DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release (27/2009) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 9 March 2009
Universities
Minister David Lammy welcomed the next step of the new
"university challenge" with the publication of guidance
on submitting proposals for new local university centres by the
Higher Education Funding for England (HEFCE) today.
There has been strong interest in the challenge from local
partnerships across the country, with 27 initial expressions of
interest so far. The HEFCE document sets out what those
developing proposals need to do next.
The detailed guidance has been issued by the Funding Council
following extensive consultation and will help towards meeting an
ambition for up to twenty new local university centres to be
approved over the next six years.
David Lammy said:
"I am hugely encouraged by the high level of interest we
have already seen in our new "University Challenge".
New local university centres can transform communities by creating
local opportunities for people to study, engaging with the skills
and innovation needs of local businesses, and providing civic
amenities. The fact that so many areas have put forward
expressions of interest shows that local communities value the
benefits a university centre can bring."
Ministers believe that a local high quality higher education
centre can open up the chance of higher education to more young
people and adults who previously may never have thought about a
degree while helping drive local economic and social regeneration.
Economists estimate that every extra job a university creates is
matched by another elsewhere in the economy.
Notes to editors
1. Expressions of interest in establishing new HE centres have
been received to date from the following places:
1. Accrington
2. Basildon
3. Basingstoke
4.
Corby/Kettering
5. Crawley
6. Croydon
7.
Doncaster
8. Dudley
9. Ebsfleet
10. Halifax
11.
Havering
12. Herefordshire
13. Kings Lynn
14. Milton
Keynes
15. Rochdale
16. Rotherham
17. Sandwell
18.
Scarborough
19. Shropshire
20. Somerset
21. Stratford
Island
22. Stockport
23. Swindon
24. Thurrock
25.
Wakefield
26. Wallsend
27. Wirral
2. A copy of the guidance can be found at http://www.hefce.ac.uk
3. On 7 March 2008 John Denham announced the 'New University
Challenge'. The press notice can be viewed online at: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=356935&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False
4. A copy of the 'New University Challenge'
consultation document can be viewed online at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2008/08%5F27/
5. For further information, please contact Emma Griffiths in the
DIUS press office on 0203 300 8093