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Widening Participation to University Study in the Community: the Community University of the Valleys-East – a Case Study. Dr Alyce von Rothkirch CUV-East/CCLL, University of Wales, Newport. The Community University of the Valleys-East:
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Widening Participation to University Study in the Community: the Community University of the Valleys-East – a Case Study Dr Alyce von Rothkirch CUV-East/CCLL, University of Wales, Newport
The Community University of the Valleys-East: • an initiative of the Centre for Community and Lifelong Learning, University of Wales, Newport. • Partners: WEA South Wales & University of Glamorgan.
Qualification levels in Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Caerphilly:
Employment profile in Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Caerphilly:
Employment profile in Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Caerphilly: Of those who are unemployed and of working age, the following are/have …
What does the CUV-East offer? • we work in 16 community locations across Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Caerphilly – many of which are Communities First areas; • shared venues, ‘shared’ tutors; • ‘split-level’ delivery;
What does the CUV-East offer? • working with community-based Learning Development Officers; • negotiating the curriculum; • ‘demand-led’ vs. ‘supply-led’ curriculum development; • collaboration with the University of Wales, Newport in curriculum development to facilitate progression opportunities;
What does the CUV-East offer? • Combined Open Studies Programme • termly enrolment; • terms timed to fit in with school holidays; • the Certificate of Higher Education • student progression.
CUV-East Learner Profile: • since 2000, over 900 learners have had a taste of HE in the community; • in the academic year 2004/05, 18 students completed the Certificate of Higher Education and 26 achieved more than 60 credits.
Challenges to the CUV-East’s provision: • funding ends in 2006; • perception of the provision as ‘access’ provision to ‘real’ (i.e. campus-based) HE; • relative inflexibility of university administrative (and other) systems;
Challenges to the CUV-East’s provision: • neglect of the lifelong learning aspect of Higher Education by the university and by policy-makers; • Difficulty in matching the cost and the benefits of community-based (Higher) Education.
Contact details: Dr Alyce von Rothkirch Community University of the Valleys-East 11 Gwent Shopping Centre Tredegar NP22 3EJ • 01495-722973 Email: alyce.vonrothkirch@newport.ac.uk