'We are Telford and Shropshire's university' - Harper Adams reaffirms commitment as Wolverhampton University abandons Telford
The county's leading Harper Adams University has reaffirmed its commitment to Shropshire.
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The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ken Sloan, was speaking after Wolverhampton University this week confirmed its decision to close its Telford campus - a move that comes after Shrewsbury's university announced its closure last year.
Harper Adams has bases in Edgmond and in the centre of Telford.
He said: “Universities and higher education institutions across the country are taking difficult decisions in the light of recent and emerging financial challenges.
“News of two universities ceasing face-to-face provision in Shropshire in recent times is an example of this.
“As Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University, I support Telford MP Shaun Davies’ optimism about the future of university provision in the borough and in the county, and the strength of provision we have across the tertiary education sector.
“I want our region to know we are – and will remain - Telford’s and Shropshire’s University.
“We were founded in Shropshire and will celebrate 125 years of educational provision next year – and we continue to look to the future for our region.
“Our education and research covers engineering, food innovation, animal sciences, the veterinary professions, land, property and environmental management, agriculture, business management, and more.
“These are industries demanding highly-skilled workers, as the number of our graduates in full-time employment demonstrates. A new report by the World Economic Forum has shown that the sectors we serve will have the largest growth in jobs in the coming decade.
“Through Harper Adams University Telford, in the Quad at Station Quarter, we now offer degrees in robotics, digital business management and data science.
“We’re also providing short courses there to support local employers – and have welcomed both local schools and West Midlands businesses to our new site in recent days and weeks.
“Our work at the Quad is a partnership between the Council, Telford College, Harper Adams University, European Innovation and Invest Telford.
“Wider than that, the county has access to excellent provision through the Shrewsbury Colleges Group and in North Shropshire. We are all exploring how we can work, independently and collaboratively, to support the population of Telford, Shrewsbury and the wider county.
“This week I spoke with the Minister of State for Skills, Baroness Smith, in Parliament about the work we are doing – and explained how, together, we’re meeting the Government’s challenges on inclusion, civic and community impact, efficiency and economic growth.
“We discussed my role as Chair of GuildHE, and how the universities which make up the organisation have deep and connected links to their local areas, working closely with industries, sectors, and business to support their prosperity and growth.
“That is certainly true of Harper Adams.
“Telford and Shropshire have groundbreaking businesses in highly competitive sectors and need employees with the skills to drive their growth. We will continue to work with them, and our partners across the county and beyond, to ensure the region’s learners get the support they need.”
