University of Salford makes pledge to city region
Monday 11 February 2019
THE UNIVERSITY of Salford has pledged to put the economy and quality of life in the city region top of its list of priorities.
Salford joins 30 other institutions, including Glasgow, Nottingham and Coventry, in committing to produce a “Civic University Agreement” in partnership with local government and other major institutions.
The new agreement is a key recommendation in a report published today (Monday, February 11) by the Civic University Commission set up by the UPP Foundation and chaired by the former Head of the Civil Service, Lord Kerslake.
The report sets out how universities like Salford have the opportunity and responsibility to help solve major problems in their local communities, such as helping industry adapt to technological change, boosting health and training new leaders in politics, the professions and the arts.
Vital role
Lord Kerslake said: “The deep economic and social changes that are happening in Britain today have made the civic role of universities even more vital to the places they are located in.
“We are now entering a new industrial revolution when it will be even more vital that knowledge is accessible in as many communities as possible."
Professor Richard Stephenson, deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Salford, said the University was increasingly aligned with the region through its industrial collaboration hubs in digital and creative, engineering and environments, sport, and health and well-being.
He said: “As another example, we’ve announced an £800m investment in a city masterplan with Salford City Council to look at the whole area around our campus and along Chapel Street. There are cultural strategic hubs embedded within that masterplan. So we are seriously investing in that space and in placemaking.”
Two-way street of knowledge
Richard Brabner, director of the UPP Foundation, said: “We created the commission to look at what it means to be a Civic University in the 21st Century and ask local people what they wanted from their local institution.
“We know that many universities want to build engagement with the community around them. It’s excellent news that such an impressive list of institutions has already signed up.”
The report warns that there is a danger that any cut in the resources available to universities – for example, a reduction in student fees without the deficit being made up in funding from the Treasury - will mean that work already being done in this area – like help provided to schools and further education colleges – could be slashed.
The report is based on evidence-gathering sessions held across England and highlighted that communities welcome opportunities to connect with universities, and there is great local pride about how universities put their hometown on the map.
Professor Helen Marshall at Salford is the first vice-chancellor in Greater Manchester to sign up to the scheme. See who else has made the pledge (below).
IMAGE: The University of Salford is the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in the UK for health professionals in prosthetics and orthotics.
Who else has signed up to the scheme?
Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor, University of Salford
Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal, Queen Mary University of London
Professor Liz Barnes, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Staffordshire University
Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Sunderland
Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool
Professor Paul Boyle CBE, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Leicester
Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Warwick
Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President, Newcastle University
Professor Sir David Eastwood, Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham
Professor Graham Galbraith, Vice-Chancellor, University of Portsmouth
Professor David M A Green CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Worcester
Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor, Sheffield Hallam University
Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Sheffield
Professor John Latham, Vice-Chancellor, Coventry University
Professor Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Wolverhampton
Professor Susan Lea, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hull
Patrick Loughrey, Warden, Goldsmiths, University of London
Professor Quintin McKellar CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hertfordshire
Professor Trevor McMillan, Vice-Chancellor, Keele University
Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Derby
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow
Professor Paddy Nixon, Vice-Chancellor and President, Ulster University
Professor Nick Petford, Vice-Chancellor, University of Northampton
Professor Judith Petts CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth
Professor Colin Riordan, President and Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff University
Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice-Chancellor, Lancaster University
Professor Mary Stuart, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lincoln
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sussex
Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Nottingham
Professor Steven West CBE, Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer, University of the West of England
Find out more
Gareth Hollyman, Senior Press & PR Officer (Science)
0161 295 6895 g.b.hollyman@salford.ac.uk
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