Plans to develop a university ‘of and for’ Shropshire progress

As work continues to develop a university ‘of and for’ the county, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet will next week discuss how to support plans being taken forward. 

Shropshire Council, ip&e – the company owned by Shropshire Council, and the University of Chester, are working together to develop the vision and draft proposals for a new Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the county.

They are discussing this with partners, and Shropshire Council’s Cabinet will be asked on Wednesday 19 February 2014 to commission further work in progressing the development of a detailed business case with the University of Chester.

This formality marks the latest stage in the administrative process to investigate the potential for a university.

The University of Chester was invited by Shropshire Council in 2013 to research the potential for a dedicated Higher Education Institution ‘of and for’ Shropshire, to complement and build on the existing high-quality Higher Education, further education courses accredited by universities and vocational health qualifications, provided in Shropshire.

Professor Tim Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Chester, said:

“The initial research gives a strong justification for taking plans forward.  It has found that there is demand and interest from the local business community, current Year 12 students and others, and demonstrated that a Higher Education Institution would create a wide range of benefits and opportunities, including attracting investment and enhancing the region’s economic prospects.”

It is proposed that the institution would be created through support and guidance from the University of Chester in its early days, but that it would, in time, seek its own self-governing status and ultimately become a free-standing university.

Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:

“We are excited about the potential development of a new Higher Education Institution in Shropshire, and have already received an extremely positive response after initial discussions at a ministerial level.

“We are developing a vision for a university for Shropshire that is very deliberately designed to be an instrument of economic development for the county.  The development would be ‘of Shropshire and for Shropshire’.   Its curriculum would be linked to key areas of growth in terms of value to the county, and in particular business and job creation, securing significant investment opportunities.

“It would act as a catalyst for economic growth, linked to key industrial and commercial sectors particularly around micro and high-growth businesses, as well as supporting emerging businesses.  It is envisaged as providing a high-quality research, teaching and learning environment, enabling us to retain talent in Shropshire, and be highly differentiated nationally and internationally, with an identity reflecting the values and ambitions of Shropshire.”