University of Cumbria /
The University of Cumbria was formed on the 1 August 2007 and in September of that year the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority announced an investment of £10m in the University to support the development of a West Cumbria Campus at Lillyhall.
That investment is to be targeted on courses that support the long term needs of the West Cumbrian economy, in particular those related to nuclear decommissioning, health physics and business innovation as well as construction and engineering.
The addition of this higher education provision to the existing mix of education and skills development in the area is consistent with the aims of both the Energy Coast and the NDA’s own skills strategy.
As with all Energy Coast projects there is a determination to aspire to and achieve world class provision i.e. world class teaching, facilities, people etc., when compared against best international practice.
It is believed that the best opportunity for the University of Cumbria to make a significant impact on the broader socio-economic development of West Cumbria is to integrate and build on the infrastructure already at Lillyhall. Through a co-ordinated approach to delivering skills and education needs between the University of Cumbria, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Lancaster University, Lakes College and Energus the aim is to create a high quality integrated campus - a University campus that can become a focus of vocationally driven further and higher education provision for Britain’s Energy Coast™.
A Project Manager was appointed in June 2008 by the Steering Group and it is expected that fuller details of how the campus will develop and a detailed vision for the future will be available later this year.
