The University of Manchester DEGREE CELEBRATIONS August 2021 Congratulations from the President and Vice-Chancellor Congratulations to the graduating class of 2021 – “Use your head, wherever you are in the world at this time during but follow your heart.” these unprecedented circumstances. This is a time of Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, celebration and I hope you enjoy this special occasion President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester with family and friends. For those of you graduating this summer, These celebrations mark not the end of this is also the perfect opportunity to reflect your relationship with the University, but the on your time at Manchester, to think about start of a new chapter. You are now part of your successes and accomplishments, and a worldwide network and it is my hope that to look forward with excitement to the next the links between you and the University stage of your journey. will grow stronger as you become an active member of one of the world’s largest global Although you are not here on campus as you alumni communities. mark your achievements this week, I know the University shares with you a great sense I wish you every success for the future. of pride in the award you have worked so hard to attain. We look forward to welcoming you back on campus for your rescheduled ceremonies when we are able to do so. I encourage you to take charge of your future, find your voice and form your own opinions. Have confidence in the knowledge and experience you have gained during your time here and know you are ready to take Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell on your next challenge and shape your own future. DEGREE CELEBRATIONS AUGUST 2021 1 Throughout our history, Manchester has helped Leading shape the world through knowledge, wisdom and humanity. Our staff and alumni instil in the way our students and graduates a desire to improve people’s lives through research, teaching and social responsibility, investing in the future of others. 1948 2017 1851 Prof Alan Turing OBE FRS 1979 Naa Acquah John Owens Sir Arthur Lewis The famed wartime The first Black woman Owens College is formed Britain’s first Black codebreaker joins the to hold the position of with the fortune of professor, Arthur Lewis University, where he would General Secretary of the Manchester industrialist wins the 1979 Nobel Prize gain a reputation as the father Students’ Union, Naa John Owens. for Economics. of modern computing. graduates in 2017. 1874 1945 1998 2016 Edward Ryley Langworthy Ellen Wilkinson Prof Brian Cox OBE FRS Jean D’Amour Mutoni Queen’s Young Leaders The Langworthy Chair, a Ellen Wilkinson is appointed as Graduating in Physics, Brian Award recipient Jean, whose position later held by five Britain's first female minister Cox starts a scientific career scholarship was supported by Nobel Prize winners, is for education. As a student that has seen him become a a donation to the University, created by the legacy of this she won scholarships for every household name through his graduates with a master's donor to the University. stage of her education. work to popularise science. degree in Medical Microbiology. 1906 1908 2004 2006 Dame Christabel Sir Ernest Rutherford Prof Alan Gilbert AO Prof Danielle George MBE Pankhurst DBE OM FRS Alan Gilbert is appointed Danielle George is awarded Prior to her role in the This chemist and physics President and Vice-Chancellor her PhD. Ten years later suffragette movement, she pioneer, who would later in 2004, later establishing she receives an MBE for her graduates in law at a time when ‘split’ the atom, becomes the Equity and Merit Scholarships services to promote public it was illegal for women to University’s first Nobel Prize and the Manchester engagement in engineering. practise the profession. winner in 1908. Access Programme. 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER DEGREE CELEBRATIONS AUGUST 2021 3 1,008 Turkey 1,428 A global Thailand 878 28,197 Switzerland China community 4,396 (mainland) Greece 2,764 261,621 889 2,657 Canada UK Cyprus Norway 2,693 Germany 2,014 Japan 1,449 Republic of Ireland 1,460 South Korea With more than 500,000 graduates worldwide, we’re 3,197 proud to welcome you to the France 2,399 largest alumni community of any Spain 1,876 UK campus-based university. Taiwan Half a million is not just a big 4,630 number. It’s a community with Hong Kong 1,715 SAR active groups all over the world. 9,905 Italy US 1,521 Whether you’re adventuring Pakistan abroad or you’re returning home – there’s an alumni group 460 5,738 wherever you go. 1,068 Ghana Singapore Mexico 463 4,630 1,223 These groups offer you a Uganda India Indonesia diverse, highly skilled and 741 welcoming network of friends Brazil and professional contacts. They 342 2,428 1,569 Chile Nigeria Saudi Arabia 6,683 also help you stay connected Malaysia with the University. 999 Kenya 2,526 1,813 Australia Find your nearest alumni group 114 United Arab or volunteer to start your own: Argentina Emirates www.manchester.ac.uk/global-community 4 THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER DEGREE CELEBRATIONS AUGUST 2021 5 Manchester has always been a pioneer of change – we're committed to looking forward and forging new paths. We created Stellify to support our students and graduates develop these qualities too. During your time at Manchester you’ll have embraced many different opportunities; broadened your horizons; examined and challenged real-world issues; led change; and given something back to local and global communities. Each path was unique, but the cumulative impact and influence is far- reaching. We're proud that so many of you graduating embraced our collective commitment to social responsibility and made a difference. IT’S TIME TO STELLIFY It’s time to Stellify Be the focus, be the vision Be the brightest in the universe Be the future, be driven There’s half a million alumni 190 countries across the globe 25 Nobel laureates This is our genetic code There’s stardust in your DNA You are a meteorite You are the pen tempting words You are the lens sensing light Be ten thousand degrees Be light years travel in time Be the star of the universe And shine, shine, shine Lemn Sissay, poet, author and Chancellor of The University of Manchester 6 THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER DEGREE CELEBRATIONS AUGUST 2021 7 Army of student heroes at Alderley Other highlights Park Lighthouse Laboratory Highlights from the year Staff and students at the University played a key role in helping establish Despite the challenging the Alderley Park Lighthouse circumstances, Laboratory, which has become 2020-21 Manchester students a crucial component of the Social responsibility and staff were still able government’s COVID-19 testing programme. Around half a million test This year has shown that even to achieve many great samples are processed each day at during the toughest of times, things. Here are just a the ‘super lab’, where dozens of our our University community has an few of the big stories students and staff volunteer their time and expertise. unwavering commitment to social Manchester named the world’s number one university in the from the year. Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings responsibility and sustainable Thanks to the pioneering spirit of our University community, development. Your efforts make we topped the table of more than 1,200 universities worldwide on action taken towards the United Nations Sustainable Manchester an inspiring place to be Music Society continues to Development Goals. Through research impact, learning and and help to create a greener, fairer lift spirits through lockdown students, we continue to pave the way for social responsibility in performances and healthier world. higher education. The Manchester University Music Society connected with local communities during lockdown by using online platforms to engage Student volunteers transform Student Volunteering Week with community groups such local shelter garden celebrates its best year yet Our students demonstrated as care homes, charities, Despite disruption from the pandemic, more their incredible community schools and hospitals. than 200 students took part in this year's virtual spirit and passion for social Volunteering Week. Across the week, students responsibility by volunteering to logged 140 hours of volunteering activities, from help transform the garden at the writing letters to seriously ill children, to supporting Women’s Direct Access Shelter. the work of orthopaedic surgeons looking to reach They worked alongside local those in need of healthcare and prosthetic limbs in residents to create a space for northern Uganda. shelter occupants to have a safe place to relax, socialise and receive support. PhD student shortlisted for the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, as one of the most influential disabled people in the UK Library Peer Network demonstrates Alongside WalkRide GM, Harriet Larrington-Spencer the potential of virtual communities (Geography) has been fundraising to purchase In October 2020, the Library’s community E-Trikes as a first step in establishing a Student Team launched a virtual, community library for adapted and non-standard peer-led academic support network cycles. So far, she has raised more than £10,000. for first-year students from widening Student campaign leads to changes in hate crime recording participation and underrepresented Graduates and current students from the University backgrounds. Through one-to-one have been campaigning for nearly three years for all support and the production of open police forces in England and Wales to be asked to record educational resources and podcasts, crimes caused by hostility based on sex or gender; in the project helps students whose lives March 2021, they won.