NEWS

University of Manchester book launched

2 July 2007

The coming together in 2004 through an Act of Parliament of two highly-regarded universities – Victoria University of Manchester (VUM) and UMIST, to form The University of Manchester, was a very significant moment for the City of Manchester, as it became home to the largest student campus in the UK.

A Portrait of The University of Manchester is the first major illustrated volume to be published on this newly-created University and provides a wonderful in-depth insight into university life in Manchester over more than 150 years, from its early roots in the Victorian era to its current position at the cutting edge of 21st century change and progress.

Anna Ford, broadcaster, journalist and co-chancellor of The University of Manchester, says in her foreword: “When the new University was founded in 2004 I sensed a collective and profound sigh of relief. The eyes of the academic community, the government and higher education institutions around the world had been on us as we navigated our way through the immense complexities of merging two fully fledged institutions…I can only praise and wholeheartedly admire the extraordinarily hard, detailed work and determination and sheer brilliance of the enterprise. We could have failed, but we didn’t, and the breathtaking ambition of the transformation laid out in the Manchester 2015 agenda – ‘to make The University of Manchester, already an internationally distinguished centre of research, innovation, learning and scholarly inquiry, one of the leading universities in the world by 2015’ – is already beginning to bear fruit.”

At Manchester, Anna Ford became the second woman President of the Students’ Union and the first one to serve a full term in office, as ‘a militant determined to be moderate.’ She remembers fondly touring the Manchester nightclubs as a student playing her guitar for £5 a night and always wished she could still be a nightclub singer, saying: “You only have one life and it isn’t a rehearsal. You may as well have fun.”

Sir Terry Leahy, Chief Executive of Tesco plc and co-chancellor of The University of Manchester, adds in his foreword: “…. as a former President of the UMIST Alumni Association, it has been heartening to see the warm response of alumni to both VUM and UMIST to this important new book, either as contributors to the rich tapestry of university life that draws it together, or as subscribers. ……I hope that this portrait of the University – past, present and future – will inspire many of us to re-engage with our alma mater, or to deepen our existing involvement.”

Richly illustrated throughout with archive images and specially commissioned photography, A Portrait of The University of Manchester includes anecdotes, memoirs and memorabilia from alumni, as well as current and former members of staff. Split into four main sections, the editorial contents include an historical overview of higher education in Manchester from 1824 to the present day; academic developments and achievements (including details on the 24 Nobel Laureates); student life; and the final section entitled, a vision of the future.

Australian historian, Professor Alan Gilbert, President and Vice-Chancellor of the new University added: “This beautifully illustrated and fascinating account of university life in Manchester over a century and a half, will be a valuable marketing tool for enhancing our international reputation, as well helping us in our quest to become one of the world’s leading universities by 2015.”

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

Imprint: Third Millennium Publishing, London

Historical Consultant: Professor Brian Pullan

Publication date: 2 July 2007 / RRP: £45 / ISBN: 978 1 903942 49 9

Specification: Hardback, 208 pages, 280 x 240 mm, over 200 colour and b/w illustrations

The Publisher: Third Millennium Publishing specialises in publishing and design for the art and heritage markets and is currently working on a number of book projects with leading schools, Oxbridge colleges, universities (including a celebratory volume on the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University), cathedrals, regiments, and museums and galleries in the UK and USA.

For further information contact Michael D Jackson, Marketing Manager, Third Millennium Information Ltd, 2-5 Benjamin St, EC1M 5QL. Tel: +44 (0)207 336 0144. Email: mj@tmiltd.com. Website: www.tmiltd.com