University of Greater Manchester
Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5AB.
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14/09/2026
The University of Greater Manchester hosted a ‘festival of learning’ at its annual TIRIAE conference.
Dr Greg Walker, Acting Vice Chancellor, gave the opening address at the event, built around the University’s Teaching Intensive, Research Informed, Assessment Enabled teaching model.
He said: “This conference is central to the University’s effort to enhancing our most important task which is delivering excellent teaching and learning to our student body.
“The last 12 months has been a year where we have made strides in our mission for our students.”
Dr Walker said he was pleased with the first year of the University’s new block teaching model, The Greater Manchester Way, adding that there were “many positives from this initiative”.
World-class academics gathered at the conference to bring perspectives on leadership, forensic science, educational technology, AI, gaming and higher education policy.
A number of research presentations, lightning talks, workshops and poster presentations were delivered over the conference’s two days, which took place on campus in Senate House, Bolton
Keynote speakers were Professor Theo Gilbert, Professor of Compassion-based Pedagogy; Andrea Hvistendahl, Fine Artist/Educator and Dr Kevin Hochard, Head of Psychology at the University of Chester.
Dr Walker told the audience: “Since we gathered here last year, we have seen landmark developments come to fruition - the launch of our university medical school. It has had a brilliant first year cohort achieving some superb results in their first-year exams.
“Your enormous efforts have been reflected in the improvement in the main score of the National Student Survey this year, ‘teaching on my course’.
“The University has recaptured the mantle of the highest ranked university for the measure of student satisfaction across the whole of the North West and Greater Manchester combined. We also remain in the Guardian league table Top 50 universities in England.
“We have a new Prime Minister who is one of our honorary doctors and a Greater Manchester champion.”
Dr Walker added: “I wrote to him when he became PM in July, noting that Andy had championed the importance of tertiary education and opportunities for learners aged 14 to 25.
“I am proud that we at the University of Greater Manchester are the only tertiary dual sector higher education institution in the north of England and I highlighted that fact to Andy when I wrote to him.
“We are well placed to benefit from any new Government policy or funding to boost tertiary education.”
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