University News Last updated 18 July 2014
The new universities minister needs to prioritise giving extra backing to modern universities offering practice based education opportunities to young people, says Birmingham City University Vice-Chancellor Professor Cliff Allan.
Welcoming the appointment of Greg Clark as universities minister in David Cameron’s reshuffle, Professor Allan said institutions such as Birmingham City University are at the forefront of vital government agendas of broadening access to education, forging close links with industry and playing pivotal roles in their local city economies.
"Birmingham City University is very much a university FOR Birmingham in providing the highest proportion of graduates who live and work in the city region and who bring appropriate skills and expertise from the practice-based and professional preparation courses many of which co-designed with employers. We are a University which provides practical support to businesses and partners in the city and wider region, we provide applied skills and applied research expertise and develop new models for in-company degrees, higher apprenticeships and knowledge transfer."