University E-Skills Course Used as Shining Example of Best Practice in Higher Education
A new degree course launched by the University of Greenwich at Medway is featured in the high-profile Universities UK publication “Higher level learning – Universities and employers working together” released this week demonstrating how modern university programmes are meeting the needs of business.
Information Technology Management for Business BSc (Hons), was developed by Mike Sharp, of the University of Greenwich, working with e-skills UK, the sector skills council for the industry, and leading companies.
Business contributing to the course content and delivery include BT, Dell, Ford, Computer Associates, Hewlett Packard, Fujitsu, IBM, Morgan Stanley, Norwich Union and Lehman Brothers.
The three-year course, with an optional sandwich year in industry, is available at the University of Greenwich at Medway campus, at Chatham Maritime. The regional development agency, SEEDA, has funded delivery of the University of Greenwich course at University Centre, Hastings, as part of a regeneration project for East Sussex.
During the course, students spend at least a quarter of their time working on real business problems for leading companies.
“I am delighted that our Information Technology Management for Business BSc (Hons) is being showcased in this publication by Universities UK,” says Dr Stuart Ashenden, Director of Academic Planning, at the University of Greenwich at Medway.
“The publication comes ahead of a final report by Lord Leitch reviewing skills in the UK. In his interim report, published last December, he underlined the crucial importance of higher level skills to the UK economy and the role that universities can place in delivering these.”
Professor Drummond Bone, President of Universities UK, said: “Critics and media commentators have some times referred disparagingly to some new courses as Mickey Mouse degrees. This publication – which we could equally have called “The Mouse that Roared” – is our response.
“While some of the degrees featured were unheard of a few years ago, graduates with the skills developed on these courses are essential to the success of the UK economy.”
In his foreword to the publication, Richard Lambert, Director General CBI, adds: “The global economy is rapidly evolving and if the UK is to retain its position as the fifth largest economy in the world we need highly-skilled graduates able to respond to these developments.”
--ENDS--
Caption: Dr Stuart Ashenden
For further media information, broadcast, photographic and interview opportunities, please contact:
- University of Greenwich Public Relations, tel: 020 8331 9420
- Delphine Houlton, Andrew Metcalf or Jez Durrant, at Maxim, tel: 01892 513033
Notes
1. Skills in the UK: the long-term challenge, Interim Report from the Leitch Review of Skills, Dec 2005
2. The economic impact of UK higher education institutions, Universities UK, May 2006
3. Over the last 10 years the proportion of adults in the UK holding a degree or equivalent has increased from 19 to 27% - this compares to around 40% in the US and Canada.
4. India and China produce four million graduates annually, compared to some 250,000 in the UK.
5. Journalists wishing to receive an embargoed copy of the publication should contact the Universities UK press office on 0207 419 5568 or e-mail pressunit@universitiesuk.ac.uk
6. Higher level learning will be available at Universities UK online bookshop from Tuesday 28 November 2006. Hard copies are available from UUK Publications 020 7419 5435.
Ian Morton, Press Unit, Universities UK Tel +44 (0)20 7419 5568 e-mail Ian.Morton@UniversitiesUk.ac.uk
Press Unit e-mail pressunit@universitiesuk.ac.uk
Press and Public Affairs Unit, Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HQ
- e-skills UK is part of a network of Sector Skills Councils (SCC) which bring together employers, trade unions and professional bodies working with government to develop the skills that UK business needs. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) underpins the SSC network and promotes effective working between sectors. SSCs, together with the SSDA, form the Skills for Business network. For further information visit www.e-skills.com, tel: 0207 963 8920