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South West RDA and University Challenge. Jill Sheen 26 September 2008. South West RDA and University Challenge. SWRDA Corporate Plan Examples of HE investments in priority places – past and future Challenges. SWRDA Corporate Plan 2008-11. SW RDA and HEFCE.
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South West RDA and University Challenge Jill Sheen 26 September 2008
South West RDA and University Challenge • SWRDA Corporate Plan • Examples of HE investments in priority places – past and future • Challenges
SW RDA and HEFCE • Strategic Alliance (1st region) • Joint Investment Criteria • Regular contacts between RDA and HEFCE SW Regional Team • Working together with partners
Priority Places and University Challenge • Combined Universities in Cornwall • North and South Devon • Somerset • Gloucestershire • Swindon • And…
Cornwall and its challenges • Rural and peripheral • GVA 75% of EU average (66.7% in 2001) • Very little higher education before CUC • Young people leaving to work /study • Economy dominated by small businesses • 35% of businesses have turnover <£500k • Wages below national average
Combined Universities in Cornwall Vision • To create a university infrastructure for Cornwall • To stem the brain drain • To help raise the game of business in Cornwall • To bring well paid jobs • To bring opportunities to people and businesses country wide
Partnership • £120m in two phases • HEFCE, SWRDA and Government funding • EU funding through Objective One Programme • EU ERDF and ESF Convergence from 2007 – transform Cornwall • Cornwall County Council role
North and South Devon • Access to universities difficult, low participation • North Devon College (Barnstaple) • New campus – LSC funded • University of Plymouth Colleges partner • HE and Innovation Centre • North Devon Plus (include Local Authorities) for economic development • South Devon College • Stand alone HE Centre (with LSC and business relations function) • Close links with existing Innovation Centre based at College (Torbay Council)
Somerset Universities Partnership Project (SUPP) • No university in county (but 3 FECs delivering significant amount of HE) • Complex pattern of partnerships with HEIs • Drive from Somerset County Council • Wide consensus to pursue collaborative option addressing needs of Somerset economy
Other ‘cold spots’ • Joint HEFCE/RDA demand studies funded in • Gloucestershire • Swindon
University Challenge(s) • Partnerships – are they the right players? Strategic context. • Institutional issues – structure and commitment • Competition and collaboration • Business support simplification/Train to Gain • Employer engagement funding models • HE/FE links • Sustainability