29 March 2001

Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett today welcomed key appointments to the e-Universities Project. The appointments are for Directors of the holding company and members of the Committee for Academic Quality. The Secretary of State allocated £62 million towards setting up and developing the e-Universities Project from 2001-04: £14 million in 2001-02; £21 million in 2002-03; and £27 million in 2003-04.

Mr Blunkett said:

"The e-Universities project brings together the best of British higher education in all its diversity. The new Directors and members reflect that excellence and diversity. Appointing people of such high calibre, experience and standing will get the Project off to a flying start."

The appointed Directors are:

· Professor Bob Boucher (Vice-Chancellor, University of Sheffield)
· Sandra Burslem (Vice-Chancellor, Manchester Metropolitan University)
· Professor Sir Colin Campbell (Vice-Chancellor, University of Nottingham)
· Professor Ron Cooke (Vice-Chancellor, University of York)
· Gary Crossley (Principal, Central School of Speech and Drama)
· Professor Sir Brian Fender (Chief Executive, HEFCE)
· Walter Greaves (Chair of Council, Brunel University)
· Professor Gerry McKenna (Vice-Chancellor, University of Ulster)
· Alfred Morris (Vice-Chancellor, University of the West of England)
· Professor Tim O'Shea (Master, Birkbeck College, London)
· Professor Sir Gareth Roberts (President, Wolfson College, Oxford and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield)
· Dorma Urwin (Principal, University College Worcester)

Key higher education bodies - Universities UK, the Standing Conference of Principals, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), nominated the Directors.

To establish and maintain an international reputation for excellence, e-Universities must offer the highest quality courses. The Committee for Academic Quality will set standards for the e-Universities programmes and learning services. Members of the Committee all have experience in setting up and enforcing robust quality standards for higher education.

The appointed members of the Committee for Academic Quality are:

· Dr Madeleine Atkins (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Newcastle)
· Professor Colin Bell (Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford and Vice-Chancellor designate, University of Stirling)
· Professor Anthony Cryer (Head of Academic Registry, University of Wales, Cardiff)
· Professor Sir Brian Fender (Chief Executive, HEFCE)
· Professor Kel Fidler (Professor of Electronics, University of York)
· Professor Philip Jones (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Sheffield)
· Dr Helen O'Sullivan (Head of Quality Assurance, Liverpool Hope)
· Professor John Slater ('e-Universities' Interim Director, Technology and Learning Programmes; and former Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Kent)
· Professor Rick Trainor (Vice-Chancellor, University of Greenwich)
· Professor David Unwin (Pro-Vice-Master, Birkbeck College, London)
· Dr Tristram Wyatt (Director of Distance and Online Learning, University of Oxford).

Mr Blunkett said:

"The Project will work with private sector partners. Negotiations are going on now to form a joint venture partnership; and the BBC and the British Library are discussing how they can contribute to this major venture.

"I am grateful to HEFCE and the e-Universities steering group for their hard work and creativity in bringing the project to life. They have already generated considerable interest, both in this country and around the world.

"I look forward to the establishment of the operating company in the summer, with joint venture partners from the private sector, and to the launch of the first courses next year."

Editor's Notes

1. The e-Universities Project is the working title for the project, announced by the Secretary of State in his speech at Greenwich University on 15 February 2000, to establish a globally-competitive provider of Internet-based higher education. HEFCE are taking this project forward under the guidance of a steering group chaired by Professor Ron Cooke, Vice Chancellor of York University.
2. The HEFCE commissioned consultants to prepare a detailed business model for the project. Further information about the project is available on the HEFCE website at http://www.hefce.ac.uk. HEFCE was charged with appointing the Directors, in consultation with the other funding bodies.

3. The e-Universities Holding Company will be owned by the HE sector. It will safeguard the academic purpose and integrity of the project by setting the terms on which it will grant the operating company a licence to use the e-Universities brand. HEFCE have worked with the higher education sector to develop a business model and set up the holding company and the Committee for Academic Quality.
4. The operating company, which will be a joint venture between the holding company and the private sector, will undertake all activities of the e-Universities. Subject to successful completion of the current negotiations, it will be established in the summer. The holding company will appoint directors to the operating company, jointly with the private sector partners.
5. The Committee for Academic Quality will be a committee of the operating company once that is established. This is because its role and activities are integral to the operations of the e-Universities, and it needs to work as part of the operating team, so that considerations of quality and standards infuse the company's day-to-day conduct, approach and methods.

Contact Details

Press enquiries:
Public enquiries: 0870 000 2288, info@dfee.gov.uk
News Desk 020 7925 6789, news.desk@dfee.gov.uk

Press Notice 2001/0186