6033 UNIverse_64:Layout 1 21/1/09 10:49 Page 1

universe ISSUE No 64 SPRING 2009 magazine

Providing Opportunities - Pursuing Excellence 6033 UNIverse_64:Layout 1 21/1/09 10:49 Page 2

2

environment for research, new ideas generation, knowledge transfer and business support and development. The Phoenix opening features welcome elsewhere in UNIverse but I would like to say how pleasing it was to hear Sir George Cox comment in his address at the opening that ‘the from Professor Graham Henderson fusion of skills, leading edge technology and Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive engagement with the business world was highly impressive … and the University thoroughly deserves its growing reputation in this area’. I was again privileged recently to shake In December the results of the 2008 the hands of thousands of students at our Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) were annual academic awards ceremonies. published. These are also featured in UNIverse I simply cannot overstate the importance and I am very pleased indeed with the of those ceremonies to our University as University’s progress since the last RAE in 2001. we celebrate the achievement of so many Regular readers will be aware of the individuals, each with a different personal University’s excellent track record of student journey to their eventual success. satisfaction as reflected in the UK National But as we celebrated the success of all of those Student Survey. It was therefore pleasing to individuals it was also a good opportunity to learn that feedback from our international reflect on what has been another period of students resulted in the University being ranked great institutional achievement and I am pleased first out of 93 UK universities for ‘living, to have the opportunity to share some of this. employability prospects, financial support and The University has continued to grow and, careers advice’ in the survey of international with us approaching 25,000 students, has now student opinion entitled the International become, we believe, the second largest Student Barometer. This further endorsement university in the North East in terms of overall of our success in providing an excellent all- student numbers. This growth has not been round experience for our students is clearly without a purpose of course. We have very satisfying and provides the University with continued to pursue our mission of extending the motivation to continue to work to enhance higher education provision as widely as possible, this experience still further. in order to enhance the life chances and Finally, in these brief reflections, the University opportunities of individuals and communities was also delighted to be recognised as the within the region. The University also aims to Business Incubation Champion of the Year continue to attract talented individuals into our (2008). This award recognises the efforts and region from around the world and support the achievements of the team in the University economic, social and cultural development and whose role it is to provide a supportive regeneration of the Tees Valley and the wider environment for start-up businesses during the north east region. early stages of their development and hopefully In that connection I was delighted to provides another endorsement of the participate in the opening of our Phoenix contribution that we are actively making to Building, which includes the Institute of Digital economic development within the region. Innovation, and provides a hothouse

universe EDITORIAL TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER THE MAGAZINE OF THE Stephen Laing Judy Hume UNIVERSITY OF TEESSIDE Nic Mitchell Tel: 01642 218121, ext 3104 Michelle Ruane Email: [email protected] universe is produced by the University of John Dean Teesside’s Press and Public Relations Office, part News items should be sent to universe, of the Corporate Communications Unit at the Tel: 01642 342015 c/o Press and Public Relations Office, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, Email: [email protected] University of Teesside by 14 March