Reinvention Key to Success
“Reinvention lies at the heart of the 150 years’ success of the University of London External System”, said Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
(Vocus/PRWEB ) January 29, 2008 -- “Reinvention lies at the heart of the 150 years’ success of the University of London External System”, said Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
Speaking at the London launch of the University of London External System’s 150th Anniversary, Mr Rammell said: “With over 40,000 students across the world, the University of London External System is a pioneer in the field of flexible and distance education. Its immense success can be attributed to its ability to look forward continuously and reinvent itself.”
He added: “As the 150th Anniversary book –- The People’s University -– illustrates, the External System continues to evolve in a way that keeps it relevant to new student needs. Through its activities, the University of London External System supports the Government’s access agenda. Through its study programmes, it supports the Government’s international development agenda relating to global issues of health, education and sustainable development, amongst others” the Minister added.
Looking to the future, Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean of the University of London External System, commented: “We are growing fast, particularly in what in the business world would be called the frontier segment of emerging markets –- Nigeria, Ghana, Bangladesh, Pakistan –- so we have to think about access and quality in often quite challenging situations. High quality, accessible, internationally recognized higher education can make a great contribution to countries’ successful and peaceful integration into the global economy.”
Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, said: “The External System’s unique business model allows it to deliver high quality programmes at an affordable cost to students worldwide. The result is that we have graduates from all walks of life and from all parts of the globe, many of whom have made their mark on the world stage. These include five Nobel Prize winners, academics, lawyers, business leaders, engineers and politicians.”
Sir Graeme added: “We’re immensely proud of our 150-year track record, which has opened up the possibility of gaining a world-class University of London award to people studying in their home countries. The commitment of our students is enormously impressive, as many juggle busy lives, fitting their study around work and family commitments. This has been made possible by the University of London External System, which anticipated 20th Century developments in open, flexible and distance learning by more than 100 years.”
Editors Notes
Picture caption (see attached photo).
Pictured at the University of London External System’s 150th Anniversary launch in central London are (left to right) Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean of the External System; Gordon Taylor, Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers' Association; Gisela Stuart MP; Rt Hon Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills; Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor, University of London.
The University of London
- The University of London was established in 1836 and is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse universities in the United Kingdom.
- The University’s founding principle is to provide education for all, irrespective of race, creed or political belief.
- In 1858, the University of London was granted its fourth charter, which paved the way for the establishment of the University of London External System.
- The University of London External System is a unique global network of 41,000 students in 180 countries, on more than 100 study programmes ranging from social sciences to law to health.
- The External System has been instrumental in the formation of British higher education –- all English and Welsh universities founded between 1849-1949 offered University of London degrees before obtaining charters to award their own.
- Between 1946-1970, the External System played a significant role in establishing many Commonwealth universities under a unique scheme of ‘special relations’.
- Through the External System higher education was made available to a much wider range of social classes; it pre-empted 20th Century developments in open, flexible and distance learning by more than 100 years.
- Famous former students and alumni of the External System include five Nobel Prize Winners: Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, Ronald Coase, Wole Soyinka, Derek Walcott and Nelson Mandela.
- The top 20 countries the External System operates in:
1. Singapore 6. Pakistan 11. Mauritius 16. Russia
2. Hong Kong 7. Bangladesh 12. UAE 17. Kenya
3. UK 8. USA 13. Jamaica 18. Malta
4. Trinidad 9. Sri Lanka 14. Nigeria 19. Germany
5. Malaysia 10. Canada 15. India 20. Japan
- For further information on ‘The People’s University’ please visit www.londonexternal.ac.uk/150
Contacts:
Binda Rai
Head of Global Media and Public Relations
University of London External System
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7862 8545 (office)
+ 44 (0)7920 476483 (mobile)
Peter Quinn
Senior Communications Manager
University of London External System
Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 5584 (office)
+44 (0)7956 543976
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