achieving our vision - a reputation for quality

The year under review in this Report has seen the University make enormous strides forward in achieving our Vision as a model of an outstanding regional university with a national and international reputation for quality.

At the end of 2001, we doubled our world class research capability with two five star performances for Biomedical Sciences and Celtic Studies in the Research Assessment Exercise and a series of excellent results across the board in the national Research Assessment Exercise, demonstrating the success of our strategic approach.

It was equally gratifying to note a sequence of excellent results in our teaching quality assessments, including unbeatable scores of 24 for Business and Management and Celtic Studies. In addition, our processes and procedures for Quality Assurance were commended following an audit visit by the Quality Assurance Agency. This is an important endorsement for the quality of educational experience provided at the University and a significant vote of confidence in our supporting structures which received particular commendation from the Auditors.

Development programme
Last year we announced a £200 million development programme for the University and I am very pleased to report that our ambitious plans are coming to fruition with significant new buildings on our campuses, including Science Research Park buildings at Coleraine and Magee, and new Learning Resources Centres at Jordanstown and Magee. In addition a number of other prestigious projects are now well underway.

Providing quality infrastructure must be supported in equal part by high-calibre staff and appropriate management structures in achieving our goals. During the year the faculty and school structure was revised to allow greater efficiency.This follows new structures for our Court, Council and Senate reported in last year’s review of the year.These arrangements have bedded down successfully although it was with great disappointment that last year’s Court was cancelled due to the national Foot and Mouth crisis.

Selective research policy
Research is the channel through which knowledge enters society and our selective research policy is designed to meet the economic, social and cultural needs of Northern Ireland. Our research also attracts significant inward funding and investment, both directly into the University support the research infrastructure and specific projects, and into the local economy in terms of investment and jobs generated by our knowledge and expertise. The University made strong bids for major funding this year and these resulted in a number of notable successes. 

During the year over £8 million was invested in science research park activities and across all campuses over £20 million was invested in technology and knowledge transfer activities. Over 235 jobs are associated with the University science park tenant companies. Developments for the next 12 months include the construction of an innovation centre at the Jordanstown campus to focus on advanced engineering and nanotechnology and the commencement of the Applied Research Centre at the Spingvale campus which will allow the expansion of the Synergy e-business incubator. The University achieved considerable success in securing £17.5 million under DEL’s SPUR initiative for the Centre for Molecular Biosciences and the Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages. Both projects are now well established and following launches of the Academy by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney and the Centre for Molecular Biosciences by Lord Sainsbury, we have in place two landmark research initiatives that place the University of Ulster firmly in a global context.
 

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