Manchester Metropolitan University to mark anniversary by lighting up iconic landmarks with special displays

A major Manchester institution is celebrating its 200th anniversary today. And Manchester Metropolitan University will mark the milestone by lighting iconic buildings around the city with eye-catching animations.

Projecting onto Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Town Hall and St Ann’s Church on the evening on Wednesday evening, the displays will launch a year-long campaign celebrating the university’s heritage. The celebratory graphics will also offer a glimpse of what is to come throughout 2024, which includes a series of activities and events.

Tracing its roots back to the establishment of the Manchester Mechanics Institution in 1824, Manchester Metropolitan University has grown and evolved to become one of the largest universities in the UK. It is now home to 43,000 students, 5,100 members of staff and has 330,000 alumni across more than 170 countries. 

Professor Steve Rothberg, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Manchester Met, said: “We are sharing the launch of our anniversary celebrations at some of the city’s most iconic buildings to emphasise how proud we feel about being right in the heart of Manchester over the last 200 years. We have been part of what makes Manchester great, championing innovation to drive progress in the region and beyond, since 1824. Innovation has always been central to our mission, never more so than now through the world-class research and top-quality education we deliver today.

“We would like to thank all our students, staff, and partners, past and present, who have been part of our remarkable journey and shaped our modern identity. As we set our ambitions and aspirations for the future of Manchester Metropolitan University, we are passionate about enabling and inspiring the next generations of people, businesses, and communities to reach their full potential and make their mark on society, culture and economy in a complex world.”