Funding Chief Visits Harper Adams

Posted 3 August 2005

Sir Howard Newby, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, recently visited Harper Adams University College, near Edgmond. Sir Howard, an eminent rural sociologist, was keen to see how the leading rural University College was addressing new developments in teaching, research and work with rural business.

During a tour of the College, Sir Howard was shown the work of the Women in Rural Enterprise programme, the National Rural Knowledge Exchange, the Aspire Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and other flagship projects based at the College. The College’s wide ranging research programme on sustainable food and farming was also discussed.

Sir Howard had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art Bamford Library and meet student representatives. Widening access to higher education was very much in evidence as the College played host to the Telford & Wrekin Children’s University, during which over 200 schoolchildren enjoyed a day exploring food, farming and environmental issues across the College campus.

Commenting on the visit Professor Wynne Jones, Principal, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sir Howard on his first visit to Harper Adams and to show him the many activities in which we are engaged in supporting rural businesses and communities. The visit comes at an important time, when the Funding Council has just announced a review of land-based provision in the higher education sector in which the College hopes to play a major role.”