The Year in Review 2012 /2013
London Metropolitan University Transforming lives Meeting needs Building careers
The Year in Review 2012 /2013
The Year in Review 2012 /2013
Contents Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor 5 About us 6 Our Mission 8 A new Patron 10 Faculties 12 Our students 16 Our Staff 18 Alumni 20 Our partnerships 22 Investing in our future 24 Key Facts 26
Welcome
Welcome to this Year in Review, which looks back at what has been both an eventful and successful year for our University.
This year, we have focussed on better meeting our students’ needs. We have redesigned our business school in Moorgate, both academically and aesthetically, and have also seen the creation of a new faculty of business and law. We continued to invest in facilities, with The Cass undergoing an extensive refurbishment, and new social and study spaces were created across the institution. It has also been a year of challenges, but we should be proud that those challenges were overcome. The actions of the UK Border Agency at the start of the year caused distress to our international students, but through a High Court action we protected and continued teaching our international students. In April this year, we recommenced recruiting international students so that we remain a truly diverse institution. This diversity is regularly cited as one of our key strengths by students, staff members and alumni. In December the University celebrated Ten Years of London Met at a wonderful event
at the Barbican, and also welcomed its new Patron, HRH The Duke of York. We were delighted to receive His Royal Highness during a visit to our Learning Centre and Science Centre, and look forward to working closely with The Duke over the upcoming years of his patronage. We continue to adapt to a fast-changing Higher Education environment, while remaining true to our belief in access and making university study as affordable as possible for our students. London Met has a fine tradition of transforming lives, meeting needs and building careers, and we have had much to celebrate over the last year. You can read about some of our successes in the following pages. I hope you enjoy this review of the year, which highlights the achievements of our great University. Professor Malcolm Gillies Vice-Chancellor
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About Us
London Metropolitan University is the champion of affordable quality education, with a strong commitment to access and a firm belief in the value of academic and vocational study.
Our origins can be traced to the year 1848, when the London Metropolitan Evening Classes for Young Men strove to improve the condition of the capital’s working youth. Today, we continue in our mission to transform the lives, build the careers and meet the needs of our students. Four faculties – covering architecture and design, life sciences and computing, business and law and the social sciences – produce world class research and quality teaching across our three campuses at Aldgate, Holloway and Moorgate in the City. Our origins have not been forgotten however, and London Met remains committed to making education available to people from all walk of life. We set our fees with our access mission in mind, and are proud of the important role we play in society.
Underpinning everything we do at London Met is an unswerving commitment to quality. We were given the highest possible accolade by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for our academic standards, teaching and research. The patron of London Metropolitan University is HRH The Duke of York, who took over the patronage from his father, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, in 2013. Offering undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and short courses in the heart of the capital, London Metropolitan University is a valuable asset not just to the community we serve, but the Higher Education sector as a whole.
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London Metropolitan University is committed to transforming lives through education. We put students at the heart of all we do, meeting their needs through teaching and support. Employability runs throughout the curriculum to help our students build rewarding careers during their time with us.
Transforming Lives, Meeting Needs, Building Careers Our mission
This year, HRH The Duke of York agreed to become Patron of London Metropolitan University. He took over from his father, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and joins a fine tradition of royal patronage of the University. In the past, the Prince Consort, Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George VI, Edward VIII and George VII have all served as Patron.
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The Year in Review 2012 /2013
Faculties
This year has been one of change for our Faculties, with further investment in facilities and the creation of a new faculty bringing the disciplines of business and law together.
Faculty of Business and Law The Faculty of Business and Law was formed this year, with law-based subject areas and the business school joining to create an exciting new academic organisation for the University. The new Faculty makes use of many natural synergies in the administration and teaching of business and law, and is proving a productive academic configuration. Based across the University’s City campuses of Moorgate and Aldgate, FBL is uniquely situated in the Square Mile among some of the largest firms, while also being at the heart of the creative industries of Shoreditch, Old Street and Silicon Roundabout.
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Research is a major strength of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, which is home to fourteen research institutes and centres. 80% of the Faculty’s research in social work, social policy and media and communications was judged to be ‘world leading’, ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘internationally recognised’ in the latest Government Research Assessment Exercise. This year, courses across Governance and International Relations joined the Faculty, bringing these related study areas closer together.
The Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design The Cass is internationally recognised for the quality of its teaching, its interdisciplinary approach and excellent facilities. This year, it was named among the top 100 architecture and design schools in Europe by influential publication Domus.
The Faculty of Life Sciences and Computing Boasting the largest open plan teaching laboratory in Europe, the Faculty of Life Sciences and Computing is at the forefront of STEM subject education. The Faculty incorporates the schools of psychology, computing and human sciences.
The Cass also enjoyed a summer refurbishment this year, with Central House having an extensive re-design. A brand new studio environment was created, complete with a boulevard, domestic stairways to encourage more interaction between disciplines, teaching spaces, upgraded workshop facilities and a cafÊ. The refurbishments were all designed by the Faculty’s own Architecture Research Unit.
This year, the Science Centre welcomed our new Patron, HRH The Duke of York, when he visited the University. It also scored well in the 2012 National Student Survey, with Maths receiving the best score for Feedback in the country.
Our students
London Met students: A story of success
2012/13 has been a fantastic year for our students, who have achieved considerable success both during and after their studies. This year, Business School student Natalia Lykova won one of the most prestigious student awards in finance: the Lombard Prize. She collected her award at a dinner at Banqueting Hall in the City among the company of top finance professionals and the Lord Mayor of the City of London. Elsewhere, Business School alumni Sujit Nair was named one of the most influential foreign policy professionals in the world by a leading diplomacy publication.
in Senegal, following completion of his MA Interpreting degree at London Met. Chemistry graduate Berivan Esen won a summer placement at NASA’s Ames research base to investigate techniques for finding life on Mars. She is now undertaking a PhD. Law student Syed Amman was elected a local councillor in Barking, and Film and Broadcast Production students made over 30 films for The Bank of England. These are just some of the many successes of London Metropolitan University students and graduates this year.
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities student Ahmadou Gaye found himself interpreting for US President Barack Obama The Year in Review 2012 /2013 17
Our staff
London Met staff: A story of excellence
London Met’s academic body has been recognised for excellence by its students, industry, government and the research community.
Janette Harris, who lectures on the BA Interior Design course, won the Best Lecturer Award, saying “it is a great honour to be recognised in a role that I adore.”
In 2012–13, three senior academics received University Teaching Fellowships and were awarded grants to undertake projects in learning and teaching development or research.
London Met academics appeared throughout print, broadcast and online media as their research and expertise drew them into public discussion and debate.
Fellowship recipients were Charl Fregona, Head of the E-Learning Team at London Met’s Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT); Dr Tözün Issa, Director of the Centre for Multilingualism in Education; and Dr Andrew Moran, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for International Relations and International Development. Students also acknowledged the outstanding contribution of their teachers with the inaugural Student Led Teaching Awards, run by the Students’ Union. Awards were given in six categories including Most Inspirational Lecturer, Most Innovative Teacher and Best Lecturer.
Some examples include: >P rofessor of International Law Douwe Korff, who made headlines with his comments to Members of the European Parliament in Brussels about government surveillance in the UK. >P sychology lecturer Dr Louise Bunce featured on a number of networks for her research into the consumer psychology of electric cars. >F ilm producer and lecturer Charlotte Worthington helped football fans across the UK mark a special milestone in their game, directing and producing a short film to celebrate 125 years of the Football League. The Year in Review 2012 /2013 19
What our alumni say…
“ I had an amazing experience at London Met. It was a truly multi-cultural environment which always encouraged me to understand the diverse world we live in. It really enhanced my capacity for learning.” Tanka Upreti BSc Media and Communications “ I really enjoyed my time at the Faculty of Business and Law, the lecturers were spot on and I’ve made some amazing friends.” Tim Bromand BA Economics and International Business “ I had the best teachers you could ever wish for in The Cass, they were always there to help. I would definitely recommend London Met to someone looking to study animation.” Alexandra Afonso (NSS winner) BA Animation
Our Alumni
Our Partnerships
Professional and academic partnerships
London Met students and staff belong to a global community of academic and professional partners, which grew again in 2012–13. There are 30 academic institutions from the UK and abroad delivering world-class courses accredited by London Met. They include colleges on our doorstep, such as City and Islington College and Hackney Community College, but also international partners in some 20 countries across Europe, South East Asia, Africa and more. Courses at London Met are also backed by accreditation from more than 30 professional, statutory and regulatory bodies. These include organisations such as the British Psychological Society, the Law Society and the Royal Institute of British Architects. Senior business leaders, appointed as visiting professors, and many private partners also add real industry value to courses at London Met. Organisations currently partnering with the University include Metro Bank, Arsenal FC,
The Financial Times, The Royal Bank of Scotland and the Institute of Directors. These links with business are having an impact. This year, the Prime Minister’s entrepreneurship advisor Lord Young of Graffham visited the Faculty of Business and Law to gain a better understanding of how the University works closely with Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). “What I have seen at London Metropolitan University is very encouraging,” Lord Young said. “Their innovative and close partnerships with business represent best practice, and the benefits that these partnerships bring for graduates, SMEs and the University are clear.” This year the University conducted a review of its partnerships which advocated development and growth in these activities. Partnerships relating to work placements and internships, both within business and the local community, were highlighted for particular development. This will further contribute to the employability of London Met graduates. The Year in Review 2012 /2013 23
Investing in our future
London Met continues to invest in an outstanding university experience for all its students.
In 2012–13, major upgrade projects included a new Faculty Office in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. This modern, open-plan design creates a welcoming interface where students can easily access academic support. At Central House further works were undertaken to build the studio learning environment for art and architecture students in The Cass. Early work began at Moorgate, where the new Faculty of Business and Law will boast an entirely remodelled home by 2013 –14. Improvements at Calcutta House will also be completed next year as part of a commitment to improve facilities for all London Met students in the City. In addition to these major programmes, the University continues to introduce new informal learning spaces and rolling upgrades to teaching rooms and amenities.
Environmental sustainability London Met has also drastically reduced its carbon footprint through its Carbon Management Plan, part of its commitment to a sustainable future. The University’s carbon footprint shrunk by 4.2% during 2012–13, signifying a reduction of 27.2% since 2009 and putting it on target to meet a 33% reduction by the end of 2014. The University went up 12 places in the People & Planet Green League 2013 and was the fourth highest University in the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme performance league table. The University was awarded over £1.3 million from the HEFCE Revolving Green Fund, including being one of 10 Universities to be awarded £1m for an exemplary retrofit project at Central House.
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Key facts
ondon Met and its predecessor L institutions have provided higher education in the City of London for over 160 years
> Our graduates’ starting salaries were found to be among the highest for modern universities in the UK > We are in the top 10 universities in the UK for the class contact time we offer students > There are more than 40 research centres and institutes at London Metropolitan University > London Met was awarded the highest accolade from the most recent assessment by the Quality Assurance Agency > More than two thirds of research at London Met was judged to be ‘internationally recognised’, ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world leading’ (Research Assessment Exercise)
> The Superlab at London Met is the largest science teaching laboratory in Europe > London Met is a truly global University with active projects and partnerships across the world, from the MARCH architecture school in Moscow to the Business School of Athens > London Met offers the highest number of National Scholarship Programme awards in London > We are one of the most socially inclusive universities in the UK > London Met was the first university in the UK to implement IBM Academic Skills Cloud to enhance the development of workplace skills The Year in Review 2012 /2013 27
London Metropolitan University Transforming lives Meeting needs Building careers
Visit us: London Metropolitan University 166 – 220 Holloway Road London N7 8DB United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)20 7423 0000 For course and prospectus information, visit www.londonmet.ac.uk
Design: Turnbull Grey Photography: Steve Blunt
London Metropolitan University Transforming lives Meeting needs Building careers
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The Year in Review 2012 /2013