Star comment: University status will boost area
A million pounds has been set aside to further plans for a new university in Shropshire.
, which will welcome 400 students from September 2015. Those numbers will grow rapidly and by 2021 the university will welcome around 2,500 youngsters.
Initially, Shropshire's University College will work with the University of Chester. However, it will soon become a free-standing institution called University of Shrewsbury.
Shrewsbury's most famous son, Charles Darwin, must be looking down with pride. Though the influential naturalist and geologist spent much of his life outside, the seeds for his remarkable life were sown in his home town of Shrewsbury. He was encouraged to think by masters at Shrewsbury School and by his family, who lived nearby. It would be thrilling for him to witness a new generation of students given similar opportunities.
Shrewsbury's transition to University Town will bring considerable economic benefit. Local shops will benefit, as would businesses who build the facility. There will be long-term revenues generated by the new facility.
It will also enhance the county's reputation. Shropshire is presently home to the outstanding Harper Adams University , near Newport, which welcomes around 2,000 students. It is a centre of excellence with an international reputation and it is to be hoped the University of Shrewsbury follows in those footsteps.
Arguably one of the most important benefits to the county will be the retention of its talented young people. Too often, students depart Shropshire never to return.
As beautiful as Shropshire is, housing is more affordable elsewhere and there are more job opportunities in other towns and cities. But the creation of a new university will help to stem the county's brain drain.
For the first time, academically gifted youngsters will have a viable alternative to moving away. They will be able to study at home, while fostering careers here.
There is much work to be done. However, there is little doubt that it will. Good intentions are being converted to reality and with the council digging deep to help fund the facility's creation, it will not be long before Shrewsbury becomes a university town.
