South West RDA and University Challenge

Jill Sheen

26 September 2008

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South West RDA and University Challenge

SWRDA Corporate Plan Examples of HE investments in priority

places – past and future Challenges

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SWRDA Corporate Plan 2008-11

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SW RDA and HEFCE

Strategic Alliance (1st region) Joint Investment Criteria Regular contacts between RDA and

HEFCE SW Regional Team Working together with partners

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Priority Places and University Challenge

Combined Universities in Cornwall North and South Devon Somerset Gloucestershire Swindon And…

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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

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Cornwall’s brain drain Net Migration 15-29 Age Group

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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

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Student numbers 1999-2007

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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

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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)

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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

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Other ‘cold spots’

Joint HEFCE/RDA demand studies funded in– Gloucestershire – Swindon

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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

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SWRDA and University Challenge