In a controversial decision, the University of Bolton has been renamed to the University of Greater Manchester, causing significant debate among educational institutions.
- The Office for Students approved the name change despite strong opposition from neighboring universities, who argue it could mislead students.
- The rebranding follows a similar move by the University of Central Lancashire, which also sparked confusion concerns.
- Professor George E Holmes DL emphasized the benefits of the change, citing positive impacts on students, staff, and the local economy.
- Legal challenges were raised by other Greater Manchester universities over trademark issues.
The University of Bolton has been officially rebranded as the University of Greater Manchester, a decision recently approved by the regulator, Office for Students. This change comes amid vocal objections from other North West educational institutions, such as the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the University of Salford, who criticized the new name as potentially misleading.
Earlier in the week, the University of Central Lancashire also underwent a rebranding, dropping “Central” from its name. This move was met with skepticism, as an Office for Students consultation revealed 90% of respondents found the name change confusing. By contrast, only 36% of respondents in Bolton’s case felt the new name could lead to confusion.
Professor George E Holmes DL, the President and Vice Chancellor, hailed the name change as a historic moment, telling staff they are now part of the University of Greater Manchester. He reassured that despite the rebrand, Bolton remains the institution’s home and base, envisioning beneficial outcomes for both the university and the town.
The name change proposal, submitted 17 months ago, was backed by the university’s governors and successive Students’ Union Presidents. However, it has prompted legal disputes with other institutions regarding trademark applications, which are perceived to interfere with existing trademarks held by other universities in Greater Manchester.
An economic impact assessment commissioned by the University of Bolton indicates that the rebranding could bring significant financial benefits to the local economy, potentially adding millions of pounds annually. Professor Holmes expressed pride in the institution, calling the rebranding excellent news for various stakeholders, including students who will graduate with degrees from the newly named university in 2025.
The renaming of the University of Bolton to the University of Greater Manchester marks a significant change, promising benefits amidst ongoing controversy.
