University Centre Leeds secures funding to address sector challenges

University Centre Leeds is one of several institutions in the country to secure funding through education research body, Advance HE’s Collaborative Development Fund, following a successful bid.

The Collaborative Development Fund supports the development of HE member institutions by addressing key sector challenges such as equality, diversity and inclusion, student success, the Professional Standards Framework (PSF), college-based higher education and inclusive cultures.

The centre, a member of Luminate Education Group, will use the funds to create a new college-based HE network group that will bring together leaders of college-based higher education across the UK and build stronger links with the Advance HE community.

University Centre Leeds will work collaboratively with Advance HE, to co-ordinate online and face-to-face monthly/bi-monthly network meetings, as well as create and manage an Advance HE Connect group – an online forum that will be open for discussions outside of regular meetings.

Janet Faulkner, Dean of University Centre Leeds, said: “We welcome the opportunity to work and collaborate with other members to draw on their expertise and build stronger links and representation with the wider HE community.

“This is an opportunity for HE providers to share best practice, and devise solutions to meet the specific challenges that the sector faces, as well as implement solutions and new models that will benefit the industry in the future.”

University Centre Leeds will collate its evidence/findings over the next 10 months, with the aim of producing a practical guide of ‘what works’ for college-based HE which will be shared with Advance HE members.