Regions rise to the new university challenge

Universities Secretary John Denham today announced 27 areas in England interested in establishing new higher education (HE) centres, confirming strong local support for university expansion.

Rochdale are named as one of the first places in the country to express an interest in the Government's 'New University Challenge' which was launched earlier this year to expand the opportunities for new local HE provision.

Ministers believe that a local high quality higher education centre can open up the chance of higher education to more young people and adults who previously may never have thought about a degree while helping drive local economic and social regeneration. Economists estimate that every extra job a university creates is matched by another elsewhere in the economy.

Mr Denham said: "In these challenging economic times never have universities and colleges been more important to education, economic development, regeneration and the cultural life of our rural areas, towns and cities.

"It is my ambition is to build on the successes of the last few years which have seen new centres of higher education transforming local economies and the lives of local people.

"I am delighted that HEFCE have received 27 expressions of interest and it is not too late for other areas wanting to take advantage of the benefits HE brings to register their interest."

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will consult on the criteria by which any formal bids for new HE centres should be assessed and will publish proposals in the New Year. It will then be for HEFCE to work with the interested parties on how to take their proposals forward before ultimately taking decisions on which proposals should in future be funded.

The Government's ambition through the New University Challenge is to open, or commit to, a further 20 HE centres over the next six years, subject to quality bids. Filled to capacity the new centres could provide study places for up to 10,000 students.

Councillor Irene Davidson, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, Rochdale Borough Council said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the borough and I am delighted that things are moving forward now. Such developments can have a profound impact on economic regeneration as well as transforming the lives of students."