Founding member: University of Bristol

The University of Bristol's roots date back to 1876 when it was formed as the University College, Bristol, serving the town and the surrounding south west region of England. Since then it has become one of the leading institutions among the UK's elite universities and operates globally, recognised for its research and academic excellence. 

Many ground-breaking discoveries have come out of the University of Bristol, contributing to the University’s world-wide reputation. These include:

• The technique of 'beating-heart' surgery was pioneered at the University of Bristol in 1995 and is now used in 15-20% of operations worldwide

• The University of Bristol played a key role in a multinational research collaboration which led to the world's first transplant of a biologically engineered human windpipe. This has paved the way for less invasive surgical techniques and was highlighted in TIME magazine as one of the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2008

• Ground-breaking research from the University of Bristol changed medical opinion, and the advice that babies should be put to sleep on their backs is thought to have prevented at least 100,000 cot deaths worldwide

 Other facts of interest about the University of Bristol include: 

• The University of Bristol boasts the world's quietest building which houses The Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information where vibration and acoustic noise levels are among the lowest ever achieved

• The University has the world-renowned Mander and Mitchenson Theatre Collection – among the world's largest theatre history collections

• The University of Bristol has graduates in over 180 countries across the globe

• Winston Churchill was the University of Bristol's Chancellor from 1929-1965

• Dorothy Hodgkin, Chancellor of the University of Bristol from 1971-78 is the only British woman to have won a Nobel Prize for science

The above examples exemplify Bristol’s ethos of a continuum of academic endeavour at the highest level, where knowledge is pursued for knowledge’s sake as well as for the betterment of humankind. These are values also shared by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and is core to its collective goals.

Bristol has most definitely benefited from being a member of the ACU and our commitment to the ACU is as strong now as it was at the outset. Collaboration and the sharing of ideas is a cornerstone of higher education and it is through this that higher education can genuinely be a positive transformational force. Higher education is privileged to be able to invest in relationships for the long-term as it recognises that some of the most important benefits of academic endeavour may emerge over long periods of time.

The landscape in which higher education now operates is possibly the most challenging and complex it has ever experienced. Competition for research funding, for students and for the brightest academics is a global issue and so it is critical that organisations such as the ACU promote collaboration across the sector. It is through collaboration that the sector will address global challenges through leading-edge research and enable the exchange of cultures and ideas, as students are provided with increased opportunities to carry out their education across multiple geographies.

Amidst this challenging and complex landscape, Bristol is in a privileged position to be able to maximise the opportunities ahead and the key challenge is to ensure that we do this to the full and to remain true to our long-term goals, while managing any shorter-term challenges.

The most effective way to deal with the current challenges faced by the sector is by recognising what sets our institution apart and to build on its successes and strengths. It is also important to take a long-term view and to ensure that Bristol is ready and able to make the most of the opportunities ahead.