New Website Launched - 28 May 2004
‘Making the Grade’is a new website designed to promote the development ofUniversity Campus Suffolk(UCS)and thedevelopment of new buildings and facilities for Suffolk College.
Created by Suffolk College, University of East Anglia, Essex University, Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council ‘ Making the Grade’ will provide up-to-the minute information about the development of University Campus Suffolk (UCS) and the associated development of new buildings and services for the students and staff of Suffolk College.
‘Making the Grade’ will be launched by The Countess of Cranbrook, President of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, at the Suffolk Show on Wednesday 2 June.Representatives of University of East Anglia (UEA) and University of Essex, who will be developing UCS alongside Suffolk College, will be present at the launch, together with representatives of Suffolk College and other stakeholders and partners in the initiative.
Dr Peter Funnell, Suffolk College Assistant Principal (Learning Development), said, “The ‘Making the Grade’ website is a major initiative - it will attract interest from people locally, nationally and internationally. The development of University Campus Suffolk, alongside the development of Suffolk College, is both a major initiative and an innovative and comprehensive approach to addressing education and training needs and requirements over the coming years. It will also contribute to the economic regeneration of county and the social, artistic and cultural development of Suffolk and wider Eastern region.”
He went on: “I am particularly delighted that the website will be launched by Countess Cranbrook at the Suffolk Show. The Suffolk Agricultural Association have been strong supporters of our campaign for a university presence in the county and its both fitting and an enormous pleasure that the launch will be undertaken by the President of the Association at the county’s most significant public event”
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Notes for Editors
The press are invited to attend the launch which will held in the University for Suffolk Project Marquee (stand number 174) on Wednesday 2 June at 18.15. The event will provide an opportunity to learn more about this important and exciting initiative. Drinks will be available from 17.30 (free entry to the Showground will be available from 18.00).
For further information or to confirm your attendance please contact:
Tracey Bailey, Promotions & Information Centre Manager, Suffolk College on 01473 296520 or 07710 546754.
Useful web links
www.uea. ac.uk
Background notes:
• the development of a university presence in Suffolk has wide-ranging support. Recent research suggests that the development of UCS could add between £50-100m annually to the local economy once fully established
• the development of UCS is based on the proposed transfer of higher education contracts from Suffolk College to a new partnership between Essex University and UEA, and the subsequent development of student numbers, curriculum areas, post-graduate and research provision thereafter
• initially Suffolk College will transfer some 3500 full time equivalent student numbers (currently about 4500 students on full and part time courses) to UCS. The aim is to increase to 5000 within 3 years
• Suffolk College is currently the largest provider of HE in the county and the second largest provider outside the university sector nationally
• it is anticipated that the first UCS buildings will be occupied from 2007/8. These building will be located on the Ipswich Waterfront (including land owned by Suffolk College) with local learning centres located throughout the county. Financial support for this will come from a number of sources but predominantly the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
• alongside the development of UCS, Suffolk College plans to develop a new campus for further and vocational education and training designed to meet the needs of 21st century. Financial support for this will come from a number of sources including significantly the Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
• as such the joint development of UCS and the new Suffolk College build is designed to comprehensively address current and predicted future education, training and research needs in the county, the region and beyond
• the proposals have wide ranging support, including from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council, the Suffolk Development Agency, the Suffolk Agricultural association and many more
Issued by Promotions
28 May 2004