Latest news with #KoenLamberts
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned airport that 'sold for just £1' and the failed plan to bring it back
A small airport which catered for up to 75,000 passengers in one single year was forced to close after funnelling £1m losses - and despite ambitious reopening plans, it never operated again A tiny UK airport that has been left to rot for almost two decades has finally been given a new lease of life. Back in its heyday, Sheffield City Airport handled a whopping 75,000 passengers in one single year - whizzing Brits over to the likes of Belfast, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, and London. However, just years after its grand opening in 1997, the hub's popularity plummeted. According to The Sheffield Star, passenger numbers fell to 60,000 in 2000 and to just 13,000 by 2002. Struggling to keep up with the boom in low-cost travel, and unable to expand its short runway needed to accommodate larger planes used by budget airlines - it eventually closed its doors in 2008. That year, it reported losses of more than £1 million, and is believed to have been sold off for just £1. Attempts to revive the hub were short-lived, despite petitions for its reopening garnering thousands of signatures. In 2012, a mystery bidder is believed to have contacted the Federation of Small Businesses with bold plans to re-start the airport - despite proposals already in the works to convert it into a business park. Local media says the anonymous would-be buyer was 'no stranger to the aviation industry' and believed operations for scheduled flights to the UK and European cities could viably return. However, such promises never transpired, and now the site - which is owned by the University of Sheffield - has become part of the 100-acre Runway Park development. Featuring the UK's 'first reconfigurable digital factory', a materials lab, and large-scale testing facilities, Runway Park consists of distinct zones for innovation, manufacturing, and leisure - while a central hub links the community together. The development, which also features cafes, gyms, nurseries, and leisure spaces, was recently launched to industry and is designed to 'attract investment, create high-quality jobs and accelerate economic growth'. Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: "The evolution of the University's innovation district with the launch of Runway Park marks a significant milestone in our mission to help the region reach its full potential, while making an even stronger contribution to economic growth. "We have seen the impact of innovation-led growth, with the University's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) transforming the Sheffield/Rotherham border into a global hub for advanced manufacturing over the last 20 years. As part of the UK's first government-backed Investment Zone in South Yorkshire, our vision for Runway Park will build on this considerable momentum."
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
University of Sheffield ranked within top 100 universities in QS World University Rankings 2026
The University of Sheffield has been ranked among the world's top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026. As per the rankings, the university has been ranked 92nd in the world and 15th in the UK. Lauding the achievement, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, Professor Koen Lamberts said that the ranking is a testament to the dedication and hard work of entire community of the institute and reflects its commitment to research excellence, innovative teaching, and providing a truly global experience for staff and students. Also read: QS World University Rankings 2026: Oxford, Harvard topple down, Stanford climbs up, check details As per a statement, more than 19.8 million academic publications and 200 million citations were examined to measure the impact of the research produced by the ranked universities. Additionally, 1.5 million academic nominations and 520,000 employer nominations contributed to the rankings. Meanwhile, the university scored highly in the internationalisation indicators: 98 out of 100 for international students and diversity, as well as 96.9 out of 100 for international research network, which demonstrates its diverse community, as well as its global research partnerships. Also read: QS University Rankings: Record 54 institutions from India feature in list, IIT Delhi ranked highest It may be mentioned here that the University of Sheffield also secured a place within the top 100 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 in October. Also read: QS World University Rankings 2026: IIT Delhi, Bombay among top 150, IIT Madras in top 200 The University was also named runner-up for University of the Year 2025 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, as well as rising in the rankings to 14th best University in the UK.
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
University of Sheffield staff to strike over 'drastic' cuts
Staff at the University of Sheffield have voted to go on strike over "drastic" restructuring plans which aim to save £23m over two University and College Union (UCU) said up to 1,000 jobs would be put at risk by the plans, which have seen the number of academic departments cut by more than university said it would not be making that many staff redundant, with a "significantly lower" number of jobs quarters of voters backed strike action after the university did not agree to make zero compulsory redundancies during the restructure. It said this would have been "irresponsible … given the challenges the higher education sector is facing". 'Cuts are too deep, too fast' In November, after the university found itself facing a £50m shortfall, Vice Chancellor Koen Lamberts announced plans to cut staffing costs by £9m in 2025 and £14m in hundred members of staff at the university had already taken voluntary redundancy by the end of General Secretary Jo Grady said: "These cuts are too deep, too fast, and put vital student support and academic provision at risk."Staff at Sheffield have sent a clear message that they are willing to take industrial action to protect their jobs and the future of their university."A spokesperson for the university noted similar industrial action was taking place across higher education in the cited "difficult decisions institutions are making to address sector-wide challenges".The university would aim to minimise the impact of the strike, although the "vast majority" of students and staff would likely be unaffected by the action, they dates have not yet been confirmed. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
