Harper Adams chief welcomes university status development
News that Harper Adams University College has moved one step closer to becoming Shropshire's first full university 'underlines the quality of education' at the centre, its principal said today.
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills announced yesterday that 10 UK institutions were to be upgraded to a university, including the agricultural college in Edgmond, near Newport.
Principal Dr David Llewellyn described the announcement as 'historic' but warned the move still had to be ratified by the Privy Council.
He said: "The checks have now been completed and it is clear that we have met all of the criteria for the award of a university title and for the change of our name to Harper Adams University. We await formal confirmation of the outcome by the Privy Council and look forward to receiving this news in the not too distant future.
"The award of a university title will be a historic event for Harper Adams. Importantly, it will help to underline the quality of the education we provide for our students."
In June, the Government confirmed red tape barring smaller institutions from being awarded the title of 'university' would be removed.
Previously, institutions needed a minimum of 4,000 students to become a university. This has now been reduced to 1,000. The move will lead to the single biggest creation of universities since 1992.
Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard, who has raised the issue in Parliament, said: "I am delighted that my lobbying of ministers over the last seven years has finally paid off.
"However, it is the tireless campaigning of staff and students over many more years that should be fully recognised and applauded."
