University of Sunderland
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| University of Sunderland | |
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| Motto: | Scientiam Dulce Hauriens ("Sweetly absorbing knowledge") |
| Established | 1992 (1901 as Sunderland Technical College; 1969 as Sunderland Polytechnic) |
| Type: | Public |
| Chancellor: | Lord Puttnam (1998 - 2007) [1][2][3] |
| Vice-Chancellor: | Prof. Peter Fidler |
| Students: | 20,365 [4] |
| Undergraduates: | 17,330 [4] |
| Postgraduates: | 3,035 [4] |
| Location | Sunderland, United Kingdom |
| Colours: | Nasturtium & Dark Blue [5] |
| Affiliations: | Coalition of Modern Universities |
| Website: | http://www.sunderland.ac.uk |
The University of Sunderland is located in the City of Sunderland in North East England. The University has more than 16,000 students, including 1,000-plus international students from some 70 countries.
The University was named the 'Best English University for student experience' [6]by the Times Higher Education Supplement in December 2005.
The University is also one of the 31 United Kingdom Universities providing the New Route PhD as an alternative to the traditional Ph.D., although Sunderland also provides the latter.
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[edit] History
The University’s roots can be tracked back to 1901, when Sunderland Technical College was established as a municipal training college on Green Terrace (the site of the current Priestman Building). It was the first to offer sandwich courses. Naval architecture and pharmacy were introduced between the two World Wars.
In the late 1950s, the college was the first educational centre in the region to install a digital computer.
A new complex of buildings on nearby Chester Road was opened by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1964.
Sunderland Polytechnic was established on 1 January 1969, incorporating the Technical College, the School of Art and, later, Sunderland Teacher Training College. In 1992 it gained University status.[7]
The University was recognised by The Guardian as England's best new university in 2001, and in 2005 was named by The Times Higher Education Supplement as the top university in England for providing the best student experience.
Lord Puttnam became the university's first Chancellor in 1998. The Sunderland Empire Theatre was the regular venue for the graduation ceremonies, although they have been hosted at the Stadium of Light since 2004. In July 2007, he stepped down as Chancellor to become the Chancellor of the Open University [1] [2] [3].
[edit] Current
There are currently two main campuses, City Campus and the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's, with other buildings in Ashbrooke. St Peter's opened during the 1990s on the northbank of the River Wear, the site of St. Peter's Church and monastery built by Benedict Biscop in 674AD. In September 2002 the campus was renamed "The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St. Peter's" after the local businessman who was one of the University's primary supporters. The Sunderland Business School is similarly named "The Reg Vardy Centre", and another building, primarily used by the School of Computing and Technology, is "The David Goldman Informatics Centre".
"The Media Centre", housing television and radio production facilities for the School of Arts, Design Media and Culture, along with a small local base for Tyne Tees Television, opened in 2003 at St. Peter's. It was officially opened in March 2004 by Estelle Morris. Morris has been the pro vice-chancellor since June 2005.
The City Campus complex is still used, with buildings constantly being redeveloped. The Edinburgh Building was extensively redeveloped in 2004, and given a modern frontage. A lift was installed in Forster Building in 2003 when it started to house the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. The towering Wearmouth Hall, built as a student residence, catering hall and lecture theatre closed at the end of the 2006/7 academic year and will be demolished bringing to end one of the City's most distinctive tall buildings.
In June 2007, the first of a three stage refurbishment began in The Murray Library on the City Campus.[8]
[edit] Schools
The University has five academic departments (schools), responsible for teaching and learning, academic development and research, and working with partners in business and industry. The University also has a Graduate Research School which provides a focus and catalyst for research, especially in cross-School developments and activities, for research students and as a vehicle for enhancing the level of intellectual debate within the University.
The Schools are supported by a number of service departments responsible for a wide range of activity such as student welfare and accommodation for example, right through to teams responsible for managing the university estate, financial matters, and human resources.
- Arts, Design, Media and Culture : Creative and Performing Arts, Culture, Design, English, History, Humanities, Combined Subjects, Journalism & Tourism
- Business, Law and Psychology : Accounting, Business and Management, Combined Subjects and Law
- Computing and Technology : Computing, Engineering and Combined Subjects
- Education and Lifelong Learning : Education and Combined Subjects
- Health, Natural and Social Sciences : Environment, Combined Subjects, Medically Orientated Sciences, Social Sciences and the Caring Professions, and Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Graduate Research School
[edit] Halls of Residence
The University of Sunderland has five halls of residence; Scotia Quay, Panns Bank, Clanny House, The Precinct and All Saints
Scotia Quay and Panns Bank student halls of residence are based across the River Wear from St. Peter's Campus, across the road from The Bonded Warehouse. The location of these halls used to be one of the many locations on the river that were used by the old ship building industry.
The Precinct is located on Chester Road and is a five minutes walk from the Chester Road campus.
Clanny House is located on Hylton Road across the road from the Sunderland Royal Hospital.
[edit] Students Union
At the end of the 2007 term, the University of Sunderland Students' Union had 3 large bars, the Bonded Warehouse, Manor Quay and Wearmouth Bar. However, in July 2007 Wearmouth Bar was closed pending the demolition of Wearmouth Hall, and Manor Quay has also been vacated. A new more central student union is rumoured to be lined up in the middle of Sunderland city centre in the location previous occupied by Pzazz nightclub. Apart from it is Pzazz, Jeff Whitley is rumored to be the star DJ.
The student magazine is called DN (Degrees North) magazine and it's highly successful student run radio station is called Utopia FM
[edit] Getting around
The University's City Campus and St. Peter's Campus are both served by Tyne and Wear Metro stations. The stations are called University and St. Peter's respectively. The University of Sunderland Students' Union also provide a Campus Bus service throughout the day and evenings, with an extended service operating on event nights.
To help students the Student Union also provides a campus shuttle bus service free of charge.
[edit] 87.7 Utopia FM
Utopia FM is a student radio station broadcasting from The Media Centre on the internet and, through a local licence, on 87.7FM. It has broadcast under the Utopia name since November 1997 on irregular short term licences.
Its origins can be traced to Wear FM, a community-oriented service for Sunderland which launched in 1990. It broadcasts from studios in the new Media Centre at the St Peters Campus, although transmission facilities still remain at the Forster Building on Chester Road, which housed the University's media department until summer 2003.
The station has been successful in securing multiple nominations in the annual student radio awards, with a Gold and a silver in 2004 and three bronze awards in 2005.
The station now has a full-time Community Radio licence which will come into force within a year.
[edit] Commercial Enterprises
The University has formed a number of commerial enterprises over the years.
- Integra, was originally established as an environmental consultancy in 1993. It now provides health and safety training & consultancy services.
- MTC, the North East England's leading provider of accredited IT training for Microsoft, Novell, Citrix, VMware, ITIL, PRINCE2, Cisco and EC-Council, was established in 1984.
- University of Sunderland Enterprises Ltd.
- University of Sunderland Services Ltd.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Goodbye Lord Puttnam University of Sunderland, July 2007
- ^ a b Lord Puttnam to step down as Chancellor University of Sunderland, November 2006
- ^ a b Open University (03 Oct 2006). Lord Puttnam is appointed Chancellor of The Open University. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-08.
- ^ a b c Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2005/06. Higher Education Statistics Agency online statistics. Retrieved on 2007-03-31.
- ^ Academic Colours Sunderland University Academic Dress
- ^ [http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/caffairs/205dec1.htm Sunderland voted "Best Student Experience", Times Higher Education Supplement, December 2005
- ^ A brief history of higher education in Sunderland. University of Sunderland. Retrieved on 2007-07-02.
- ^ About Murray The Murray Library refurbishment blog, University of Sunderland, June 2007
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