The new Vice Chancellor of Birkbeck, University of London has visited Worcester for a tour of the city’s own university, and a chance to have a look at how the place she grew up in has changed.
Professor Sally Wheeler OBE with Professor David Green CBE DL at the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥
Professor Sally Wheeler OBE, was a pupil at the Alice Ottley School, before her parents moved to Redditch and she transferred to the Abbey High School.
She came to meet with Professor David Green CBE DL, the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, who is one of the UK's longest serving Vice Chancellors.
“I’ve long admired David Green,” said Professor Wheeler. “I’m just about to become a VC myself so I couldn’t think of anyone better to have a chat with.”
She continued: “I’ve had a look at some of the fantastic facilities and I’ve had a look at what I remember growing up as the Infirmary site, now the City Campus. At The Hive we went to see the wonderful children’s library; I’ve been to The Hive before but usually I just dash upstairs! And I’ve been to the old boardroom that the British Medical Association was founded in, the old chapel and more.”
“I looked at what I remember as County Furnishings which is now the Art House, we saw the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Arena, these are state of the art facilities.”
Professor Wheeler, a renowned legal scholar, left Worcester in 1982 and has travelled the world, working at the Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland and more recently in Canberra, where she was the Deputy Vice Chancellor for International and Corporate at the Australian National University.
Reflecting on her time growing up in Worcester, Professor Wheeler said: “The city has utterly transformed, it’s just so different to what I remember growing up.”
“In some ways, I had to leave Worcester to come back and appreciate Worcester. I love the size of the city, I love its accessibility, its historic buildings. I still keep up to date with the news from here too.”
Speaking about her relationship with the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥, Professor Wheeler said: “Co-operation is so important, it gives you a platform to do things you can’t do otherwise and it’s something I’ve been speaking to David Green about.”
She continued: “One of the things the UK has much more of than other places is a more developed sense of co-operation than some of the countries I’ve visited and worked in. I’d love to host students from Worcester in London.”
Professor David Green, the Vice Chancellor of the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥, said: “It has been an honour to host Professor Wheeler. Sally is a highly accomplished academic and University leader. She is a real credit to the City and to Worcestershire.”
He continued: “Both Worcester and Birkbeck share a deep commitment to helping those who study with us earn truly meaningful qualifications to enable them to improve their own lives, their families, and the wider community. Birkbeck, which is renowned for its adult and evening education in particular, began its work in 1823. We look forward to learning from them and hope that we can build a strong and vibrant relationship in the best interests of our students, staff, and the wider community.”
Professor Green added: “To walk the city with Professor Wheeler and listen to her memories of growing up here was a privilege. It is clear to see that like so many other people who are from Worcester that the city holds a very dear place in her heart.”