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School of Pharmacy will merge with UCL

13 May 2011

The Council of the School of Pharmacy, University of London, today decided by a decisive majority that the School's long-term future would be best secured through a merger with UCL.

Sir John Tooke and Anthony Smith

The decision follows a long and thorough consultation and development process.

Chair of the School of Pharmacy's Council, Lord Tim Clement Jones, said: "We are delighted to have reached a carefully reasoned and researched decision about our future, in which all those involved have been consulted at every stage. We can all move on with a positive and determined shared vision and we are looking forward to working with our new UCL colleagues and opening up the many opportunities."

Having chosen to merge with UCL, the School's aims will continue to be:

  • To become the leading School of Pharmacy in Europe and amongst the top 5 in the world
  • To attract the best staff and students
  • To command the confidence of its funders and stakeholders
  • To create enough financial headroom for investment.

Professor Anthony Smith, Dean of the School, added:  "In an era when Higher Education is facing the most severe challenges we have ever known in the UK, I am delighted that Council has agreed on this step. As part of UCL, the School will be able to invest in and develop its research, provide the best possible teaching and wider experience for students, and become a part of one of the world's most prestigious institutions.  "I am confident that The School of Pharmacy will thrive in this new environment and am looking forward to the next stage in its long history."

Professor Sir John Tooke, Vice Provost (Health) and Head of the UCL School of Life & Medical Sciences, said: "This is a very significant day in the histories of both organisations. We warmly welcome the School's staff and students to UCL and look forward to the future with excitement and optimism. We are confident that this innovative new alliance will be mutually beneficial, drawing on the considerable complementary academic strengths of both institutions. We aim to build on existing collaborations to establish a major pharmacy research base of international renown and work with our new colleagues to enhance the excellent educational programmes and student experience already provided by the School."

Image: Professor Sir John Tooke (left) and Professor Anthony Smith.


UCL context

The School of Life & Medical Sciences (incorporating UCL Medical School) is one of the largest and most prestigious aggregations of academics in biomedical sciences, many of whom are internationally acknowledged world leaders. The School has a global reputation for teaching informed by cutting-edge research.

The SLMS Research Domains encompass the breadth of research activity across the School within ten core groupings, this research is conducted in collaboration with other UCL departments. These research activities are supported by partnerships with our NHS trusts, research councils, charities and industry.

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