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Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Greenwich deliver a range of degree programmes from the University Centre Folkestone. The University Centre Folkestone is situated in the 30,000 sq ft Glassworks premises, which is owned and has been refurbished by the Creative Foundation. University Centre Folkestone has been funded by the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
Mr Howard was the special guest of Roger De Haan, Chairman of the Creative Foundation; Baroness Blackstone, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Greenwich; and Professor Michael Wright, the Vice Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University.
Speaking at the event, Mr Howard said: "The opening of the University Centre Folkestone is an exciting and auspicious occasion. Thirty five years ago today (11th January), the Open University awarded its first degree. The Open University was magnificently successful in making education, that was normally out of reach to people, accessible and I am confident that University Centre Folkestone will do the same."
Vice Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University, Professor Michael Wright, said: "We are delighted to welcome Michael Howard here today to officially open the University Centre Folkestone. It will provide high quality local opportunities for people to access higher education. Canterbury Christ Church University is pleased to be working with the University of Greenwich and the Creative Foundation on a project that will nurture local talent within the population of Folkestone and contribute to the overall economic, social and cultural regeneration of the area."
Vice Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, Tessa Blackstone, said: "Today, we can see the first fruits of the innovative partnership between our three organisations: a fabulous refurbished building at the heart of the town's Creative Quarter; dynamic links with employers to train new generations of professional staff, and students hard at work, improving their skills and job prospects. Folkestone's regeneration is underway and years ahead will bring even greater success to the town."
Roger De Haan, Chairman of the Creative Foundation, said: "This is the first university level provision Folkestone has ever had. Until now many of the town's brightest young people have had to leave at eighteen in order to pursue their education. Many of the students who left to study at universities outside the area have never returned and this has had a damaging effect on the economy of the town. The opening of this university centre means an end to the brain drain. Through the establishment of a lively university centre in the heart of the town we can aim to retain a higher proportion of our young people who might otherwise have had to leave. Many of the courses offered have been designed to attract either young people who might not have seen university as an option before or adults who are keen to pursue higher education later in life." |
