News

Manchester lights up to celebrate 200 years

By Chris Morris
Date published:
12 Jan 2024
Reading time:
2 minutes
Manchester lights up to celebrate 200 years
200

Manchester Met launched its 200th anniversary in spectacular style with a dazzling light display across Manchester. 

The eye-catching animations were projected onto Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Town Hall and St Ann’s Church on Wednesday (January 10) to celebrate 200 years of driving progress and innovation from the heart of the city. 

If you missed it, you can watch the animations below.

The celebratory graphics offer a glimpse of what is to come throughout 2024, which includes a series of activities and events to showcase five key areas that Manchester Metropolitan University is passionate about driving forward: economic growth, transforming health, creative excellence, sustainability, and tackling inequalities.

Tracing its roots back to the establishment of the Manchester Mechanics Institution in 1824, Manchester Metropolitan University has grown and evolved to become one of the largest universities in the UK, delivering world leading research and education that have a far-reaching impact on the city region, UK and the world.

Professor Steve Rothberg, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Manchester Met, said: “We are sharing the launch of our anniversary celebrations at some of the city’s most iconic buildings to emphasise how proud we feel about being right in the heart of Manchester over the last 200 years. We have been part of what makes Manchester great, championing innovation to drive progress in the region and beyond, since 1824. Innovation has always been central to our mission, never more so than now through the world-class research and top-quality education we deliver today.

 “We would like to thank all our students, staff, and partners, past and present, who have been part of our remarkable journey and shaped our modern identity. As we set our ambitions and aspirations for the future of Manchester Metropolitan University, we are passionate about enabling and inspiring the next generations of people, businesses, and communities to reach their full potential and make their mark on society, culture and economy in a complex world.”

The University is now home to 43,000 students, 5,100 members of staff and has 330,000 alumni across more than 170 countries. It also boasts world-class facilities including its School of Digital Arts (SODA), the Institute of Sport, and the new Faculty of Science and Engineering building due to complete this year.

While the bicentenary celebrations this year offer an opportunity to highlight past achievements, the University will also be using 2024 to continue its legacy of transforming lives and making higher education accessible to all.

You can find out more at our 200th Anniversary website.