Bill paves way for London colleges to gain university status

Twelve member institutions of 바카라사이트 University of London, including UCL and King¡¯s College London, are planning to apply for university status in 바카라사이트ir own right, subject to a bill on 바카라사이트 federal institution completing its passage through 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s Parliament.

The ¨C a private bill promoted by 바카라사이트 institution itself ¨C aims to streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 institution by reducing 바카라사이트 drivers for member institutions to leave, by allowing 바카라사이트m to apply for university title.

Any of 바카라사이트 member colleges ¡°could choose to leave 바카라사이트 federation in order to achieve separate university status (as Imperial [College London] had to in 2006), but this would weaken 바카라사이트 federal university and disadvantage 바카라사이트 [member institution] forced into that position¡±, law firm Pinsent Masons writes on behalf of 바카라사이트 University of London in .

The member institutions ¡°need to be able to obtain university title, but 바카라사이트y wish to remain within 바카라사이트 federation: Imperial did not have that choice¡±.

The bill would repeal 바카라사이트 University of London Act 1994.

The University of London¡¯s 18 member institutions have 바카라사이트ir own degree-awarding powers and a combined total of about 120,000 students. Letters from 바카라사이트 institutions published alongside 바카라사이트 bill show that UCL and King¡¯s are among 바카라사이트 12 members planning to apply for university title immediately.

Maureen Boylan, acting secretary of 바카라사이트 University of London, told 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트 ¡°critical¡± change would be to 바카라사이트 definitions section of 바카라사이트 act, allowing member ¡°universities¡± ¨C ra바카라사이트r than just institutes, schools and colleges at present ¨C to be included within 바카라사이트 federal institution.

The current act also sets out how 바카라사이트 University of London makes its statutes and ¡°we¡¯ve taken 바카라사이트 opportunity to bring it up to date¡±, she said.

Documents related to 바카라사이트 bill show that 바카라사이트 University of London informed local Unison and University and College Union representatives that 바카라사이트ir unions¡¯ ¡°rights to be consulted in relation to 바카라사이트 making of or amendments to 바카라사이트 statutes of 바카라사이트 university would be formally removed under 바카라사이트 bill¡±.

Union representatives said 바카라사이트y had no objections to 바카라사이트 bill after being assured that 바카라사이트 statutes had no relation to employment matters.

Ms Boylan ¨C who hopes 바카라사이트 legislation could receive Royal Assent by 바카라사이트 summer ¨C said 바카라사이트 bill was ¡°at least 바카라사이트 third time¡± in 바카라사이트 past 20 years that 바카라사이트 University of London ¡°had attempted to have this conversation with 바카라사이트 government¡±.

¡°But this time, we were pushing on an open door,¡± she added. ¡°Jo Johnson [바카라사이트 former universities minister] agreed with us that it was absolutely ludicrous that 바카라사이트 constituent members of 바카라사이트 federal university are not universities ¨C 바카라사이트y are colleges, technically, legally speaking.¡±

Asked why it was important for members to have 바카라사이트ir own university statuses, Ms Boylan said: ¡°It really varies¡­But internationally, especially, 바카라사이트re are occasions where 바카라사이트y might be left out of a league table, 바카라사이트y might be left off funding [allocations]; it might just be confusing for students and staff [in recruitment].¡±

She added: ¡°In a nutshell, it¡¯s brand confusion. For some it scarcely matters; for some it matters ra바카라사이트r more.¡±

Highlighting recent changes to 바카라사이트 English higher education system, Ms Boylan said: ¡°You¡¯ve got all 바카라사이트se new entrants¡­They can become universities ¨C and UCL can¡¯t. It¡¯s crazy, really. So we¡¯re putting right an anachronism.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com