Friday 1 May 2009

Uni Pressured To Save Cont Ed

Efforts by campaigners to oppose Reading University's proposed closure of the School of Continuing Education has received a boost with the addition of a new supporter.

Reading West MP Martin Salter has signed the petition and written to Reading University Vice-Chancellor Prof Gordon Marshall explaining his reasons for opposing the proposal.

Linda Fort advertises the need to keep up the pressure ahead of the 6th May discussion by the University Senate and the final decision by the University Council, due on 7th July.

Coinciding with the annual conference of Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) in Brighton, Rebecca Attwood recently described how adult learning courses across the country are being affected by cuts - even Thames Valley University is reviewing its Associate Student Scheme.

Meanwhile Tony Partridge writes about his personal experience of the conflicts which can arise when an individual stops the continuous process of education.

Oranjepan asks:
Although every signature on the petition is to be welcomed, can these education campaigners expect to receive the same level of support from Mr Salter as the Gurkhas?

2 comments:

  1. GIDEON MACK2 May 2009 at 15:24

    All Universities now have to operate like businesses. The University of Reading has seen massive cuts in Government funding accounting for a third of the organisation's income. This leaves greater emphasis on the need to draw funding from Industry.

    Courses and/or Schools/Departments that fail to attract sufficient interest from students (Government funding) cannot be carried and financially there’s no reason to do so.

    The University still has an impressive land bank around Shinfield, Bulmershe, London Road and Sonning but once gone; it’s gone.

    Having Martin Salter on-board supporting you is like being served up a jumbo shrimp in a restaurant - don't expect much.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous7 May 2009 at 14:14

    Gideon, you took the words right out of my mouth.

    ReplyDelete

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