March 2003
Lead Stories

Building a Unique 21st Century University

A public consultation has been launched to allow local people to have their say about the proposed merger of the University of Bradford and Bradford College in August 2004.

The University and the College took the decision to merge into a single new institution late last year. The proposed merger is subject to the necessary due diligence, public consultation, agreement of their funding bodies, satisfactory completion of negotiations between the two institutions, and adequate resourcing being available to meet transitional costs, and investment in the infrastructure of the new institution.

As part of an ongoing consultation process, the people of Bradford and the surrounding area are being invited to attend a number of public meetings - in Ilkley, Shipley, Keighley and Bradford - to express their views on the merger proposal and to find out what this exciting development would mean for the region.

The new University would support the city of Bradford in its educational, social, cultural and economic aspirations, combining FE and HE in a pioneering and challenging way. It would provide a unique opportunity to break down artificial barriers between different levels of study and maximise progression opportunities to benefit greater numbers of potential learners.

Alan Hodgson, Principal at the College and Professor Chris Taylor, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: "We are energetically and enthusiastically beginning this public consultation phase. The City of Bradford, its people and representatives have a long and proud tradition of pioneering and promoting educational reform. It is therefore right and fitting that perhaps the most significant advance in education and training in the 21st-century should begin in Bradford.

"We want to create a University without the artificial divide between further and higher education and that places the student experience at its heart. We want to create an institution with excellence but that is not elitist. An institution designed to provide everyone with the best possible opportunities for a better future, that will attract students and staff from across the world, and that will make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the city and the region."

In addition to the public meetings, 70,000 four-page colour leaflets have been distributed this week to schools and libraries, council offices and other stakeholders. The leaflet explains what this 21st-century institution will be like, how it will be brought to life and how it will improve post-16 education and training in Bradford. It also addresses how the new Institution will work with other providers and partners, and how further and community education courses will be provided by a University.

Members of the public are invited to attend the following consultation meetings, which will be hosted by the Learning & Skills Council West Yorkshire:

Tuesday, March 18, 7pm until 9pm
Winter Gardens, Kings Hall, Station Road, Ilkley

Wednesday, March 19, 7pm until 9pm
Salt Building, Shipley College, Victoria Road, Saltaire, Shipley

Thursday, March 20, 7pm until 9pm
Sir Swire Smith Hall, Keighley College, North Street, Keighley

Tuesday, March 25, 7pm until 9pm
Meeting Rooms 1 & 2, C Floor, Central Library, Bradford

The Learning and Skills Council West Yorkshire, working in partnership with the Higher Education Funding Council for England, are conducting the independent public consultation, which will take place during February and March. The exercise will inform their discussions with the College and the University and their final report to the Secretary of State at the Department for Education and Skills, who will have to approve the proposed merger.

• For further information logon to www.bradford.ac.uk/merger

18 March 2003

next

top of page