News

University supports new HE centre

Published 14 December 2012

The University of Brighton is a key partner in the launch of a new University Centre for central Sussex

Launched today, the new University Centre at Central Sussex College in Crawley will provide local and flexible higher level skills and qualifications for adults and employers, and cost-effective progression opportunities for young people who may not otherwise have considered continuing their studies.

The University of Brighton will be validating qualifications and supporting the new centre with partners, the University of Chichester and Central Sussex College.

Colin Monk, the University of Brighton's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business & Marketing, said: "We very much support the new University Centre and are delighted to be involved with what is a significant milestone in the provision of higher education opportunities in central Sussex.

"We wish the University Centre every success and look forward to working with our partners to encourage more people in the Crawley area into higher education and to provide them with easier access to obtaining new qualifications and skills, and to assist with their career progressions."

The development of a University Centre for the area was a key objective of the newly formed Central Sussex College when it was launched in August 2005. Government policy shifts over the following years caused delays to the development of the centre, but a determination to bring the vision to life saw rapid progress being made from 2010 onwards, commencing with a detailed research project commissioned by Crawley Borough Council and the then South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), which identified the participation shortfalls and the higher education needs of the area.

Offering a wide range of full and part-time courses from Higher National Certificates/Diplomas to professional qualifications such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Postgraduate Diploma, the University Centre's aim is to address the below national average participation in higher education that exists both for Crawley young people and adults, and within the wider Gatwick Diamond area.

Courses are all vocationally focused and designed to improve employment prospects and career progression.

Principal of Central Sussex College, Dr Russell Strutt, said: "The University Centre at Central Sussex College has grown out of a long-standing commitment to delivering high quality, university level training to meet the needs of local employers and adults. Significant recent investment in refurbishments has provided excellent dedicated resources for higher education students at the University Centre and the formal partnership with the Universities of Brighton and Chichester provides the assurance of quality that our customers are looking for."

Ambitious plans for new courses to be offered from September 2013 are now in place, from a BSc (Hons) top-up degree in Electronic Engineering to Higher National Diplomas in Sustainable Building and Creative Media Production.

The new University Centre was declared open by Henry Smith MP in front of representatives from economic and business support groups, business leaders and education providers, including Professor Clive Behagg, Vice Chancellor of the University of Chichester and Colin Monk.

Staunch supporter of the development of the University Centre, Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, said: "I'm honoured to officially open the new university presence in Crawley and congratulate Central Sussex College along with the Universities of Brighton and Chichester for working together with local businesses to offer vocational, degree courses. Historically, less than a fifth of Crawley young people have gone on to higher education despite the world leading and innovative companies we have here. Providing more convenient access to university and good quality employment will enhance local opportunities."