Union criticises plans for ‘multiversity’

Photo: flicker@dk900

The University and College Union (UCU), which represents academics, lecturers and researchers, has attacked plans for two-year undergraduate degrees as proposed in the project to develop a ‘multiversity’ in Croydon, as reported by ELL earlier this week.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “It is disappointing that savage cuts to higher education, coupled with higher fees, have allowed the two-year degree, which is neither new nor particularly imaginative, back on to the agenda.

“We reject the notion of ‘piling ‘em high and teaching ‘em cheap’ in a two-tier system designed to mask the failings of the government’s new university funding policies.”

Despite the attack, Croydon Council and Croydon College remain committed to creating a multiversity in the borough and have received a boost from David Willetts, the minister responsible for universities, who has expressed his support in principle.

The Council has claimed that the new multiversity would be ideally positioned to deliver high quality courses aimed at local people and in subject areas aligned to the needs of business and industry in the area.

Councillor Tim Pollard, Cabinet Member for Education at Croydon Council, said: “Expanding higher education in Croydon is central to our ability to attract and retain business investment and nurture the borough’s talent.”

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