The University of Manchester is the proud recipient of two awards from Times Higher Education in recognition of its outstanding support to students and STEM research.
At the awards in Birmingham last week, The University of Manchester and the University’s Students’ Union was recognised for the support provided to students during the cost of living crisis in 2022/23.
One-off payments totalling over £9 million were made available to all students in November 2022, which 90% accessed. Targeted additional support was allocated to some students in February 2023 which, at the time, many other universities were not in the financial position to provide.
Overall, an unparalleled package of support of over £10 million reached students through a wide range of interventions in the academic year. These included cosy campus spaces, free breakfasts on Wednesdays and holistic support initiatives.
Kelly-Ann Mallon, head of access, student employability, success, and development at The University of Manchester, who attended the awards on behalf of the University, said: “This recognition is a testament to the incredible teamwork and collaboration across the University that allowed us to respond swiftly and effectively to the cost of living crisis.
“The collective commitment from all areas of the institution ensured that we could provide the right support to our students. This award is not only a recognition of our efforts but a reflection of how much of a difference this initiative has made in the lives of our students, and it’s truly rewarding to see that impact acknowledged.”
Overall, an unparalleled package of support of over £10million reached students through a wide range of interventions in the academic year. These included cosy campus spaces, free breakfasts on Wednesdays and holistic support initiatives.
The University’s community of donors play a significant role in supporting students experiencing cost of living challenges. Initiatives such as the Cost of Living Support Fund ensure those facing hardship have access to immediate financial support.
Gifts from donors also support programmes such as the Manchester Access Programme and Undergraduate Access Scholarship, enabling more students than ever to access life-changing opportunities here at Manchester.
The effects of this response to the crisis stretched beyond the university, making waves in Westminster discourse and impacting policy.
Lexie Baynes, union affairs officer, University of Manchester Students’ Union said: “I’m so proud that this collaborative piece of work between the University and Students’ Union has been recognised by Times Higher and the sector.
“To me, the key takeaway here is that colleagues at the University and the Students’ Union elected Executive Teams worked in partnership on a direct and deliverable package of support for our 48,000 students during the cost of living crisis and financial pressures, putting students’ needs at the forefront of our actions. Huge congratulations to all those involved in the work, and the current Students’ Union team looks forward to continuing to work in partnership, to ensure that any barriers students face can be overcome.”
Anna Lomas, Employer Engagement Manager at The University of Manchester and chair of the group in charge of directing student support said: “Colleagues from across The University of Manchester and the Students’ Union are delighted to be recipients of this award and to be recognised formally for the hard work and commitment they gave to supporting our students with the challenges they were facing during the escalating cost of living crisis.”
The University of Manchester also received the award for Research Project of the Year: STEM for its work developing the world’s first bedside genetic test to prevent babies from going deaf.
One in 500 babies carry a gene that causes permanent deafness when given gentamicin, an antibiotic which is commonly used in intensive care. Researchers from Manchester developed the rapid bedside test and trialled it on 751 babies in neonatal units in Manchester and Liverpool, and the NHS is exploring how the test can become part of routine clinical care. The technology could potentially save the hearing of 180 babies in the UK every year.
Dr John McDermott, NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Manchester said: “This award is a testament to the hard work of so many people from across the University and at the hospital. With the genedrive technology set to be rolled out across the country as part of PALOH-UK, we’re excited to see how the impact of this intervention will continue to grow.”
