The University of Worcester has launched an ambitious and far reaching Strategic Plan (Thursday, February 8), which outlines how multi-million pound developments, stronger partnerships and investment in Higher Education, will benefit Worcestershire and beyond.  

This five-year plan is the first adopted by the University since gaining full University status from the Privy Council in 2005. It outlines how the University intends to widen higher educational opportunities with closer business and community links, and provide a dynamic boost to the region's culture and economy.

National and regional decision makers due to attend the University's launch event, include Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England;  Lord Sandys D.L; Rachel Overfield, Director of Nursing at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; Christine Jones, Chief Executive of Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire; Neil Pringle Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council; Dr George Lord, Leader of Worcestershire County Council and Simon Geraghty, Leader of Worcester City Council.

University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green highlighted the University's exciting ambitions, which by 2012 include: 

• A £100m state-of-the-art City Centre campus 

Focusing on arts, business and humanities this second additional University campus, supported by Advantage West Midlands, will transform the former, now derelict Worcester Royal Infirmary site into part of a new learning and cultural quarter for Worcester City. 

• A joint £50m Public and University Library and History Centre  

The first joint public and university library of its kind in Europe is set to be built adjacent to the new campus on the current City Council refuse depot site. It is being developed with Worcestershire County Council and other partners. 

• Potential for 1,000 extra jobs and generation of a further £3m a week into the West Midlands economy 

The University's new second campus and the joint Library and History Centre, are set to help drive economic and employment growth.

By 2012 the University's own overall cumulative effect will see the creation of a further 1,000 extra jobs for the West Midlands region. Its overall economic contribution to the region will increase from £3m to £6m a week.

The University own income has already more than doubled in the last five years, and it is aiming to repeat this success by 2012.

• Increasing access to Higher Education  

i) The University is aiming to steadily increase student numbers to 12,000 full and part-time students by 2012. 

ii) Currently, nearly 70 percent of the University students are mature (aged 21 and over) on entry, while over 45% of undergraduates study part time. The University is committed to continuing attracting professionals and mature students into lifelong learning opportunities. 

iii) Worcester enjoyed a record 11% increase in applications for 2005/ 2006, against a national decline of 3%. This was its fifth straight year of increasing application numbers and it is aiming for more success this year.  

• Contributing to a highly skilled regional workforce      

Over 75 percent of the University's students are from the West Midlands region with half of these from Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The University is aiming to strengthen its public and private partnerships to continue to produce highly employable and professional alumni to benefit the region.

University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green said he was extremely pleased by the fresh thinking and exciting developments highlighted in the Strategic Plan.

"This plan outlines an exciting new phase for the University. Our aims are highly realistic yet at the same time ambitious and far reaching. We'll be forging even stronger links with businesses, schools, colleges and community organisations, increasing our range of courses and further developing our centres of expertise including allergy testing and motion analysis and rehabilitation. These areas coupled with our multi-million pound developments, will help the University to be at the forefront of educational, social, economic and cultural enrichment. Our growth and development will make Worcester home to a university of which the region can be truly proud."

Download the new Strategic Plan Here!