Peterborough’s new university a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity says new education partner

Professor Roderick Watkin, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) told today’s official launch of the project which aims to welcome thefirst students to a new campus on the Embankment in 2022: “We are absolutely thrilled to be announced as the university partner in this exciting project with the University of Peterborough and the wider region.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to bring together the particular strength and focus of ARU with the needs and ambitions of our region.

“We’re not a conventional university nor have we ever been. Our strength lies in our innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial approach and the diversity of our people and our campuses.

“At the heart of ARU are our students – and they are remarkable. Many have not previously had the opportunity to demonstrate their potential to achieve success and really experience the delight of learning.

“Many have had to overcome real hurdles to get to university. Many, indeed most, are mature students, for example.

“What matters is what our students achieve when they’re with us and the positive change that they bring to their world as graduates.

“Our approach is clearly working – just last month we were named in the graduate outcomes survey as one of the top ten mainstream universities in the country – and top in our region – for graduate employment.

“We’re fifth in the country for employment and/or further study. We were second for the proportion of part-time UK graduates in full-time employment fifteen months after graduating with 97% in employment or further study.

“So, we have the ‘know-how’ to design and deliver education that transforms lives and builds careers. We are a leader in innovative work-based learning, working in partnership with employers and we’re one of the UK’s largest providers of degree apprenticeships.

“As many of you will know we have worked in Peterborough for a number of years in partnership with the excellent local NHS Trust and local hospitals, and we look forward to developing these vital relationships even further.

“The training of future key workers has been central to who we are for over twenty-five years, and will continue to be so.

“You may have seen last month’s announcement, for example, that we have been selected as the university provider for all Police education right across the East of England for the next five years.

“So, our job now – and our privilege – is to being all that experience and ambition to Peterborough, and working in partnership with the Combined Authority, Peterborough City Council and businesses, schools and colleges across the region, to design and deliver and outstanding, bespoke, employment-focussed, modern University for Peterborough.

“We will work closely with regional employers and regional schools and colleges to develop a portfolio of courses that fully reflect employer-need, as well as student demand.

“We will focus on technical and professional education across business, technology, science, health and education, and our courses will be rigorously focused on ensuring high-quality graduate outcomes.

“We will mix on-campus, face-to-face teaching with off-campus, work-based learning, including degree apprenticeships.

“Our success, and the success of the city of Peterborough are now inextricably linked and we’re proud to serve this city and its people and committed to work together to build a strong, resilient and sustainable future.

“And we look forward to welcoming the first students to ARU Peterborough – both on and off-campus – in September 2022.”

Leader of Peterborough City Council, Cllr John Holdich, a long-term supporter of the University of Peterborough project was delighted at the announcements, and said: “Over the past few months the people of Peterborough have been hit very hard, but today is proof that we have a bright future ahead of us and there is prosperity beyond the pandemic.

“Regeneration has been a key feature of Peterborough for some time – we’ve transformed many parts of the city: Fletton Quays and the city centre are such examples and we’re by no means finished yet.

“Fletton Quays as a site has already been set-up with the new Hilton Hotel and the site for a government hub anchored by the new Passport Office is due to commence shortly.

“Our city centre local development framework identifies plans for key areas to be developed in the coming years, such as the station-quarter, north Westgate as well as Rivergate.

“The project that we’re launching today will have a huge impact, not only in what the city will look like in twenty years’ time, but on the opportunities available to our residents, the success of our businesses and informing external perceptions of Peterborough.

“It is also part of our progress from small to medium city status which is one where we will become an even more attractive place to live in, work and set-up business.

“Establishing the University of Peterborough will bring immeasurable benefits to our residents, for people across the wider region and for our businesses.

“Both now, and for generations to come, our residents will be helped into well-paid, more sustainable jobs and evolving skills and knowledge requirements of the 21st Century.

“This will provide local employers with graduates with the skills they want from a higher education system tailored for their needs and will put a stop to our talented young people leaving the city to learn and set-up businesses elsewhere.

“Some of them will now be encouraged – we hope – to put their roots into our wonderful city and raise families and start businesses here.

“For existing businesses, it will ensure a good crop of graduates to choose from when advertising for jobs, people who have been trained in skills that they need to thrive in their work environment.

“Other parts of our economy will benefit from [areas] such as digital skills, low-carbon tech, health care and medical technology as well as the softer skills such as teamwork, communications, property development, problem solving, internal and personal skills and personal resilience.

“Better skilled employees will in turn help our businesses thrive and prosper and for our city as a whole, the presence of a university will make Peterborough a more desirable place for families to come and live, stay and build a future.

“I am delighted that we will have the University of Peterborough here in our city, that it will open on time and that we have chosen in Anglia Riskin University the right partner to help deliver a first class, higher education curriculum package for our university.

“As it develops and grows, it will play an important part in our city’s economy, cultural and social life.

“We look forward not only the commencement of construction later this year, hopefully breaking soil in October or November 2020, but to the day in autumn 2022 when we will be able to welcome our first intake of students.

“On behalf of Peterborough City Council, I can assure you that we are doing everything within our power to ensure that the University of Peterborough is a real success and becomes a vital part of our future.

“We’re already blessed to have a city with a beautiful cathedral, and now a new university built on a green and attractive riverside campus location will ensure it helps to make our invitation to come to Peterborough even stronger.

“I’m delighted that we have announced ARU to be our higher education delivery partner for the University of Peterborough, its needs, and the people and businesses of the city of Peterborough deserve.

“I would like to give my personal thanks to Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice-Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University and to Mayor, James Palmer of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority for all your support with this project.”