We must dare to be different to create a university in Cumbria for the future

Last updated 11:23, Wednesday, 25 June 2008

The University of Cumbria is less than a year old and across the region there are high aspirations for its future success. But how will we measure success in 2057?

Imitating traditional long-established universities will not take us to the top of league tables or meet regional needs.

The university must dare to be different to create a university for the 21st century, not for the 20th.

To be amongst the best in the new century we must build on our strengths in teacher education, health and creative arts.

We will invest in areas of science teaching where modern industry requires it and in arts and humanities where communities demand it.

But, in my view, it will not only be the content of courses where the main innovation is needed.

Rather, it will be the way in which the new university enables knowledge and learning to enhance the lives of many more people.

There are important changes in the modern world that point to the need for a new kind of university.

The first is the internet, reaching into all our homes, transforming the nature of communication.

Education is primarily a communication-based industry and so this new technology offers huge opportunities to bring education to people wherever they are and in whatever form they want it.

The focus on sustainable ways of living will encourage people to work from home and at more flexible times.

A new university must make use of modern technology to connect people across time and location.

Second, global enterprise is changing the nature of work and how it is organised.

In comparison to their parents, young people in the 21st century can expect to have many more job changes throughout their lives.

Whether they work for international companies, public sector services or for themselves, people will need to possess flexible skills, and professional qualifications.

Work will be more demanding but also more interesting, as individuals and companies constantly re-invest in learning. A new university must provide higher education opportunities for learning in the workplace.

The third change is about the relationship of learning to stages of life.

Over the past century life expectancy has changed and many people continue to work into their 70s. Longevity has also increased our appetite for leisure.

Cultural and community based activities will be increasingly important to the quality of our lives.

In parallel we have seen the years of compulsory schooling extend gradually until our current aspiration is for all young people to have education or training until at least the age of 19.

Higher education is no longer just for five per cent of the population. It must meet the needs of more young people and increasingly provide programmes for adults.

A new university must be an attractive environment for an increasing number of people at all times in their life.

The University of Cumbria has a head start over many others.

We are not located only on one campus miles from anywhere. We are not trying to imitate 20th century institutions.

Rather, we are a distributed organisation with many partners. The success of the University of Cumbria will be meeting our ambition to open doors and transform lives – bringing the rich world of higher education to people as an integral part of life.

The University of Cumbria in 2057 will truly be an institution for the 21st century – bring your dreams.

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