Read: Visit to Northumbria University highlights social mobility in action
A visit to Northumbria University by Justine Greening, Chair of the Purpose Coalition and former Education Secretary, confirmed its position as a modern university which has embedded quality research at the centre of everything it does, alongside a clear social mobility mission.
Justine visited the Newcastle City Campus to congratulate staff and students on the University’s recent Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year award win for 2022. She also met its leadership team, governors and regional partners to discuss social mobility in the context of the Higher Education sector’s role in levelling up, before leading a talk and Q & A session for members of the extended leadership team. The session was the first in a Seminar Series with external speakers, aimed at helping to inform the ongoing development of the University Strategy 2024-2030.
Justine said: “Breaking the cycle of endemic poor social mobility is, I think, our biggest development challenge in Britain and I know this is something Northumbria has been working on tackling for over 20 years. The work that goes on here really is making a difference by opening up opportunities for young people and, being a practitioner for as long as Northumbria has been on social mobility, I was delighted to see that work recognised with the THE University of the Year award.”
As the first member of her family to study at university, Ms Greening said the experience for her had been “utterly transformational”. She was given a tour of the world-class facilities at City Campus during her visit and spent time hearing about the student support available from members of the Student Life and Wellbeing team, as well as meeting with representatives of Northumbria Students’ Union.
Northumbria University’s Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Andy Long, said working with Ms Greening on her Social Mobility Pledge would ensure Northumbria continues to be at the heart of unlocking opportunity to those who need it most. “It was a pleasure to welcome Justine to Northumbria. She has a long and impressive career in politics and at the Department for Education, and her insight can really help inform our future ambitions as we shape our new University Strategy 2024-2030,” explained Professor Long. “Ensuring our students have access to a high-quality education which equips all of them, irrespective of background, with the skills they need to succeed in their future career is something we are all focused on. We are starting 2023 on a high but we can aim even higher. I think the question we all need to ask ourselves is just how ambitious we want to be?”
