Minister endorses York's education collaboration as ‘Higher York' is launched
Posted on 23 September 2002
Higher York is a project which links the providers of higher education in York - the University of York, York College, York St John College and Askham Bryan College. The partnership is expected to bring benefits to those hoping to study in York, to local employers and to the institutions themselves.
The Minister described the project as "an exciting and pioneering partnership". "There is genuine creativity and optimism in the way the four organisations are collaborating," she said. "Their commitment to the community in and around York is admirable."
One of the aims of the project is to provide better information about higher education opportunities in York and to encourage more people to take advantage of the great variety of courses on offer.
The four institutions will also collaborate in other areas. Resources and expertise will be shared, such as staff development activities and some facilities. Best practice in innovative learning and teaching will also be shared.
"Between them, the University and the Colleges offer a huge choice of courses," said Project Manager, Wendy Ripley. "We want to offer a more co-ordinated service to new students and a joined-up approach to marketing to students in the local vicinity."
"The partnership is also a boon to local employers," she added. "We can establish a dialogue with them about the skills and experience offered by higher education in York."
The immediate future of the Higher York partnership will see closer links in art and design with a joint approach in place by September 2003, and the further development of business and management courses. The partnership also hopes to develop links in Tourism, Health related courses and Early Years education.
"This project is about co-ordination of effort and the demonstration of the effectiveness and reputation of the individual organisations," said Wendy Ripley. "Indeed, the key strength of Higher York is the diversity of the institutions and what they offer. We are lucky in York that our higher education institutions provide something for everyone."
Notes to editors:
- The launch of Higher York takes place at 6 pm the National Centre for Early Music on Thursday 26 September. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Higher York is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
- The University of York has nearly 10,000 students on undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
- York St John College runs programmes for over 5,000 students. It is affiliated to the University of Leeds.
- York College has a diverse mix of further, higher, and adult education courses for 15,000 full-time and part-time students.
- Askham Bryan College is a specialist agricultural college, providing courses and degree level programmes for 550 full-time students.
- Between them, the Higher York partners employ nearly 4,000 people in higher education in York.