Annual Review 2015/16 Contents 04 Foreword 06 2015/16 Highlights 08 Excelling in Education 14 Pioneering Research and Innovative Impact 22 Building the Future 26 Driving Development 32 Sporting Ambitions 36 Ulster Connects 42 Inspiring People 50 Five & Fifty Strategic Plan 58 Financial Review 64 Governance 65 Contacts Foreword Ulster University Annual Review 2015/16 04/05 Foreword My fi rst year as Chair of Council Of course, my appointment as Chair of 2016. The new building provides a fi rst education experience that focuses on quality It gives me great pleasure to refl ect on The fi rst six months of 2015, prior to has given me great pride in Ulster Council however, was a bittersweet glimpse into the future impact this entire and which has the student at its very heart. this fi rst annual review in my time as my arrival, required diffi cult decisions University. I have witnessed at fi rst moment as it followed the sad passing in development will have, not just on our Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University. I to be taken by our leadership team as a hand the talent and commitment of August 2015, of my predecessor, colleague students but in regenerating a key part And it is our students and graduates of joined midway through the period under consequence of the Northern Ireland the staff and students who drive our and friend, Dr Jeremy Harbison. Jeremy of the city. With an ambitious civic role whom I am most proud: undergraduate and review, at the close of an academic Executive budget cuts to higher education. academic and research excellence, served on Council for 11 years where to play, the new campus has also played postgraduate alike who have the talent and year and during graduations. I was ably led by our recently appointed his energy and commitment to higher host to the then Secretary of State skills to succeed and make a diff erence in immediately struck by the community I would like to record my thanks to Professor Alastair Adair, who assumed Vice-Chancellor. Professor Nixon has education and skills development made Theresa Villiers and Taoiseach Enda Kenny. their chosen careers and professions. of Ulster University; the students, the role of acting Vice-Chancellor following already shown a determination to build him a central fi gure in the University’s academic colleagues, parents, friends Two major investments in teaching Their contribution goes beyond the Richard’s retirement and prior to my on the achievements of his predecessor, forward direction and momentum. He will and the many partner organisations facilities at our Coleraine campus also classroom or research laboratory. 2015 taking up offi ce. During this particularly Sir Richard Barnett, by launching be greatly missed. who so enrich the student experience. Our research delivers real outcomes. Certainly if Northern Ireland is to truly welcomed students in September and I saw students recognised for their sports challenging time Alastair led the University It changes lives and shapes policy. an extensive consultation exercise put innovation at the heart of its economic was particularly pleased to hear that work outreach volunteering work in local with skill, integrity and great care. Wearable technologies to reduce future, we must put universities at the to set out a new strategic vision Jeremy did of course witness the start of I am fortunate to be in a position to admire some of this University’s most ambitious has commenced on a multi-million pound communities, our elite sportspeople cardiovascular disease, a breakthrough in heart of our communities. Without for the continued development and be proud of the very many successes Despite those challenges, it is with and important development plans, plans sports centre at the campus that will be securing numerous varsity titles, others the global fi ght against pancreatic cancer, question, a sustainable and empowering of Ulster University. that predate my arrival in 2015. I am deeply confi dence and ambition that I approach which aim to make the institution stronger, accessible by the entire community. This competing at European and global level suicide prevention, social exclusion in sport, funding model of higher education must encouraged by the commitment I have the future for Ulster University. The change more resilient and crucially, remain new facility will build on the exceptional in their chosen sports – whilst at the same the rebuilding of societies aff ected by be a priority for the Northern Ireland time maintaining their studies. experienced since taking up offi ce and within our sector requires us to be resilient, confl ict, global telecommunications and competitive in an increasingly globalised sporting credentials that saw Ulster host Executive, and for all those who care energised by the potential that lies ahead. creative and emphatic about the value manufacturing materials; the range is world of education, while still remaining a the Sigerson Cup at the Jordanstown about the future of our young talent, campus in February 2016 and launch sports It is this very type of determination, hard we add to individuals and to communities. vast and the impact profound. our economy and our community. civic university responding to the needs work and focus that I believe sets Ulster I succeeded Professor Sir Richard Barnett, of Northern Ireland society. scholarship awards for high performing student athletes. University students apart, and which makes whose steady leadership had supported We are re-imagining and creating the At the start of 2016, I embarked on the I am grateful to colleagues, students, me both proud and excited for the future. the development of Ulster University over spaces in which learning will thrive. From development of our new Strategic Plan. Council members and external partners Such developments include the continued A much needed, positive step forward almost a decade. He championed the our fi nancial innovation lab and trading Our teaching excellence, research strengths, who have welcomed me so warmly to the progress of our capital construction in realising the full potential of Ulster development of the new Belfast campus, room in Jordanstown to the launch of global potential and civic engagement University and to Northern Ireland. As we projects at the Belfast, Coleraine and University in Derry~Londonderry came and was committed to widening access our Writing Pad space in Coleraine, we are all provide a truly rich vein of expertise implement our Five & Fifty strategic plan Magee campuses, which will enhance the around which to build an ambitious future with the approval of the new £11m to higher education in Northern Ireland. developing opportunities for collaboration with confi dence, I look forward to working student experience and ensure we can vision. Our new Five & Fifty strategic plan teaching and learning facility at the Magee Richard’s astute focus on our social and and real world experiences. Achieving closely with all who share our ambition remain fl exible and responsive to the needs will support our resilience to challenges for this University and its continued campus. I look forward to engaging with economic contribution has established our best rating to date in the eleventh of the next generation of talent. annual National Student Survey, all and our readiness for the opportunities contribution locally and on the global stage. our stakeholders as we work together to the foundations for partnership and aspects of student life and experience will ahead. I have been encouraged both make our ambitions in the city a reality. participation upon which we will continue These include phase one of our Belfast remain central to our future plans. Our by the input and response of staff and to build in the coming years. students to the emerging direction, and by campus development which opened its All of these projects, whether completed, rise in all three domestic league tables for doors to students in September 2015, Mr John Hunter universities and inclusion in the prestigious the keen interest of those many external progressing or planned, will strengthen our stakeholders who value our contribution. and was offi cially opened by Her Royal Chair of Council THE Top 150 under 50, are signifi cant proposition and enable us to attract local Professor Paddy Nixon Highness The Princess Royal in April and international students seeking a higher strides forward. Vice-Chancellor and President 2015/16 Highlights Ulster University Annual Review 2015/16 06/07 2015/16 Highlights Polly Poppet aka Sarah Lyle with Meabh McComish (two) who took Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal offi cially Cara Simpson (Ballycastle High School) and part in the Book Trust’s Rumble in the Jungle song and rhyme opened Phase One of Ulster University’s Belfast Oliwia Mankiewicz with Dr Bridgeen Callan session at Ulster University as part of Culture Night Belfast 2015 campus development at our week-long Chemistry Summer School Sarah McGrath (Ulster University Sports Science student) and Sophie Burns meet Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock, Joanne Mercer celebrates her degree in adult nursing with as he lends his support to Ulster University’s GymFUN initiative son Hudson (fi ve) at the Ulster University winter graduations Ulster University marked 100 days to Rio with an Sports Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, visits Ulster University’s Olympic-themed celebration that gave local school Dr Arun Gandhi delivered an inspiring speech on peace and Jordanstown campus and meets participants on the Alumni of Ulster University Business School celebrate its 40th anniversary children the opportunity to try out new sports Honorary Graduate, Paul Clark MBE non-violence at a special lecture hosted by Ulster University ‘Unblocking Potential’ initiative Excelling in Education Ulster University Annual Review 2015/16 08/09 Excelling in Education At Ulster University, we want all our Student spaces High degree of satisfaction Learning new lessons learners to benefi t from both our high quality research and our commitment Ulster University has continued to enhance Ulster University continues to enjoy On a regular basis, we look at the courses to teaching excellence.