November 7, 2008
MP AND COUNCILS WORKING FOR NEW UNIVERSITY CENTRE IN DEARNE
A NEW university centre could be created in the Dearne, if work by an MP and local councils pays off.
It could mean a new campus between Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster with links to one or more existing universities, as well as local further education colleges.
Wentworth MP John Healey met John Denham, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, this week to put forward the case and also discussed the idea with the universities minister in the summer.
The leaders and chief executives of both Barnsley and Rotherham councils are behind the idea and discussions are also going on with Doncaster council. Lawrence Morton, chief executive at Wales High School, has been employed part-time to pull the case together.
Mr Healey said: “We have got the backing of the councils, interest from business, support from our existing colleges – the task now is to put together the strongest possible case.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do and I think we can prepare a strong bid, but expectations have to be realistic because there’s fierce competition from other areas across the country.”
A university in the Dearne has been one of Mr Healey’s ambitions since he became the MP for Wentworth in 1997. He has backed other projects, such as the expansion of higher education courses at Dearne Valley College and the setting up by Sheffield University of a nursing centre
He said: “A university centre in the former South Yorkshire coalfields could open up new opportunities for local people. It could draw in those who wouldn’t previously have thought about university for themselves or their families.
“It would help complete the transformation and regeneration of South Yorkshire. From previous decades when many left school and went to work in the pits without worrying about qualifications and further learning, this would transform not just our education but our aspirations and our achievements for the future.
“More people than ever from Rotherham are going on to higher education – but a university on the doorstep would open up that option to so many more.”
Councillor Shaun Wright, cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “We are absolutely committed to opening up learning opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds and the joint working on this proposal will really boost those efforts.
“To have a university in the heart of the Dearne Valley would take us on to a new level in terms of the successful regeneration of the area and the fact that it would be our university, in our area, would I’m sure, be a big attraction to local people wanting to move into higher education.
“In addition, it would also provide an important resource and development opportunity for students at schools and colleges across Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster, as well as for those institutions themselves to develop through partnership with a university right in their area.”
Earlier this year the government announced it wants to open or commit to a further 20 higher education centres over the next six years. In the last five years, 11 new universities have been created and agreements are in place to support projects in another six areas.
The government paper ‘A new university challenge’ identified how universities could unlock towns’ potential and drive economic regeneration. It said that millions of people who would be interested in completing higher education have missed out in the past or cannot access a traditional university – people who are working, have caring responsibilities, are mature or do not want to leave their town to study.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is running an open bidding process and will decide which proposals should be supported. They have said they will choose those communities that can best demonstrate the support of local people, businesses and funding bodies.
In a letter to Mr Healey last week, universities minister David Lammy said bidding had proved popular – proving the policy was right and there is unmet demand for higher education. He told Mr Healey: “I am pleased that you are pursuing the opportunities which our policy has made available.”
University facts
• The Government aim is for half of young people to attend higher education
• A university degree is worth £100,000 (after tax at today’s prices) more than stopping at A-levels
• Graduates are healthier and live longer than non-graduates
• Graduates are 40% less likely to suffer from depression
• Four million adults in the workforce are considering or would consider higher education
• 40% of the 2020 workforce will need degree level skills if Britain is to remain economically competitive, compared with 31% now.
• You can view the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills document ‘A new University Challenge’ here.