DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release (077/2008) issued
by COI News Distribution Service. 20 November 2008
Universities
Secretary John Denham today announced 27 areas in England
interested in establishing new higher education (HE) centres,
confirming strong local support for university expansion.
These are some of the first places in the country to express an
interest in the Government's 'New University
Challenge' which was launched earlier this year to expand the
opportunities for new local HE provision.
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.
Mr Denham said:
"In these challenging economic times
never have universities and colleges been more important to
education, economic development, regeneration and the cultural
life of our rural areas, towns and cities.
"It is my ambition is to build on the successes of the last
few years which have seen new centres of higher education
transforming local economies and the lives of local people.
"I am delighted that HEFCE have received 27 expressions of
interest and it is not too late for other areas wanting to take
advantage of the benefits HE brings to register their interest."
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will
consult on the criteria by which any formal bids for new HE
centres should be assessed and will publish proposals in the New
Year. It will then be for HEFCE to work with the interested
parties on how to take their proposals forward before ultimately
taking decisions on which proposals should in future be funded.
The Government's ambition through the New University
Challenge is to open, or commit to, a further 20 HE centres over
the next six years, subject to quality bids. Filled to capacity
the new centres could provide study places for up to 10,000 students.
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. On 3 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
3. A copy of the 'New University Challenge'
consultation document can be viewed online at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2008/08%5F27/