Meeting of Minds Ministers Praise University’S Vision
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The free magazine for The University of Manchester UniLife 24th January 2005 Volume 2 Issue 7 Meeting of Minds Ministers Praise University’s Vision 2 UniLife NewsDigest A summary of the key news in this issue of UniLife: Contents 3 University hailed as The University received three visits from members “world-leader” of the Cabinet this month in the shape of Chancellor Gordon Brown, Secretary of State for 4 News 3 Education and Skills, Ruth Kelly, and Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. All 10 Research three praised the ‘powerful symbol of change’ that has come from the merger. 14 Feature 15 Teaching 16 Plan Pushes Public Transport The ‘Unlocking the Rylands Appeal’ to refurbish the 18 Profile 5 historic library on Deansgate has reached its first fundraising milestone. 20 People 24 Students 26 What’s On 28 Seminars The Centre for Process Integration, one of the 29 Noticeboard smallest research groups within the University, is 12 proving size doesn’t matter when it comes to 30 Classified Ads attracting funding. 32 Just The Job Media Relations Officer Aeron Haworth visits the 14 extended and fully refurbished Sugden Sports Centre for a light work out. Reporting on the public transport plan that aims 16 to get University staff out of their cars and on to the buses. UniLife 3 University hailed as “world-leader” The University was hailed as “one of the great world leaders of the future” by Chancellor Gordon Brown on a visit to the campus earlier this month. And his was not the only high-profile As a North West MP, I know the Ruth Kelly speaking at the conference praise for the University, in a week which contribution you will make to the saw three ministerial visits to separate economy of the region and to the UK.” events on campus. Along with Gordon The following morning, Gordon Brown Brown’s, visits were made by newly- officially opened a new £1 million facility appointed Secretary of State for Education which will house the University’s high- and Skills, Ruth Kelly, and Secretary of tech spin-out companies - the second State for Culture, Media and Sport, such facility on the campus. Tessa Jowell. He said:”The University of Manchester is On 6 January, Ruth Kelly spoke at the going to be one of the great world leaders North of England Education Conference, of the future. I have seen their plans and I the sector’s major annual event, which am convinced that it is going to happen.” this year was hosted by the University’s Centre for Educational Leadership. Her Also visiting the campus on 12 January, visit attracted particular interest as it was was Culture Minister Tessa Jowell, who the Minister’s first major speech since her officially opened the Centre for Research appointment three weeks previously. into Socio Cultural Chance (CRESC), which is based in Waterloo Place. Paying tribute to the University, she said:“You are a powerful symbol of change See news pages 4, 5 and 11 for full details in our higher education system today. of the visits. Chancellor Gordon Brown with Vice-Presidents Paul Layzell and Nancy Rothwell 4 UniLife News Making History It features images of international there has only been black migration to the heroes such as Malcolm X speaking at UK since `Windrush’ in 1948.” the Students’ Union and Muhammed Ali To illustrate this, the calendar features 19th at a book signing in the city, as well as Malcolm X A 2005 calendar celebrating Century campaigner Frederick Douglas, one speaking in the more local figures such as Viraj Mendis of the foremost anti-slavery campaigners of Main Debating Manchester’s historical and Manchester’s first black Mayor, his generation who visited Manchester and Hall at the relationship with key figures in Yomi Mambu. Clayton-born Len Johnson (1902–1974), a University’s Education Outreach Co-ordinator Jackie mixed-race boxer who became a Communist Students’ Union in black and other ethnic-minority and between 1947 and 1962 stood for local Ould said:”We wanted to try and highlight 1964 – one of the groups has been produced by the elections six times in Manchester. images from the the fact that there has been a black Making History University’s Ahmed Iqbal Ullah presence in Manchester for a number of Calendars are available from the Centre in calendar. years. There is a tendency to think that Devonshire House, priced £6. Race Relations Resource. www.racearchive.org.uk Education Conference Secretary of State for Education and Skills, successful merger of the Victoria University qualifications with over 4,000 clients Ruth Kelly, gave her first public speech of Manchester and UMIST. You are a working both regionally and nationally. since her appointment in December at the powerful symbol of change in our higher Nevertheless, Ms Kelly made it clear that UK’s largest and most prestigious annual education system today. As a North West her driving principle would be satisfying education event, hosted by the MP,I know the contribution you will make parents. She said she wanted them placed University’s Centre for Educational to the economy of the region and to the UK. at the heart of decision-making and she Leadership earlier this month. “I would also like to pay tribute to my intended to be their "champion". The North of England Education predecessor Charles Clarke whose passion She said she wanted to improve parental Conference (NEEC) is now a national for education and skills was well known. choice of schools by increasing the range event, the first of which took place in When he attended the official launch of of providers and using "competitions" to Manchester in 1903. This year it was The University of Manchester, he said that find the best organisations to open new attended by more than 500 delegates and the creation of the new University was an schools. covered extensively by the media. historic day for the UK and that he hoped what Manchester does today, the world However, she was coy about whether this The conference brought together some of does tomorrow. This University has much meant encouraging private sector the UK's leading politicians and education to be proud of and I wish it every success.” education management companies to run professionals under the theme 'Leading state schools, as they do already in one or Together', and examined how higher Brendan Murden, Director of the University’s two city academies. education institutions, schools and Local Centre for Educational Leadership, Education Auhorities can collaborate to commented:“We were thrilled to host such Despite this, she was explicit that she did develop leadership potential, and to lead a prestigious conference at the University. It not want any more grammar schools. education improvement. was the first time a university had hosted She would, she said, be guided by two the conference, and it was a great success.” Opening her speech, the Minister said: principles - the need to improve “I want to first of all pay tribute to the new The CEL is one of the largest providers of vocational education and the desirability University of Manchester following the educational leadership programmes and of "stretching" the brightest students. www.dfes.gov.uk UniLife 5 News Library’s Landmark The ‘Unlocking the Rylands This figure represents a quarter of the Library Development Officer Alison Firth amount the University Appeal is aiming to said:“Passing this formal milestone is a Appeal’ reached its first major raise in addition to funding from the real boost to our campaign. There's still milestone last month having Heritage Lottery Fund and the European £3 million more to raise but the Lord Regional Development Fund towards the Mayor congratulated us all on working £16 million project. raised £1 million towards the so hard to make our campaign a success refurbishment and The announcement coincided with a so far. special visit to the Library by the Lord Pictured are Lord Mayor Councillor Tom redevelopment of the historic Mayor of Manchester Councillor building on Deansgate. Tom O’Callaghan, Edward Pysden O'Callaghan, University Librarian and representing Eversheds LLP, and senior Director, Bill Simpson; Deputy University Library staff. It was Evershed’s cheque Librarian, Dr Diana Leitch; Head of which took the Appeal over the Special Collections, Dr Stella Butler and £1 million mark. Alison Firth. Chancellor Opens Incubator The Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown has opened a new £1m incubator unit at the University. The Sackville Street Incubator Units incubator units and the contribution it is Tony Walker, Sackville Street Incubation complete the University’s portfolio of making to the economy. Manager, said: "This incubator will provide facilities, providing hi-tech offices for a full and comprehensive support for He said: "It is a pleasure to be in early-stage spin-out companies. creating new companies. We will facilitate Manchester to see the huge changes The units have been created by converting taking place in this great city that led the and provide access to workspace, risk three disused railway arches into modern, industrial revolution and is now leading capital, business management and an glass-fronted offices using funding the knowledge revolution of the 21st environment for innovation." provided by the North West Development Century best symbolised by us being here Companies that will occupy the units Agency and the European Regional today under these railway arches to open Development Fund. include Dmist Ltd, which has developed this new incubator." video technology that allows cameras to The Chancellor unveiled an official plaque The units, managed by The University of see through fog, Smart Life Technologies outside the units before meeting Manchester Incubator Company (UMIC), which has developed sensing representatives from the companies are part of a cohesive and leading strategy technologies that can be woven into which occupy them.