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University centre plan is backed for Rotherham
PLANS for a new university centre in South Yorkshire have taken a big step forward - after the backing of a major higher education institution was secured.
The proposals by Dearne Valley College and Rotherham Council have now received the support of Staffordshire University, which will oversee the courses.
Under the scheme, people from the area will have access to a university education without having to move far afield, so incurring lower debts.
A 'statement of strategic intent' has now been submitted to the Government for the scheme - which now needs 1 million of Government funding to get off the ground.
If it is successful, Dearne Valley University Centre could start taking students next year and would expect to have 600 young people and mature students enrolled by 2013/14.
Wentworth MP John Healey first came up with the idea of a Dearne university and has helped drive work on the bid for more than two years.
He said: "The partnership has made a convincing case for a university centre which would complete the transformation of the Dearne and help people in our area fulfil their potential.
"Our school exam results are improving faster than elsewhere and more young people than ever are going to university from the Dearne, but our rates still lag behind the rest of the country.
"There are ambitious plans for the continuing regeneration of the Dearne and I want local people of all ages to be able to take advantage of the thousands of new jobs to be created here in the next decade."
The university would offer courses in business, computers and sciences.
Sue Ransom, Dearne Valley College principal, said: "The partnership with Staffordshire University would bring a wider range of opportunities for more young people and adults to realise their potential and develop the higher level skills needed for the future. This is and exciting prospect one which individuals, communities and employers in the Dearne Valley need and deserve."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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