The University of Opportunity Annual Report 2012/2013
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013 If you would like to offer any feedback or request further copies of this publication, please contact us via email at: [email protected] To view our annual report online, please visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/annualreport University of Wolverhampton Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton West Midlands, WV1 1LY United Kingdom Acknowledgements Written and produced by Marketing and Communications, University of Wolverhampton Artwork produced by McCann Birmingham THE UNIVERSITY OF OPPORTUNITY WU7_H104_Cover_AnnualReport_2014.indd 1 14/08/2014 09:35 NON VISIBLE GLUE AREA NON VISIBLE GLUE AREA 1 Introduction Taking the lead 22 EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR all Lord Paul of Marylebone Chancellor Throughout its 180-year history, the University of Research remains at the heart of our mission, Wolverhampton has been committed to creating and we created a £6 million funding pot for our opportunities for people from the West Midlands academics to finance new research projects. On behalf of the Board of Governors, region and beyond. The skills, knowledge and Our international operations continued to grow, I commend this report to you. It reflects experiences thousands of people have gained with exciting developments in Mauritius, France the many achievements of the University, as a result of studying with us have significantly and Oman. The University’s business engagement enhanced their life chances. We have enabled activities were recognised with a prestigious award its staff and students during 2012/13. people to travel paths they may once have thought and investment from the Government into Green Wolverhampton marked 21 years of were closed to them, and provided new horizons Shoots, a scheme to enable regional businesses University status in 2012. This significant for students from a diverse range of backgrounds. to grow and create jobs. We also renamed our milestone was a wonderful opportunity Our 21st anniversary as a University in 2012 science and business park the University of Professor Michael Elliott to celebrate the rich history and diverse was a great opportunity to reflect on our many Wolverhampton Science Park to reflect a greater Geoff Layer Chair of the achievements of this University. The 21 achievements during this time and the changes focus on support for enterprise initiatives. Vice-Chancellor Board of Governors and Proud events enabled staff, students, and developments that make us the institution All of these successes were made possible by alumni and guests to come together we are today. We were delighted to celebrate the commitment of our staff and students, many to celebrate the unique qualities of the this significant milestone with our staff, students, of whom have celebrated personal achievements institution and also look ahead to what alumni and guests through our successful 21 and and recognition. We are proud of their dedication, Proud events. promises to be a bright future. enthusiasm and innovation. We were also Now, looking ahead, we want to build on our rich delighted to welcome a number of honorary As the University of Opportunity, we are heritage and tradition of academic excellence graduates to our growing family of international committed to enhancing the job prospects and entrepreneurship. As the University of honoured guests who provide inspiration to and life chances of students and our Opportunity, we aspire to create real opportunities our students. communities. We are at the heart of the for people from a broad range of backgrounds The University’s central focus remains on delivering West Midlands region, generating economic and experiences. Our ethos is to look at the whole an excellent and enriching student experience. Professor Sir Geoff Hampton Professor Ann Holmes growth and creating opportunities for individual and spot their potential, and create We launched a Student Charter outlining the values Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, our graduates through placements and the right opportunities for them. We are at the and standards our students can expect, but also External Affairs Academic internships in industry. heart of our community and have a long history that we view them as partners in the educational of successful engagement with industry and We are also proud to have established journey. Our partnerships are an intrinsic aspect business. We are a catalyst for economic growth, strong international links, and 2012/13 of our continued development. We seek out providing a range of business support activities has seen many exciting developments opportunities to work with companies and other to nurture fledgling companies and encourage bodies that can provide graduate internships and overseas. The University continues to invest competitiveness. Our students, whether from in research and this report highlights some experience, which in turn enable businesses to home or abroad, generate inward investment in develop new projects. Internationally, our courses of our achievements in this arena. the region and our graduates are the leaders of are delivered in-country by a range of education I hope you enjoy reading about the the future. By creating such rich and valuable providers and lead to opportunities for enriching University of Wolverhampton’s successes opportunities, we have a pivotal role in the staff exchanges. We see all such relationships as and the difference our staff and students transformation and growth of our communities lifelong, whether they are with our alumni or other Jane Nelson Professor Ian Oakes and the economy. make locally, nationally and internationally. partners, and we continue to nurture opportunities Pro Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, 2012/13 was a successful period for the to grow. Student Recruitment Research and Enterprise University. We announced plans to redevelop I hope you enjoy our City Campus, investing around £45 million reading about our in new facilities. A new Science Centre providing achievements in state-of-the-art laboratories and a new Business 2012/13. School building will transform the learning and teaching environment for our staff and students. At our Walsall Campus, we continued to invest in sport and at Telford we are working closely with Michael Elliott businesses to create a hub for innovation and Chair of the enterprise where more people can set up and Board of Professor grow their own ventures. Helen Lloyd Wildman Andy Holding Governors Geoff Layer Vice-Chancellor The Registrar Finance Director WU7_H104_Cover_AnnualReport_2014.indd 2 14/08/2014 09:35 2 CONTENTS Learning and teaching••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3 Research •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 5 International•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 7 Business••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 9 21 and Proud ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 11 Individual excellence •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 13 Honorary guests •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 15 Our strength in numbers •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 19 Financial Summary 2012/13 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 20 Taking the lead •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 21 WU7_H104_Text_AnnualReport_2014.indd 2 19/08/2014 16:04 3 Learning and teaching Learning and teaching 4 Great strides in Green LEARNING League improvement AND TEAChiNG The University of Wolverhampton has been named one of the top universities in the UK for its green agenda in the latest annual As a University, we strive to create opportunities for a wide range survey which ranks environmental and of students and are committed to improving people’s individual life ethical performance. The University was given a First-Class Award and ranked 39 out chances. To realise this vision, we have invested in comprehensive, of 143 universities in the People & Planet accessible learning facilities – some of these are still taking shape, Green League 2013. This First-Class Award like our new buildings for business and science, while others are reflects an investment of £3.4 million by the University in a Carbon Management Plan to firmly established and already enhancing the student experience reduce the University’s carbon footprint and across our University campuses. ensure its campuses are as environmentally friendly and ethical as possible. Focal point UTC gets go-ahead FIRST-CLASS AWARD In 2012, the University acquired a city landmark Through our involvement in a new University to be its new information and advice centre. Technical College (UTC), we have been able to RANKED 39 By June 2013, the former George Hotel had extend our expertise in support of an exciting been transformed into the University’s new educational venture. The Health Futures UTC is OUT OF 143 public-facing facility. Occupying a prominent being sponsored by the University of position in the centre of Wolverhampton, the Wolverhampton in conjunction with 23 partners, UNIVErsitiES Gateway@The George offers the public pre-entry including all NHS Trusts in the Black Country and guidance, advice and information about Birmingham, and will be among the few UTCs in GREEN LEAGUE 2013 accessing higher education. the country to offer a focus on health. Aimed at 14 to 19-year-olds in the region, Extending opportunities Landmark buildings the new UTC was given approval by the The University has a track record for raising Department for Education in 2013 and will open standards within