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Interviews:
Mark E. Smith
Jack Perry
News Editor
Photo courtesy of Lancaster University
I
n its 50th year, SCAN spoke to
the Lancaster University Vice
Chancellor, Professor Mark E.
Smith, about the university as
it turns 50, celebrations for the
50th anniversary and his plans
and hopes for the future.
Most prominently, Smith said
that he believed that after 50
years Lancaster is in a very strong
position. “Lancaster has so many
strengths,” Smith told SCAN.
“It’s one of the UK’s
leading universities,
our graduate
employability record
is excellent and
we have a superb
research record.
“But one of the most impressive
things about Lancaster is that it
manages to successfully combine
academic
credentials
with
friendly community values, as
well as placing teaching and the
wider student experience as key
priorities. I think that’s why our
students love Lancaster.”
2014 is a celebratory year
for students, staff and alumni
alike, though many of the events
held during the year are aimed
at alumni of the university.
However, Smith told SCAN that
there were a host of ways in
which current students have got
involved in the 50th Anniversary
celebrations. “I am delighted that
students seem to have embraced
the celebrations and that they
are so proud of Lancaster,” Smith
said. “Roses was a wonderful
event which really showed off
our investment in sport and it
was brilliantly organised by the
students. Our cricket team’s visit
to Pakistan was another high
point.”
The 50th year is
also a moment
of reflection and
looking to the future
of the university.
In terms of his hopes for the
future, Smith said: “We have
a culture of always striving to
improve. Although we have
high quality research, facilities
and teaching, we will not be
complacent and will always be
working to be the best.
“Lancaster has
achieved so much
already and needs
to be recognised
for that – we will
be doing a lot more
shouting in the
future!”
On the subject of the
University’s intentions for the
future of Lancaster, a phrase
which repeatedly appears in
speeches by Smith and other
members of the University is
making
Lancaster
“globally
significant.” SCAN asked Smith
what this term meant and how
he intended to achieve it. “We
compete in a global market place
for students around the world of
course – over 100 nationalities
are represented at our UK campus
- but we also offer Lancaster’s
distinctive teaching style and
experience in countries such
as India, Pakistan, Ghana and
Malaysia,” Smith told SCAN,
referencing Lancaster’s teaching
campuses in these countries, also
pointing to future similar projects
in China. “In this respect we are
truly global.”
“I see our network of overseas
campuses expanding to offer
international students the valuable
Lancaster experience in their own
country,” Smith continued. “And
to offer students based in the UK
great opportunities to study and
visit.”
The flip side to being a “truly
global” university is nurturing
a relationship with the local
community back in Lancaster.
This is something Smith appeared
to be particularly passionate
about. “We can’t be a globally
successful university without
being firmly rooted in our local
community,” Smith told SCAN. “I
hope our community feels proud
of its university and there are lots
of things that we are introducing
to help that further.”
In terms of the benefits the
university brings to the local
area, Smith said: “Lancaster
makes a significant impact on the
local economy, partly through
sharing expertise with businesses
to create jobs and wealth, but we
also have a big role to play in the
cultural life of the city – through
our partnership with the Duke’s
and our exciting programme
of concerts, theatre and dance
which is open to all, through to
our popular public lectures and
sports facilities.
“Our students are
part of the fabric of
the city and add to
its vibrancy.”
2014 is also an important
landmark for the two founding
colleges, Bowland and Lonsdale,
which both celebrate their 50th
anniversary this year too.
Smith said he still
believed the colleges
were relevant to
Lancaster’s identity.
“It is part of Lancaster’s success
- students and alumni feel real
affection for their colleges. Our
colleges definitely add to the
student experience and offer
opportunities to get involved in
campus life.”