Folkestone’s first university gets underway
Higher education in Folkestone becomes available for the first time on Saturday.
The University Centre, Folkestone, will hold its first ever open day on February 24 to let local youngsters find out more about the creative educational opportunities that will soon be on offer on their doorstep.
Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Greenwich have unveiled the first creative and vocational full and part-time programmes to be offered on the campus from autumn 2007. Recruitment is now underway for students.
Billionaire chairman of Folkestone's Creative Foundation, which is supporting the venture, Roger De Haan said: "Folkestone has never had its own university provision before and this has meant that many of the town's brightest young people have been forced to leave to pursue their education.
"Through the establishment of the University Centre, we can aspire to retain a significant proportion of our young people.
"Also, through the kinds of programmes being offered, we can encourage both young people who might not otherwise consider university, and adults who missed out first time around, to enter higher education."
Courses include Performing Arts, Information Technology, Multimedia, Visual Art, and Business and Management. The centre, based at refurbished industrial premises in the town's creative quarter, the will open in September and aims to enroll around 300 students in the next two years, rising to 500 students in later years.
Regenerative
It is hoped University Centre Folkestone will act as a regenerative force in the academic, social and economic development of Folkestone and South Kent, and will boost the area's below average higher education rates. Canterbury Christ Church University's Pro-Vice Chancellor Sue Piotrowski, said: "We are delighted to be working with the university of Greenwich on a project that will unlock latent talent within the population to develop creativity, IT and practical skills to contribute to economy, new business creation and social and cultural vitality."
The Open Day takes place in Tontine Street from 10am until 4pm.
Source: Kent on Sunday
