The University of Portsmouth has reaffirmed its commitment to the city by pledging to put the economy and quality of life in the local community top of its list of priorities.
The University joins 30 other institutions from across the UK in committing to produce a “Civic University Agreement” in partnership with local government and other major institutions.
The report sets out how universities like Portsmouth have the capability, opportunity and responsibility to support the places where they are based to solve some of their most pressing and major problems.
The report aims to help universities like Portsmouth build on the excellent work that many of them are already carrying out in these areas, working alongside councils, employers, cultural institutions, schools and further education colleges.
Step UP – A series of projects for students in secondary schools pre 16 focusing on attainment raising.
Move UP – specific in school events for Y10 an dY11 students encouraging them to think about post 16 participation.
Aim UP – campus based activities for pre 16 students focused on Widening Participation and providing an insight into student and academic life at university.
The report also referenced the University’s partnership with the football club as an example of how universities can lead initiatives with a greater impact on the life chances of students and graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Professor Graham Galbraith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, said: “Our University is extremely proud of the role we play in the economic and cultural life of this great city and we are determined to do our part to ensure that the city and region have a successful future.
We already do a great deal, not least our partnership with Portsmouth Football Club, but the report’s recommendations give us the basis for discussion with partners for what else might be possible.
I believe that it is vital to the University and city that we play a role in raising aspirations and attainment in schools. We are in a region where participation in higher education is low. In the city, about two in ten 18-year-olds apply to higher education – and in some wards it is as low as one in ten. Nationally the figure is more than one in three and in places like Richmond Park as many as two in three 18-year-olds apply to university.