MP writes to minister over university plan for Shropshire
Plans to create a university in Shrewsbury have been raised with business, innovation and skills minister David Willetts.
Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski has written to the minister to ask him to meet a delegation from Shropshire to discuss the proposal.
The idea of creating a university in the county, likely to be in Shrewsbury, is being investigated by Shropshire Council with officials from the University of Chester brought in to carry out a feasibility review.
Mr Kawczynski has written to Mr Willetts after first contacting education secretary Michael Gove about the issue.
Investment
He said: "Having a university in our county would give unprecedented opportunities for young people and be a significant investment for the future in Shropshire.
"A review from the University of Chester found a high proportion of sixth formers opt not only to leave Shropshire, but also surrounding counties to pursue higher studies.
"Shropshire Council is in the throes of conducting a review into the potential of a new higher education facility in the county.
"I am passionate that we bring a stand-alone university to our county, incorporating Shrewsbury as the county town, in order to give the high-achieving Shropshire students a place to study closer to home."
Mr Kawczynski requested a meeting between Mr Willetts, Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow and education portfolio holder Steve Charmley.
A spokesman for Shropshire Council said: "The University of Chester is working in partnership with us to support an evaluation of the potential for a higher education facility in the county."
