A planned review of the higher education programme offered in the Island is under way.
The Department of Education and Children has, in recent years, aligned degree courses being offered at the Isle of Man College with those offered at the International Business School and this has led to the creation of the University Centre, based at The Nunnery.
The Department pledged to review the higher education programme in 2010, looking at areas such as demand for courses, how they are run and how the programme serves the Island’s economy.
This review is now being conducted by Professor Rita Marcella, Dean of the Business School at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, who will report back to the Department.
John Cain, Director of Education and Children, said: ‘Over the past five years there has been a steady growth in the number of higher education opportunities delivered on-Island, enabling more of our students to gain degree qualifications without studying in the UK for several years, which many are unable to do.
‘The Isle of Man College, an associate college of the University of Chester, has 84 full-time students and 150 part-time students enrolled on its 10 very varied degree programmes, which including computing, public health, construction, engineering, history, heritage and Manx studies. Meanwhile, at the International Business School, an associate college of Liverpool John Moore’s University, several hundred students are taking professional accountancy, banking and business courses while 70 are studying full-time and part-time undergraduate business degrees and MBAs.’
Eddie Teare MHK, Minister for Education and Children, said the review would enable the Department to ensure it is offering courses that are attractive and viable in subjects that are tailored to meet the needs of the Manx economy. But the review would also, inevitably, have to acknowledge the Island’s financial circumstances as it adjusts to a ?140 million shortfall in income. Value for money would also be considered.
Mr Teare said: ‘I feel that to support the continued growth of our economy and to provide employment for our young people, we must give greater emphasis to vocational training. This view has been confirmed by industry and it seems to me that the best approach is to identify what we do now to ensure that we have a firm foundation for future growth.
‘I am sure that this review will do exactly that and we are fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Professor Marcella to conduct it.’
Key personnel from, and the governors of, the Isle of Man College and the International Business School will be invited to contribute to the review, as will the Chamber of Commerce.
The findings, which are expected in the autumn, will be used by the Minster and Director to shape the future of higher education.
Ends
Tuesday 16th, November 2010 02:42pm.
