EAUC launch LiFE
Iain Patton explains how the new scheme aims to steer education establishments to a green economy
p.18 07
Chinese Olympics? Leeds and the Chinese Olympic Commit- tee have announced that the sporting superpower will use the Yorkshire city as its official European pre-Games training base ahead of the London 2012 games. The deal has been agreed with the Chi-
nese Olympic Committee and Leeds City Council, and is supported by The University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan Univer- sity. The initial direct financial benefit from hosting the team is expected to be a minimum of £250,000. The majority of the 300 athletes, coaches
Glastonbury University website is a scam
A website promoting Glastonbury Univer- sity as ‘a leading private and independent university of world standing’ has been reported to Trading Standards after it was discovered that it was operating as a pos- sible scam.
Officials at Somerset County Council, who investigated
www.glastonbury-edu.org.uk, have said that the fake university is linked to a Malay- sian-based operation. It is thought that the site is targeting overseas students. Universities UK have been informed of the illegitimate website and a spokesper- son from the organisation told University Business: “Bogus colleges, trading on the strong international reputation and high quality of our universities, do real harm by attempting to abuse the system and dupe
E courses
university places, however, has been voiced from senior figures in the higher education sector. Economist and Vice-Chancellor of the Uni-
versity of Worcester, David Green, has spoken out, claiming that the government needs to act now to avoid an ‘autumn of agony’ for prospective students. In an article published on The Guardian
website on 15 August, Green writes that high unemployment rates is proof that “yet again we are letting down significant numbers of our young people just when we need their talent, enthusiasm and hard work to reinvigorate the country’s economic growth.” Green argues that, given the opportunity,
some universities would like to expand their student numbers, but are currently blocked by
the system. “[The government] not only pre- vents universities from expanding, it obliges the funding council to fine those that recruit above their quota – the so-called ‘control num- ber’ they have been set – at the rate of £3,700 per student.” The Midlands-based VC prompts ministers
to throw a ‘lifeline’ to those students struggling to secure a university place for the upcoming academic year. “[The government] could sim- ply announce that the control number for this year will not operate or even just raise it by 10 per cent for each institution. If they did that, it would mean universities could offer places to more than an additional 10,000 applicants.” Many institutions have raised their entry
requirements this year because of the record demand for places.
potential students.
“Good progress has been made in recent years in clamping down on these operations. Authorities must continue to identify and take action against bogus pro- viders, as the negative publicity surround- ing such cases can do real harm to the international reputation of UK education. “You can see if an institution is legiti- mate by checking the list of recognised higher education bodies held on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) website. If you suspect that you have discovered a bogus college or web- site, BIS recommends you report it to your local Trading Standards office.” BIS is understood to be removing the site from the service site provider.
To read the full story, visit
www.universitybusiness.co.uk
and support staff representing China will be based in accommodation at the Univer- sity of Leeds. They will train in sports facili- ties at both universities, the John Charles Centre for Sport and venues farther afield such as Dalby Forest for mountain biking, Bishop Burton near Beverley for modern pentathlon, and Wake- field for hockey. As well as the direct financial benefits of
hosting the China team, the agreement is also expected to provide a major long-term boost to trade, commerce and tourism as well as strengthening cultural ties between Leeds, Yorkshire, the UK and China. The University of Leeds and Leeds Metro-
politan University both attract Chinese stu- dents to Leeds to complete a wide range of courses, while Leeds Met delivers a number of degree courses in China in partnership with a number of Chinese universities. University of Leeds Vice-Chancellor
Professor Michael Arthur said: “It’s a great honour for the University and city of Leeds that China has chosen to complete their preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games here. “We have superb facilities on campus and
more than 1,500 students from China at the University, and I know we will provide a su- perb training camp environment for world- class athletes. Our staff and students will give the Chinese team a wonderful recep- tion next year, and I hope, be inspired by our involvement with the 2012 Olympics.” Along with the teams from China, Leeds
will also be hosting athletes from the USA, Serbia, Canada and Holland ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games and Paralym- pic Games. Discussions are continuing with a number of other countries. To read about the new sporting facility at the University of Leeds, where the Chinese team will be training, turn to page 20
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