VC Gilbert, ousted from Melbourne after privatising the university there, has come under increased pressure from students and staff at Manchester University. Allegations of mismanagement and lobbying for higher fees have made him unpopular. Since his take-over in 2004, students have complained of fewer contact hours, the introduction of top-up fees, the charging of international fees for asylum seekers, larger tutorials and increased campus security measures that separate academic staff from students. Gilbert oversaw the merger of two Manchester universities into the new University of Manchester and claims that this has left him with a deficit. At the same time, he has invested into the biggest campus development in Britain with £650m spend on new (and often disfunctional) infrastructure.

Those concerns brought 100 students out today, initially chanting slogans for free eduction outside the building where the ceremony was held. When it became clear that only about 6 or 7 security guards where dealing with the protest, first attempts where made to enter the building. Scuffles broke out as students prevented ceremony attendees to enter.

After an hour, two students had sneeked into the building and alerted the demonstration by mobile phone. The protesters walked around the building, dismantling harris fencing and entering through the back entrance as the two inside opened the emergency exit in the right moment. About 25 made it inside before the others were prevented by security to follow.

Inside they challenged Alan Gilbert to a public debate. He had to agree in the end, after students refused to leave the ceremony hall, while outside the rest of the protest staged a sit-in. After a long stand-off, Gilbert eventually came out to the students and announced in front of cameras that he would attend a two-hour public debate with representatives from the student's union about free eduction.

The coming weeks will show if he keeps his promise and what the student response will be.