Lancaster University welcomes plans for University in Cumbria

Lancaster University welcomed the report written by Professor Sir Martin Harris, which outlined proposals for a new university to be formed out of a combination of St Martin‘s College and the Cumbria Institute of the Arts.

Lancaster University has awarded the degrees of St Martin’s college since 1967. The new proposals would be based on St Martin’s college receiving its own degree awarding powers.

Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings said : "Lancaster University has been a supporter of education in Cumbria, and has focussed on the county when offering more flexible ways to study university level courses.

"Last month Lancaster University launched the new School of Lifelong Learning and Widening Participation, which will provide a range of opportunities for people wanting to learn in Lancashire and Cumbria. In addition, Lancaster University is enabling Furness College in Barrow in Furness to offer a degree in engineering, matched to the needs of the local community."

If the proposals are accepted for a University in Cumbria, Lancaster University will continue to have a significant role with the new university, providing strong academic support and expertise. Experts in high speed networking at Lancaster University have a number of projects in Cumbria including connecting remote communities and businesses to wireless networks.

Over 500 schools and colleges in Lancashire and Cumbria have been connected to the internet through the Cumbria and Lancashire Education Online ( CLEO ) project.

The report also highlights the importance of medical education in Lancashire and Cumbria. Lancaster University has earmarked funds to build a new Centre for Medical Education on the University’s Bailrigg campus which will house offices, a lecture theatre and a human anatomy-teaching centre. The timing of the development of the new medical facility will be dependent upon a bid submitted to the Higher Education Funding Council for England in October, which outlines the need for more medical students in the North West. The proposal would mean that medical students from Liverpool University would be taught their 5 year medical degree at Lancaster, many of whom would go on to practice in the area.