Lincoln Welcomes Universities Minister

The Minister of State for Universities, Michelle Donelan, paid a virtual visit to the Brayford Pool Campus as it prepares to welcome back students for the new term. The visit comes in the wake of the University of Lincoln’s most recent accolade of Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.

The minister took part in a virtual tour of our beautiful city and stunning campus, during which she heard from the University’s leadership team and members of Lincoln Students’ Union about the University’s meteoric rise to become a TEF gold rated institution for the quality of its teaching, as well as being recognised for its award-winning approach to working with industry.

The minister’s visit reflects the University’s rapid growth, supporting the needs of our society and our economy. Last year the University added more than £300 million to the regional economy, doubling local economic growth rates and creating more than 3,000 jobs.

Notable highlights were shown to the minister, such as the Lincoln Medical School, which launched last year in collaboration with the University of Nottingham and has brought a welcome boost to Lincolnshire’s healthcare community. At full capacity, it will train more than 400 undergraduate medical students a year, joining the hundreds of future nurses, social workers and paramedics already enrolled at Lincoln.

The University also outlined how it is home to the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, Europe’s largest academic research centre on agri-robotics, where leading experts are developing innovative technology to support and enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in food and farming.

University staff also explained the vast support and the safety measures that have been put in place for new and returning students, which includes tailored packages of blended learning, a host of adaptations to the campus, and the addition of outside catering and tipis to help give an all-round student experience.

Minister of State for Universities, Michelle Donelan, said: “Student mental health is a key priority of mine, so I was pleased to hear about the University of Lincoln’s focus on support and services available to students. Lincoln also shows just how a university can play a vital role in its community and local economy.

“I also saw how the university has adapted ahead of students returning to campus, with extensive safety measures in place while still ensuring a meaningful student experience.”

Professor Mary Stuart, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “I’m delighted Lord Cormack, who is such an advocate of the University, the city and region, invited the minister to visit us. We welcome Michelle Donelan to Lincoln to find out more about our continued development as a strong and vibrant institution.

“Our focus is on our students and our civic mission – serving our communities through our teaching and research – and it was great to have the opportunity to talk about some of this work to the minister, including our outstanding teaching and attention to our students’ needs, together with a world-leading local to global’ research approach, and inventive partnerships with a wide range of industry partners.

“We remain extremely proud of our success and incredibly grateful to the community of Lincolnshire and the beautiful city of Lincoln for providing such a supportive home for our exceptional students.”

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