CONVOCATION

Report by the Vice-Chancellor 18 June 2011

Looking back over the past year

• Continued our trajectory of a World-class Civic University • World-class in research

– Research income remains steady at about £85m (despite very difficult environment) – Top 20 for research power – Recently recognised as one of only 12 top-performing “Framework Agreement” universities by

EPSRC

• World-class in teaching – Top 20 for student experience – Maintained 87% student satisfaction rating in National Student Survey

• Civic University: Engagement with Civil Society – 3 Societal Challenge Themes – Successful launch of Sustainability Theme – 2 Examples of Civic Engagement

• Urban Traffic Management Centre • 2 km Geothermal energy borehole

– Continued emphasis on Newcastle Science City – planning approval obtained

Looking back over the past year (cont’d)

• Capital Developments – New Business School building completed– INTO Buildings progressing well – Baddiley-Clark Building opened

• International developments: – NUMed campus complete; Official opening 1 Nov 2011 – Agreement signed for Singapore Campus in Engineering (with Singapore Institute for

Technology)

• Sustainability – Recycling rate of 94% achieved across the campus – Silver Eco Campus status achieved– Revised Carbon Management Plan: commitment to reduce CO² emissions by 43% by 2020

• Financial – Good buffer of cash reserves against uncertainties – (Almost) No debt – Strong surplus in 2010-11; Reinvestment in student experience

National developments

• Biggest Change: Coalition Government policy changes: – Policy priority: Deficit reduction – Swingeing cuts to public sector bodies following Comprehensive Spending Review – Market orientation to Higher Education – Changes to visa regulations

• Regional Developments – ONE Northeast abolished (as from April 2012) – Government Office NE abolished – “Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)” introduced

• Parliament adopts proposals for a radical new dispensation on fees and funding from September 2012 – HEFCE Teaching Grant to be cut by ca. 80% – Student fees to rise to max £9K from September 2012

• NB: About new fees and funding dispensation: – University study remains free at the point of entry. Admission guarantees a govt loan – Repayment only once you earn – Threshold of £21,000 earnings before repayment – Max repayment period 30 years

Our preparation for new dispensation

• Fees from Sept 2012 – Undergraduate Fees set at £9K p.a. – Postgraduate taught fees to start at £5.5K p.a.

• Our commitment to disadvantaged students– OFFA Access Agreement submitted – Will spend ca. £10 million p.a. on fee waivers and bursaries – Ca. 30% of new entrants will not pay the full fee – 20% fee discounts to our own graduates for admission to postgraduate studies

• Strong focus on the student experience – Student Charter sets mutual expectations (E.g. minimum contact hours specified) – Good facilities & equipment (E.g. Library, Fine Art) – Increase in part-time employment opportunities for current students– Focus on employability

• Campus Rejuvenation – Refurbishment of Students’ Union (£8m) ready by Sept 2011 – New Student Forum by Sept 2012 – Armstrong Building refurbishment – INTO Development – Claremont Gateway project

NUMed

Business School

Student Forum before removal of Museum of Antiquities

Student Forum after removal of Museum of Antiquities

Claremont Gateway Landscaping

Claremont Gateway Landscaping

Our Vision: A World-class Civic University

Blue Skies

Medical Sciences

Science, Agriculture & Engineering

Humanities & Social Sciences

Ageing & Health

Sustainability

Social Renewal

Societal Challenges12

Thank you