My bold vision for the future of university (From Echo)

My bold vision for the future of university

4:51am Thursday 11th October 2007 in

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THE new man at the helm of the University of Essex has set himself a tough target - to attract more students to stay and set up prosperous businesses in Southend.

Professor Colin Riordan's vision is to draw talent from the south east and further afield to the town, attracted by the university's reputation as a centre for research.

This should have a knock-on effect on both the economy and the cultural wealth of Southend.

The university's new vice-chancellor said: "We want it to be somewhere for local people to come and also to attract people to come here from other areas, who then stay and start businesses or work.

"That would really help to move the economy along in Southend and the surrounding area."

Mr Riordan, 48, moved to the University of Essex from Newcastle University, and has quickly realised how the university is providing a boost to the town. It has drawn the E15 acting school to Southend, and now a proposed student village of accomodation could transform the area, near Sainsbury's.

He said: "One thing that's surprised me is when you view the south from the north, you think of it as the land of milk and honey, that there aren't economic problems "But you can see there are regeneration needs and there is a role for us to play. It is something really important for the University of Essex."

As part of this regeneration, a new, award-winning business innovation and incubation centre has opened for local businesses to use for training.

Southend library could also be set for expansion, working with the university, and more flexible courses could soon be on offer to fit around the lifestyles of mature students.

Mr Riordan said: "When you're offering education to people, they expect it in ways they can access, over a period of days and evenings."