Funding announced for Technical College in south London
LSBU announces funding for a new University Technical College in Brixton to provide employment-focused education for 14–19 year-old studentsAt last week’s University Court Governor’s Meeting, Vice Chancellor David Phoenix officially announced the approval of funding for a new University Technical College (UTC) in Brixton, which will offer employment-focused education for 14–19 year-old students.
The funding, through the Department for Education, which is worth around £4.5m per year, will allow students to receive practical engineering knowledge and experience using industry standard facilities as well as the traditional curriculum, enabling them to transition to university, higher apprenticeships and the world of work.
Vice President of Development, Professor Rao Bhamidimarri said, “This announcement of funding for the UTC means that we will be able to provide the best learning experience possible for up to 600 students at any given time.
“Better yet, the funding is in perpetuity, meaning we can run this distinctive learning institution indefinitely, in partnership with world leading employers.
“The UTC will complement our Academy for 11-18 year old students, which was opened in Southwark in 2014.”
University Court is LSBU’s annual meeting of Governors and stakeholders, including local businesses and partners, to discuss the successes of the previous year and the direction and priorities for the forthcoming year.
At the meeting, Vice Chancellor Professor David Phoenix also launched LSBU’s Annual Review, outlining some of the university’s key achievements from the past year, such as:
- LSBU is ranked in the top 15 universities for graduate starting salaries.
- LSBU is in the top 50% of universities for graduate employment.
- 44 LSBU students and graduates launched their own businesses in 2014/15.
- LSBU has more than 6500 employer-sponsored students, one-third of the total student body.
- Placing in the top 100 in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index.
- Placing in the top 400 employers in Bloomberg’s Best Employers 2016 survey.
- London Living Wage accredited.
- LSBU is a partner on five European grants, worth over €12m.
Professor Phoenix said, “It has been another memorable year for LSBU and taking the time to focus on our achievements at the University Court meeting really helps us to celebrate all our successes.
“For the university, this also marks major progress toward achieving the key outcomes that are set out in our Corporate Strategy, particularly around employability, student experience, internationalisation and research and innovation.
“I expect this to continue in 2016/17 and beyond so we meet our objective of becoming the leading modern university in London.”
Find the 2015 Annual Review on our website.