A NEW exhibition opened this week (Thursday, March 28) celebrating a North-East institution’s 21st anniversary as a university.

Former University of Sunderland Chancellor Lord Puttnam was joined by current Chancellor Steve Cram to launch the exhibition at the university’s new Priestman Gallery, on its City Campus.

The exhibition, 21 Years in Images, looks back over the past two decades of university life, highlighting the dramatic physical change, its famous graduates, honorary graduates and staff, as well key dates in its recent history, through a 40ft timeline.

The University of Sunderland was granted university status by the Queen in 1992, the same year Sunderland was awarded city status.

In 1994 the university built the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s on the site of the former thriving shipyards, decimated in the late 1980s.

Ten years later redevelopment work started on City Campus. Around £130m has been invested on both sites over the past 21 years.

Lord Puttnam said: “When I look back at my time with the university, I have witnessed dramatic change, both academic and physical. One just has to look at St Peter’s, and now City Campus.”

“City Campus has been transformed beyond recognition.”

Steve Cram said: “The university’s ability to look ahead, prepare for and adapt to changes within higher education, and society, has kept it one step ahead."