UA92 officially opens

Co-founded by Manchester United’s Class of 92 and Lancaster University, UA92 cuts the ribbon on its new campus and welcomes its first cohort of students.

University Academy 92 (UA92) was delighted to open the doors on its new campus at its official opening yesterday, Thursday 20th Sepetmber.

Guests and supporters networked with the Class of 92, UA92 staff, students and partners at the VIP event at the UA92 campus on Talbot Road, Old Trafford.

UA92 was officially opened by Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, together with Trafford Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Western.

The opening marks a culmination of several years of hard work since the project was officially announced in September 2017. Throughout, UA92 has been supported by numerous individuals and organisations, and the event brought many of them together to celebrate this milestone occasion.

UA92 will offer degrees with character development at the core, inspired by the winning mentality of the Class of 92 and underpinned by the academic excellence of Lancaster University. The curriculum delivered in fixed morning or afternoon slots for the duration of an individual’s degree, is designed to enable students from a range of educational and socio-economic backgrounds to access high quality higher education.UA92’s vision is for high quality education for all.

Professor Craig Gaskell, Principal and CEO of UA92 said, “I’m delighted to celebrate the official opening of UA92 here today in our fantastic new campus. The hard work and determination of everyone involved in UA92 is evident in that we are here today celebrating this occasion. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in making this great vision for higher education a reality.”

Gary Neville, on behalf of the Class of 92, added, “We have always believed in the strength of the proposition for UA92 – to deliver an education based on the values and ethos of the character and skill development we received at Manchester United. To see this vision become a reality today makes us all incredibly proud, and I’m delighted for everyone involved in UA92.”

The UA92 campus site, a joint venture between Trafford Council, developers Bruntwood, houses a range of specialist facilities, developed specifically for modern university learning and teaching.

The UA92 campus boasts a media suite, human performance hub state-of-the-art computer and IT spaces and flexible, modern rooms adaptable to formal and informal learning, as well as individual and group work.

More broadly, UA92 is part of Trafford Council’s Civic Quarter Masterplan covering a 120-acre site taking in the Town Hall, Lancashire Cricket Club, and the former Kellogg’s site, stretching up to the A56/Chester Road and White City retail park.

Andrew Cooke, regional director at Bruntwood Works, said: “UA92 will play a key role in the wider regeneration of Old Trafford – driving footfall, attracting new residents, and creating a vibrant sports, media and digital cluster that will act as a catalyst for long-term growth.

“We’re delighted to be celebrating the launch of the centre and to have had the opportunity to partner with Trafford Council and UA92 to enable the delivery of this pioneering centre of excellence.”

Councillor Andrew Western, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “The opening of UA92 is fantastic news for Trafford. We are delighted to have a ground-breaking educational institution of this standard in the heart of the borough and are proud of our role in its existence.

“UA92 will place Stretford at the heart of a new academic centre of excellence while driving investment in the borough for many years to come.”

The pioneering student cohort has been welcomed to the new campus this week and will commence their UA92 experience on Monday when teaching officially commences.