November 20, 2008

DEARNE UNIVERSITY BID ANNOUNCED IN PARLIAMENT

THE Dearne’s bid for a new university centre has been announced in Parliament.

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said the proposal for a new campus between Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster was one of 27 ‘expressions of interest’ from areas across England.

Speaking in the House earlier today he said: “I am delighted with the early responses which indicate widespread recognition of the value of university centres to education, economic development, regeneration and the cultural life of rural areas, towns and cities.

“The expressions of interest cover schemes which are already well advanced and capable of early implementation, to initial proposals which are at the early stages of development. We anticipate that further proposals will be received.”

Wentworth MP John Healey is hoping to fulfil a long-held ambition to see a university centre in the former South Yorkshire coalfields, which he says would complete the area’s transformation and regeneration. 

He is helping to prepare a convincing case along with Rotherham and Barnsley councils and Lawrence Morton, chief executive of Wales High School. The proposal is for a new facility with links to one or more existing universities, as well as local further education colleges.

Mr Healey has already met Government colleagues including Mr Denham to put forward the Dearne’s case and a party from Rotherham will be joining Mr Healey for talks at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills next month.

Earlier this year the government announced it wants to open or commit to creating 20 more higher education centres over the next six years. The paper ‘A new university challenge’ identified how universities could unlock towns’ potential and drive economic regeneration.

The Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) is responsible for making the decisions about which proposals will be taken forward.