University of Birmingham to host HEFCE's initiative to increase and widen participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in higher education
In December the Higher Education and Funding Council for England (HEFCE) announced that the University of Birmingham will host the National Higher Education Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programme. Set to launch in August 2009, the programme will build on the successes of the four HEFCE-funded two-year pilot projects aimed at encouraging students to study STEM subjects in HE - Chemistry for our future, Stimulating physics, London engineering project, and More maths grads.
The national STEM programme will run for the next three years with HEFCE funding potentially to the tune of £20 million. The programme will be led by Professor Nigel Weatherill, head of Birmingham University's recently created College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
The initiative aims to increase and widen participation in the STEM disciplines in HE, and thus support the Government's agenda to develop the supply of graduates and trained staff equipped with skills needed by employers and to boost the national economy.
As part of the initial development phase of the new programme Birmingham University launched a one-month, national consultation at the end January. Through online submissions and regional meetings, the consultation sought the views of the STEM community and employers in England on the structure for the programme, existing practice upon which to build, and the potential benefits the programme could offer them.
The consultation will inform the outline for the programme of national activity, which the university will submit to HEFCE this month as its bid for funding to deliver the programme. The final funding decision from HEFCE is expected in May.
For further information on the National HE STEM Programme contact Melanie Washington at the RSC.
Contact and Further Information
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