment The first step is to expand Christie no longer works. In Manchester, much of the research Hospital’s clinical trials unit into the activity – from uncovering the basic biggest Phase I unit in the world. Dr Gilmore said: “Understanding more biological principles of the disease Phase I trials are the earliest trials in about how the body’s natural to conducting clinical trials on the the life of a new drug or treatment. defences work, and why breast cancer latest cancer therapies – is centred Currently the unit has 2,000 patients a cells can avoid them, will help to on the Manchester Cancer Research year taking part in 80 trials; this will develop new drugs that can kill Centre (MCRC). increase to 100 trials in the first year invasive cells that have become after completion. resistant to standard treatment.” Founded two years ago, the MCRC brings together scientists and clinicians The unit’s expansion will be assured Meanwhile, other research could finally from The University of Manchester, the thanks to the further development of uncover how a group of proteins Paterson Institute of Cancer Research PICR’s translational research prevent breast cancer cells from dying. (PICR), Christie Hospital and Cancer laboratories, where scientists work Professor Nigel Bundred, Dr Robert Research UK with the aim of creating a closely with the unit’s clinicians to Clarke, Dr Gillian Farnie and Dr Keith world-class centre for comprehensive monitor the effectiveness of new Brennan have discovered that ‘Notch’ cancer research. treatments. This expansion will proteins are found in higher levels in strengthen the MCRC’s clinical research breast cancer cells. These proteins Now the Centre is making a number of portfolio to include, for example, breast seem to protect the cells from being key appointments of research group

credit: Cancer Research UK 10 YOUR MANCHESTER cancer and leukaemia, as more In addition this year will see the world-class researchers are recruited. opening of a groundbreaking breast cancer research centre to Professors Caroline Dive and Malcolm investigate the very earliest stages of Ranson, scientific and clinical research the disease to identify new ways of group leaders respectively, explained Paul Kay that the new facilities are a real step detecting and preventing it. Defects in the way cells interact and Your Manchester Fund forward because they greatly enhance PhD Scholar: Cancer 2015 our ability to expand and accelerate communicate with each other and work on new therapies. “It’s good for their surroundings are some of the Your Manchester Fund has provided the science and good for the patients first steps of cancer development. financial support to outstanding because we will be able to invite more Finally a centralised tissue biobank Manchester graduate, Paul Kay, people onto a wider range of trials.” will provide researchers at five whose PhD research project is surgical sites with a standardised contributing to Cancer 2015 - one The MCRC will also create a drug of the Fund’s five priority themes. discovery unit to develop targeted source of tissue, blood and urine treatments for specific forms of cancer. samples. MCRC Director, Professor Recently a human protein which Traditionally, drug discovery has been Nic Jones, said: “Our goal is to expresses itself in a number of largely within the pharmaceutical create a world class cancer research human lung cancer cells but not in industry but the enhancement of the centre by 2015. There is still much normal lung tissue has been in-house capability will enable the to do and the scale of the challenges, identified. It is thought that this creation of new treatments which can particularly when recruiting in an protein could be involved in the be taken through toxicology tests and internationally competitive field, transformation of normal cells to then entered into clinical trials, thus cannot be underestimated, but cancer cells. Paul hopes that his PhD bringing together basic, translational I am optimistic that our ambitions project will achieve a better and clinical research. will be realised.” understanding of this transformation. He intends to extend this research to the analysis of breast tumours. “The money was of great importance to me and I am grateful for the support the alumni have offered. The money not only contributed to my living expenses, but also my tuition fees. My studies would not be possible without it.” See page 41 credit: Cancer Research UK YOUR MANCHESTER 11 Green consumption Supermarket giant Tesco has teamed up with The University of Manchester in a £25 million investment that will bring together the world's leading experts to tackle climate change and help deliver a “revolution in green consumption”

The Sustainable Consumption Tesco Chief Executive Sir Terry Leahy In addition to supporting research, Institute will promote fresh thinking said: "At Tesco, we know our customers the SCI is committed to training the and explore vital areas of research such are concerned about climate change sustainability researchers of the future as how customers can be persuaded and expect us to be taking the lead in through its Doctoral Training Centre. to buy green products and services, helping create a greener future. The first intake of students will occur how business can adapt and how to Making a real difference to global in September 2008. train the next generation of problems will take time, but our support The SCI also plans to develop an on- environmental leaders. for this partnership with one of the going programme of workshops and country's top universities marks another Projects already under way include lectures highlighting current issues in major milestone on the road to a research into low carbon lifestyles and green consumption and to share low-carbon future." the role of new technologies in innovative thinking. The SCI recently delivering them. Outcomes could Drawing on expertise from all four of hosted Tim Lang from City University, range from making paper from chicken the University's faculties, Manchester and a Commissioner with the feathers to fuelling delivery vans with will lead and co-ordinate a wide range Sustainable Development Commission, plastic milk bottles. of focused research programmes. who addressed the roles of Government and supermarkets in delivering a sustainable food system.

www.sci.manchester.ac.uk

12 YOUR MANCHESTER Stephen Woolaghan Your Manchester Fund PhD Scholar: Science and Society Ferrying goods by customers and across the supply chain will always involve road transport but Manchester has done cutting-edge work to reduce carbon emissions. This includes Your Manchester Fund PhD Scholar, Stephen, who is currently researching into more environmentally friendly transportation, specifically the application of fuel cells, electro chemical batteries and super capacitors for electric vehicles. See page 41

Organic panic New research suggests that buying locally production of some foods, either in terms Until a life-cycle analysis calculates every grown organic produce may sometimes of nutrient release to water or in terms of aspect of a food product’s environmental be more damaging to the environment climate change burdens." impact it is not possible precisely to than nipping down to the supermarket measure which forms of production are The evidence suggested that for some for produce that has been driven best. Factors to be taken into account products, organic agriculture has a more hundreds of miles across the country! would include uses of land, water, damaging impact on the environment The findings from Manchester Business than non-organic. Organic milk was fertiliser, transportation, packaging School are likely to make shocking particularly singled out, for while it has and refrigeration. reading for the conscientious consumer higher levels of nutrients and needs less Professor Ken Green who led the study attempting to reduce the carbon fertiliser, its production generates more said: “If you are concerned about the footprint of the weekly shop. carbon dioxide emissions - and producing carbon footprint of foods, there can be a organic milk uses 80 per cent more land. The researchers found that using the good case for importing some of them car to do the weekly supermarket run The researchers also concluded that even if they can be grown in the UK. probably cancelled out gains made by buying locally produced food was not The evidence available so far shows that buying locally grown food. But the necessarily a guarantee of any green local is not always the best option for equation is hugely complex according credential. They suggested that the best the environment.” to their 200-page report, commissioned way to reduce the carbon footprint of Although there may be benefits in terms to inform government policy on the food production and consumption was to of biodiversity and the aesthetics of the environmental effect of food production. leave the car at home and walk - or take countryside, it is not possible to say that public transport - to the supermarket. "There is certainly insufficient evidence all organic food is better for the available to state that organic agriculture “The available data suggests that, environment than all food grown overall would have less of an looking at UK food transportation as a conventionally, he added. “If you look environmental impact than conventional whole, the environmental impacts of car- carefully at the amount of energy agriculture,” concluded the researchers. based shopping are greater than those of required to produce these foods you get "In particular, organic agriculture poses transport within the distribution system a complicated picture - in some cases, the its own environmental problems in the itself,” the report said. carbon footprint for organics is larger."

YOUR MANCHESTER 13 “It caused me to think about who I am” The Manchester Leadership Programme is only three years old but its rapid success reflects a unique approach to 21st century living and working. Alumni are heavily involved in giving of their time and expertise

The programme has enlisted some of their degree, plus 60 hours of working practices in emerging markets powerful alumni to help equip students voluntary work. such as Eastern Europe and Africa. Sir for modern citizenship, entrepreneurship Terry Leahy has delivered a keenly Academics from a range of disciplines and above all leadership. Manchester anticipated session on ‘Building a have been involved with the programme graduate Sir Terry Leahy (BSc Hons Business of Leaders’. including law, engineering, business, Management Science 1977), Chief geography, life sciences, medicine, Executive of Tesco, and the Rt Hon Hazel But it is not only alumni with long politics and economics. In this way Blears, Secretary of State for established careers from the world of leadership can be explored through a Communities and Local Government, are business and commerce who have been variety of contexts and themes ranging amongst the programme’s distinguished engaged with the programme. Recent from bioethics, energy and globalisation guests who are helping to engage graduate, Amelia Lee (BA Hons to poverty, wealth creation, students with today’s leadership Combined Studies 2004), is a Youth Co- entrepreneurship and human rights. challenges, whilst broadening their ordinator for ICA:UK, an organisation intellectual and cultural interests. Presenters include leading academics and which aims to create more humane and alumni such as David Buckley (BSc Hons sustainable communities. Amelia’s The programme (launched by President Electrical and Electronic Engineering presentation to students gave them an and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan 1984), Managing Director at Goldman insight into the role youth leadership can Gilbert) was developed with an Sachs International who presents on the play in developing sustainable ambitious agenda to help address some subject of leadership and business ethics. communities in the UK and overseas. of the aims of the University’s 2015 This topic has also been led by two strategic vision. In making a positive Other external presenters, who have led alumni at BP, Dr Brian Gilvary (PhD 1987, contribution to communities in sessions on campus or given interviews BSc Pure Mathematics 1984), Group Manchester - as well as further afield in for the online version of the Leadership Vice-President for Global Integrated the UK and overseas - the programme in Action module, include Lord Dennis Supply and Trading Business and Dr aims to produce rounded, confident, Stevenson, Chairman of HBOS and Angela Strank (PhD 1982, BSc Hons effective graduates who are able to Chair of the House of Lords Geology 1975), Technology Vice- meet the leadership challenges of the Appointments Commission, Barbara President for Lubricants. Their session 21st Century. Stocking, Director of OXFAM (GB), and engaged students with current the Rt Hon Hazel Blears. The programme has two elements: leadership challenges within BP including a credit-rated Leadership in Action the accident at the Texas City refinery, It is also planned to use alumni to module that students complete as part and the implementation of ethical promote the volunteering aspect of the

14 YOUR MANCHESTER programme. Dr Daniel Morris (MBChB alumni who could lead a session on General feedback on the aspirations of 1999), an Ophthalmic Surgeon, last year campus or take part in a recorded the MLP is also welcomed. Alumni won the University’s Alumni Volunteer interview for the online unit (or have interested should contact the Director of the Year (UK) Award*. Shortly after suitable personal or professional contacts of the MLP, Jane Ratchford at he graduated, Daniel completed a who could do this), or who are involved [email protected]. sabbatical with the nomadic Samburu in community development and have *For more information about tribe of Kenya, half of whom are at risk suitable volunteering opportunities for Volunteer of the Year Awards visit of developing trachoma and blindness. MLP students. Although a significant the web address below. amount of volunteering is focussed on Supported by fellow alumni who act as Manchester, there are many student clinicians and fund-raisers, he returns to www.volunteeroftheyear.careers. volunteers across the UK and overseas. Kenya each year to run outreach manchester.ac.uk/2007winners surgical camps. Daniel’s work has been recognised by the Kenyan government and he is a member of the National Kenyan Trachoma Task Force. Daniel has agreed to return to the University to talk to MLP students about issues relating to health and poverty, and the transformational power of volunteering. The MLP is proving popular with students from all disciplines and following a pilot with 75 students in 2005, the numbers grew to 462 students this year and a further 600 places will be offered in 2008/09. Feedback from those having participated points to its success in helping to shape their futures and boost their employability. Manchester graduate, Anna Bryant (BSc Hons Biology and Industrial Experience David Buckley 2006), took the MLP in 2005 and after BSc Hons Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1984 graduating set up her own ethical Managing Director, Goldman Sachs International tourism company. Anna said: “Before the MLP I didn’t know what I would do “The Manchester Leadership programme is a truly outstanding initiative, whose after university. It caused me to think strength is drawn from the unique mix of lectures and tutorials which are about who I am, what my strengths are combined with a period of voluntary service in the community. This gives MLP and what is possible. The presenters students an understanding and appreciation of the key leadership issues that face inspired me to think I would like to start our society today, and helps equip them with practical experience that will help my own business and to make it as them face the leadership challenges of the 21st century. As an alumnus of the ethical as possible.” University, I have been delighted to have been asked to run the session on ‘leadership in business ethics’, a topic that I feel strongly about and one which has The University sees great potential in broad global relevance in today's society. This has enabled me to leverage my stepping-up alumni engagement with business experiences since graduating, and always results in engaging and the MLP and is keen to hear from challenging debate with the students.”

YOUR MANCHESTER 15 Embryonic ideas

A new Research Institute Science and technology are now moving examine how the social and ethical at such a pace that new and difficult consequences of science and will examine pressing ethical questions seem to be thrown up technology can be managed in a way almost daily. Manchester’s newest that protects people - and makes their ethical debates such as research institute is on the case, lives better. however, and has already begun the genetic selection of "What is new and urgently required is investigating some of the world’s most serious work at the interface between human embryos - under complex problems. science, ethics and innovation," said the guidance of a Nobel Topical debates will be bread and butter Sir John Sulston, the 2002 Nobel Prize prize winning scientist to researchers at the Institute of Science, winner and pioneer of genomic Ethics and Innovation, for the aim is to research who is chairing the new

16 YOUR MANCHESTER initiative. He will be joined by Professor John Harris, a world-renowned authority on bioethics in Manchester's School of Law who has published more than two hundred papers and has appeared in most of the leading philosophical journals in his field. Sir John said that the role of science and technology in society needed to be examined, both locally and globally. “We need to consider the adequacy and justification for that role, as well as the forms of regulation and control that are appropriate,” he added. Many of the topics that will fall under the remit of the multi-disciplinary Institute will offer great opportunities to produce research in the pursuit of progress towards a better future for humanity, Sir John said. For example researchers will look into genetic selection of human embryos and the conflicts of interest between parents, the unborn child, social groups and society. They will also be examining Sir John Sulston the funding disparity in healthcare research between diseases of the said: "The transition process for new developed and developing world. scientific and technological Other knotty problems will include the developments from discovery, through ethics surrounding different models of proof of principle to the clinic or healthcare - from a US style system that marketplace, raises acute issues of social rations by wealth to a British model that and global justice. aims to provide free access to care at "These justice issues are also very much the point of delivery. the concern of the Brooks World Poverty Global trade, the free-market economy Institute and the intention is for these and 'fair trade' initiatives will also be twin Manchester Institutes, each chaired under the spotlight at the Institute, by a Nobel Laureate, to work closely alongside climate change and the ethics together to create a centre of excellence of conflict between bioenegy and food in these complementary fields that is supply in developing countries. second to none in the world." Researchers also have an interest in the As part of the University’s aim to genetic manipulation of humans and become one of the world's top 25 animals - and the mixing of their genes universities by 2015, it views iconic and cells to create hybrids. They will be appointments such as John Sulston's as looking into ethical questions thrown up key to attracting the best scholars and by stem cells, transplantation and students from around the globe. reproductive ethics. The President and Vice-Chancellor, Pendeep Gill Sir John has scholarly interests in more Professor Alan Gilbert said: "We Your Manchester Fund PhD generalised issues of human rights and already have a reputation for research Scholar: Regenerative Medicine justice in common with Professor Joseph and policy engagement in the fields of development economics, development Your Manchester Fund scholar, Stiglitz, also a Nobel Laureate, who was Pendeep, is currently researching a recruited by the University to chair the studies, sustainability, healthcare governance and ethics, sociology and PhD at the University investigating Brooks World Poverty Institute whether or not adult brain cells could researching global poverty. politics, as well as a strong reputation in science. The role of this Institute will have the potential to divide and Professor John Harris, Research Director be to build on this through world- generate new neurons, thus having of the new Institute and joint Editor-in- leading research on science, ethics regenerative potential. Chief of The Journal of Medical Ethics, and innovation." See page 41

YOUR MANCHESTER 17 Regaining our Gothic Glory

One of Britain’s greatest buildings - the An iconic scholarly institution, as well as one of the most beautiful libraries in the University’s John Rylands Library – has reopened world, The John Rylands safeguards after a painstaking three-year restoration what many people see as Manchester’s Crown Jewels. programme costing some £17 million The unique collection of one million books and manuscripts includes a very famous treasure - the St John Fragment. This unassuming piece of papyrus is probably the earliest piece of the New Testament in existence, dating from around 125 AD, and of enormous historical and cultural importance according to the Library’s Head of Special Collections Dr Stella

18 YOUR MANCHESTER contained some of the best examples of Many of the library’s million books and early printed books from the fifteenth manuscripts were moved to a Cheshire century, including a renowned collection salt mine to protect them during the of Caxtons and early Bibles. three years of closure. The dry and stable atmosphere provided ideal Another purchase in 1901 of over 6,000 conservation conditions. manuscripts collected by the Earls of Crawford further enhanced the academic But the effort was worth it, enabling standing of the Library. The collection major conservation including the contains some of the most beautiful cleaning of much of the interior examples of calligraphy ever produced, stonework to reveal its delicate shades including the famous Rylands Haggadah. of pink and red. Other highlights include exquisite Around 8,000 damaged glass roundels in medieval illuminated manuscripts, the the windows were replaced and the two Gutenberg Bible as well as the personal magnificent stained glass windows in the papers of distinguished historical figures historic Reading Room were cleaned and such as Elizabeth Gaskell, John Dalton repaired. A new pitched roof covered and John Wesley. with Westmorland green slates - planned in 1890 but never completed - now “When the John Rylands Library opened covers the building. in 1900, it was acclaimed as one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic The new extension provides a glazed architecture in Europe,” explained Dr entrance hall with lifts to all floors, Butler. “The Grade I listed building has improved visitor facilities and a shop and gone from strength to strength ever since. café. The upper floors now house a purpose-built new reading room, a “It’s an amazing building: the conservation studio and state-of-the-art magnificent façade is merely a taster for storage areas for the collections. the breathtaking interior, whose central feature is the cathedral-like historic The library’s new director, Jan Wilkinson, Reading Room.” said it was “a great privilege” to be taking over at this important time in the Individual elements of the interior are Library’s history. “The successful also remarkable, she added, including the completion of this prestigious project stonework, metalwork, windows and stands as a very tangible tribute to all bookcases. And the heating and involved,” said Ms Wilkinson who was ventilation system was extremely formerly Head of Higher Education at the sophisticated for the time and it was one British Library in London and takes over of the first buildings in Manchester to be from the retiring director Bill Simpson. served by electricity.” “Now we feel that the building is once However Dr Butler explained that by the again true to what Mrs Rylands intended late 1990s, 100 years of pollution and to achieve all those years ago. It is a Butler. Manchester weather were beginning to powerful acknowledgement of her The library was created by Enriqueta take their toll. “We began to worry tremendous vision and determination, Rylands, wife of the enormously wealthy about the condition of the building and and of her unrivalled generosity in cotton tycoon John Rylands who died in of the collections it held,” she said. furnishing a library for the city of Manchester and the wider world.” 1888. She spent a quarter of a million The University wanted to increase public pounds - a huge sum in late Victorian access to the collections but the physical Since the library re-opened it has already England - on its construction, and an restrictions of the original building design won several awards including a even larger sum purchasing the made this difficult. prestigious 2008 RIBA Award (North collections of books and manuscripts. West). This was awarded to eleven So the ‘Unlocking the Rylands’ project buildings in the North West for their high Work started in 1890 and after nine was launched to conserve the building architectural standards and substantial years the magnificent neo-gothic building and its collections and to improve physical contribution to the local environment. opened to the public on 1 January 1900. access and facilities for visitors with the The John Rylands Library’s collections addition of a new entrance wing. Over the past few months, more than 60,000 visitors have flocked through its were internationally important from the The renovation was funded by a £8.3 doors - a powerful affirmation of the outset. In 1892 Mrs Rylands purchased million grant from the Heritage Lottery University’s aim to make the Rylands’ 43,000 volumes from the library of the Fund, £3 million from the European treasures accessible to all, while Spencer family of Althorp. Assembled in Regional Development Fund plus generous the early 19th century by George John, contributions from The University of second Earl Spencer, the Spencer Library Manchester, trusts, foundations, www.manchester.ac.uk/library was one of the finest in the world. It businesses and individual donors.

YOUR MANCHESTER 19 The favourite Friday

Remember those When once student night life revolved But there was a time only a few years around fug-filled pubs, late-night drinking earlier when the Students’ Union really dodgy dives where you dives and dodgy curries spiked with was the epicentre of university life because used to hang out on a industrial amounts of chilli, now there are venturing further afield was a pretty hit- dozens of smart café-bars, restaurants and-miss affair. Friday night? Chances and clubs to choose from around the city – no doubt one of the reasons why The Thirty years ago if you did go out, popular are they have been University of Manchester is the most haunts included pubs like Tommy Ducks transformed into popular in the country. The contemporary and the Swinging Sporran opposite 24 hour social scene is a reflection of UMIST, plus hipper places like Rafters, cool student-centred what today’s savvy students want on a where Joy Division met Tony Wilson – night out. who sadly died last year - at a ‘Battle Of venues attracting an The Bands’ in 1978. The transformation probably began with altogether more the ‘Madchester’ phenomenon in the Then there were the late night drinking sophisticated crowd. 1980s: the era of the Hacienda club and dives like the ‘Conti’ and Cypress Tavern. its many legends including New Order, the Afterwards it might be a mouth-numbing Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. curry at the Koh-I-Noor or Star Of India on

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Oxford Road (Rusholme and the ‘Curry ever woman President of the Students’ Music and the now demolished Mile’ had yet to be invented). Union in 1966, recalls a highlight being Tommy Ducks in town which had lots of pairs of women's knickers stapled to the Students who were really hard up trips to The Railway Inn on Burton Road: ceiling. Class! headed for the legendary ‘Plaza’ where “It was tiny and very welcoming with the menu had minimal choices - one a some old men who were tolerant of, and “It was tricky in those days because all the ‘killer’ laced with chilli and cheap even friendly, towards students.” pubs closed at 10.30. We used to go for a chicken, which Charlie, who ran the Ten years later, DJ, writer and broadcaster late night drink at the semi-legendary place, would only let you have if he Mark Radcliffe (BA Hons English and Continental Club. knew you could handle the suicide! American Studies 1979) recalls that things “The only place we could afford to eat out had not moved on that much. Even further back in the 1960’s, was the Plaza on Upper Brook Street. Manchester pubs were largely smokey “The main bars I went to were in the There you got chicken biryani with a blokey enclaves where the only ‘wine’ union because pubs were not as choice of medium, hot, suicide or even might be the cheapest kind of port welcoming to students in those days. We killer sauce. Just a pile of pilau rice, a few or sherry. did used to go to The Friendship Inn in scraps of what might have been chicken, Newscaster and journalist, Anna Ford Fallowfield, and also The Salutation and a bowl of the hottest chilli sauce you (BA Hons Economics 1966), the first- behind the Royal Northern College of ever tasted.”

YOUR MANCHESTER 21 Cookery writer and broadcaster Sophie good watering hole before a night spent “The thing that underpinned the Grigson (BSc Hons Mathematics 1982) dancing off the effects in the Hacienda. musical environment of Manchester was lived in Hulme, now demolished and And I loved the little funk club Man Alive how it linked up - how Factory Records re-built. In the late 1970’s and early that was nestled under the Mancunian lay behind much of what was going on 1980’s, it was anarchic, edgy, and Way. You couldn't avoid dancing because and how the bands were related to one above all cheap to live in. There was not pretty much all the floor space was the another. And so you'd be in Dry and one single restaurant. dance floor.” look over, and there would be Sean Ryder or Mani from the Stone Roses. “My local was The Grant’s Arms – the Another ‘Madchester’ graduate is BBC And to a suburban London kid, that nearest to the flat where I lived for most newsreader Sophie Raworth (BA Hons just made the whole experience so of my university years, and to a whole French and German 1991). “When I edgy and cool.” host of friends who lived in the nearby arrived, the scene was more to do with Crescents. The landlord was a large pubs and clubs. By the time I left, the new That ‘coolness’ is one which still intrigues brawny chap who used to herald type of bars and the gay village around the current generation of Manchester closing time with a shout of “Sup up Canal Street were just starting up, University students. Tom Skinner, who and Sod Off”. bringing with them a whole new buzz to graduated in Biochemistry in 2006 and is the city. I remember the opening of now General Secretary of the Students’ “Also nearby was The Factory, home to Mantos on Canal Street when there were Union agrees that Manchester’s social life so many of Manchester’s great bands. virtually no other bars there. The Dry Bar is a major factor in its appeal. “Other drinking haunts in the city on Oldham Street became a regular haunt “Pubs now target students and consult centre were the Swinging Sporran, for us all too. And then there were the them about what they want. There are so right beside the UMIST campus. And old favourites - The Ducie Arms, hidden many clubs and pubs; everything from we might venture to either the Old or away near Whitworth Park where I lived cheesy discos nights to R & B indie and New Conti. in the first year, the Cornerhouse bar dance nights. But it’s basically become a which was always the place to meet if we corporate business.” “The Old Conti was extra dingy. You were heading into town and The had to knock on the door, say you were Wheatsheaf in Didsbury was my local in Rusholme is still the main place where medical students and then delve down my final year (and frequently full of students tend to eat out he said, and into the basement. Iffy though it was Coronation Street stars).” there is a ‘good buzz’ about the you did often meet interesting people Students’ Union although now there is down there. Anyone from a craggy- By 1997, when Simon Morrison earned more competition. Fallowfield has a lot faced sculptor to local villains.” his MA in Novel Writing, Manchester’s more café-bars and in town there are transformation into a ‘24 hour city’ was places like Tiger Tiger and all the pubs Next-door to Sophie’s bygone Hulme almost complete. As Simon points out, and clubs around the gay village. was Moss Side, in those days packed much of the credit for that change can be “I love hearing about Manchester in the with shebeens and other ‘dives’ like the laid at the door of the late Tony Wilson, old days,” said Tom. “It seems to have Nile Club on Princess Road. But by the the pioneering spirit who had been a lot less commercialised and I think late 1980’s and early 1990’s championed Manchester at its grungiest. it had a lot more soul.” Manchester was rapidly changing from a depressed post-industrial city to “By the 1990’s, his Dry Bar on Oldham become the centre of the ‘Madchester’ Street was the key place to be seen. You Where did you hang out in Manchester? phenomenon. And that was reflected in would actually have to queue for the privilege of giving them your money in Join in the alumni discussions at the web a more sophisticated student social life. exchange for beer. And even then the address below. Mark Radcliffe’s radio colleague doormen might not like the look of you www.manchester.ac.uk/ Nemone Metaxas (BSc Hons Psychology and turn you back from that hallowed yourmanchester 1995), recalls: “Dry Bar was always a portal, like some St Peter in a puffer jacket.

Nemone Metaxas

22 YOUR MANCHESTER Tom Kilburn and Freddie Williams Digital 60 Celebrating the Birth of the Computer Age On the 21 June 1948, shortly after 11 o’clock in the morning, an event took place here at The University of Manchester which would start a technological revolution and change all our lives. The event was the birth of the world’s first stored-program computer

The machine that successfully ran the Street in 1948 really did go on to Kilburn on the original project. first digitally stored program on that change the world. A working replica of The Baby built day was known as ‘Baby’ by its for the 50th anniversary celebrations The 60th anniversary of this creators Freddie Williams and Tom was also demonstrated in front of momentous event was celebrated at Kilburn. The birth of the ‘Baby’ ranks hundreds of school children in a the University a few weeks ago with a alongside the splitting of the atom as live video link-up with the Museum whole series of events titled ‘Digital perhaps the most significant scientific of Science and Industry (MOSI) 60’, which involved school students, achievement in the University’s long in Manchester. academics, IT industry figures and history. With its memory and stored- some of the men who worked The surviving pioneers of the Baby program, the machine which ran in alongside Freddie Williams and Tom design and development team – Geoff that small workshop on Coupland

YOUR MANCHESTER 23 Left to right: Dai Edwards, Freddie Williams, Tom Kilburn, Alec Robinson and Tommy Thomas

Tootill, Dai Edwards, Alec Robinson Establishment (TRE) at Malvern. In The first program to run successfully, and Tommy Thomas - were awarded December 1946, he moved to The on 21 June 1948, was to determine the University’s Medal of Honour and University of Manchester to take up a the highest factor of a number. Freddie a special British Computer Society chair in Electro-Technics. He Williams later commented: "A Anniversary Medal at a Celebration continued to work on the digital program was laboriously inserted and Dinner hosted by the President and storage system, and Tom Kilburn, who the start switch pressed. Immediately Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Gilbert. had been in his group at TRE, was the spots on the display tube entered a seconded to Manchester to continue mad dance. In early trials it was a By the end of the war, there were a the work with him. dance of death leading to no useful number of groups in the UK and the result, but one day it stopped, and By 1 December 1947, Williams and USA working on the development of there, shining brightly in the expected Kilburn had worked out the methods Electronic Digital Computers and all place, was the expected answer. It was of operation of the Cathode Ray Tube; of them were aware that the a moment to remember. This was in the next step was to build a small provision of an effective means of June 1948, and nothing was ever the computer around a CRT memory, to electronic storage was crucial to their same again." future success. subject it to the "most effective and searching tests possible". Work on With the Baby proving both the Freddie Williams started work in July building the Baby took place in the effectiveness of the what was now 1946 on a form of digital storage first half of 1948, and was mainly known as the Williams-Kilburn Tube using a Cathode Ray Tube, at the carried out by Tom Kilburn with the and the basic stored-program concept, Telecommunications Research assistance of Geoff Tootill. work was immediately started, with

24 YOUR MANCHESTER The Williams-Kilburn Tube provided computers Replica of the Baby, built in 1998 for the 50th anniversary celebrations with the first random access memory (RAM)

Late Tom Kilburn, Chris Burton and Jeff Tootill standing in front of the Replica Baby

increased manpower, to design and no longer the limiting factor in what build a more realistic, useable, computers could be expected to do. computer based on the Baby. This was achieved between late 1948 and late The challenges for today’s computer 1949, in two or three incremental scientists lie in the areas of software stages, with the Manchester Mark 1. development, producing user-friendly This in turn was used as the basis of interfaces, integrating computer- Kevin Sharp based systems into organisations and the design of the world's first general- Your Manchester Fund PhD purpose commercial computer, the dealing issues surrounding the size Scholar: Science and Society Ferranti Mark 1. and capacity of modern computers. Many of these challenges were Your Manchester Fund Scholar, Kevin, Tom Kilburn went on to found and touched upon by Professor Steve is currently researching a PhD at the lead the Department of Computer University in the area of Machine Furber CBE, the designer of the BBC Science at the University, the first in Learning for Systems Biology. Using the UK. The Department continued to Micro, in a special lecture that he computer technology, Kevin is able to develop large-scale prototype gave to an invited audience of more analyse biological systems such as machines (most of which were than 200 people on the eve of the gene expression and cellular developed into commercial products) 60th anniversary of the ‘Birth of the signalling, with potential future use in until the mid-1970s, but it then Baby’ entitled: ‘The Relentless March the development of cancer therapies. became clear that the machines were of the Microchip’. See page 41

YOUR MANCHESTER 25 Going on the ‘Grand Tour’

Manchester students are joining their forebears of the Grand Tour and going overseas as part of their education...

Every year, more than 550 Manchester In many respects, today’s undergraduates seen by many as diluting the intellectual students spend either a year or a are following in the footsteps of wealthy content of degree programmes, even for semester overseas as part of their young gentlemen of a bygone age who those studying a foreign language. undergraduate degree course studying would embark on a so-called ‘Grand Tour’ Among the pioneers was, Dr Jeff at an overseas university, undertaking an (usually to visit Italy and possibly Greece) Greenleaf (PhD Physics 1969, Diploma industrial placement, teaching or doing to complete their education. 1964) who remembers his visit to voluntary work. For many students, this It was not until the 1960s, when air travel Bratislava in Czechoslovakia, which was period abroad offers the opportunity to became more affordable, that work and then firmly behind the Iron Curtain. gain practical experience of conversing study placements overseas became daily in a foreign language and available to students as a part of their “We flew from Ringway to Vienna, where exploring a different culture and formal university education. Until then we were met by our hosts who escorted way of life. placements abroad were discouraged and us by coach across the border to

26 YOUR MANCHESTER Bratislava. Early next morning, we were ERASMUS (1987) made it easier for and a huge fountain. I soon got used to formally welcomed to Bratislava University millions of European students to spend the sunny afternoons; eating tacos by in one of the staff common rooms. We part of their degree in one of more the lake amongst the pestering pet had expected that this would take place than 30 participating countries. While peacocks, jumping on the yellow bicycles over a cup of coffee, but to our there are now far more opportunities and riding around campus and lying amazement, we were all each given a for Manchester students to study beside the pool. substantial glass of vodka, and invited to abroad than ever before, the common “I lived in private accommodation, in a toast each other in the traditional Czech experience of new cultures and two bedroom apartment with a friend manner - which was to drink it straight different ways of life seems unchanged and although we paid a fraction of what down. That was quite an abrupt and over the years. we pay here in Manchester we had a unexpected start to the visit, but was to balcony, a roof terrace and a gym! be repeated on many occasions”. Helen Frater, currently studying a BSc in Textile Design and Design Management Situated a mere one hundred metres Jeff’s visit took place at a remarkable time at Manchester, writes about her recent from the great pyramid of Cholula in Czechoslovakian history during the exchange experience in Sweden: (the widest pyramid in the world), ‘Prague Spring’ when Alexander Dubcek, I sometimes ask myself why I didn’t stay who became leader of the Czech “I absolutely loved it. Endless parties, there. Mexico is a fantastically diverse Communist government, embarked on meeting people of all nationalities, being country and each state has its own a series of reforms which included the taken to gigs by Swedish boys in distinct character. It is a huge country relaxation of censorship and the right of Gothenburg, canoeing with a mad and we spent many of our weekends citizens to criticise the government: Spanish boy, spending hours in the huge travelling to see as much as possible. charity shop, having sleepovers, cooking We saw Aztec and Maya ruins, danced “There was generally huge optimism and massive dinners, laughing until we cried in the carnival of Veracruz, relaxed on exuberance for this new freedom, and as and our stomachs ached, staying up all Caribbean beaches and bustled through each month passed people felt more and night because I was having too much the streets of Mexico City. more confident. We met many people fun to go to bed, drinking extra strong during our visit, and they felt free to coffee during early morning Swedish “Living in Mexico taught me so much. speak openly”. class, looking out the window and I perfected my Spanish (and Mexican slang!). I learned to eat everything with Jeff returned home in early August 1968, seeing snow, meeting our teacher in cosy little cafés and chatting for hours hot sauce and to drink tequila without just two weeks before the Prague Spring flinching. I discovered how lucky we are was abruptly crushed by the invasion of …these are a few of the memories that I will never ever forget. in the UK to have access to education Soviet tanks: “As I listened to the BBC despite our economic backgrounds, news it was hard to believe that those “There was an important work element which so many of us take for granted. familiar places we had so recently visited too – I really enjoyed my design project I realised that there is a whole world were now under the control of and my ‘experimental knitting’ class. out there waiting to be discovered and occupying forces”. I really feel that all this has improved my how important it is to make the most of Alan Mc Dowell (BSc Hons Electronics employability. It has broadened my our opportunities by seeing as much of it 1971), who spent time working in Norway experience and textile skills and when as possible.” I go back and work in England I will take for LM Ericsson and lived in student It seems our fascination for travel has back with me a little bit of Swedish accommodation at Oslo University, also little changed since the times of the inspiration. I have learned so much that remembers the local alcoholic beverage ‘Grand Tour’ and the following words I’m going back next semester!” that greeted him. of Lord Byron (1788-1824) could almost “The local drink was ‘Aquavit’, which was Beyond Europe students from Manchester apply today: “I am so convinced of the similar to vodka, but flavoured with also take part in the Worldwide Exchange advantages of looking at mankind caraway seeds. Its alcoholic content is Programme heading to partner instead of reading about them, and of especially strong – and deadly if your host institutions in USA, Canada, Australia, the bitter effects of staying at home with works in a university chemistry lab with Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and all the narrow prejudices of an Islander, access to 98 per cent bv alcohol”. Latin America. that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men Alan also fondly remembers the frequent Kieran Hayde, who is currently studying abroad for a term among the few allies parties where they would eat “raw meat, a BA in French and Spanish, writes about our wars have left us.” smelly cheese and pickled fish”. That her exchange experience in Mexico: didn’t put him off Norway, however, and “I spent five months studying at La following graduation he returned there Universidad de las Américas in Puebla, for 13 years. When asked if he would Thank you to all our alumni and students Mexico, a private university, situated in recommend the student exchange who submitted anecdotes of their the central part of Mexico. It was a lot experience, Alan comments: “You can student exchange experiences, following smaller than Manchester University with use your charge card for goods and our request via Your Manchester Online. about 8000 students and everything you chattels but experiences are priceless”. To read all of these in full please visit the needed was on campus. My first web address below. The introduction of the European Union’s impression was disbelief – the campus Joint Study Programme (1976) and was like a film set with manicured lawns www.manchester.ac.uk/ yourmanchester

YOUR MANCHESTER 27 Putting the Fun into Fundraising

From smutty To the casual observer the annual high Whilst it has an undeniable fundraising jinks of Rag Week may look like an power (last year it raised a staggering magazines to cross excuse for students to annoy the locals, £120,000), Rag is about undergraduates dressing and but its long and illustrious history makes giving vent to their high spirits in all the Rag Week very much a part of the fabric ways they like best. So it turns out to be kidnapping, Rag Week of student life. revealing about the way students and their preoccupations have changed – and at Manchester has had For the most part Rag Week has been of course how some elements of a colourful history tolerated by the citizens of Manchester University life haven’t! because as far back as the 1920s it started to collect funds for charities, Early precursors to Rag were torchlight processions in fancy dress with an specifically local hospitals. obligatory bacchanalian element to mark That doesn’t mean however that it has the Prince of Wales’s visit in 1887 and always been totally respectable. Queen Victoria’s Silver Jubilee ten years

28 YOUR MANCHESTER YOUR MANCHESTER 29 later. But it wasn’t until 1908 that the witty compendium more akin to Adverts for venues such as Mr Smith’s, Rag pantomime became a feature, later something like Punch than the smutty ‘Manchester’s topless night spot on attracting such acts as George Robey, joke book it turned into in later years: Brazil street’, meant the Rag mag wasn’t Harry Lauder and George Formby. By exactly popular with a more politically Writer Anthony Burgess, who admitted correct student body. In fact it was 1910 Rag finally became recognised as a to contributing to it with ‘scabrous banned from sale in the union in 1984. university institution and all classes on ingenuity’ in the late 1930s, observed Shrove Tuesday were cancelled to enable that it was ‘a male venture that was Nevertheless Rag mag continued to serve the students and local apprentices to expected to skate about the black hole its purpose of promoting the event, as it take part. of obscenity’. still does today. 1924 was an eventful year, heralding the In 1939 a ‘Meunuch Edition’ promising Of course Rag is famous for its stunts. arrival of the Rag mag – a fundraising ‘peas in our time’ seems rather innocent Like the Bogle stroll, a gruelling 55 mile magazine which bears little resemblance compared to 1965’s ‘For Adults Only’ walk in a figure of eight around Greater to the advertising vehicle that’s handed issue with its cheesecake images of likely Manchester – though there is a 27 mile out now. candidates for the title of Miss Rag. version for ‘wimps’ and a bike ride too. With beautifully illustrated covers And Burgess’s description seems far “It’s quite physically challenging,” says designed initially by the artist Karl more appropriate to the 1970s when Will De Bala, the 2008 Rag Chair. “You Hagedorn, the early Rag mag was a Rag was in its heyday. start around 9pm and walk through the

30 YOUR MANCHESTER night. When I did it we finished around Cliff Inman (BSc Hons Physics 1959) attractive young gym mistress, we 4pm the next day. No we didn’t drink or agrees, although he was involved in a kidnapped her,” he recalls. anything, you wouldn’t be able to get Rag caper which resulted in a visit to the “We took her back to UMIST in our bus through it.” University by the Deputy Chief Constable and entertained her and she really of Manchester. Compare this to 1970s graduate entered into the spirit of it.” Stephen Angell’s (BSc Hons Electronics He explains that a group of boys Unfortunately, the school itself didn’t see 1978) recollections of the Bogle: “We dressed up as St Trinians schoolgirls - at the funny side when they received a did all 55 miles or so via the pubs and the insistence of their female friends - ransom note. The police were summoned. were absolutely knackered after it. We and went in search of somewhere to “As a result the Deputy Chief Constable never did any practice, you’d just set off have a game of hockey. The idea was to of Manchester came to college and told in the clothes you were wearing at the shake a few buckets and collect cash our professor that our behaviour was not time. There was nothing about health along the way. condoned at all,” recalls Cliff. and safety either as far as I can “We found the perfect place. remember, no St John’s Ambulance or “So after he had gone we were called in Manchester High School for Girls. But no anything like that.” and given a ticking off. However, the sooner had we started to play than a smirk on the professor’s face told us that Part of the Rag was to let off steam he gym mistress came out to remonstrate we weren’t as much in the doghouse as added. “So it really was fun and frolics”. with us and as she was a rather we could have been.”

YOUR MANCHESTER 31 Manchester is a magnet for Chinese students

Tens of thousands of Chinese students are willing to spend three times their average salary to study at a British University and Manchester is a top choice

Ni He is one of the 50 000 Chinese Trade Organisation has given Chinese The University has developed a wide- students currently studying in the UK. citizens much easier access to passports range of constructive links with a Soon he will complete his PhD in the and opened up opportunities”. number of universities and research School of Electrical and Electronic organisations in China. Tsinghua The trend is likely to continue. Engineering and leave The University of University, China’s top science and China now has the world’s fastest Manchester to return to his home town engineering institution, is a strategic growing economy and is undergoing HangZhou where he hopes to find a partner, working closely with the what has been described as a second lecturing post in a local university. Dalton Nuclear Institute. Fudan is industrial revolution. There are around another strategic partner collaborating As the second biggest higher education 9 million people in China applying for closely on joint research projects with recruiter in China, Manchester has university places and it is anticipated the University. almost 1500 Chinese students. So why is that by 2020 this will have increased a British University education so popular to 20 million. The country is unable to Of course British students also want to given the average student pays fees of meet the rapidly increasing demand visit China and last year the University £8,000 a year – which according to Ni for higher education and this is ran a Chinese summer school He is over three times the average annual driving Chinese students abroad for programme for the first time, on behalf salary in China? their studies. of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. The programme Ni He explains; “The one-child-policy in The University is keen to cultivate gave 200 undergraduates from English China has made parents very willing to its relationship with China but universities the opportunity to invest huge amounts of money in their according to Tim Westlake, Director of experience China at first hand. They child’s education and they will start International Development, the focus is visited Beijing to learn the Chinese saving for this as soon as the child is on “partnership and collaboration, language and to explore the rich cultural born. And being a member of the World not numbers”. heritage as well as contemporary life in

32 YOUR MANCHESTER China. The students got to know young Strategic Investment Fund, as the first community - and the work done by Chinese people through job shadowing phase of £2.5 million pledge. The St Paul's is helping us to achieve and social events. Centre aims to develop a world leading exactly that.” research institute focusing on modern Many of the participants reported that When considering his country’s future and contemporary China with the experience had profoundly changed and its links with the West, Ni He is full associated undergraduate and their views on China. Mark Lees, 22, of optimism and: “The future looks postgraduate programmes. recently graduated from the University bright for China”, he says. “My people reading Aerospace Engineering. He said: The University also has a Confucius are very hard-working and dedicated, “The programme was a great Institute for teaching Chinese as a working up to twelve hours per day opportunity to experience the foreign language in the UK. Teachers helping productivity growth. I am looking Chinese culture and see the rapid supplied by the Confucius Institute in forward to returning and helping to raise development underway in the run up Manchester have enabled St Paul’s my country’s profile by drawing from my to the Beijing Olympics.” Primary School in South Manchester to experiences here in Manchester.” become one of the first in the UK to Chinese studies at the University can be When Ni He returns to China he will join teach Chinese as part of its curriculum. traced back to the early 20th century, The University of Manchester Alumni when Edward Harper Parker was Director of the Confucius Institute Group in China which now has over 2,700 appointed Professor of Chinese at the Professor Hong Liu said: "Manchester Manchester alumni. The group is currently Victoria University, a post that he held has the largest Chinese community co-ordinated by Manchester graduate from 1901 to 1926. He had been in outside London with more than 30,000 Haijie Lin (Colin) MSc International consular service in China prior to his ethnic Chinese living and working in Business 1999. More information about academic career and published a number the city. China is important: Mandarin is the China Alumni Group can be found at of influential books on Chinese history, spoken by more than a sixth of the the web address below. culture and religion. world's population and Chinese economic power is growing From the late 1920s to 2004, research exponentially. So it's an important job www.manchester.ac.uk/ about China continued at both UMIST yourmanchester to bring Chinese culture to the wider and the Victoria University of Manchester ranging from Chinese school improvement programmes to Buddhism, The University's Careers Service offers many innovative programmes designed to social anthropology, minority linguistics improve the career prospects of its Chinese graduates and to help recruiters find top and business management. talent. Among its many initiatives, the Chinese Graduate Fair at Manchester attracts In 2004, following the establishment of nearly 2,000 students and graduates as well as leading employers from China and The University of Manchester, the the UK, including The Bank of China, Watsons, Neusoft and KPMG. The Careers Centre for Chinese Studies was created Service is keen to work with any employer looking to hire students, and offers to bring together existing research from recruiters a comprehensive range of services, many of which are free of charge. across schools and faculties. This Similarly, the Careers Service would be delighted to hear from any alumni who initiative is supported by a £900,000 would be willing to share with students their experiences of job hunting following investment from the University's UK study. Please contact [email protected]

YOUR MANCHESTER 33 Dr Nina Murray Michelle Goodman (MBChB Medicine 1937) (MEng Hons Aerospace Engineering 1999) One of our oldest graduates, 94-year-old Dr Nina Murray has Flight Lieutenant Michelle recently had her autobiography, Goodman, 31, has become the Ninachka: The Making of an first woman to be awarded the Englishwoman, published by Distinguished Flying Cross. Hamilton Books. The award was in recognition of the Nina was born in St Petersburg, courage she displayed during her Russia, in 1913. The Communist deployment to Iraq in June 2007, revolution stripped her family, when as Aircraft Captain of an Russian nobility, of their land, money, privilege and title. Incident Reaction Team (IRT) Merlin Helicopter she flew into an With the help of her father's English friend, her family was able extremely dangerous area of Basra City to rescue a casualty. to escape and this led to their settling in Manchester in 1921. Upon hearing the news of this historic award, Flight Lieutenant Nina's biography continues through her survival of the Second Goodman commented: "I am truly honoured to be awarded a World War, her doomed marriage, the murder of her father, DFC, but without both my crew and all the engineering support rape, and the almost endless consternation of family problems. personnel, the rescue would not have been possible. This is not The book also delves into her medical training at the University an award just for me, but recognises all the soldiers, sailors and and her career which she began as a GP, before becoming an airmen, who, day in and day out, put their lives on the line for eye specialist in Buxton, Derbyshire. the British public to remain safe."

Mathew Horne Richard Harvey (BA Hons Drama (BSc Hons Mathematics 1971) and Screen Studies Richard has received widespread 2000) media coverage, including the Mathew is well known BBC Documentary ‘Adventure for his role as Gavin in Capitalist’ and a fascinating the BBC3 comedy, interview on BBC 5 Live, for his Gavin and Stacey. The charity work in Africa. comedy hit recently In July 2007, aged 56, he left his won the coveted top business position as Chief Audience Award, voted Executive of the insurance giant for by the public, at the Aviva (parent company of Bafta Television Awards in London. Norwich Union) and he and his wife, Kay, are now working as volunteers Mathew has also appeared in various memorable with the charity, Concern Universal; helping to improve the daily lives of roles in the hugely popular The Catherine Tate communities in Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique. Show. Other recent roles include starring as Leo in One of his projects in Kenya has involved tackling problems with cooking Roman's Empire, a guest lead appearance in Robin arrangements in a school near Nairobi. Traditional forms of cooking are Hood, and co-starring in Billy Goat, a modern over an open ‘three-stone fire’, which is neither healthy nor fuel-efficient. adaptation of the fairytale, all for the BBC. Richard has demonstrated that by installing a simply-designed new stove, As well as appearing alongside Kylie Minogue in wood fuel consumption can be reduced by 50 per cent. her one-off television special for ITV, Mathew also With his experience of corporate environmental policy, he has a unique recently co-presented Big Brother's Big Mouth and insight into the growing interest in carbon-offsetting schemes and plans to the NME Awards for E4. recruit British companies to support this, and other vital work. Further Mathew is currently filming the lead role in the information about Richard and Kay’s gap year with the charity can be forthcoming comedy horror film Lesbian Vampire found at www.concern-universal.org Killers and is also writing and preparing to co-star in his own comedy sketch show for BBC3.

34 YOUR MANCHESTER Sir Ian Gibson Jennifer Vel (BSc Hons Pure and (BA EconHons Economics 2006) Applied Physics Jennifer, 24, has been elected as the 1969) youngest member of the Seychelles Sir Ian was appointed National Assembly. Chairman of Jennifer, who hopes to draw from her supermarket group experiencing at Manchester (particularly Wm Morrison on 13 for budgetary issues), has many March 2008, replacing aspirations for the future. She said "there Sir Ken Morrison. are social problems in the Seychelles - Sir Ian is also Chairman though it's not a poor country. Teenage of Trinity Mirror and pregnancy is a particular issue so my was Chairman of BPB until 2005. He spent 30 vision is to provide a training programme which will help these mothers into years in the motor industry and was President of work. I would also like to see better academic faculties here. For example Nissan Europe. more university places would be a long term aim.” Sir Ian said: “This is a great opportunity for me to Professor Rorden Wilkinson, academic advisor on the work with one of the UK’s leading companies and Manchester/Seychelles programme, said: "It is pleasing to see the impact I am looking forward to being part of the dynamic that The University of Manchester education has had on the administration and challenging supermarket sector once more”. and development of a small island state. We wish Jennifer all the very best in her role”.

Phil Jones Professor Mike (BA Economics 1978) Ferguson (BSc Biochemistry 1979) Phil, Executive Director of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival, celebrated its Professor Ferguson, Dean of tenth anniversary this October. Research in the College of Life Sciences at the University Now a fixture in the city’s calendar, the of Dundee, has been festival has expanded massively since its awarded a CBE in the New first outing. Phil claims: “It started off as a Year’s Honours List for his bit of a nice indulgence and it’s now services to science. become an all-year round huge organisational event!” He has published over 200 peer reviewed research Phil began his career as a punk gig promoter and following papers and given numerous invited lectures at Scientific graduation he spent some years in London working with artistes Meetings around the world. He was elected a Fellow of such as Curtis Mayfield, REM and the Stone Roses. the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1994), the Royal Society Twenty years ago, he returned to Manchester, co-directing a festival of London (2000), the Academy of Medical Sciences for the 1996 Olympic bid. Despite failing to secure the Games, the (2007) and made a member of the European Molecular festival took on a life of its own, with sponsorship from Boddingtons Biology Organisation (1999). and Granada TV, it became the Boddingtons Manchester Festival of His research takes a multidisciplinary approach to Arts and TV. understanding the biochemistry of protozoan parasites The Festival reached the end of its tenure in 1996 and, rising from its that cause tropical diseases, particularly the ashes, was a celebration of Manchester’s food and drink industry; trypanosomatids that cause human African Sleeping The Manchester Food and Drink Festival, now the biggest urban Sickness, Chagas’ disease and leishmaniasis. food festival in Europe!

To read more alumni profiles please go to the news section using the web address www.manchester.ac.uk/ opposite. More eminent alumni can also be found in the ‘distinguished alumni library’. yourmanchester

YOUR MANCHESTER 35 Alumni news round up

A Portrait of The University of Manchester ‘A Portrait of The University of Manchester’ is now available for purchase. It was successfully launched by Anna Ford on 2 July 2007 at a drinks reception in the Manchester Museum with more than 150 alumni subscribers Annual General Meeting 2008 present. Members who have not yet At the Alumni Association AGM on 6 March our Chair Andrew Spinoza (BA Hons purchased their copy of this fascinating Combined Studies 1982) kindly agreed to continue in his role for a further three years. illustrated book covering the past, Those present thanked Andrew, who is Managing Director of a local PR company, for present and future of higher education his sterling contribution over the past three years. in Manchester can do so via the University’s gift shop: The next Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association will take place on Wednesday, 4 March 2009. www.manchester.ac.uk/giftshop

Your Manchester Online (YMO)

The University’s alumni community, Your a message board where alumni can alumni logging in over a two-day period - Manchester Online (YMO), is going from send in specific requests to share with a huge peak of hits on the website. strength to strength since its launch last other alumni. If you have not already registered for Your year and there are now nearly 20,000 Manchester Online you will need to do so alumni who have registered. Your Manchester Online is proving particularly valuable when organising first before gaining full access to the site. Special features such as the alumni events and reunions in the UK and To do this you will need your Alumni ID directory (where alumni can access details overseas as it provides a fast and effective number which appears on your of other alumni) and the events booking communication tool. membership card and is also printed on system (where alumni can book to attend the address sheet with this magazine. events and pay as necessary using a secure Your E-News is a regular electronic Once registered, please remember to credit card facility) remain popular. Other newsletter which is distributed to YMO update your profile making as many new features include an In Memoriam registrants six times a year. A recent E- sections ‘public’ as possible. This will section where alumni can post tributes to News communication triggered visits to enable fellow alumni to contact you easily their friends and loved ones; a library ‘Your Manchester Online’ by 39,000 and allow the alumni directory to work showcasing our distinguished alumni; and separate users with more than 13,000 more effectively.

www.manchester.ac.uk/yourmanchester

36 YOUR MANCHESTER Outstanding Alumni Awards

Professor Pat Troop CBE George Rigg Dan Marks

The achievements of three former an MSc in 1979, going on to enjoy a scholarship in Energy Engineering (the students have been recognised with fascinating career which has had a Rigg-NAFUM Scholarship). Outstanding Alumni Awards in 2007. significant impact on the health of the nation. It was her innovative work on food The third recipient Dan Marks (BA Hons Outstanding Alumni Awards are given to and health that led directly to the Economics 1985) received his award in former students who have achieved Government’s ‘five-a-day’ campaign recognition of his contribution towards distinction within their profession, have persuading people to eat at least five the televisual world. Dan is Chief Executive provided exemplary service to the University, portions of fruit and vegetables every day. of BT Vision, BT's new entertainment or have made an outstanding contribution division that delivers a range of television, of a personal humanitarian nature. George Rigg (BSc Science 1960) received information and retail services through the his award for his distinguished career in Professor Pat Troop CBE, Chief broadband connection. electronics and computing. The award was Executive of the Health Protection Agency, presented during the programme of The Outstanding Alumni Awards take was the first of the three to be presented activities arranged for the visit by the place annually. If you have any suggestions with the Award during the July 2007 North American Foundation for the for future recipients please send these to graduation ceremonies. University of Manchester in October 2007. Annette Babchuk by emailing Pat studied medicine at Manchester and George and his wife Jane are also [email protected] or telephoning achieved an MBChB in 1971 followed by providing personal support for a PhD +44 (0)161 306 3066.

New Graduates The Alumni Association was promoted at graduation ceremonies in July and December 2007 by current students working at an exhibition stand, where they distributed memorabilia and literature and responded to the graduands’ enquiries. They spoke to over 75 per cent of graduands – capturing their contact details and encouraging them to register on our Alumni website, Your Manchester Online.

YOUR MANCHESTER 37 The cutting edge

Come and hear eminent academics share their secrets with alumni and friends

‘The most influential academic in the world In addition, we have heard from Professor today’ as the Sunday Times called Professor Phil Diamond, Director of Jodrell Bank, who Shaping Your Robert Putnam, a recent guest of the recalled 50 years of Jodrell Bank and delved University’s Alumni Association. Professor into the future to describe a vision for the Manchester Putnam presented the 2008 Cockcroft observatory and those who work there. This will be a unique event Rutherford Lecture, arguing that while held across the campus in The next event in the Programme will be a immigration and diversity offer long term June 2009. The event will lecture given by Professor Colin Sibley, benefits, they pose short term challenges to celebrate the amazing Professor of Child Health and Physiology. His social cohesion. Professor Putnam is the research being undertaken at lecture, entitled ‘Finding Solutions to Problem Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard the University, work that Pregnancies’, is on Thursday, 25 September and Visiting Professor and Director of the would not have been possible 2008. Despite many improvements in Graduate Programme in Social Change at without support from alumni. obstetric practice and care it is estimated that The University of Manchester. The event will see key more than half a million women around the academics from across the Other honoured speakers have taken part in world die each year as a result of pregnancy University discussing their the ‘Your Manchester Insights’ Programme, our and childbirth - and millions more become ill ground breaking research. exciting new lecture series designed to or disabled. This lecture will describe some of showcase the excellence, relevance and the work being undertaken to better topicality of research going on at The University understand the placenta and what goes of Manchester. wrong with this organ in cases of pre eclampsia and IUGR, two of the most This provides alumni with the chance to hear Alumni Dinner common diseases of pregnancy. from eminent academics involved in ground in London breaking research - and to engage in discussion and debate. Another date for your diary: Future Your Manchester Insight events are There will be an Alumni So far, Professor Andrew Loudon, Professor planned for Manchester, London and a Dinner in London on Thursday, of Animal Biology, has explained circadian number of international cities. To read more 11 December 2008. This will clocks and how they control our daily about our events or to book your place, be held at the RAF Club, rhythms of sleep and hormone rhythms. He please visit the web address below. Piccadilly, London and will be also discussed what goes wrong when this hosted by the President and system is disrupted. www.manchester.ac.uk/ Vice-Chancellor. yourmanchester

38 YOUR MANCHESTER Remember Manchester and say something about yourself

When you remember The University of A legacy to Manchester reflects your Manchester alongside your other vision and your values. Please visit our commitments in your will, you make a website or contact us today if you would statement about the importance you like more information. attach to education, and the role that Louise Hancock universities play in tackling vital issues Research and Legacy Manager and moulding the responsible leaders email [email protected] of tomorrow. tel +44 (0) 161 275 7230

www.manchester.ac.uk/ alumni/donorprogrammes/legacy

YOUR MANCHESTER 39 Your Manchester Fund (the re-branded Alumni Fund giving programme) is making a difference for thousands of current Manchester students, thanks to the University’s alumni and friends who so generously provide financial support.

Together we’re shaping the world of tomorrow

Alumni Welcome Scholarships These Alumni Welcome Scholarships are offered to high achieving undergraduate students joining the University from who come form backgrounds which are under-represented in higher education, especially those from the Greater Manchester area. They are valued at £1,000 and aim to support students during their first year of study as they make the transition into campus life. The scholarships complement the University’s own scholarship programme, allowing Manchester to offer one of the most generous needs-based scholarship programmes in the UK. A total of 74 undergraduate scholars have benefited this year. The following four represent only a sample of the many messages of thanks we have been asked to pass on:

Akinola Shona Charlotte Abdul BEng Mechanical BSocSc Criminology & BA American Studies BSc Biomedical Sciences Engineering Social Policy Charlotte, 21, is delighted to Abdul, 20, has long wanted to Akinola, 23, has always been Shona, 28, left school at an have received support via an work in the area of medicine fascinated by engineering- early age and it was not until Alumni Welcome Scholarship and sees his degree in related subjects and was keen much later in life that she which means that she has Biomedical Sciences as a to study at Manchester. decided to return to been able to give up her stepping stone into this. When talking about the education. current, part-time job working He is extremely grateful for scholarship Akinola says: Coming from one of the more in a bar and focus entirely on additional funds provided by “It has enabled me to save deprived areas in Manchester, her studies. “Juggling working donors to support him in his enough money so I can afford she says: “I never wanted to in a bar and studying for a studies and has shown his all of my books for my studies be a product of my degree used to be exhausting appreciation by doing some - engineering books are very environment and to be with late nights and early fundraising of his own. He expensive. I would like to brushed under the carpet. I morning starts. Now I can was recently involved in a Sky thank the donors as this am so thrilled to be given this concentrate on my studies and Dive with the charity Kidscan, kindness has helped me a chance. As I walk down fully explore all the exciting raising money for children great deal”. Oxford Road I still have to modules I am currently with cancer. pinch myself. I really can’t undertaking as part of my believe I am here.” American Studies course.”

Help us support more students like Akinola, Shona, Charlotte and Abdul. Support Your Manchester Fund today and trigger an immediate match for your gift – see page 43.

40 YOUR MANCHESTER Developing Country Scholarships The University has a target of providing 750 'equity and merit' scholarships for students from developing countries. Launched in 2007, with a pilot programme focusing on Uganda and Malawi, students supported by Equity and Merit Scholarships are studying on courses that are likely to be of greatest benefit to their home country. Philanthropic partnerships are already playing a pivotal role in this programme by providing assistance towards living costs, currently around £10,000 per year. Your Manchester Fund provided 7 scholarships during 2007/8, alongside a further 3 provided by the North American Foundation for The University of Manchester (NAFUM). Among the recipients are:-

Badru John Paul MA International BEng Electrical and Development Management Electronic Engineering Badru undertook his John Paul, 19, is from the Luwero undergraduate degree at region of Uganda, where his Makerere University in Kampala, parents are both teachers in rural where he graduated in 2004 schools. with a first class degree in Social John Paul has an outstanding Work and Social Administration. academic record receiving ten Once he has completed his masters degree at Manchester he distinctions in the Uganda Education Certificate (UCE), and intends to return to Uganda and use the skills which he has receiving four ‘A’ grades in the Advanced Certificate. John Paul acquired to improve the quality of life of fellow Ugandans. did not only gain the highest results in his school and district in His message to donors is; “Thanks for helping me to live my his UCE exams, but he also had the second highest results in dream. Your donation is making someone realise their potential the whole of Uganda. in life rather than leaving it to luck. In addition, although I am John said; “This scholarship has given me an opportunity to do here as one person, my presence is an inspiration to hundreds what I had always dreamt of - ‘engineering’ in a top university, of Ugandan parents and children who are struggling to make a which wouldn’t be possible otherwise. To my sponsors, I would break-through in life.” like to express my gratitude and thank them for offering me such a dream opportunity.”

Help us support more students like Badru and John Paul. Support Your Manchester Fund today and trigger an immediate match for your gift – see page 43.

Research for Society Student Resources Your Manchester Fund is also supporting outstanding Your Manchester Fund also supports a wide variety of Manchester students as they make the transition into research projects and programmes across campus to enrich the programmes on campus, joining world-class teams seeking to academic and wider university experience for the student address major national and international issues. These body as a whole. scholarships are focused on six priority research themes: World One distinctive award made in 2007/8 is supporting student- Poverty, Cancer 2015, Carbon Reduction, Science and Society, led community-based initiatives linked to the ‘Manchester Regenerative Medicine and Social Cohesion. Leadership Programme’ (see page 14 for more information One of the 19 2007/8 recipients is Adrian Roper who is about MLP). Your Manchester Fund has provided a minibus undertaking research into the psychological and neural bases of to facilitate MLP students getting to and from their associative recognition memory, with a particular focus on volunteering projects easily and safely, providing greater processes linked to ageing and diseases such as Alzheimer’s. accessibility to community locations across Greater Manchester and opening up wider opportunities for Adrian comments: “Without this alumni funding it would not community and school-based programmes. have been possible for me to continue my studies and start my PhD. The reality of completing a research project over the course Funding has also been allocated to other projects including of three years is that while you still need essentials such as DisabledGo Access, a brand new internet service designed to accommodation, the workload requires a focus and dedication provide the best possible information for the 2,800 students that generally precludes working to support oneself. This across campus with a registered disability, so they can Scholarship allows me to concentrate on completing my research quickly identify and draw on the ever-widening range of to the best of my ability without worrying about the long term support resources available across campus. funding of my work. Thank you so much.” Help us do still more to enrich the student experience. Help us support more students like Adrian. Support Your Support Your Manchester Fund today and trigger an Manchester Fund today and trigger an immediate match immediate match for your gift – see page 43. for your gift – see page 43.

YOUR MANCHESTER 41 New from 1 August 2008! Add a match and deepen the impact of your giving

New Government matched funding Gift value after Gift Aid and Government match is applied programme for gifts to higher education – 2008-2011. Gift level Net gift Value to Leverage The UK Government has announced a programme level Your over and to encourage gifts from alumni and others to after tax Manchester above your support English higher education institutions. For relief to Fund net gift level you as a former Manchester student – wherever donor you are in the world - this means we can add at least a third to the value of any gift you make to Your Manchester Fund, and potentially much more. International £100 £100* £133 33% For UK donors this 33 per cent bonus will be (assuming no in- (minimum) applied both to the gift level and to the value of country tax Gift Aid that we can claim on your gift. recovery) We will put the additional match to work in support of your preferred priority across campus. UK standard rate £100 £100 £170 70% So if you want your gift and the additional match tax payer to support the full range of outstanding students such as those highlighted in pages 40-41, simply make a gift to the overall Your Manchester Fund UK higher rate £100 £75 £170 127% today (you can use the Gift Form opposite). You tax payer can also ear-mark your support for one or other of (assuming tax the different types of scholarship/award within the recovery through overall Your Manchester Fund. UK tax return) As the adjacent table shows, the minimum additional impact on your gift is 33 per cent, and through tax recovery you may be able to *For donations to the North American Foundation (NAFUM) the net contribution more than double the value of your net may be significantly lower. Similar tax deductions may apply in other countries. contribution to Manchester.

There has never been a better time to start or to increase your support for outstanding students on campus.

How your support can make a difference for individual students

Donor Number Net annual Net value of Combined New Scholarship recipients of donors contribution each donor’s gift annual value to from each to Your Your Manchester donor Manchester Fund Fund

UK donors giving 5 £240 £408 £2,040 Two additional Alumni Welcome £20/month (£180 if higher Scholarships for undergraduate rate tax payer) students from Greater Manchester

Single 1 £6,000 £7,980 £7,980 An additional PhD Scholarship in one international of our priority themes donor

Single UK higher 1 £4,400 £10,000 £10,000 An additional Developing Country rate tax payer Scholarship.

The matched funding programme is available for gifts to priorities across campus. Certain limits may apply. Please contact Chris Cox, Director of Development - tel (44) (0)161 275 2620, email [email protected] – for further information. Make a difference today and make your giving go further – use the form opposite to support Your Manchester Fund !

42 YOUR MANCHESTER G o F v N u e n rn E Please complete in block capitals d m i e W YOUR MANCHESTER FUND and return to: n n o g t p - ! Your Manchester Fund, p S M Show your support for the transformational power of o e a The Division of Development s e tc it p h e a e education and research. and Alumni Relations, g d Your Manchester Fund is the programme through which thousands of The University of Manchester, e Manchester alumni target their support for a range of student scholarships, Oxford Road, student support resources, and research at the University. For further details on Manchester M13 9PL the priorities of the fund, or to donate online please see tel +44 (0)161 275 2619 www.manchester.ac.uk/alumnifund

Name Tel

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Regular Gift by Standing Order (please do not send this form to your bank) Single Gift by Cheque or Credit Card

Name I wish to make a donation of of bank £50 £200 £1,000 Bank address £100 £500 Other

I enclose a cheque made payable to Postcode ‘The University of Manchester’ Your account OR number Please charge the above amount to my Maestro/ Sort code / / Visa Mastercard CAF Switch/Solo Please Each £ Card No pay month quarter year to The University of Manchester Annual Fund donations account number 30924369: Barclays Bank plc, 7th Floor, 1 Marsden Street, Manchester M2 1HW (Sort code 20-55-34) Expiry Start / / * Amount date date in words Issue * * Please note not all cards have no a start date or issue number. Commencing D D M M Y Y Y Y on the Signature Until further notice for years OR (please tick) Please allow a minimum of 3 weeks to set up standing order Please confirm name and address of card holder should it differ from the donor’s details completed above. Signature Date Date

The purpose of your gift Donor Acknowledgement

The Alumni Fund for Manchester Please tick here if you would prefer your name not to appear in any future donor acknowledgement list To benefit the five student support priority areas at the discretion of the Alumni Fund Steering Group OR Gift Aid Declaration the following Student Support area: (please tick) If you are a UK taxpayer please take a moment to sign this declaration. In doing so you will increase the value of your Alumni Welcome Student donation by 28% at no extra cost to you. A confirmation Scholarships Resources certificate will be sent upon receipt. Developing Country Research Specific Research I would like The University of Manchester to treat all donations Scholarships for Society Theme (optional) I have made for the last 6 tax years prior to this year, (but no earlier Emergency Student than 06/04/2000) and all donations I make from the date of this Hardship declaration until I notify you otherwise, as Gift Aid donations. Signature Date Other

Data Protection - 1998 Data Protection Act Your data is securely held in the University’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations and will be treated confidentially and with sensitivity for the benefit of the University and its members in accordance with the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998. The data is available to our schools and faculties, recognised alumni societies, sports and other clubs associated with the University and is used for a full range of alumni activities including the sending of University publications and the notification of alumni events, fundraising programmes and for the promotion of benefits and services. If you do not want your data to be used for the above purposes, please tick this box. YOUR MANCHESTER 43 Alumni Benefits Your Alumni Association membership card entitles you to over 40 special discounts and offers. See our alumni communications website below. For a full listing and click on ‘benefits and services’ – you will need to register first if you have not already done so. We have highlighted some of our latest benefits below, full details are on our website.

www.manchester.ac.uk/yourmanchester

Commemorative Jewellery An extended range of Commemorative Jewellery for The University of Manchester is now available including a fun charm Save up to £150 off a Spirit of Adventure cruise per person bracelet

Specialist publications and academic books are Is offering its Diner Card available to all our free of charge to our alumni members at a alumni members for a discount of 5 per cent 2 month trial period

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