Shadow Higher Education Minister visits campus

The University recently hosted Shadow HE Minister, Matt Western MP.

He met students and members of the senior leadership team for a wide-ranging discussion on current issues in higher education, including the cost-of-living crisis, the role of the Office for Students and international student visas.

As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Electric Vehicles, the Minister was also interested to hear about the University’s commitment to developing the North East as an electrification cluster. 

Later, the Minister met with Dean of Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice, Professor René Koglbauer, to talk about universities as providers of the current and future skills the UK needs to remain competitive on a global scale.

They were joined by Liz Bromley, Chief Executive of Newcastle Colleges Group (NCG) and Iain Nixon, Vice-Principal of Education Partnership North East (EPNE) who talked about the work they are doing in partnership with the University on the provision of degree apprenticeships.

Professor Koglbauer has since advised the Minister on how the Lifelong Learning Entitlement policy might look, and on the Lifelong Learning (HE Fee Limits) Bill which is currently going through Parliament.