Spring 2004 - University of Kent

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The University in its region VICE-CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR DAVID MELVILLE The first foundations for the University of Kent at Canterbury were laid in 1965 on the hill overlooking the city. At that point the University had an anticipated student population of 2,000. Since then it has grown in size to over 13,000 students and the Canterbury campus has become a thriving, dynamic community which is continually growing, not only physically in its new structures, but in its programmes and initiatives such as the Canterbury Enterprise Hub. The partnerships in the Medway, first established in 2000, have resulted in plans for our major joint campus in Chatham, and exciting new developments such as the Medway School of Pharmacy, created jointly with the University of Greenwich. There is also a new partnership with West Kent College in Tonbridge, and lifelong learning programmes are delivered in 25 different towns across the county. This increasing regional and Euro-wide mission led us to a formal change of name to The University of Kent, on 1 April 2003. These developments reflect the aims articulated in the University’s mission statement, not only to be ‘an intellectual and cultural focus for Canterbury and Kent’ but also to ‘support national and regional economic success’. We are indeed the University of Kent: at Canterbury; at Medway; at Tonbridge; at Brussels as well as throughout our region and Euroregion. Our unique geographical location gives us the opportunity to break new ground through our Brussels centre and European partnerships, as exemplified by the pioneering agreement to set up the University of the Transmanche. This was recognised at the highest level in February 2003, when it was part of the communiqué 14 agreed by Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Jacques Chirac at the Anglo-French summit in Le Touquet. Government proposals for an increase in tuition fees mean that there will be a corresponding increase in students choosing to study near their homes. Within our city, county and Euroregion, higher education institutions must collaborate ever more closely to ensure a comprehensive educational provision to meet the needs and demands of the region’s population. To do this we must play to our own strengths while at the same time focusing on the needs of the community and its students, exploring what will benefit and support them. This benefit is both personal and economic. The latter is exemplified by the considerable financial support from government regeneration and LEA sources for our new campus in Medway. The mission of the University of Kent is clear. We are a University with a national and international reputation for the quality of our teaching and research. At the same time, we are firmly rooted by our responsibilities to our region, working in partnership and collaboration. Canterbury New buildings on the Canterbury campus include the north-east wing of Cornwallis, housing the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research; the refurbishment of the Sports Centre’s reception area; the Registry extension; new student accommodation in Tyler Court and planning permission for new student accommodation in Park Wood. Other new developments include a £250,000 grant to establish a Canterbury Enterprise Hub in conjunction with Canterbury City Council, and more than £7m government funding given for refurbishing teaching infrastructure. Medway The final contribution to the £50m funding package developed to establish the University’s new campus at Chatham Maritime was put in place in July. The project creates a ‘multiversity’ – a co-operating alliance of higher and further education aimed at developing education, skills and training in Medway with a target of 6,000 students by 2007. This includes students from the new Medway School of Pharmacy, a joint venture between Kent and the University of Greenwich, which received substantial funding from Pfizer for the Head of School. Tonbridge The University was awarded one of the highest percentage increases in government funding in the country – 10% of all of England’s university expansion will take place in Kent. The University offers courses at 25 centres across the county, and last year launched a new partnership with West Kent College in Tonbridge. A further development was the establishment of the Kent New Technology Institute, a consortium of higher and further education institutions and regional development bodies, aiming to increase highlevel skills in information and communication technologies.
Brussels and the Euroregion In February 2003, Kent hit the national headlines when Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac signed an education accord agreeing the establishment of the University of the Transmanche. The accord was signed at the Anglo-French summit at Le Touquet. The University of the Transmanche is a groundbreaking project developed by the University of Kent together with the three Lille Universities and the University of the Littoral. The first students were recruited to the pilot programme: a joint BA and Diplôme in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Kent’s already wellestablished Brussels School of International Studies continued to expand and introduce new programmes. Some of the first students on a pilot of the Transmanche programme with Professor Richard Sakwa, Head of Politics and International Relations at Kent Photo: Martin Goodwin 15
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Spring 2004 - University of Kent

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