The University of Manchester formally launched its social responsibility strategy at the end of November with an event for staff, students and alumni as well as colleagues from local organisations and the wider social responsibility community.
The launch event marked the finale of a two-month long awareness-raising campaign that highlighted how staff, students and alumni are contributing the University’s social responsibility agenda through the ‘Make a Difference’ campaign. The campaign featured over 50 students, staff and alumni on purple circles across campus and shared their stories on the Make a Difference blog: http://makeadifferencemcr.tumblr.com/
At the event, President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, delivered a keynote address, speaking about social responsibility as one of the three core goals of the University. Nancy summarised: “Our first two goals of world class research and outstanding learning and student experience might be characterised by the question ‘what are we good at? In contrast, social responsibility can be characterised by a different question; ‘what are we good for?’”
Alongside Nancy were Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility and Professor Aneez Esmail, Associate Vice-President for Social Responsibility. Aneez explained: “The strategy highlights the University as an essential contributor to the betterment of the wider society, something that is in the DNA of this institution.”
The inspiring and up-beat event provided an opportunity for guests to meet some of the people who have been featured in the ‘Make a Difference’ campaign and learn more about the priorities and programmes at the centre of the strategy. Guests also watched a film that illustrated the differences that are being made as a result of some of the social responsibility programmes developed by the University.
More information about the social responsibility strategy programmes and priorities at the University of Manchester are available on the recently launched social responsibility website: www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/social-responsibility/
To keep up to date with social responsibility you can follow the University of Manchester on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SocialResponUoM and like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SocialResponsibilityUoM
For further information, email Lisa Govey, Communications and Engagement Manager, Office for Social Responsibility, at: [email protected]