Alum-news Bulletin No. 8 - Monday 18 September 2000
| The University of Newcastle upon Tyne
yesterday won the accolade of 'University of the Year' from the Sunday
Times. The Newspaper explains that "backed by superb all-round
strength, Newcastle is our choice because of its outstanding teaching
record in medicine and related subjects - a perfect example of academic
excellence addressing national need" ...... "The quality at
Newcastle extends to many other subjects. The last eight teaching
assessments have all been rated excellent, covering not only courses in
the medical faculty but mathematics, biology and marine sciences.
Agriculture is top-rated for both teaching and research."
The article continues: "If going to University is about getting a life as much as getting a degree, Newcastle is the place to go. It offers high quality teaching and innovative courses in one of Britain's greatest cities. Its dropout rate is half the national average; the only surprise is that it's not lower." University Vice-Chancellor James Wright commented on the award: "This success recognizes the commitment of our staff to their students over many years. It also shows how excellent teaching can work hand-in-hand with outstanding research, since many of the same people are international leaders in their fields." The award is made in recognition of an Institution that has demonstrated outstanding quality and progress over the last year and is a separate award from the same Newspaper's University rankings, which were also published on Sunday. The ranking tables take a wide range of statistical information into account, including average A-level points on entry, employability of graduates, student/staff ratio, firsts/2:1s awarded, dropout rate, as well as teaching and research assessments. Headed by Cambridge and Oxford, 99 Universities are rated in total. Newcastle ranked 20th, following the last two placings of 27th and 23rd.
NEWCASTLE GRADUATE GOES FOR GOLD Alumni may wish to follow the progress of Newcastle alumnus Ed Coode (BSc Marine Biology 1997) as he chases an Olympic medal in the men's coxless pairs rowing with Greg Searle. The pair made an impressive start in their bid for a fourth consecutive British Olympic gold in the event (following the exploits of Redgrave and Pinsent) by setting the fastest qualifying time for the semi-finals.
CHANCELLOR TO RETURN TO HONG KONG FOR ALUMNI EVENT University Chancellor Chris Patten will be present at a major University event in Hong Kong on Tuesday 17 October. The former Governor will be presiding at a special ceremony to present parchments to recent Newcastle graduates and meet alumni at a Buffet reception. Please contact the Alumni Office for further details.
UNIVERSITY LEADS WAY IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Europe is looking to Newcastle University to learn how high-tech universities can boost local industry and create more jobs . The University recognized as a European centre of excellence for its pioneering research into the impact of universities on regional development. The European Commission has designated CURDS as a Training Site in its Marie Curie Fellowships programme, and will provide funds for eight promising young research students from other European universities to join CURDS for a 12 month period, starting early next year. See http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/content.phtml?ref=968236790 for further information.
REUNION WEEKEND 2001 - 9 JUNE. The date for next year's Reunion event has now been agreed for the weekend of Saturday 9 June 2001. There will be the usual wide range of events on campus and in the City, social activities, academic lectures and the Reunion Dinner. Why not think about getting a group of contemporaries together? Just let us know if we can help.
PASS IT ON! If you know of any other Newcastle alumni who would like to join this e-mail newsgroup, please ask them to pass their name, e-mail address and Newcastle study details to me at C.Cox@ncl.ac.uk. Please also remember to update us of any change in e-mail address so we can keep you up to date with University and Alumni Association news. Chris Cox Alumni Office Tel: (44) (0) 191 222 7250 |