09.11.07
Education Minister visits Tremough

Bill Rammell, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, travelled to Cornwall on Wednesday, November 7th, where he learned how the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) partnership is supporting the ambitions of Cornwall's people and businesses.

The Minister visited the Tremough Campus in Penryn, which is shared by the University of Exeter and University College Falmouth as part of the CUC initiative. During his visit he answered undergraduates' questions on the Government's new financial support package for students.

He also discussed CUC's future plans, as CUC Executive Director, Dr Ian Tunbridge explains: "We very much welcomed the opportunity to talk to the minister about the exciting new approach to higher education being pioneered in Cornwall, where we have a thriving partnership of individually excellent universities and colleges all working together for the benefit of the county. We also talked through the CUC partnership's aspirations to attract further investment under the EU Convergence programme to do even more to put Cornwall on the map, including the creation of centres of excellence in research and innovation, coupled with even greater assistance to help individuals and businesses flourish."

Speaking during his visit, Bill Rammell said: "A huge amount has changed in the world of universities. There are now far more people entering higher education, also older learners and part-time students, with study patterns built around work, family and other commitments, from all parts of Europe and the world. And universities have modernised. There has been major investment in new buildings and facilities. There is far more choice about the courses you can take. But going to university still presents perhaps the greatest opportunity, the facilities to study a subject that really interests you, exposure to new ideas and the ability to develop your thinking and creativity. The jobs being created in our economy will increasingly require higher level education. Employers are still crying out for good graduates. We have a great higher education system in this country. There is much to be proud of but there are challenges of course in meeting people and employers' needs. This is why we're keen to engage students in debate and make sure the student voice is heard in government. That is why I am here today and the new National Student forum will give students from a wide range of backgrounds an important voice at a national level."

Following his visit to Tremough the minister visited Cornwall College St Austell. Cornwall College is another of the nine universities and colleges which make up the CUC partnership.

For further information please contact Emma Stallard, Combined Universities in Cornwall PR and Communications Officer, on 07896 042524 or email emma.stallard@cuc.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Editor's notes:

Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's economic renaissance. This partnership combines the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, The Open University, University College Plymouth St Mark & St John, and the Peninsula Medical School, with Cornwall's Further Education colleges - Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

The CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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