tees.ac.uk/mission

Providing Opportunities, Driving Enterprise, Delivering Excellence

Member of the Board of Governors

FOREWORD BY THE CHAIRMAN

Dear applicantMay I take this opportunity to thank you for your enquiry about joining our Board of Governors. Teesside University is an ambitious and highly regarded university, enormously proud of its heritage and track record.

Our new corporate strategy, Teesside 2020, sets out a programme of transformation over the next five years that will drive academic ambition and deliver excellence for our students, partners and the communities we serve. It will position Teesside as an international university at the heart of the Tees Valley that transforms lives and economies. That position requires strong and effective leadership and the Board of Governors is one of the primary vehicles to help support and guide our executive team to continue the University’s growth.

The last 12 months have seen the University continue to make strong progress and put in place robust foundations designed to support our ambitious plans for the future. Our sustained investment in the student experience puts us in a great position to successfully meet the challenges and opportunities of the future, as we consolidate our position in the higher education sector as a thriving and successful university.

This investment is central to our mission as a leading university with an international reputation for academic excellence that provides an outstanding student and learning experience underpinned by research, enterprise and the professions.

Being part of Teesside University is a stimulating, enjoyable and rewarding experience. I invite you to read more about the University in this applicant pack and to submit an application.

Alastair MacColl Chairman and Pro-Chancellor

IntroductionTeesside is a university that prides itself on its inclusive, consultative, responsive, friendly and open approach and on the significant positive social, economic and cultural impact that it has upon the communities that it serves and the wider economy of the North East and North Yorkshire.

The University has taken a leading role over a prolonged period in widening participation, employer engagement, the enhancement of learning/teaching and the student experience, real-world research, staff and leadership development, employer workforce development, social, cultural and community enrichment.

This bold commitment and vision culminated in the University becoming the first modern university to receive recognition as the Times Higher Education UK University of the Year. More recently the University was awarded The Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2014-18 for world-class excellence in relation to its work with business and the enterprise agenda.

About us

Teesside University is a well-regarded, financially stable institution recognised regionally and nationally for the transformative impact it has on the communities it serves, and as a catalyst for economic, social and cultural development.

It is a dynamic and modern institution dedicated to delivering opportunities for quality scholarship enriched by engagement with research, and with industry and the professions.

HistoryTeesside is the only university wholly based in the Tees Valley area and has its origins in the period after World War 1. Joseph Constantine, a local shipping magnate, made a gift to the town to stimulate the establishment of a technical college, formally opened by the Prince of Wales in 1930, to support Middlesbrough’s booming engineering and shipping industries.

In 1969, the college became Britain’s 13th polytechnic, and by 1970 the student population had grown to 3,000.

Major redevelopment included the building of Middlesbrough Tower. The Clarendon Building followed in 1973, the Stephenson Building in 1976 and in 1978, Teesside Polytechnic merged with Teesside College of Education and the campus continued to expand.

In 1989 Teesside Polytechnic left local authority control and became a self-governing independent higher education institution.

In 1992 the Polytechnic received university status. Subsequent years have been characterised by rapid expansion of student numbers, diversification of our teaching and learning programmes, and continuous enhancement of the University’s reputation.

Major campus development has seen investment of over £250m.

In addition, the University has invested in purpose built University Centres at the new campuses of all five of the Tees Valley’s general further education colleges – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, and Stockton Riverside, and acquired seven further partner colleges in the North of England.

In 2011, Teesside opened a new landmark University campus in Darlington and in September 2014, the University acquired mima (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art), an internationally-renowned TATE+ gallery, further underlining Teesside’s contribution to the successful development and celebration of culture on a regional, national and international scale, and extending the footprint of the University campus.

AccoladesOver the last decade, the University has received a number of accolades in recognition of its achievements and progress, including The Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2014-18, and Times Higher Education University of the Year.

Other indicators of recent progress include:

• Investors in People Gold status at whole institutional level

• The Times and The Sunday Times UK University of the Year for Student Retention (and support) 2014 -15

• shortlisted three times in the last four years as the Times Higher Education Entrepreneurial University of the Year

• Times Higher Education Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative of the Year

• nine National Teaching Fellowships

Times Higher Education University of the Year 2009/10.

Through our on-campus business support, our graduates have launched over 400 new businesses, creating 600 jobs.

400 +

Teesside University in numbers

We have invested £250m (without capital borrowing) on our estate in recent years to create a modern learning environment.

£250m +

Total number of students (based on 2013/14 HESA student record) with significant growth in full-time undergraduate student numbers.

20,104 Our average annual surplus since 2009, which we continuously re-invest into the University. This is supported by a strong balance sheet and minimal borrowing.

£10m

This year will see us celebrate 85 years of teaching excellence – we were officially opened in 1930 as Constantine Technical College.

85The amount of money we give to our students in bursaries and scholarships.£2.9m 89% of our students would

recommend Teesside University to others (National Student Survey 2015).

89%

Total number of staff in 2015.2,355Students studying in overseas partner institutions with significant further growth in train.

2,310

We have more than 70,000 active alumni from over 100 different countries, as part of a larger global community of Teesside graduates.

70,000

Corporate Strategy

Teesside 2020, our new corporate strategy to build on over a decade of growth and innovation, outlines our aim to be the UK sector-leader in client-focused knowledge services for industry, businesses and the professions – and to inform learning, teaching and research to support innovation, regeneration, and economic growth.

Teesside University has a clear focus on developing and enhancing our academic aspiration enriched by research and engagement with business and the professions. We believe passionately in delivering an outstanding student experience in a thriving learning environment. In doing so we will build the Teesside University brand and reputation both nationally and internationally through our academic portfolio, research, and partnerships.

We have set out a programme of transformation over the next five years that will drive academic ambition and deliver excellence for our students, partners and communities we serve. It will position Teesside as an international university at the heart of the Tees Valley that transforms lives and economies.

We aim to achieve regional, national and international recognition as the UK’s leading university for working with business, and to be amongst the UK’s top institutions of higher education in relation to:

• being a vibrant and effective learning community with students at the heart of everything that we do

• enhancing academic and professional standards, and producing highly employable graduates for the benefit of individuals and organisations

• contributing effectively to the economic, social and cultural success of the communities that we serve

• demonstrating a real and continuing commitment to social inclusion

• proactively, flexibly and responsively adapting our portfolio of activities to meet the changing needs and interests of potential students (home and international), employers and the local and national economy.

1. Student Learning ExperienceTo be the preferred choice for a diverse range of students and professionals by providing a stimulating learning environment and innovative curricula that provides an outstanding student and learning experience.

2. Research and innovationTo achieve an increase in the volume and quality of worldleading and internationally excellent research in selected areas of strength that informs learning and teaching, partner activity and knowledge transfer.

3. Enterprise and Business EngagementTo provide client-focused knowledge services for industry, businesses and the professions that inform student learning and research to support innovation, regeneration and economic growth.

4. International strategyTo be an international university with a global network of partnerships that attracts high-quality students and staff from across the world.

5. Resources and business managementTo ensure the University is financially resilient, sustainable and investing significantly in the student experience. Strategic and professional services are best in class, fully supporting the student experience and driving University business management and commercial activities through a model of service excellence.

Corporate Aims

The Corporate Aims below outline the University’s focus and ambitions to 2020 and will provide the strategic coherence to underpin the University’s five-year strategic plans and supporting strategies.

Board of GovernorsThe Board of Governors is responsible for determining the overall strategic direction of the University.

Alastair MacColl is currently the Chair of the Board of which there are presently 21 other members (including the Vice-Chancellor, three staff representatives, the President of the Students’ Union and one other student member).

University Executive TeamThe senior leadership team of the University is the University Executive Team (UET). The UET comprises eight members (see diagram below).

University Senior Management Team The University Executive Team (UET), the Deans of School and the Directors of the University’s central support Departments form the University’s Senior Management Team. This senior management team assist the Vice-Chancellor by advising on strategic developments, determining the means of implementation of policies and carrying out the annual planning and review activities that underpin the development and delivery of the Teesside 2020 Corporate Strategy.

Governance and structure

Teesside University is made up of five academic schools: School of Arts & Media, School of Computing, School of Health & Social Care, School of Science & Engineering, and School of Social Sciences, Business & Law; five Research Institutes; and a number of professional services departments.

For further information on the University Executive Team see tees.ac.uk/uet

Board of Governors

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

Pro Vice-Chancellor

Enterprise & Business Engagement

Pro Vice-Chancellor

Research & Innovation

Pro Vice-Chancellor

Learning & Teaching

Pro Vice-Chancellor

International

Executive Director

External Relations

Executive Director

Human Resources

Director of Legal Services & University

Secretary

Chief Operating Officer

University Executive Team

Campus HeartCampus Heart is a landmark development scheme for Teesside University, creating a University square at the centre of the Middlesbrough campus.

The Curve, a state-of-the-art five-storey teaching building, provides a 200-seat lecture theatre and 1,476m² of flexible and innovative teaching and learning space.

The iconic new building draws in and engages with the existing Library and Students’ Union buildings to provide a new focus at the heart of the University.

The landscaping responds to the campus masterplan to link north and south sides of the campus either side of the former Southfield Road, by creating a vibrant, flexible, useable and enjoyable all-year-round outdoor space. This creates a fully pedestrianised campus for the first time in the University’s history.

To view a ‘fly-through’ animation of the Campus Heart scheme visit tees.ac.uk/campusdevelopments

Orion buildingOrion is a landmark building dedicated to providing leading-edge STEM facilities through a £6m investment in the latest industry standard equipment. A 21st century pilot plant area, an integrated flight simulation laboratory and specialist biological laboratories will all deliver industry-relevant learning experiences.

The GymThe Olympia building has been extended with a new £2.75m Health & Fitness Centre – opened in January 2016. Putting health and well-being at the heart of the Middlesbrough campus and University life, this attractive, high-quality facility provides state-of-the-art cardiovascular and resistance fitness and free weights fitness areas, multi-purpose studios, sauna and steam room and a specialist treatment area for use by students, staff and alumni.

Other developmentsIn addition to the landmark developments detailed above, the University has completed an extensive, £1m+ refurbishment of its three-storey Students’ Union & Refectory building in the centre of campus and the final phase of redevelopment of the acclaimed University Library is now being planned. A dedicated and inspiring education space in the landmark mima gallery building, and significant investment in continued rationalisation, acquisition and refurbishment of student accommodation is also part of our estates strategy.

Additional information

We have invested more than £250m on our campuses in recent years to further enhance the experience and support we provide to students, and we remain committed to investment-led growth. Our main campus is a compact, modern environment in the heart of the town − it has been transformed over the last decade to offer superb facilities.

For a virtual campus tour visit: tees.ac.uk/campustour

The Curve, opened September 2015.

Our newly refurbished Orion building, opened September 2015.

An overview of developments completed in 2015:

Middlesbrough is a town which grew from the UK’s traditional industries such as steel, railways, minerals and a thriving industrial port. The famous Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge is one of only two high-level transporter bridges in the world.

Apart from the region’s industrial heritage, we are surrounded by beautiful, internationally recognised scenery. Our stunning coastline as well as two national parks – the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales – are within close proximity to Middlesbrough. Our Darlington campus offers access to the Pennine Dales which are designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty. People choose to take holidays in these areas and many go into the countryside to enjoy a range of activities. The nearby cities of Durham and Newcastle offer superb shopping, leisure and cultural experiences too.

The industrial spirit embedded in the region remains strong and now extends to a solid entrepreneurial focus.

Between 2008 and 2012, Middlesbrough had one of the highest business start-up rates in England at 8.6% and has also seen the second highest growth in the country for the number of businesses within its boundaries.Harrogate

Leeds

Yorkshire DalesNational Park

North York MoorsNational Park

Richmond

Durham

Sunderland

Thirsk

York

Pickering Scarborough

Whitby

Saltburn

Redcar

Hartlepool

StocktonA66

A19

A1

A66

NORTH SEA

Newcastle

A1

A1(M)

Darlington

A19

Middlesbrough

A19

Northallerton

A168

A1(M)

Teesside University and our region

The University is a surprise to many who visit Middlesbrough – our award-winning campus in the heart of the town is highly impressive, and our students and staff have become a real part of the community.

mima

Led by the Local Enterprise Partnership, this growth looks set to continue with further capital investment to deliver more jobs and sustainable economic growth across the Tees Valley.

The ambitions for this region are deliberately high level and visionary and this drive and motivation continues to draw in and retain the many international companies which operate out of the Tees Valley. The University, as a partner focused on employer engagement and innovation, is a catalyst for sustained economic success.

Middlesbrough is full of pleasant open spaces, old and modern buildings and is very multicultural with communities from around the world. These communities often celebrate their own festivals and important dates and allow us to understand their significance with events such as Middlesbrough Mela. Middlesbrough has plenty of meeting areas for different faiths, all within walking distance of the campus.

The campus is a five-minute walk from the main shops and restaurants, train station, bus station and leisure facilities.

mima (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art), a partner of Tate Britain, and the historic Town Hall are at the heart of the town centre. mima became part of the University in September 2014.

To download a copy of the Rough Guide to Teesside visit tees.ac.uk/roughguide

Temenos, on the bank of the River Tees, created by artist Anish Kapoor

Roseberry Topping