27 towns registered for New University Challenge » Central Government » 24dash.com

Twenty-seven towns have expressed an interest in opening a new university in their area, skills secretary John Denham announced today.

Mr Denham published a list of the towns that have shown an early interest in bidding for funds to create new local higher education centres.

He told MPs during Oral Questions in the House of Commons today that it is not too late for other towns to register for the New University Challenge.

The Challenge was announced by Mr Denham in March, to allow towns and cities to bid for new university campuses.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) was asked to conducted a consultation into the scheme.

Since 2003, 17 new universities across the country have opened, or had funding committed to them.

Ministers said they wanted to accelerate the pace of this development, and expect to have 20 more opened or agreed to over the next six years.

These 20 centres could cater for up to 10,000 students in total.

Speaking in March, Mr Denham said: "I want to build on the successes of the last few years which have seen new centres of higher education transforming local economies and the lives of local people.

"We must learn from these success stories and act on the growing evidence that locally based projects play a key role in helping local areas and people realise their potential."

The 27 expressions of interest announced today are all at different stages of development, Mr Denham said.

They have been put together by higher education institutions, colleges, or other local public bodies.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said: "We welcome plans for more universities and more chances for people to study for higher education qualifications.

"However, we are a little perplexed that the Government has chosen to make this announcement just a week after it cut financial support for students from next year.

"Widening participation is a laudable aim and one that UCU fully supports. However, we want a system that ensures students have the opportunity to realise their full potential."