Over the next six years, subject to high quality bids the Government aims to have an additional 20 open or agreed higher education centres which if filled to capacity could provide study places for up to 10,000 students.
The challenge specifically mentioned the role of HE in stimulating entrepreneurship and provided case studies on how this has been achieved in existing HE provision.
Those at the forefront of encouraging enterprise and entrepreneurship in their local areas could be presented with opportunities to; share best practice; enhance current activity and embed an entrepreneurial culture in potential future local HE provision.
‘New University Challenge: Unlocking Britain’s Talent’ set out various ways in which local higher education benefits communities including:
Unlocking the potential of towns and people:
• Widening participation and unlocking talent
• Attracting, nurturing and retaining talent in an area
• Contributing to social cohesion
• Underpinning population growth strategies
Driving economic regeneration:
• Creating a highly skilled workforce, with relevant skills for the local business community
• Job creation
• Stimulating entrepreneurship
• Engaging with business to solve problems and boost innovation and competitiveness
The following 27 areas have submitted initial expressions of interest in establishing new HE centres:
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
Guidance on submitting proposals has been made available on the Higher Education Funding for England (HEFCE) website and sets out what those who are developing proposals need to do next.
The document outlines that partnerships interested in developing an HE centre or new university campus should provide a statement of intent to HEFCE through a lead Higher Education Institution.
It is highlighted that proposals should include strong, coherent
support from local partners, ranging from business to regional
development agencies, local authorities and those holding European
funds.
Statements of intent are welcome at any time. Those received by 30 June
will receive feedback in August. Those received by 5 December will
receive feedback in January 2010.
For further information on ‘A new university challenge’ visit www.dius.gov.uk
To download the guidance document visit www.hefce.ac.uk