News | Friday, 22nd December 2006
Multi-million investment in Didsbury
University to outline plans at Open Meeting
MANCHESTER Metropolitan University is canvassing local opinion on its multi-million pound investment plan for Didsbury.
MMU intends to invest in "a Campus for the Professions" at its Didsbury campus, which is already a nationally-recognised centre of teacher training, as part of a major development programme.
The University plans to unify its provision for teachers, psychologists, nurses, social workers and other health care professionals on the MMU campus at Wilmslow Road, south of Didsbury Village.
And MMU officials are asking local people for their views on the plans by holding a public meeting at the campus on Thursday, January 11.
Increasing study options
The plan aims to bring together the University’s School of Health, Psychology and Social Care with its Institute of Education, increasing study options and strengthening inter-disciplinary research, and it is hoped the expansion will be welcomed by local business.
Dean of the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education Professor Vince Ramprogus said: "We are planning an exciting range of new facilities for a vibrant mix of staff and students, full-time, part-time and professional.
"Developing within the campus boundary on Wilmslow Road, we intend to use existing space much better to improve the facilities for students and staff, and extend community use of the campus for local residents and groups.
"We are confident that the new provision at Didsbury campus will improve MMU’s service to the people of Manchester and cement Didsbury’s wider reputation as a ‘University Village’."
Plans include:
- new attractive buildings for teaching and staff offices
- improved learning facilities and social spaces for students
- greater community access to both the library and sports facilities
- better parking facilities
- enhanced landscaping
The public briefing is part of a series of on-going meetings to canvass the views of staff, students and other stakeholders.
Professor Ramprogus will be joined by Vice-Chancellor Professor John Brooks and senior colleagues at the public meeting in the Assembly Hall, The Simon Building, MMU Didsbury, Wilmslow Road, Manchester at 6pm on Thursday, January 11.
Notes:
- MMU’s association with Didsbury began in 1977 when the Didsbury College of Education merged with Manchester Polytechnic. The central administration building dates back to 1842 and was originally the Methodist Theological College.
More recently the campus has taken on youth work and social work education, one of the strongest areas of the university’s portfolio.
- The single-site campus for the Faculty of Health Social Care and Education will bring together staff and students from:
- The Institute of Education
- The School of Health, Psychology and Social Care
- The Research Institute for Health and Social Change
- The Education Research Institute
- The Community Audit and Evaluation Centre
- The Centre for Urban Education
- The School of Health, Psychology and Social Care and the Research Institute for Health and Social Change are currently based at the Elizabeth Gaskell Campus, Hathersage Road, Rusholme, Manchester.
For more information, contact the MMU Press Office on 0161 247 3406 mob 07748 111322 g.hollyman@mmu.ac.uk
