News | Monday, 6th November 2023
Tribute to former Vice-Chancellor Dame Alexandra Burslem
Dame Sandra was a hugely influential figure in the higher education sector throughout her life
Manchester Metropolitan University is saddened to hear that its former Vice-Chancellor, Dame Alexandra Burslem, known to many as Sandra, has died at the age of 83.
Dame Sandra was a hugely influential figure in the higher education sector throughout her life and oversaw a transformative period for Manchester Metropolitan as Vice-Chancellor from 1997 until 2005.
Dame Sandra joined the University in 1973 and rose through the ranks to become Deputy Vice-Chancellor, prior to being appointed as Vice-Chancellor in 1997.
Born in Shanghai and daughter of the British Ambassador to China, Dame Sandra gained a first-class degree in politics and modern history from the University of Manchester, followed by two years' postgraduate research into government-industry links. She later became a lecturer in politics and public administration at the then Manchester Polytechnic.
She was made a Dame of the British Empire for services to Higher Education in the 2004 New Year Honours, a decade after being made an OBE.
She said at the time: "I am surprised and delighted at this honour which recognises the contribution of Manchester Metropolitan University to education in the region and also the work done by new universities which have a major role in Higher Education."
Current Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press CBE paid a heartfelt tribute to Dame Sandra: “Sandra was an inspirational leader who achieved so much throughout her career. She led our university not only with vision and wisdom but also with compassion, humility, and integrity.
“Dame Sandra was widely regarded as one of the leading Vice-Chancellors of her generation, reflecting the enormous contribution that she made within our university, as well as locally and nationally through her many external roles.”
Dame Sandra’s leadership, insight and experience saw her influence and shape policy through positions on the boards of the Learning and Skills Council and the Association of International Students in Higher Education in the UK, which she chaired. She was also Deputy Chair of the Higher Education Staff Development Agency and Chair of the Universities UK Standards and Quality Group and a member of the Universities UK board.
She also made a significant contribution to civic life, serving as a Justice of the Peace, Deputy Chair of the North West Regional Assembly, a member of the BBC General Advisory Council, a member of the General Teaching Council and as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester for 2006-07. She subsequently remained a Deputy Lieutenant of the county.
The University’s Law School building is named after Dame Sandra, in recognition of her long and valued contribution to the University’s success and her popularity with colleagues. Sandra played an important part in laying foundations that the University continues to build on today. She will be long-remembered and greatly missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing her.
The University offers its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dame Sandra.
