The University of Salford’s milestone year
A fantastic new base at MediaCityUK, the official opening of the Energy House and the kick-starting of major campus redevelopment plans were just some of the highlights of 2011. A review of the year picks out the events that made 2011 such a momentous year for the University of Salford.
January
Greg Barker MP officially opened the Energy House
Minister for Climate Change, Greg Barker, opened the Energy House – an old-style terrace built inside a lab to test energy saving technology for older houses. The opening coincided with the University’s ‘Retrofit Salford 2011’ conference – the first in the UK to address the challenge of sustainably retrofitting existing housing stock. The conference is to become an annual event with Retrofit 2012, exploring the latest energy research findings.
February
Research into trapped rainbows will revolutionise technology
A Salford-led research project is investigating how to stop light from travelling. The project is designing structures that can store individual colours of the rainbow when a beam of white light is shone on them. The data storage implications could help to increase computer speeds, boost the clarity of images used by surgeons during operations, and allow the projection of TV pictures at a clarity and depth far exceeding current capabilities.
March
Campus Plan launched
Ambitious plans to redevelop the campus were announced, starting with the total refurbishment and extension of the Chapman Building. Plans also include a new arts building with a theatre, exhibition space, drama studios and music rooms; brand new student accommodation and more green public spaces for staff, students and members of the public to enjoy.
April
Purchase of Joule House
The University bought Joule House which is the former home of 19th Century Salfordian physicist James Joule. He conducted many of his experiments into energy and heat at the house and the energy unit ‘joule’ was named after him. The house was renovated and opened as a research centre for energy and public policy later in the year.
May
Top of the range scanning facilities unveiled
A suite of hi-tech radiography scanners was launched which will help to train the next generation of radiographers. Salford is one of very few universities in the UK with a CT scanner to train radiography students in diagnostic scanning and research techniques, complementing the extensive facilities at the UK’s largest health and social care faculty.
June
Take That fan culture exhibition
Back in the 1990s before email, Facebook and Twitter became facts of teenage life, a global communication network of young female Take That fans sprang up, exchanging letters and packages through the post – all showcased at an exhibition organised by the University and Manchester Music City Tours.
July
Graduation
Our annual graduation ceremonies were held at Salford Quays where some of the stand-out stories included Laila Naqvi, who achieved a first class degree despite having to take her exams from her hospital bed; and mature student Lynsey Kelly, who graduated at the top of her class after overcoming the death of her father and a serious car accident which left her with post-traumatic stress disorder.
August
Planning permission granted for new arts building
Salford City Council granted planning permission for the development of our £38m arts building outlined in our Campus Plan. The new building will provide state-of-the-art performance and teaching spaces when it is opened in mid-2014.
September
New student accommodation approved
Another Campus Plan goal was achieved when planning permission was granted to build our new student accommodation overlooking Peel Park. When construction is completed in 2013 the new facilities will house over 2,000 students and have shops and restaurants on site.
October
MediaCityUK opening
We celebrated opening our stunning new digital learning, teaching and research space at MediaCityUK, where over 1,500 students are rubbing shoulders with professionals from the BBC, ITV and independent creative, digital and media organisations. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
November
Believe at MediaCityUK
Nearly 3,000 people enjoyed a free multimedia event, ‘Believe’, which showcased the amazing digital technology at our MediaCityUK base. The centrepiece was ‘Lowry to Life’ - a giant projection of LS Lowry’s Piccadilly Gardens painting which turned members of the public into part of the art. Motion capture technology was used to transfer people’s movements to characters on the screen.
December
Salford estate lit up at night
A Salford tower block was transformed into a multi-coloured light show by staff and students. Canon Hussey Court on the Islington Estate became the backdrop for a giant projection screen showing art and videos produced by members of the community.
