The Senate, 25 March 2015 Report of the Vice-Chancellor

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper presents a summary of key background information on recent developments, and is based on the Vice-Chancellor’s report to Council on 24 November. The Vice-Chancellor will introduce the report at the meeting and will provide members of the Senate with the opportunity to raise questions on any aspect of the report.

1. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT 1.1 University funding . There continues to be uncertainty over the future funding of universities and HE students. Liam Byrne, the Shadow Minister (Business, Universities and Skills), has said that the Labour Party would like to lower tuition fees, most likely to £6,000, but did not make any announcements on the subject at the Labour Party Conference. He said that the Party was “ambitious for tuition fees to be lower in the years to come, but we’re also determined not to short-change the sector. Therefore we’re not going to announce anything on tuition fees until we are in a position to be crystal clear about where the money is going to come from.” He indicated that Labour may announce their policy on tuition fees after the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, due on 3 December. . Greg Clark, for Universities, Science and Cities, has claimed that Labour’s proposed £6,000 tuition fee policy would be a “huge step backwards” and leave a “fiscal black hole”. Mr Clark argued that a Labour £6,000 policy would create “a situation which no university wants where you’d have to go cap in hand to the Treasury every year just to maintain the status quo in funding”. . , Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, has also criticised the idea of reducing tuition fees to £6,000, describing it as “a potentially very damaging policy”. He also warned that a future Conservative government might significantly increase tuition fees, reduce student loans repayment thresholds and turn many existing grants to loans. . The Institute of Economic Affairs has published a new report: Universities challenged: funding higher education through a free market ‘graduate tax’. It suggests a new funding scheme in which university graduates would pay a graduate tax directly to their alma mater. http://www.iea.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/files/DP_Universities%20challenged_web.pdf The report argues that HE would best be paid for by an earnings-linked levy, paid directly to universities. Fees would vary by course and institution. This would entail the abolition of the current student loans scheme. Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, has written a critique. http://www.hepi.ac.uk/2014/10/25/thoughts-ieas-student-fusing-proposal/

1 . The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has published its annual review of the financial health of the university sector. It warns that universities face tough financial challenges over the next three years. It suggests that growing competition for both home and international students plus cuts in capital funding mean many institutions' budgets and surpluses are likely to be under pressure. http://www.hefce.ac.uk/media/hefce/content/pubs/2014/201426/HEFCE%202014_26.pdf . The review indicates that: o Universities are expecting only a small increase in undergraduate student numbers in the coming year, despite an additional 30,000 funded places being made available by the Government. Greater increases are expected the following year when restrictions on numbers will be completely removed, but forecasts from institutions on student intakes over the coming three years vary enormously. o To help plug financial shortfalls, universities are hoping to increase significantly their intake of international students, and are predicting income from overseas student fees will rise from £3bn in 2012-13 to £4.2bn in 2016-17. o In the short term, the sector’s finances appear sound, with operating surpluses ranging from £649m to £980m over the next three years. But HEFCE warns that “this is against a background of an increasingly competitive environment and reductions in capital funding”. . The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a report proposing the creation of a postgraduate loans system. IPPR says the lack of an equivalent of the subsidised loans available to undergraduates means many students - particularly those from low-income families - are put off taking up postgraduate study. http://www.ippr.org/publications/reaching-higher-reforming-student-loans-to-broaden-access-to- postgraduate-study However, the evidence from a HEFCE-funded project, led by the University of Sheffield, suggests that those from lower socio-economic groups do not want to add to their debts and that a scholarship scheme, with universities and businesses matching state funds, needs to be part of the solution. http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.412725!/file/PSS_Interim_Report.pdf 1.2 Widening participation . The second annual State of the Nation Report from the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, chaired by Alan Milburn MP, has been published. It warns that the link between effort and reward on which social mobility relies has been broken. It calls for universities to admit 5,000 more young people entitled to free school meals by 2020 and Russell Group universities to enroll 3,000 more students from state schools in the same period. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-of-the-nation-2014-report 1.3 Apprenticeships and vocational education . A new £3m vocational education research centre is to be set up in England to provide research into technical skills and to influence government policy. The new centre is to become the main body of independent expertise and policy advice for the vocational sector. Professor Alison Wolf, the author of the Wolf Review of vocational education (2011), is to head the board of the new centre, as well as assess the bids to run it. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vocation-education-research-centre-bid- for-funding/vocation-education-research-centre-bid-for-funding

2 . has pledged to end youth unemployment in the next parliament, when he says a future Conservative government would use £1bn in welfare spending cuts to fund 3m new apprenticeships. http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/oct/20/3m-apprenticeships-david-cameron-welfare- cuts 1.4 The North: city growth, regionalism and devolution . Deputy Prime Minister has announced the launch of TechNorth, a new “world-class tech cluster” spanning Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and Newcastle. The cluster will aim to aim to attract inward investment to the North as well as supporting the 20,000 existing businesses in the region by pooling ideas and resources. http://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/2014/10/government-launches-world-class-tech-cluster-for-five- northern-cities/ . The RSA City Growth Commission, chaired by Jim O'Neill, has published several reports into the role of cities in creating economic growth. The Commission's penultimate report, UniverCities, focuses on recommendations for universities to enhance their economic impact on the largest cities and their surrounding areas (or 'metros'). The report highlights the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre as an example of firms and universities working together. http://www.citygrowthcommission.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/UniverCities-City-Growth- Commission-October-2014.pdf The report makes several recommendations, covering three broad areas: o To orient the content of teaching and research to the demands of the metro economies in which they are located, metros can use new freedoms and flexibilities to establish “Metro Investment Funds for Higher Education”. o As strong graduate migration flow presents a challenge for metros to match supply and demand for skilled labour, new measures should provide local graduates every opportunity to find employment in the metro labour market. o Enterprise among students, graduates and academics should be encouraged. . has announced that Greater Manchester is to have an elected mayor to preside over regional issues. The move, agreed with leaders of the region's ten councils, will give local politicians greater control over billions of pounds of public money, including a £500m skills budget. The first mayoral election is expected to take place in 2017. 1.5 International students: net migration targets . UKIP has said that it would remove university-sponsored non-EU international students from net migration targets, leaving the Conservatives as the only party not supporting a change of policy. At a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference, Greg Clark, Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities, ruled out removing international students from the net migration target. . Greg Clark told the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee that the UK is currently second only to the US in attracting international students, and that his ambition was to leapfrog the US into the top spot. “We need to make sure there is a perception that the UK welcomes foreign students,” he said. . , the Immigration Minister, has rejected long-standing calls to remove students from the Government’s net migration target. He has been criticised by many in the HE sector after dismissing claims that Government immigration policy is behind dramatic falls in the number of Indian students heading for UK universities.

3 ACADEMIC AND STRATEGIC PLANNING 2.1 Student recruitment for 2014 entry . The current projected registration position for full-time students as at 1 December 2014 (based on actual registrations as at 1 November) is as follows:

Previous Target 2014 Intake Variance Intakes

a. b. c. c.-a. Departmental Actual Projected Projected Student Category Intake Intake Targets @ 1 Intake Intake Intake vs @ @ Dec 2014 @ 1 @ 01 Dec Targets 01 Dec 01 Dec Nov 2014

12 13 2014 (based on 1 Nov figures)

4194 4178 167 SNG: 4011 UG FT Home 3621 4381 DUAL: 418 399 395 -23

1062 1062 51 SNG: 1011 UG FT Overseas 857 1145 DUAL: 61 49 49 -12

PGT FT Home 925 908 1015 941 922 -93

PGT FT Overseas 2086 2431 2571 2562 2556 -15

PGR FT Home 355 394 442 421 432 -10

PGR FT Overseas 323 304 384 362 389 5

2.2 Student recruitment for 2015 entry . As at 15 October, the University had received 5,690 Home and 814 Overseas undergraduate applications. These figures represent a small (-6%) decrease in Home and a small (+2%) increase in Overseas applications compared to the same point last year. It should be noted, however, that it is very early in the new admissions cycle and it will take some time for patterns to be established. It is encouraging that more offers have been made than at this point last year, across both Home and Overseas applications. . Early indications are encouraging for Postgraduate Taught Home applications with an increase (+6%) in applications (totalling 245 applications so far). The increase is seen in all faculties except for Engineering, where the raw numbers are very small. . There has been another significant increase (+26%) in Postgraduate Taught Overseas applications, with 5,904 applications received to date. . Overall, Postgraduate Taught offer numbers are high for this time of year, with 44% of applicants having received an offer. . Postgraduate Research applications are looking strong at this early stage although raw numbers are small: +68% for Home postgraduate research applications, with Overseas applications remaining at the same level as last year.

4 2.2 Annual Planning Round . Following UEB discussion at its Awayday on 7 October 2014, the annual Planning Round – the process of planning and prioritisation in line with the Strategic Plan – was formally launched in early November. The contextual focus for planning has been provided by the planning outcomes from 2013-14 and a concise ‘Planning Focus and Priorities’ document, which provides a steer from UEB. The key priorities can be summarised as: o Responding to the publication of REF results on 18 December 2014 and developing new impact case studies in preparation for the next REF. o Taking action to address the fall in overall satisfaction in the NSS and particular issues with improving performance in assessment and feedback. o Addressing the emergence of new technologies, evolving pedagogy and the role of digital learning, including a sustainable funding model for development of this type of provision. o Attracting the highest quality students and maintaining or improving our Home undergraduate average entry tariff in the new unrestricted recruitment environment by retaining a minimum ABB offer and selectively recruiting students achieving BBB either as borderlines or in Confirmation, Adjustment and Clearing. . Faculties and Professional Services have been asked to review their strategy and progress to date as well as articulating aspirations, plans and objectives for the remainder of the planning period. The planning outcomes will be considered by UEB at a series of meetings in March - May 2015. 2.3 Development of the Strategic Plan 2015-2022 . The University is continuing to develop the new Strategic Plan, which will cover the period from 2015-22. Between November and January a series of workshops will be hosted by the Vice-Chancellor to engage both staff and interested parties from outside the University. Each session will be led by a member of UEB and will focus on a different aspect of the new Strategy. Outcomes will be shared with Council at the supper following its meeting in February 2015. 2.4 Strategic projects and bids . The University response to a major review of Life Sciences undertaken in 2013-14 is continuing to develop through working groups which are examining actions and recommendations to support a step change improvement in our outputs in the area of biomedical life sciences. These groups will feed in to an implementation plan by the end of the year. . The HEFCE funded Postgraduate Support Scheme project has submitted an interim report to HEFCE. The project has overseen the successful recruitment of 416 new widening participation scholarship students across six universities, including 100 in Sheffield across all five faculties and a range of courses. Current activity is focused on developing academic innovation as well as understanding the support needs and aspirations of students. Research and findings from the project are being disseminated and briefings have been delivered to key policy makers. . Recent strategic bid activity includes a ~£5m HEFCE STEM capital bid (awaiting result) and a £2.4m HEFCE Catalyst bid for advanced technical education (submitted on 6 November). The Catalyst bid proposes an expansion of the existing AMRC apprenticeship scheme to provide pathways to a new Bachelor and Master of Manufacturing Technology and professional accreditation, undertaken alongside employment. A second Catalyst bid is being developed under the heading of the 'Engaged University' and focuses on the economic value of city centre vibrancy (in

5 terms of the fabric of the city, as well as its cultural offer).

3. FINANCE 3.1 Financial statements 2013-14 and financial forecasts . These are provided as a separate agenda item on the Council agenda.

4. CAPITAL PROJECTS 4.1 Capital programme: overview . The seven-year capital programme 2010-17 totalling £272m (including HEFCE CIF2 contribution of £18m) is progressing well, with over £216m fully approved projects. An update on the main programme projects in design, construction or completion phases is provided below: 4.2 AMRC Factory 2050 (£21.7m; estimated completion October 2015) . A funding agreement with ERDF has been received by AMRC and is being reviewed. Once this is signed and agreed a release of £10m can be actioned. . The Contractor, Interserve, has started construction on site to ensure that the programme delivery is maintained as far as possible to grant funding deadlines. 4.3 New Engineering Building: The Diamond (£80.8m; estimated completion September 2015) . Construction is progressing well and in line with the contract programme. 4.4 Other Engineering projects . As part of the Engineering Estates Development Framework (EEDF), a budget of £53m was agreed in principle to deliver the refurbishment and development of the whole St Georges complex, comprising six phases. Phases 1 and 2 are in progress (see below) and Phases 3-4 require some additional fees to progress design. Phases 5-6 are being re-evaluated and will be incorporated into a revised EEDF covering the period 2015-20. . It is anticipated that phases 1 to 3 will require the total budget of £53m and that a further c. £16m will be needed if a decision is taken to include Phases 3 and 4 within this current capital programme period, with the remaining two phases still to be funded. 4.5 Engineering refurbishment Phase 1 (£10.8m; imminent completion) . Phase 1 works are now complete and all related snagging items are being resolved with close dialogue with the Faculty. A Building User Group has been established. 4.6 Engineering refurbishment Phase 2 (£4.3m; estimated completion December 2014) . The contractor is progressing very well on site and the programme is on target. Currently the first fix of mechanical and electrical services is well advanced and the second fix of joinery and internal finishes is being undertaken across both floors. 4.7 Multi Storey Car Park – Durham Road (£9,825,071; expected completion December 2015) . Ground preparation for piling is underway. A contractor compound has been established. The project is progressing on programme and budget.

6 4.8 Innovation Centre – Bioincubator (feasibility budget £30k) . In September 2013, ECSG approved the use of the Bioincubator building for an Innovation Centre. Fees of £30k have been released to assist with design of the facilities and a business case is to be submitted to January 2015 ECSG. The Faculty of Engineering will need to vacate the Bioincubator in September 2015 and the project to re-provision the space for an Innovation Centre will then commence. 4.9 Combined Heat and Power . This project aims to provide CHP and Tri-generation to the Western Bank campus, including a number important research facilities based there. Following outline approval of up to £1m in fees, a procurement process in underway to appoint a lead consultant for Building Services Engineering, including engine design requirements, detailed site surveys, specification for the procurement of specialist equipment and the management of other project advisers. 4.10 POLARIS – Refurbishment of space for MRC funded equipment – (capital programme fees released £55k) . The POLARIS application has now been approved by the Medical Research Council for all three main project parts: o Replacement of the current 1.5T whole body MR scanner with a new system of the same field strength but with greater capabilities for hyperpolarised gas and chest MR imaging £2,180,000, C Floor RHH. o Expansion of the hyperpolarised gas production and handling facility in order to allow greater national clinical capability £2,585,600, SIMFANI Building. o Creation of a new image-processing laboratory for large throughput pulmonary image processing £1,725,000. 18, 18a Claremont Crescent. . Feasibility fees of £55k were approved by ECSG and a full business case will be submitted for approval in the next few months. It is hoped that work can commence in April 2015. Capital expenditure must be defrayed in accordance with the grant terms and conditions by 31 March 2016.

5. THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE 5.1 Learning and teaching . Work continues on the Achieve More initiative, which is intended to enhance undergraduate student learning. This is being delivered through Faculty Challenges for all first years, inter-disciplinary projects for all second years, support for communicating academic knowledge to non-specialist audiences for final years, and further consideration of optional module choice to broaden learning. The Level 1 Faculty challenges are running between October 2014 and February 2015 and have seen good levels of student engagement to date. A common evaluation framework has been devised, and the findings from the first year of delivery will be considered and disseminated in due course. Academic staff from across the University have been invited to inform the paired global challenge themes that will frame the Inter- disciplinary Challenges for all second years. The Learning and Teaching Committee will shortly consider and make recommendations for the guiding principles for the various aspects of the initiative. Achieve More continues to attract positive external interest, including internationally. More information can be found on the website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/als/current/achieve . A new group is being convened to take a holistic view of the use of technologies and digital media in learning and teaching. Chaired by Professor Anne Peat, the group will identify and make recommendations for embedding existing good practices, including transferable approaches from the MOOCs and iTunes-U projects. It will

7 also identify new opportunities and inform the development of the infrastructure required to support academic staff. . Student assessment and feedback on assessment continues to be a priority theme for learning and teaching enhancement. The most recent NSS (National Student Survey) results underline the need for focused efforts on this aspect of our student experience: this is the only area where the University’s results are below the sector as a whole. An action plan covering short to medium term goals has been devised and meetings will take place with Heads of Departments. Assessment and feedback has also been identified as a priority theme for the Annual Planning Round (see 2.2 above). . On 7 October, HEFCE announced a review of future approaches to quality assessment in HE, which is currently overseen by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). A national Quality Review Group has been established and we expect to receive further information on the work of this group and any planned consultation activities. An update will be provided in due course. 5.2 Student matters . Progress continues with the University’s Student Systems Project, which is considering ways of improving the IT systems and associated processes that support the student lifecycle, with the aim of providing more flexible, streamlined and consistent systems. The functional areas covered by the project are very wide - ranging including student recruitment and admissions, student assessment, student finance, and customer relationship management. Consultative workshops are continuing and project team members are currently engaging specifically with academic staff via Faculty Learning & Teaching Committees, and a series of role- focussed group discussions. We are also capturing the student perceptions of the current systems together with future expectations. Further information can be found on the website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssp . Two new events supporting student recruitment were held this autumn. In October, the University hosted its first autumn term-time undergraduate open day which proved very successful, with total visitor numbers exceeding 8,700. During Intro Week, a Postgraduate Opportunities Showcase was held, aimed at returning Sheffield undergraduates. The event received 200 pre-bookings and 150 on-the-day registrations. Participants have been invited to complete a survey about their experience of the event, following which a communication plan will be developed and consideration given to further events of this kind. . The Realising Opportunities programme - a collaborative intensive outreach programme offered by 14 research intensive Universities - held a profile-raising event at Parliament on 14 October 2014 to coincide with the publication of its report on widening participation and social mobility. The reception was attended by all partner universities (with Professor Paul White and Dr Christina Edgar attending for Sheffield), past and present students, e-mentors, representatives from a number of government and educational bodies, including HEFCE and Universities UK, and cross-party MPs. . Colleagues from Student Services have participated in the development of two partnership bids for collaborative outreach as part of HEFCE’s national Networks for Collaborative Outreach initiative, one a national Russell Group network and the other a local City Region partnership bid led by Sheffield Hallam University. The aim of the initiative as a whole is to target outreach 'cold spots', i.e. schools who do not engage currently with HE outreach. Should we be successful in the bidding process, the University’s institutional allocation will be c. £100k over two years.

8 . Complementing Achieve More (see above), and to promote more effectively the wide range of international opportunities available to undergraduate students, a

number of activities have been brought together under the overall branding of Your Global Sheffield. A new suite of web pages has been launched promoting ways in which our students can develop their international experience. As part of the Your Global Sheffield initiative, a new scholarship programme has been introduced to support undergraduate students who wish to participate in a summer school abroad or who would like to engage in an international volunteering activity. Further information can be found at www.sheffield.ac.uk/sheffieldinternational/experiences-for-students/ 5.3 Enterprise . During October a team of University students from the social enterprise company Enactus Sheffield represented the UK at the Enactus World Cup 2014 in Beijing. Enactus Sheffield, which was crowned UK Champion for its work helping 150 disadvantaged people to transform their lives, competed against 35 countries across the world in the annual competition’s final round, winning a semi-final trophy for their work on projects such as a scheme to provide clean water and soap to rural villages in Zambia, and the pioneering “Homemade” venture in which students worked with homeless people to create a jam-making business, enabling people living on the streets to gain valuable work experience. . Two University of Sheffield graduates have sold their online cleaning service MOPP to US firm Handy for several million pounds. The company was started with support and seed funding from USE (University of Sheffield Enterprise).

6. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION 6.1 Research awards . New awards for the twelve months ended 30 September 2014 now stand at £122m, compared with £140.1m at 30 September 2013. The Research Council sponsor category has seen a reduction of £15.1m over this twelve month period, with European awards lower by £6.9m. A possible explanation for this is a reduction in the number of new European Commission awards during the transition from Framework 7 to Horizon 20:20 in 2015. . The number of new awards received for the twelve months ended 30 September 2014 is 707, excluding 55 new grants arising from the restructuring of AMRC grants in January/February 2014. This compares with 692 for the twelve months to September 2013. . The value of the work in progress (order book) of research awards secured, but as yet unspent, was £229.4m as at September 2014, which compares favourably with the £220.9m as at September 2013. 6.2 Impact, innovation and knowledge exchange . The Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) board is establishing a Science and Innovation Board for the region. This will fulfil a governance role for the LEP and the new European Structural and Investment Funding (ESIF) programme. It will also have a wider role in setting and achieving a vision for science and innovation-led growth in the region. It is likely, but not yet confirmed, that the board will have a role in allocating £10m ESIF funding currently ring-fenced for innovation activities in the region. The Vice-Chancellor will chair the board, membership of which will be drawn from within the region and more broadly.

9 6.3 Research Excellence Framework 2014 . The results of the REF2014 will be published on 18 December 2014, with Higher Education Institutions receiving their own results under embargo on 16 December 2014, and the results for the sector under embargo on 17 December 2014. Research & Innovation Services and Corporate Affairs will be supporting UEB to communicate the results internally and externally, including to Council. 6.4 Research student matters . The universities of Sheffield, Leeds and York, working under the auspices of the White Rose Consortium, will host an £11m Doctoral Training Partnership that will fund 164 PhD projects over the next five years. The investment is part of £125m funding announced by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council to support the training of the next generation of biological scientists. Research will span three main areas of strength for Yorkshire’s research community: agriculture and food security; world class underpinning bioscience; and industrial biotechnology and bioenergy. . The University’s Doctoral Academy saw its official launch to Heads of Department, PGR leads and other senior staff on 20 October 2014. As well as immediate improvements to our brand presence, to ensure that we continue to be a destination of first choice for the highest quality students, the Doctoral Researcher Strategy Group is considering how the University can best support the Faculties’ recruitment strategies, and is initially focussing on students to understand how we can improve recruitment in this market. . The University is about to launch its annual doctoral student scholarship advertising campaign. Scholarship funding is increasingly focussed on strategic research areas. The Futures 2022 supported projects, the Florey and Imagine Centres, have, for example, recruited their first cohorts of students who will have an element of European research mobility in their scholarship funding. 6.5 Capital research infrastructure . EPSRC have released up to £50m of its capital budget to refresh and update experimental equipment across all research areas within its remit. Funding will be allocated at institutional level and it is expected that approximately 20 awards will be made. Led by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), a coordinated University proposal is being developed, reflecting the breadth of EPSRC funding research across the institution. . Dr Tanya Whitfield (Biomedical Science) and Dr Mark Dickman (Chemical and Biological Engineering) have been awarded capital funding of £385k and £406k respectively under the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s (BBSRC) Alert 14 scheme.

7. INTERNATIONALISATION 7.1 International developments . The Vice-Chancellor led a delegation of staff to Hong Kong and China in October 2014. The visit included degree congregations and alumni receptions as well as engagements with existing and potential partner organisations. Visits were made to Tongji University, the Shanghai Zizhu International Education Park, Nanjing University, Nanjing Tech University, Beijing Institute of Technology and the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban). An honorary degree was conferred upon Madame Xu Lin, Chief Executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters and Director General of Hanban.

10 . The Deputy Vice Chancellor met the President of the University of Calgary to discuss potential opportunities to work together. The meeting in London was followed by a visit to UoC’s newly opened research facility in Beijing, the ‘Global Initiative for Research in Unconventional Oil and Gas’. It is hoped that these interactions will lead to future joint initiatives. . The Faculty of Engineering’s Director of Operations and the Technician Trainee Program Manager visited Tongji University in mid-October to consider ways in which the University of Sheffield can assist with the development of technicians at Tongji. It is expected that the relationship will develop further and that staff development as well as research and teaching collaboration will be taken forward. . A delegation from Kyungbook National University (KNU), South Korea was received by the Department of Automatic Control & Systems Engineering on 25 September. KNU has the biggest school of electronics in Korea with close links to Samsung and LG. The visit also included broader discussions relating to student exchange, summer schools and research collaboration. . The University has hosted a visit by a delegation from Lanzhou University China. The delegation engaged in discussions related to the development of links with the Departments of Geography, Material Science & Engineering and Physics and the School of Mathematics & Statistics.

8. HUMAN RESOURCES 8.1 Universities Superannuation Scheme: industrial action . An update on the position with respect to proposed changes to the USS pension scheme and the industrial action currently being taken by some members of the Universities and Colleges Union appears as a separate paper on the Council agenda. 8.2 New key appointments . Anne Horn has been appointed as Director of Library Services and University Librarian and Director of Library Services with effect from March 2015. Mrs Horn is currently University Librarian and Executive Director, Academic Support, at Deakin University in Victoria, Australia. . Dr Helen Kennedy has been appointed as Research Chair in Digital Society in the Department of Sociological Studies with effect from 1 November 2014. Dr Kennedy was previously a Senior Lecturer in New Media at the University of Leeds.

9. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 9.1 Higher Education Code of Governance . The Committee of University Chairs (CUC) has circulated the final draft of its new Higher Education Code of Governance. This replaces the existing Guide for Members of HE Governing Bodies and takes into account the outcomes of a consultation on a preliminary draft, including the concerns expressed by many respondents about over-prescription. Subject to final editorial amendments, the new Code is expected to be confirmed and published before the end of 2014. . The Code provides: o an initial statement of the core values on which the conduct of HE governance is based; o an identification of the seven primary elements of governance that support the values; o more detailed consideration of each of the primary elements, with illustrative guidance on how they might be implemented.

11 . HEFCE expects universities to confirm their compliance with the Code (and explain any instances of non-compliance) via the Corporate Governance Statement that forms part of the Annual Accountability Return. In preparation for the Code’s implementation, we will undertake an internal review of our compliance and provide a report to Council, including recommendations for action if required. . The final draft Code is available on the Council Google Drive. 9.2 District heating system . Failure of the Veolia district heating system is affecting part of the central campus and has necessitated the installation of temporary boilers in a number of locations. Repair work is in progress and we are in regular contact with Veolia to ensure that this is completed as quickly as possible. We are also working with the City Council and Veolia to review the services provided and seek assurance concerning the mitigation of risks associated with the network. . Section 4.9 of this Report concerns the possible development of an independent energy centre to support the requirements of the Western Bank complex of buildings.

10. REPUTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 10.1 University community . Our plans to better engage staff in our University through improved communications channels and content have progressed well. Coming in November is a fortnightly e-bulletin, called One Update. This will be followed early in the New Year by a magazine for staff, called One, with three issues per year, which will also be shared with key stakeholders and members of Council. Content for both will be produced in collaboration with colleagues from across the University with a focus on sharing what we’re most proud of. . A new initiative that helps the University community to support and encourage enterprise and entrepreneurism is due to be piloted in the coming weeks. The Sheffield Crowd is a crowdsourcing platform that engages students, staff, alumni and partners to support the development of ideas and initiatives through advice, collaboration and fundraising. Further updates will be provided as the initiative develops. 10.2 Engaging the city . A new three-year partnership agreement with Sheffield Theatres will sees the University supporting the refurbishment of the Sheffield Lyceum by sponsoring the new safety screen. . Led by Professor Nigel Dunnett (Department of Landscape), who was responsible for the acclaimed wild flower meadow landscapes of London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Love Square is a unique community garden project that is one of five English sites bidding for £120k of transformation funding from Grow Wild. Love Square will be a new type of urban nature park located at West Bar, in Sheffield city centre. The project is being coordinated by the University, working closely with Sheffield City Council and a range of local community groups. A public vote took place between 7 October and 4 November, supported by a campaign to raise awareness that included a website and national media coverage. The outcome of the vote is expected before the end of the year. www.sheffield.ac.uk/lovesquare

12 10.3 Media coverage . The University generated approximately 1,355 cuttings in the press and media between 22 September 2014 and 29 October 2014. This includes coverage in key countries such as 330 cuttings in China, 68 cuttings in Latin America, 59 cuttings in India and Pakistan, 12 cuttings in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, and 8 cuttings in the Great Lakes, USA. Recent examples of coverage included the following: o Professor Matthew Flinders (Department of Politics) explored the result of the Scottish Referendum in a number of features for the Wall Street Journal. Several other academic colleagues from across the University discussed the result in various national and regional publications. o Research from the Department of Geography suggesting that Britain’s winters are becoming increasingly volatile was reported widely in leading national and international media outlets. After liaising with the science reporter from The Sun, Edward Hanna is to have his own weather feature in the near future. o William Horsley (Department of Journalism Studies) examined the safety of journalists balanced with their reporting duties in an interview on BBC Radio Five Live’s drive time programme. o Coverage for Festival of the Mind included Spanish national newspaper El Pais, BBC News Online, Daily Mail, Observer, Guardian and Times Higher and all regional outlets. 10.4 Outstanding achievements and awards . Dr Allan Pacey (Department of Human Metabolism) has been made a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in recognition of his pioneering research into male fertility over the past 20 years. . In partnership with facilities company, Cofely, and Catalyst Higher Education (Sheffield), the University’s Accommodation & Commercial Services (ACS) was announced as winner of the Partners in Facilities Management Education Facilities Award at the Premises and Facilities Management Magazine Awards. This is a national award and recognises the provision of quality accommodation services to over 4,200 students across campus. . Students Bethan Rimmington (Geography) and Ellie Morrissey (Economics), received the Most Inspirational Student award at this year’s Inspiration Awards for Women in recognition of their work with women survivors of human trafficking, and sexual and domestic abuse. . Dental School PhD students came away from the recent Pan European Federation of Dental Research Societies recent meeting in Croatia with an impressive haul of British Division prizes, more than any other UK Dental School: Eleanor Ashworth won the GSK Mineralised Tissue Group prize; Robert Bolt the Unilever poster prize; Saja Muhsin the VOCO Dental Materials prize; Genevieve Melling won the Senior Colgate prize and will go on the represent the British Division at the International Association for Dental Research in Boston next March. . PhD students Marwa Mahmoud and Neil Bowden (Department of Cardiovascular Science) received Young Investigator prizes at the British Atherosclerosis Society meeting held on 25-26 September at Queen's College, Cambridge. . Students Nathan Briant, Hannah Bryan and Lauren Peel (Department of Journalism Studies) have been shortlisted by National Council for the Training of Journalists for an excellence award in an annual scheme that seeks to recognise the best student and trainee journalists. The winners will be announced in late November.

13 . Zoology student Billy Clapham has been named Photographer of the Year in the Society of Biology’s annual national photography competition.

11. DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS 11.1 Funds raised . Cash received since 1 August 2014 with a comparison to the same time period a year previously:

Description Timeframe Value Cash Income received 1 August 2014 to 28 £1,369,886 2014-15 October 2014 Cash Income received 1 August 2013 to 28 £433,405 2013-14 October 2013

11.2 Major gifts, milestones and significant developments . Individual gifts and pledges: o Air Vice-Marshal , FRAeS (MB ChB 1956) has donated £10,000 for SITraN. o Mr Jonathan Stone donated stocks and shares, which were sold immediately, with a value of $49,769.69 (circa £31,100). To be used by SITraN towards the “Opera Phoenix system”. . Trusts and Foundations: o Bet365 Foundation has donated £172,500 for Dementia research. o Sheffield Institute Foundation for Motor Neurone Disease has donated a further £35,743 for SITraN o HSBC Group has donated £25,000 as part of its ongoing support of a HSBC Scholarship scheme for undergraduate students o £16,423 was received from the Jacobs Foundation to set up an endowment fund called the Harry and Margaret Kroto Prize for Innovative Use of Technology in Learning, at the Kroto Research Inspiration. o £150,000 has been pledged by the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust to fund students from developing countries to study Masters courses at the Sheffield Institute for International Development. . Legacy gifts and pledges: o A legacy gift of £400,000 was received from Mr Max Batley for Peace research at the University 11.3 Notable events . On 24 October the Heritage Circle Legacy Lunch took place to thank alumni and friends who are remembering the University in their will. It was attended by over 100 guests. . On 5 November the Vice-Chancellor hosted a stewardship event to thank 75 donors at the Redfern Gallery, Cork Street, London and held a dinner for senior alumni at The Chelsea Arts Club. . On 8 November over 150 alumni from the Rowing Club held a celebration fundraising dinner in Sheffield.

14 . On 15 November a dinner is being held at the University to commemorate the winding up of SIFMND (the Sheffield Institute Foundation for MND), which helped to donate over £8m to create SITraN, and to thank supporters. . On 19 November an Alumni Fund Celebration Event will be held in Firth Hall to thank supporters, with over 200 guests already confirmed. A similar event is being held on 28 November to congratulate over 100 recipients of scholarships funded through the Benefactors’ Fund and the current HEFCE-funded Postgraduate Taught Masters Scholarship initiative (see also 2.4 above). . On 11 December alumnus Andy Haldane (BA 1988, Accounting - Chief Economist and Executive Director at the Bank of England) will be delivering a lecture at the Royal Society followed by a reception for senior alumni. . On 2 February 2015 the annual House of Lords Reception for alumni will take place hosted by Lord Krebs.

12. SERIOUS INCIDENT REPORTING . In its role as principal regulator of HEIs as charities, HEFCE requires an annual declaration that serious incidents have been appropriately reported. This declaration is made on behalf of members of Council, and it is therefore appropriate that they should be informed on a regular basis about incidents reported to HEFCE. HEFCE defines a serious incident as ‘one which has resulted in, or could result in, a significant loss of funds or a significant risk to a charity’s property, work, beneficiaries or reputation’. . Details of any serious incidents reported to HEFCE will be notified to Council through this Report. . At its last meeting, Council was notified that, pursuant to the University’s Fraud Response Plan, the University’s internal auditors were carrying out an investigation into an instance of financial fraud within one of the University’s subsidiary companies. An oral update will be provided to Council on 24 November. . With this exception, no serious incidents have required report to HEFCE during the period since 13 October 2014.

15

16

The Senate, 25 March 2015 Report of the Vice-Chancellor

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper presents a summary of key background information on recent developments, and is based on the Vice-Chancellor’s report to Council on 23 February. The Vice-Chancellor will introduce the report at the meeting and will provide members of the Senate with the opportunity to raise questions on any aspect of the report.

1. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT 1.1 HEFCE grant letter from BIS . Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Greg Clark, the Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, have confirmed funding allocations to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for financial year 2015-16. . The grant letter sets out Government funding and priorities for HEFCE and for higher education, and contains few surprises. It confirms a level of funding of just over £4bn, including an increase in capital funding of £163m compared to 2014-15 (a £146m increase in teaching capital and a £17m rise in research capital). The grant letter restates existing Government policy priorities; and does not provide an indication of funding levels beyond financial year 2015-16. http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/newsarchive/2014/news85409.html 1.2 The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement . In the Autumn Statement (3 December 2014), the Government allocated £5.9bn of science capital funding over the next Parliament. Of this, £3bn will support individual research projects and laboratories, and provide funding for international subscriptions. . It also allocated £2.9bn for scientific Grand Challenges, including £1bn of pre- commitments. This includes investment of £235m in a new Sir Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials research and innovation, which will be based in Manchester and have satellites in cities including Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield. . The Government will also invest £3bn in existing facilities. Over half of this will be subject to competition. An additional £200m will be allocated through the Research Partnership Investment Fund over the next Parliament by competition, drawing on industry co-funding. https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/autumn-statement-2014

1.3 Science and innovation strategy . On 17 December 2014 BIS published the UK Government’s Science and Innovation Strategy, which sets out priorities for investment and support in science, research and innovation over the next ten years. . Funding commitments, some of which were announced in part in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, include: o investment of £5.9bn in the scientific infrastructure between 2016 and 2021, with £2.9bn towards large capital projects such as the new Polar Research Ship and Square Kilometer Array, and £3bn for individual capital and maintenance projects in universities and institutes, to be allocated largely through competition; o £95m for European Space Agency programmes, including Britain’s lead role in the next European Rover mission to Mars (part of the ‘grand challenges’ funding). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-for-growth-science-and-innovation . The Nurse Review was also announced as part of the Strategy, with Sir Paul Nurse to examine how Research Councils can evolve to support research in the most effective ways. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nurse-review-of-research-councils-terms-of-reference . Many commentators have expressed disappointment with the Strategy, particularly with the lack of a commitment to ring-fence the science budget or to set long-term goals for science investment. There is also concern about the Nurse Review, with fears that this will reduce the amount of QR funding, which supports research across all universities, at the expense of a few big research projects determined by the Government, many of which are located in the south. 1.4 Postgraduate loans . The big announcement in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement was the introduction of a new loan system for postgraduate taught students, under which up to £10,000 will be made available for students under the age of 30 to fund their postgraduate study in any subject. The process of finalising the system will be supported by pilot schemes currently being funded by HEFCE (including one being led by the University), and by £50 million of match-funded bursaries for 2015-16. . It is proposed that the new scheme will be implemented in time for the 2016-17 academic year, though this is subject to the next Comprehensive Spending Review. The Treasury hopes to set the repayment rates higher than for current undergraduate loans, but lower than commercial rates, and to ensure that the majority will be paid in full. . There has been concern about the proposal to limit the loans to students under the age of 30. Concerns have also been raised about the fact that the postgraduate loans are to be repaid concurrently with undergraduate loans, at the same rate of 9% on earnings above £21,000, meaning that those taking out postgraduate loans could in effect face a marginal tax rate of 50% once income tax and National Insurance are included. 1.5 Anti-terrorism legislation . Universities and colleges would be expected to help the Government deter radicalism under the provisions of the Counter Terrorism and Security Bill announced by the , . If passed into law, the Bill will give the Home Office new powers to require university governing bodies to monitor and report on extremism on campus. . A report from the parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights warns that the new powers outlined in the Bill could ‘seriously inhibit’ academic debate. An amendment agreed by the House of Lords makes reference to a requirement for institutions to consider freedom of speech when complying with the new legislation. . In response to the proposed Bill the University has stated that it remains committed to the existing ‘PREVENT’ guidance and we work hard with local partners, particularly South Yorkshire Police, to promote safeguarding and work towards a safe community. We have pointed out that we believe the new Bill would place disproportionate and unworkable responsibilities on universities and that these would be unhelpful in terms of countering terrorism. The Vice-Chancellor is signatory to a letter calling for universities to be exempt from these requirements. In the event of no exemption, we have provided detailed feedback on a consultation paper issued by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. 1.6 Student recruitment in the UK . A report from the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) (December 2014), shows that the number of UK university entrants has passed half a million for the first time. The report details how the number of offers made to UK and EU applicants in 2013-14 rose by 6% and the number securing places was up 3.2% on the previous year to 512,000. The report also shows that the number of students gaining a place with somewhat lower grades at a ‘higher tariff’ institution rose, with 35% entering with BBB in 2014 compared with 32% the previous year. Meanwhile the gap between male and female entrants widened, with young women now a third more likely to enter higher education than young men. . New figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that part-time student numbers fell by 8%, or 55,000 in 2013-14. This follows a 22% drop in new part-time enrolments in 2012-13. . The Association of Colleges has highlighted a rise of nearly 12% in the number of students taking undergraduate courses at further education colleges in the two years up to 2012-13. 1.7 Tuition fees . A report by the Higher Education Commission has warned that the HE funding system in the UK is the ‘worst of both worlds’, with neither the Government nor students benefitting from recent reforms. While students are now paying more, the Government is still writing off high-levels of debt, with the result that ‘everybody feels like they are getting a bad deal’. . There continues to be uncertainty over the future funding of universities and HE. Liam Byrne, the Shadow Minister for Universities, Science and Skills, has said that Labour intend to introduce a graduate tax in the long-run to replace tuition fees. It is still not clear if Labour will lower tuition fees to £6,000 in the short term. The issue of tuition fees may have divided the Labour leadership, with keen to lower fees prior to a graduate tax, while Shadow Chancellor is concerned about funding the policy. There have been suggestions that Labour may pledge to hold a major review of HE, which could allow deferral of a detailed fees policy. 1.8 Funding for science and research . The European University Association is calling on countries to oppose changes to the European Union’s £67bn Horizon 2020 research and innovation budget, a major source of funding for UK universities and research centres. This follows proposals from the European Commission to divert money away from Horizon 2020 into a European Fund for Strategic Investments. Universities UK and the University Alliance warned that such a move would have a damaging effect on UK and EU research performance. 1.9 International student recruitment . The Chancellor George Osborne is said to have quashed controversial plans from Theresa May, the Home Secretary, that would have required all non-EU graduates to leave the UK as soon as they had completed their course. The proposal had been heavily criticised by university and business leaders. 1.10 Social mobility and graduate earnings . A major study, Social Policy in a Cold Climate (January 2015), has found that the introduction of higher tuition fees has not had a negative impact on social mobility in HE, but progress on widening participation has nevertheless been slow despite the additional injection of funds to support it. http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/dps/case/spcc/rr04.pdf . Rising from 16th place in 2000, the UK is now fifth among the world’s most developed nations for the number of 25- to 34-year-olds with a HE qualification, according to the OECD, which has published an interim update on its annual Education at a Glance report. http://www.oecd.org/education/eag.htm . New graduate market statistics from BIS show that graduates on average earn £9k per year more than non-graduates, but the gap between the two is narrowing. While the median graduate salary in England dropped by £1k to £31k in the third quarter of 2014, average non graduate salaries remained unchanged at £22k. Meanwhile, a survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters predicts that graduate vacancies will rise by 11.9% this year. . Greg Clark, Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, has called on leading universities to improve their recruitment of students from areas in the north of England, as a Sutton Trust analysis shows that all but one of the 20 councils that send the most children to Britain’s top universities are in London and the southeast. http://www.suttontrust.com/newsarchive/academic-apartheid-against-north-must-end-leading- universities-told/ . HEFCE has announced the creation of the National Networks for Collaborative Outreach, a new £22m scheme that aims to encourage more young people into HE. It will aim to deliver a nationally co-ordinated approach to working with schools, universities and colleges to help people access HE. The University is part of a successful bid for funding to develop further the Higher Education Progression Partnership (Sheffield City Region). http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/newsarchive/2015/news99631.html

2. ACADEMIC AND STRATEGIC PLANNING 2.1 Student recruitment for 2014 entry . The actual registration position for full-time students as at 1 December 2014 was as follows:

Previous Target 2014 Intake Variance Intakes

Student Category Intake Intake a. b. b.-a. @ @ Departmental Actual Intake @ 1 Projected 01 Dec 01 Dec Targets @ 1 Nov 2014 Intake vs

12 13 Dec 2014 Targets

SNG: 4011 4176 165 UG FT Home 3621 4381 DUAL: 418 391 -27

SNG: 1011 1061 50 UG FT Overseas 857 1145 DUAL: 61 49 -12

PGT FT Home 925 908 1015 934 -81

PGT FT Overseas 2086 2431 2571 2557 -14

PGR FT Home 355 394 442 420 -22

PGR FT Overseas 323 304 384 384 0

Notes: 1. All targets relate to 1 December 2014. 2. The above figures are FPEs (i.e. dual students are counted as 0.5FPE in each department they are attributed to).

2.2 Student recruitment for 2015 entry . The main UCAS deadline for undergraduate applications was 15 January. At 22 January, application numbers were 28,097 home and 4,330 overseas. All courses except for Medicine and Dentistry currently remain open to new applications. Applications will not be received at the same rate, though, and attention in the coming months will focus on conversion (acceptances). . Undergraduate Home applications are marginally down compared to last year (-2%), although this reflects a variable position across Faculties: Engineering applications are up considerably (+23%), while Medicine, Dentistry & Health (MDH) and Social Sciences applications are down (-19% and -10% respectively), with Arts & Humanities and Science applications broadly stable (-1%). The steep declines in MDH and Social Sciences are largely owing to increases in entry requirements in Medicine (now requiring a higher UKCAT score) and Management (moving from ABB to AAB). . Undergraduate Overseas applications are down in Science and Social Sciences and up in other faculties. The steep drop in Management applications (again likely to be attributable to the increase in entry requirements) has had a significant impact on overall Overseas application numbers (-9%). . Postgraduate Taught Overseas applications are looking strong (+18% at 20,502), with increases in all faculties. The emerging conversion picture for this group is also positive. PGT Home applications are more variable (-5% overall at 1322), with declines in applications to Engineering, MDH and Social Sciences, an increase in Science applications and stability in Arts & Humanities applications. . The overall Postgraduate Research picture is encouraging, with applications up in all areas except for Home Social Sciences and Overseas MDH. PGR home applications are up (+34% at 795) and overseas are also up (+5% at 1,404). . Across all categories of applicant except PGR Overseas, overall offers made have increased by more (or decreased by less) than applications submitted, indicating that quality is being upheld. . The recruitment environment remains challenging, with the UK sector needing to work hard to maintain market share. External factors, such as the price of oil, will also influence overseas enrolments through impacting sponsorship bodies. . Over 600 applications have been received to date for the University of Sheffield International College (USIC). Since the marketing launch (announcing the move from Kaplan to Study Group as our partner for the pathway college) on 1 September, USIC is the most ‘applied for’ college within the Study Group portfolio. The current position is encouraging for meeting the target set for the first intake in 2015. 2.3 Annual Planning Round . As part of an integrated planning, budget and resource allocation process, faculties are currently in the process of setting targets, including intake targets for all student categories. These projections will be discussed and approved by UEB on 24 February 2015. Departments will also provide projections for research activity as part of their wider consideration of forecast income and expenditure, which will inform financial forecasting activities during Spring 2015. . In line with previous cycles Faculties, cross-cutting PVCs and Professional Services have been asked to develop a strategic response to the four new priorities1 identified by UEB as a focus for planning in 2014-15. A series of meetings led by the DVC were held with faculties in January to discuss their plans and aspirations. These will be complemented by meetings with the Directors of Professional Services in February which are intended to enable greater linkages across planning activities and ensure that Professional Services can respond to faculty priorities; as well as broader University and external drivers. . During March 2015, UEB will hold a series of meetings to discuss faculty strategic updates, which will inform its Planning Awayday in mid-April to agree the actions and priorities for the year ahead. 2.4 Development of the Strategic Plan 2015-2022 . The University is continuing to develop the new Strategic Plan. Between November and January the Vice-Chancellor hosted a series of themed engagement events, each with a UEB lead and an external speaker, attended by a cross-section of Council members, academic and support staff and students. Following a presentation and discussion at the post-Council dinner on 23 February, a wider consultation with the University community will take place concerning the possible direction which emerged from the engagement events. 2.5 Strategic projects and bids . Apprentices: The University is continuing to develop Higher Apprenticeship provision in partnership with the AMRC Training Centre. An expression of interest to the HEFCE Catalyst Fund for funding of ~£2.4m to support the development of alternative pathways to engineering has been selected to go forward to the second stage. A full bid will be submitted to meet the deadline of 15 April 2015. . Biomedically related Life Sciences review: Five task and finish groups reported their findings to heads of department in the Faculties of Science and Medicine,

1 Responding to the REF results; improving NSS scores on assessment and feedback; addressing the emergence of new technologies, evolving pedagogy and digital learning; attracting the highest quality students and maintaining our undergraduate entry tariff. Dentistry & Health in December. A Biomedical Life Sciences Plan is now being developed, including an externally facing report and an internal implementation plan. Publicity for this area is expected to launch in the summer. Discussions have commenced between the Departments of Infection & Immunity and Cardiovascular Science and the Departments of Oncology and Human Metabolism regarding possible departmental reconfiguration in the light of the recommendations from the review. The formation of larger departmental groupings is being considered in the interest of creating stronger critical mass in areas of common research strength and stronger visible presence to enhance collaboration prospects. Staff and students from these four areas are in a process of open discussion within and across departments to seek their views and consider possible ways forward to support this vision and the potential benefits of merging departments. Should there be a decision to proceed with mergers, formal consultation processes will be undertaken, in accordance with standard University procedure. . Postgraduate Support Scheme: The 2014-15 scheme recently welcomed 100 postgraduate taught scholarship students to the University and continues to work with those students to assess and implement effective ways of encouraging access to postgraduate study and the professions. Other activity includes the development of a toolkit to facilitate innovation and inclusion in the development of PGT courses and further research into motivations and barriers for PGT students and aspiring students. The Consortium of six universities continues to work well together and is considering how this relationship could continue, including a dissemination conference to present shared findings and share good practice. As part of the one-year funding announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement (see 1.4 above), the University has received 220 scholarships for 2015-16, the fifth largest award in the country. Government-backed income contingent loans are proposed from 2016-17 and we are continuing to lobby to influence the development of the loans scheme as well as addressing the need to directly consider widening participation at PGT level. . HEFCE STEM Capital Fund: The University’s bid to HEFCE for nearly £5m of capital funding based around the requirements of the Diamond building has been successful. A total of 73 universities and colleges received a share of £200m funding for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching capital projects during 2015-16. 2.6 Higher Education - Business and Community Interactions survey . The University's annual Higher Education - Business and Community Interactions (HEBCI) survey was submitted to HESA in December 2014. This looks at interactions between HEIs and businesses and the wider community and has previously informed HEIF funding and policy-making. Significant points to note included: o an increase of 41% increase between 2012-13 and 2013-14 in income from collaborative research involving public funding, but only a 6% increase in contract research income (the most significant driver for HEIF funding); o an increase of 30% in IP income, mainly due to an increase in non-software commercial licence income.

3. FINANCE 3.1 Financial results . The financial results for the quarter ended 31 October 2014 were circulated by email on 11 December and the Monthly Management Information report for December was sent to Council members by email on 26 January. . The financial headlines to 31 October 2014 are as follows: o Total income is £143.6m against a budget to date of £140.9m, giving a positive difference of £2.7m (1.9%). Total income shows growth of 8.7% (£11.4m) on the same period last year, of which 17.9% is from fee income, 5.7% is from Research Income and with 10.2% reduction in HEFCE income, as recurrent teaching funding reduces in line with expectations. o Total expenditure is £137.0m against a budget to date of £138.5m giving a positive difference of £1.5m (1.1%). Total expenditure shows growth of 5.9% (£7.7m) on the same period last year, the majority of this growth relating to planned growth in Faculty core expenditure (11.1%) and Professional Services (7.0%). o The operating surplus (after indirect costs) is £5.9m compared to a budgeted surplus of £1.9m for the year to date, giving a positive difference of £4.1m. The comparable figure for 2013-14 was a surplus of £2.4m at this point in the year. o The revised financial forecast for 2014-15, which was approved by Council on 24 November, indicated that the surplus for 2014-15 may be lower than that forecast in July 2014. For the University only the revised forecasts indicate an operating surplus of £10.3m compared to an original forecast in July 2014 of £11.4m. This is because the additional income benefit of the 2014-15 student intake is forecast to be outstripped by additional expenditure in Faculty core, Professional Services and shared costs. o The revised financial forecast will be subject to a detailed review in February and March, reflecting the financial results to 31 January 2015 and the outcomes of the forecasting process, including the March 2015 grant letter from HEFCE. 3.2 Commercialisation and technology transfer . Progress following Council’s consideration (November 2014) of a report from the commercialisation and technology transfer group is noted below. . The current IP pipeline arrangements with IP Group in respect of Medical IP ends in February 2015 and detailed discussions continue with a view to finalising a new, more flexible agreement whereby we continue to work with IP Group on commercialisation activities but on a less exclusive basis. Initial proposals for developing the support structures within the University to enhance our commercialisation capabilities alongside the new contractual arrangements have been made to the University Executive Board. . The Investment Group will be advising the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer on the timing and method of disposal of the IP Group plc shares as previously approved by Council. Numis Securities, who are IP Group’s house broker, have been contacted to facilitate this process and will be presenting to the Investment Group at its next meeting. The IP Group share price and market information continues to be monitored on a regular basis.. 3.3 Creation of a new University subsidiary – Juice Limited . Juice is the staff health and wellbeing offer currently available to all University staff. Based on its success since 2012 and the levels of interest shown from organisations within and beyond HE, it is proposed that the programme will be commercialised and sold directly to other employers. A detailed business plan has been prepared and options for alternative routes to commercialisation have been considered. . Juice Limited will initially seek to provide services and support to employers within the HE sector located in the north of England. The offer is sufficiently transferable to subsequently diversify into other sectors and geographical locations. . The Juice offer delivers practical advice, support and activities to enhance staff engagement, improved stakeholder, shareholder and community value and sustainable performance for long term gain. Juice at the University has its own dedicated website at https://juice.sheffield.ac.uk, which has been purposely designed to engage with its users in a completely different way to the corporate University website. An externally facing website has also been developed, see www.juicelimited.co.uk . The founding Juice team were Andy Dodman, our Director of Human Resources, working with external advisers Gary Butterfield and Martin Ford. It is proposed to establish Juice Limited (subject to name availability at Companies House) as a subsidiary, with the University as 75% shareholder and Gary Butterfield as a 25% shareholder. Andy will continue to promote Juice Limited as an incidental part of his current role through normal day to day contact with other senior HE executives and will be a Director of Juice. Gary will be the operational executive in the company building and running the business. . Whilst the University will provide the necessary experience and positive endorsement for the Juice offer, any University resources used by Juice Limited will be fully reimbursed. As a start-up business the committed expenses will be minimal and the initial working capital required by the business will be provided from client income and negotiating favourable payment terms with suppliers and sub- contractors. Accordingly, the business will require only nominal share capital. . The business plan and the contractual arrangements for setting up the company have been carefully considered with the assistance of Sue Grocutt, Commercial Director, and comply with the University’s Policy for Creation, Disposal and Governance of University Companies established in 2011. Further non-executive directors will be sought to enable the full support, governance and oversight of the business.

4. CAPITAL PROJECTS 4.1 Capital programme: overview . The seven-year capital programme 2010-17 totalling £272m (including HEFCE CIF2 contribution of £18m) is progressing well, with over £216m fully approved projects. An update on the main programme projects in design, construction or completion phases is provided below: 4.2 AMRC Factory 2050 (£21.9m; estimated completion October 2015) . Interserve Construction has been appointed to the project and works are progressing on site. The budget is under careful scrutiny to ensure it is managed within the limits currently approved. Value engineering will continue throughout the project’s duration. 4.3 New Engineering Building: The Diamond (£80.8m; estimated completion September 2015) . Construction is progressing well and on programme, and the budget remains within the agreed limit. The Diamond was successfully topped out by Paul Blomfield MP and Professor Mike Hounslow on 23 January. A new 3D flythrough of the interior of the building was launched at the event, with over 3,000 views on YouTube within 48 hours. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnS_R-gKHKM . Plans to incorporate a working jet engine within the body of the building have been subject to reconsideration and, following an options appraisal, a flight simulator and a much smaller jet engine are now proposed. 4.4 Engineering refurbishment Phases 3 and 4 (c.£33m; estimated completion September 2017) . This project is in the early stages of design development and involves the complete refurbishment and remodelling of the Central Wing and construction of new Heartspace between Mappin and Central Wing, providing a glazed atrium structure over the external courtyard area between the buildings. Construction work will require the total decanting of both buildings, options for which are currently under consideration. 4.5 Multi Storey Car Park – Durham Road (£9.8m; expected completion December 2015) . The project is underway with piling works 75% complete. A key risk has involved moving underground IT cables. Over half of these have now been moved, with re- connections made and services maintained. . Design meetings are taking place with the appointed car park operator, QPark. 4.6 Combined Heat and Power self-generation provision (fees released £1m) . The project includes the construction of a new Energy Centre for the Western Bank campus, housing a biomass boiler, CHP gas engine and back-up systems. . Following the appropriate procurement process, NIFE have been appointed as lead consultant and will manage the project throughout. 4.7 POLARIS – refurbishment of space for MRC funded equipment – (capital programme fees released £55k) . Feasibility and enabling fees of £385k have been approved to date. A business case for the remaining elements of the project will be submitted to ECSG in March. It is hoped that work can commence in April 2015. Capital expenditure must be defrayed in accordance with the grant terms and conditions by 31 March 2016. 4.8 Student accommodation refurbishment (fees approved £50k) . This project comprises the refurbishment of 45 street properties on Ruth Square, Broomspring Lane, Dorset Street and Glossop Road. The latter are aimed predominately at the family market where there is significant demand, especially from international postgraduate students. A full business case will be submitted in March 2015.

5. THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE 5.1 Learning and teaching . In November 2013 HEFCE indicated that, from the following April, each HEI would be required to produce a Strategy for Access and Student Success (SASS) to replace its Access Agreement (AA) and Widening Participation Strategic Statement (WPSS). Due to delays in confirming funding arrangements, development of the SASS was put on hold. The University has just received guidance from HEFCE on what will be required for 2016-17 and it seems that we will be required to submit another one- year Access Agreement.. . Work is underway to define a set of key principles for Widening Participation at the University of Sheffield. Colleagues with an interest in the widening participation agenda from across the institution are being consulted for their views on the direction of future work in order to reflect the needs of the University and the city of Sheffield. The National Strategy for Access and Student Success (published in April 2014) promotes a student lifecycle approach to WP work (from access to retention, through success and progression) in keeping with the approach already adopted here at Sheffield. The University’s data monitoring return for the last Access Agreement has recently been submitted to OFFA (Office for Fair Access) and we can expect queries from OFFA on this data over the coming months. . The University has been successful in a joint bid with Sheffield Hallam University to the National Networks for Collaborative Outreach scheme run by HEFCE. The funding, of around £100k over the next two years, will be used to extend current WP work on the Higher Education Progression Partnership scheme. . Work continues on the Achieve More initiative, which is intended to enhance undergraduate student learning. This is being delivered through Faculty Challenges for all first years, inter-disciplinary projects for all second years, support for communicating academic knowledge to non-specialist audiences for final years, and further consideration of optional module choice to broaden learning. The Faculty of Science successfully delivered its faculty challenge Breaking Boundaries in semester one. All other Faculty challenges will have been completed by April. Activities will include opportunities to help students develop the ability to communicate their work and knowledge of their discipline with non-specialist or external audiences. In practice, many of these types of activities exist already. The aim is to ensure consistency of provision and embed it within the curriculum. More information can be found on the website. www.sheffield.ac.uk/als/current/achieve 5.2 Student matters . The English Language Teaching Centre hosted a national dyslexia event in January in their Hoyle Street premises on the theme of ‘Diagnosis in educational and psychological practice: an interdisciplinary conversation’. With attendees from across the sector, the conference was a collaborative event organised by practitioners and researchers within Educational Studies, Clinical Psychology and the Specialist Learning Difficulties Tutorial Service at the University and aimed to encourage critical reflection and discussion around the topic of diagnosis of different learning difficulties. Feedback from the event was extremely positive, with many delegates commenting on the value of an inter-disciplinary focus. . At the request of staff from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), a small delegation from the University and the Students’ Union, which included the PVC for Learning & Teaching, gave a presentation at the Sheffield offices of BIS during December. The presentation and subsequent discussion covered areas such as the student learning experience, student funding and student engagement in the context of the University’s number 1 ranking in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey. The meeting was part of a number of connections with BIS staff which have been fostered over recent months. . Over the coming months, the University Health Service (UHS) will be subject to an audit by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as part of its inspection of all GP practices. Some preliminary data has already been released by the CQC and used by the media to generate national rankings. Since the data set used by the CQC does not adequately reflect the patient profile of the UHS, we were not included in any rankings. Representations are being made to the CQC by the national body for student health services to ensure that the characteristics of student medical services are appropriately reflected in these audits. . The Student Systems project is approaching the end of Phase 1 and will be reporting as planned to UEB in the coming weeks with recommendations for further work and investment.

6. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION 6.1 Research awards . New awards for the 12 months to the end of December 2014 now stand at £128.9m, compared with £143.5m at December 2013. This is a reduction of £14.6m, with reductions seen in Research Council and European sponsor category awards. An explanation for the latter is a reduction in the number of new European Commission awards as they move from Framework 7 to Horizon 20:20 in 2015. . The number of new awards received for the 12 months to the end of December 2014 is 705, after excluding the new grants arising from the restructuring of AMRC grants in January/February 2014. This compares with 694 for the 12 months to December 2013. . The value of the work in progress (order book) of research awards secured, but as yet unspent, was £226.5m as at December 2014, which compares favourably with the £215.6m as at December 2013. 6.2 Research development . Part of the new National Materials Institute announced as part of the Government’s Autumn Statement (see 1.2 above) will be based at the University, including the AMRC. The £235m funding package will build on existing research strengths in the northern universities, including Manchester. A further £61m has been allocated to the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, of which the AMRC is a leading member. . The University will benefit from a University of York-led N8 award from HEFCE centred in Food Security. Total funding is £16m, with HEFCE contributing £8m on a matched-funding basis. 6.3 Research Excellence Framework 2014 . The agenda for the 23 February meeting of Council includes a presentation by Professor Richard Jones, PVC for Research & Innovation, on the REF2014 results, which were published in December 2014. 6.4 Early Career Researchers . Recruitment for the Vice-Chancellor’s Fellowships (VCF) 2016, is underway with applications closing on 29 January 2015. Final interviews will take place in early May. . Sheffield’s ‘Think Ahead’ Programme was the winner of The Times Higher Award 2014 for Outstanding Support to Early Career Researchers. http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/faculty/medicine-dentistry-health/thinkahead 6.5 Impact, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange . The University is expected to receive similar levels of funding through the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) for 2015-16 according to notification from HEFCE. Further knowledge exchange funding for 2016-17 will be subject to the outcomes of the forthcoming general election and subsequent Spending Reviews. . The inaugural meeting of the Sheffield Universities’ Managing Directors’ Club will take place on 4 February 2015. Run jointly with Sheffield Hallam University, the Club aims to provide a forum for leading regional business figures and senior academics to exchange knowledge and ideas for future collaborations.

6.6 Spin-outs and licences . A new cancer drug (Lynparza™) has recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for use in patients suffering from high grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. It will also be assessed by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence for possible use by the NHS in England and Wales. . The drug has its origins in research funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and undertaken at the University by researchers led by Dr Thomas Helleday, which resulted in the development of a novel tailored therapy for some forms of cancer. A patent application was licenced to a spin-out (Kudos), which was subsequently acquired by Astra Zeneca. . Prior to the FDA and EMA approvals noted above, the licence had generated income of ~£1.5m. The recent approvals will result in additional income and an on-going royalty stream back to the University will be received upon product sales. 6.7 Capital research infrastructure . Recently submitted bids for capital research infrastructure funding include: o a stage 1 application to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Strategic Equipment Account call for £3.7m to support the development of a substantial new facility for the Dynamics Research Group based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park 2 (AMP2) site; o a single stage institutional application to the EPSRC Experimental Equipment call for a total of £6.4m for equipment across a range of areas.

7. INTERNATIONALISATION 7.1 International developments . In November, a series of events including seminars and an exhibition were held in Sheffield to mark the establishment of the South East European Research Centre (SEERC) ten years ago. SEERC was founded by the University, through its International Faculty in Thessaloniki, Greece. Its mission is to support the stable and peaceful development of South-East Europe by conducting pure and applied research in and for the region. Several members of the International Faculty and SEERC came to Sheffield, and the week concluded with a reception and guest lecture by Professor Kevin Featherstone, Eleftherios Venizelos Professor of Contemporary Greek Studies and Director of the Hellenic Observatory, LSE. . The University's #weareinternational campaign has won the first ever Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding International Student Strategy. The campaign, which seeks to highlight and celebrate the important role of international students, now has over 100 supporters from universities across the UK, the British Council, NUS, Universities UK, UKCISA and the CBI, and has been active in addressing widespread misapprehensions about study in the UK. . Following agreement between the UK and Mexican Governments to designate 2015 as the year of 'Mexico in the UK and the UK in Mexico', Dr Martha Navarro Alba, Deputy Director General for Academic Cooperation at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited the University on 12 November to discuss proposals to strengthen academic ties between UK and Mexico. These include establishing a consortium of 10 British and 10 Mexican universities to host an 'Itinerant Chair' to foster research collaboration and schemes to encourage staff and student mobility and the development of English Language teaching skills. . The President of the Japanese National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation, Professor Tomoyuki Nagomi, visited the University in January to discover more about the University's support for doctoral students, partnership and public enagement. Professor Nogomi met members of Research & Innovation Services, the Careers Service and International Relations Office. . University staff have been awarded funding from the Worldwide University Network (WUN) 2014-15 Research Development Fund. Of the 17 projects receiving funding, three Sheffield-led projects were successful and Sheffield staff are involved in a further six being led by other WUN members.

8. HUMAN RESOURCES 8.1 Universities Superannuation Scheme: changes and industrial action . Following the previous update to Council, UCU members were balloted on revised proposals for changes to USS. 67% of respondents to the ballot voted in favour of accepting the proposals. . As a consequence, at the USS JNC meeting on 29 January 2015, both sides voted in favour of the proposals for change. These will now go before the USS Trustees ahead of being subject to a statutory individual member consultation period of at least 60 days, which is due to commence in March 2015. . Having agreed the proposals, UCU has informed affected universities that the industrial dispute is resolved and there will be no further industrial action. . The proposals for change are published on our web pages along with further information for staff http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/guidance/ussconsultation . Human Resources and Finance colleagues are now planning for the statutory consultation process and are developing communications information and briefing sessions for staff to explain the changes in more detail and to seek to respond to queries. . Apart from the changes to the way benefits are built up in the USS from April 2016, the financial impact for the University in terms of additional employer contributions (based on current staffing levels and costs) will be an additional c.£4m per year. In 2013-14 the University paid £37.4m in employer and employee contributions to USS for around 4,300 members of the scheme. . In addition to these changes, the Government has announced the cessation of contracting out of the State Second Pension from April 2016 as part of its plans to introduce a flat rate state pension in future. This change is anticipated to add c£4m per year to the University’s overall staff costs. These additional costs have been included in financial forecasts presented to and approved by Council in July and November 2014. 8.2 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index . The University has been ranked 43rd in the ‘Stonewall Workplace Equality Index (WEI) 2015’ and joint third of all HEIs. This is the second year we have been placed in the Top 100, with this year seeing an increase of 39 places, reflecting the 2014 Staff Survey results, in which 98% of respondents agreed that the University can be seen to respect people regardless of their sexual orientation. . During 2015, we will be focussing on rolling out our 'Open@TUoS' project, an initiative focussing on LGBT allies; running a number of events to celebrate LGBT History Month 2015; and working with the LGBT staff network and Students' Union to host ‘Pride’ and ‘Pinknic’ at the University. 8.3 New key appointments . Dr Bruce Adderley has been appointed as Programme Director (Industry) in Energy 2050 with effect from 2 February 2015. Dr Adderley was previously the Manager for Environment and Climate Change Strategy at Tata Steel. . Professor Lin Ma has been appointed as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering with effect from 1 February 2015. Professor Ma was previously an Associate Professor in the Energy Technology and Innovation Initiative within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Leeds. . Professor Mohammed Pourkashanian has been appointed as Professor of Energy Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering with effect from 1 February 2015. Professor Pourkashanian was previously Head of the Energy Technology and Innovation Initiative within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Leeds and Director of the ‘Energy Leeds’ Hub and CFD Centre.

9. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 9.1 Higher Education Code of Governance . A preliminary report on compliance with the new CUC Higher Education Code of Governance is provided as a separate item on the Council agenda. 9.2 District heating system . Following the major failure of the district heating system provided by Veolia, the University has engaged solicitors to commence formal pre-action processes to hold Veolia to account in accordance with the terms of the contract. . A meeting with the UK CEO of Veolia has been arranged for 11 February and will also involve the City Council’s CEO. The aim is to agree an expeditious way forward to progress the condition appraisal requested by the University and agree a process to deliver subsequent necessary remedial works. The legal process will continue in parallel. . At the time of writing (4 February), Sheffield Hallam University was subject to a catastrophic failure of the network, as a result of which its city campus was without heat and hot water.

10. REPUTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 10.1 University community . The University and its Students’ Union are jointly urging MPs to support the new Early Day Motion (EDM) on international students, which raises concerns about the impact of current Government policies on UK universities and the economy. The Vice-Chancellor and Students’ Union International Officer are leading the call for MPs to back the motion, which calls for the removal of international students from net migration targets and highlights the concerning drop in the number of overseas students enrolling at UK universities. This follows the extremely successful #weareinternational campaign led by the University (see 7.1 above). . Two University collections recently featured on the iTunes U homepage. 'Sounds of the Cosmos' from Festival Of The Mind and an 'After Snowden' lecture by Alan Rusbridger, Editor of , for the Department of Journalism were both featured in January, resulting in over 15,000 downloads and over 13,000 views. . The Vice-Chancellor has indicated the University’s support for a joint manifesto for the General Election by the City’s three students’ unions, in particular around the debate on HE funding and in encouraging young voters to participate in the Election. 10.2 Media coverage . Activities across the University generated 3,457 cuttings in the press and media between 24 November 2014 and 28 January 2015. This includes significant international coverage in key countries such as 1,213 cuttings in China, 229 in India and Pakistan, 75 in Latin America, and 26 in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The University also generated the second highest share of media coverage compared to its closest competitors, resulting in the third highest impact rating. Recent examples of coverage included: o research from the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) into the potential effects of a minimum unit price for alcohol, which was discussed in the leading national press following an announcement that a minimum pricing policy is to be implemented in ; o an appearance by Angie Hobbs, Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs; o the role of Dr Catherine Fletcher (History) as an expert advisor for the BBC’s series Wolf Hall, based on Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize winning novels. o A discussion by Professor Iain Todd (Materials Science & Engineering) onthe use of 3D printing in manufacturing, which featured in the New York Times. 10.3 Outstanding achievements and awards . Professor Cathy Shrank (School of English) awarded a prestigious Major Research Fellowship from the Leverhulme Trust. . Professor Robert Stern (Philosophy) has been awarded an AHRC Fellowship for a project on the Danish philosopher and theologian K. E. Løgstrup. . Dr Elspeth Whitby (Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine) has been elected Vice-President for Education at the British Institute of Radiology. . The University was honoured in the Times Higher Education Awards 2014 for providing exceptional support for international students, early career researchers and students from all backgrounds.

11. DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS 11.1 Funds raised . Cash received since 1 August 2014 with a comparison to the same time period a year previously:

Description Timeframe Value Cash Income received 1 August 2014 to 27 £2,589,914 2014-15 January 2015 Cash Income received 1 August 2013 to 27 £1,344,567 2013-14 January 2014

11.2 Major gifts, milestones and significant developments . Individual gifts and pledges: o We have received the annual instalment of £125,000 from an anonymous donor for SITraN (the gift is worth in total £500,000 payable over 4 years). o Mrs Alison Justham (BA 1974) has donated £20,000 for PhD scholarships for ocular melanoma. o Mr Richard Cousins (BSc 1980) has donated £10,000 for SITraN. o Dr David Fish has donated £10,000 to continue his support of Engineering scholarships. o Professor Tim Birkhead’s Guillemot Study appeal in the Department of Animal & Plant Sciences raised over £50,000 from various sources, including over £14,000 through crowd funding. . Trusts and Foundations: o We have received the Wolfson Foundation’s annual contribution to its scholarship scheme for the Faculty of Arts & Humanities. o £50,000 was received from the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust to fund students from developing countries to study Masters courses at the Sheffield Institute for International Development. o The Gatsby Charitable Foundation donated £15,000 for the Institute of Science and Technology in the Faculty of Science. o The John Greenwood Trust donated £10,000 to SITraN. o The Rosetrees Trust donated £10,000 for the Stem-Cure cancer research project. . Legacy gifts and pledges: o A legacy gift of £594,000 was received from Mrs Susan Hangas for Dental Equipment in the School of Clinical Dentistry. Her late husband, Mr Johnny Hangas, was an alumnus (BDS, Dentistry 1968). o We have received a further £80,000 from the Estate of Mr Nicholas Ratcliffe (BEng 1970) for an endowed Prize in the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering. o We have received a further £51,756 from the Estate of Mrs Daisy Walker for an endowed prize in Electrical Engineering. 11.3 Notable events . On 5 November the Vice-Chancellor hosted a stewardship event to thank 75 donors at the Redfern Gallery, Cork Street, London, followed by a dinner for 16 senior alumni and donors at The Chelsea Arts Club. . On 19 November, an Alumni Fund Celebration Event was held in Firth Hall to thank supporters, attended by over 200 guests. A further event was held on 28 November to congratulate over 100 recipients of taught postgraduate scholarships funded through the Benefactors’ Fund and the Postgraduate Support Scheme. . On 2 December a reception was held at the Western Bank Exhibition Space for local alumni, attended by around 50 guests. . On 11 December, alumnus Andy Haldane (BA 1988, Accounting; Chief Economist and Executive Director at the Bank of England) delivered a lecture at the Royal Society followed by a reception for around 100 senior alumni. . On 10 February, the annual House of Lords Reception for around 250 alumni will take place hosted by Lord Krebs.

12. SERIOUS INCIDENT REPORTING . In its role as principal regulator of HEIs as charities, HEFCE requires an annual declaration that serious incidents have been appropriately reported. This declaration is made on behalf of members of Council, and it is therefore appropriate that they should be informed on a regular basis about incidents reported to HEFCE. HEFCE defines a serious incident as ‘one which has resulted in, or could result in, a significant loss of funds or a significant risk to a charity’s property, work, beneficiaries or reputation’. . Details of any serious incidents reported to HEFCE will be notified to Council through this Report. . No serious incidents have required report to HEFCE during the period since 24 November 2014.