Manchester Alumna’s Will Establishes Bursaries for Medicine and Music

Dr Sheila W Weir Pledges Transformational Support for Future Manchester Students

In a gesture described as both visionary and deeply personal, Dr Sheila W Weir, a Switzerland-based alumna of The University of Manchester, has pledged a transformational legacy gift intended to establish The Dr Sheila W Weir Bursaries. According to university sources, the initiative will offer sustained financial support to students pursuing degrees in medicine and music, two disciplines that reflect Dr Weir’s academic journey and lifelong passions. Dr Weir, who earned her PhD in Pharmacology from Manchester in 1985, reportedly attributed her decision to her own experience of being unable to secure a grant to study medicine. This setback led her to pursue pharmacology, where her doctoral research contributed to global interest in potassium channels and their modulation by drugs, a field that remains central to neuropharmacology and cardiovascular therapeutics today.

Following her academic career, Dr Weir spent over 30 years in drug development at a leading pharmaceutical company, while also teaching at ETH Zürich and the University of Lausanne. Her commitment to education, both scientific and artistic, has been cited as a driving force behind the bursary programme. She is said to have expressed that the greatest gift one can offer is to change the life of another, particularly young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who aspire to attend university.

University leaders have welcomed the pledge as a significant contribution to Manchester’s legacy of excellence. Professor Ashley Blom, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, noted that the bursaries would empower talented students to pursue their ambitions regardless of financial constraints. He also emphasised that the gift reflects Dr Weir’s enduring trust in the university and its mission. The development office has recognised the initiative as a model of alumni philanthropy. Amy Harris, Legacy Officer, remarked that translating Dr Weir’s aspirations into tangible support had been a rewarding process and that the bursaries would positively impact students and communities for generations.

Importantly, the bursaries will also support music students, underscoring Dr Weir’s belief in nurturing talent across disciplines. This dual focus aligns with Manchester’s broader commitment to interdisciplinary excellence, where the arts and sciences are seen as complementary forces in shaping well-rounded graduates. Dr Weir now joins the University’s 1824 Society, which honours legacy donors through dedicated events and communications. Her pledge adds to a growing trend in UK higher education, where legacy giving is increasingly recognised as a vital mechanism for widening access and sustaining institutional excellence. This legacy gift not only strengthens Manchester’s academic and cultural fabric but also exemplifies how alumni generosity can transform futures.

Editor’s Note

Dr Sheila W Weir’s legacy gift to The University of Manchester stands as a profound testament to the enduring power of education and the generosity of alumni who seek to uplift future generations. Her pledge to establish The Dr Sheila W Weir Bursaries is not only visionary in scope but deeply rooted in personal experience, an act of giving shaped by her own journey through academia and the barriers she once faced. Dr. Weir's research significantly advanced our understanding of potassium channels, impacting neuropharmacology and cardiovascular medicine. Her career at ETH Zürich and the University of Lausanne demonstrates her dedication to scientific progress and education. The bursaries, supporting medicine and music students, reflect Dr. Weir's belief in interdisciplinary talent. This dual focus highlights her value for creativity, balance, and holistic education, crucial for well-rounded graduates today.

University leaders have rightly welcomed the gift as a transformative contribution to Manchester’s legacy. Professor Ashley Blom emphasised that the bursaries will empower students to pursue their ambitions without financial constraint, while Amy Harris from the development office praised the initiative as a model of alumni philanthropy. Dr Weir’s inclusion in the University’s 1824 Society further highlights the growing importance of legacy giving in UK higher education, where such commitments are vital to widening access and sustaining institutional excellence. University leaders laud the gift as a transformative legacy. Professor Ashley Blom noted the bursaries remove financial barriers, while Amy Harris praised the alumni philanthropy. Dr. Weir's inclusion in the 1824 Society underscores the vital role of legacy giving in UK higher education for access and excellence.

According to Skoobuzz, it is a declaration of faith in the potential of young people, a celebration of the arts and sciences, and a powerful reminder that alumni generosity can shape futures long after graduation.