University Centre Folkestone appoints new Campus Director
A new Campus Director of the University Centre Folkestone has been appointed, it was announced today.
Chris Price, 53, from Canterbury, succeeds Tim Barry, the University Centre Folkestone’s Project Manager who oversaw the launch of the Campus in September 2007.
Mr Price will lead the expansion of University Centre Folkestone’s existing work and further develop links with schools and local employers. He will continue to work with Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Greenwich who both offer a range of vocationally-focused higher education programmes at the Campus.
Mr Price’s ambition is for the University Centre Folkestone to be viewed both nationally and by the local community as a centre for academic learning, research and innovation in the creative industries - the main focus of activity at the Campus.
Mr Price, who is also the Programme Director of University Centre Folkestone’s Performing Arts programme, said: “This is the most exciting and the challenging role that I’ve undertaken. The University Centre Folkestone has demanding student number targets to meet over the next four years, but we have the opportunity to forge a distinctive identity and I am delighted to be working with such a remarkable group of people. My aim is to meet the needs of the region, by raising awareness among community organisations, employers and educational institutions across the area. They are our primary partners in sustaining it for generations to come.”
The University Centre Folkestone is holding an open day on Saturday 13th September between 10am and 1pm. Visitors do not need to book and are welcome to arrive at any time during the event.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Chris Price
After completing his degree studies at Durham University, Chris Price came to Canterbury to sing as a Lay Clerk in the Cathedral Choir – a professional post which he continues to hold 30 years later. Mr Price continued his higher education studies at Canterbury Christ Church University – or Christ Church College as it was then – to train as a teacher and then returned for a Master’s degree. For most of Chris Price’s career, he was Head of Performing Arts at a large successful grammar school in Ashford which achieved Music Specialist Status during his time there. Mr Price continued to hone his performing arts skills, writing a number of musicals and leading choirs, orchestras and musical tours.
Mr Price was invited to help write Canterbury Christ Church University’s Performing Arts programme and was appointed Programme Director in 2006. The programme took up residence in the University Centre Folkestone in September 2007. Over the past two years, the programme has been heralded as a huge success, with student numbers doubling in that time. Mr Price feels this success is indicative of what can happen when a programme has become established and achieved something of a reputation.
Mr Price will continue his role as programme director for the Performing Arts degree.
Two universities offer degree programmes at the University Centre Folkestone:
In 2008, the University of Greenwich offers HNDs, foundation degrees and degree programmes in:
Business Studies;
Business Administration;
Multimedia;
Business Technology Management;
Creative Industries Information Technology;
Contact Centre Management and Customer Service;
information Technology Management for Business;
Enterprise Project Management;
Retail Technology;
Marketing Technology;
Small Business Management;
Applied Professional Studies.
New subjects will be available in 2009.
Canterbury Christ Church University offers:
Childhood Studies, Foundation Degree
Contemporary Image Making
Dance Education
Early Years Studies
Performing Arts
The University Centre Folkestone is a £10 million project which opened to its first cohort of students in September 2007. It aims to enrol around 300 students in the next two years, rising to 500 by 2013. University Centre Folkestone will act as a powerful regenerative force in the academic, social and economic development of Folkestone and South Kent and will boost the area’s participation rates in higher education, which are below the regional average.
The University Centre Folkestone will:
Increase the range and level of higher level learning opportunities in the region and support lifelong learning for young people and adults;
Widen access to learning for young people through creating new progression opportunities;
Work with employers to identify education and training needs;
Provide university level programmes in a range of disciplines related to the arts and creative industries, business and information, and communication and applied professional studies;
Create a resource of benefit to the regional and local community;
Forge new partnerships with other education providers and employing organisations;
Develop enterprise and research activities in partnership with employing organisations.
The University Centre Folkestone comprises:
Four dedicated seminar rooms
Two dedicated computing teaching rooms
A learning resource centre
Two board rooms
A dance and drama studio
One large music studio
Three practice rooms
Large café atrium
Three arts spaces
General office space
For more information please contact:
Sarah Sharp
Public Relations, Press Assistant
University of Greenwich
Tel: 0208 331 9420
Email: S.R.M.Sharp@gre.ac.uk