A NEW VISION FOR FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Principal of Bradford College Alan Hodgson Vice-Chancellor of the University Professor Chris Taylor.

Bradford College and the University are working together to explore how closer collaborations might lead to a unique new form of institution not seen elsewhere in the UK.

Sir Howard Newby, new Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), visited Bradford on November 7 to discuss the matter. The University and the College are to seek support from HEFCE and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for a feasibility study to be undertaken in the first half of 2002.

The proposed feasibility study will analyse the strengths and potentials of the College and University in the local, regional, national and international markets and look at the benefits to students, the city and the region. The aim of the study is also to engage stakeholders, from the local community and more widely, to ensure that future collaboration will address the needs of the city and the region.

Over the past two years the College and the University have developed a closer working relationship which has benefited both institutions. Joint projects include delivery and joint ownership of courses, shared curriculum strategy and a merged Print Service. There have also been numerous other areas of collaboration which have helped to enhance the student experience and to make best use of combined resources.

Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Chris Taylor, and Principal of Bradford College, Alan Hodgson, said: "The College and the University are perfectly positioned to deliver a new model of education in and for Bradford with new progression routes to benefit the local community and support the economic, social and educational development of the city and the region. Excellence in research and consolidating relationships with industry and commerce will be vital to ensure continuing national and international visibility for the institutions and the city."

Both institutions have similar aspirations for this future collaboration. In particular, they both wish to see positive contributions to the city and its region by:

• raising educational aspirations to improve educational attainment and foster social inclusion;
• providing ladders of post-compulsory educational opportunity in the community in adult, further and higher education;
• developing vocational, general and occupational education for current and potential future employees;
• attracting a significant number and wide range of students nationally and internationally, from beyond the city and its region, to educational programmes;
• supporting industry and commerce through applied research, consultancy and the provision of education and training for employees and potential employees;
• selectively enhancing high-quality research so that Bradford continues to apply its knowledge to the benefit of the city, region, and nation and to attract inward investment;
• maintaining a well-developed segment of the city which generates employment and imports wealth into the city;
• supporting the City Council, the RDA and Government in providing a better, healthier and more prosperous life for people of the city and the region.

The feasibility study comes at a time when the Government is giving particular thought to the way in which post-compulsory education is delivered and to the benefits of a closer relationship between Further and Higher Education. Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Estelle Morris MP, said, during a recent speech at London Guildhall University, that institutions needed to think more widely and strategically about Further and Higher Education in Britain. The Department for Education and Skills was therefore committed to undertaking a wide-ranging and fundamental review to look at the Higher Education sector in order to meet the Government's determination to extend participation of 18 to 30-year-olds in Higher Education to 50 per cent by 2010.

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