Universities UK Chief enjoys "powerful" and "inspiring" visit to LJMU

The Chief Executive of Universities UK (UUK) has described LJMU’s work to deliver an outstanding student experience as “powerful” and “inspiring”.

Vivienne Stern MBE met with Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Power during a visit to Liverpool this week to learn how LJMU is creating a thriving environment for its students and the impact the university is having on the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

Alongside discussions with the Vice-Chancellor the UUK CEO, accompanied by UUK Chief of Staff Stephanie Harris, visited the Faculty of Health to see its state-of-the-art simulation suites used to train nursing, midwifery and paramedic science students, many of whom will go on to work in the NHS locally upon completion of their studies. The advanced technologies are helping to improve student outcomes, equipping students for the real-world situations they will face during their placements, and providing an integrated approach to health education across the university’s School of Nursing and Advanced Practice.

The suites are also used to support the delivery of return-to-practice courses, bringing experienced nurses back into the NHS, and as a specialist education facility for advanced health practitioners from across the region, such as for the North West Endoscopy Training Academy, helping to improve patients’ experience in collaboration with NHS Health Education England (HEE).

UUK Chief of Staff, Stephanie Harris, also visited the Faculty of Science at LJMU to tour the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and hear about the world-leading research being undertaken by the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, much of which tackles health concerns not just across professional sport but in communities worldwide. 

UUK represents 142 member universities across the country to foster collaboration, exchange insight and to influence policy.

UUK Chief Executive, Vivienne Stern MBE, said: “It’s been a massive pleasure seeing what LJMU is doing. We have had an opportunity to go right from the strategic through to the really detailed conversations with some of the university’s great students about their experience of studying here. I thought visiting the Faculty of Health and seeing the simulation facilities and how LJMU is bringing disciplines together alongside one another was powerful. I’m going to take away some really good insights into why it is so beneficial to have universities working in that interdisciplinary way to support public services.”

LJMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Power, said: “I was pleased that we were able to showcase our exceptional teaching and learning facilities during the visit, particularly as UUK are championing the importance of universities in powering the NHS and their contributions towards the national NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. It’s institutions like us that will ensure there is a sustainable pipeline of healthcare professionals going forward.”

Representatives from the students’ union, JMSU, were also able to offer their voice to the UUK Chief during her visit, sharing insights into how they are working together with the university to enhance the student experience and the importance of participation in communities, sports and societies. They explained how vital the student voice is in helping to bring about curriculum enhancements and that they are encouraged to provide feedback throughout their studies. Meanwhile the on-going cost of living challenges were discussed, and examples were shared including how the university is providing paid work opportunities for students around their studies through Unitemps, its on-campus recruitment agency.

UUK Chief Executive, Vivienne Stern MBE, added: “The conversation with the students’ union was just fantastic. Hearing how LJMU is making sure that students get involved in the life of the university and contribute to making sure it is providing the best possible education through their involvement, I think that’s been really inspiring.”   

Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Power added: “In all that we do we want to ensure that our students undergo a transformational educational experience during their studies, with the right support at all levels of study, enabling them to gain the skills and experience needed to go on to excellent graduate opportunities. They will then in turn help to boost economic growth and serve the society in which we are rooted here in Liverpool and the Liverpool City Region.”

LJMU was recently featured as a case study in UUK’s improving graduate employment publication, highlighting the success of its careers and employability service and an increase in the number of students going into high skilled roles upon graduation. It was one of only eight universities to be included in the paper on best practice in employability across the sector.