USW And Coleg Gwent Sign Framework For Developing Newport Knowledge Quarter

The University of South Wales and Coleg Gwent have signed a joint Memorandum of Co-operation as they work together to develop options to establish a Newport Knowledge Quarter. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The potential options for Newport, anchored on the Higher Education of the University’s Newport City Campus, include a new Further Education development for the College and creation of shared facilities to enhance learning and progression to university study. The joint ambition is of creating a unique learning environment in the heart of the city centre for enhancing academic and vocational skills, and expanding future opportunities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Memorandum of Co-operation (MOC) was signed by Vice Chancellor of the University of South Wales, Professor Julie Lydon, and Principal of Coleg Gwent, Guy Lacey, at the University’s City Campus in Newport. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Memorandum of Co-operation includes the aim that the Newport Knowledge Quarter will act as a beacon to lift educational aspiration, encourage further and higher education participation in Newport and across South East Wales. It is also hoped that it will maximise the contribution that further and higher education growth in Newport can make to the local economy, through prioritising the employability of graduates and increasing the pool of higher skilled labour. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Professor Julie Lydon, Vice Chancellor of USW, said: “As part of the Memorandum of Co-operation, both the University and Coleg Gwent have committed to develop innovative and creative ways of delivering education and training for local people in a way that recognises the specific character of local business and the diverse needs of local communities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Guy Lacey, Principal of Coleg Gwent added: “We will work together to ensure that further and higher education provision meets the skills and developmental needs of employers and other agencies who are engaged in the regeneration of Newport.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The University has already developed a Strategic Alliance with the major Further Education colleges in South Wales, including Coleg Gwent, Coleg y Cymoedd, the College Merthyr, Cardiff and Vale College and Bridgend College, to further support progression into higher education for over 98,000 learners. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​