UCL and IoE agree strategic partnership

UCL and the Institution of Education have this week agreed to enter into a formal strategic partnership.

By bringing together two world-class research institutions, the new partnership will enable innovative developments in such areas as longitudinal studies, educational neuroscience, and quantitative social sciences.

The partnership will seek to develop new joint courses and to deliver an improved student experience through combined developments in e-learning and distance learning provision.  In addition, it will bring together the IOE's expertise in teacher education and development with UCL's experience of the UCL Academy and widening participation to provide a framework for school improvement and pupil attainment in London.  The two institutions will also explore joint working in estates, information technology and procurement, as well as shared student services.

Since the announcement last October of an intention to develop a formal partnership, groups of staff from both institutions have been exploring the potential to work together in research and teaching, and in supporting improvements in education in London. Now that the partnership has been agreed, the next phase will concentrate on implementing the ideas generated during the discussions.  To this end, our two institutions have agreed to create a development fund of £200,000 to pump-prime projects. The partnership will be reviewed before the end of this calendar year, with bi-annual reviews thereafter.

Professor Chris Husbands, Director of the IOE, said: "The IOE and UCL are natural partners in terms of their academic expertise, location, global reach and future aspirations. There has been enthusiastic support for this initiative from staff in both institutions and the partnership agreement will enable us to take forward these exciting plans in a more structured way."

UCL Provost Professor Malcolm Grant said: "The extremely fruitful discussions between our two institutions over the past few months have highlighted the real opportunities for closer collaboration that a strategic partnership will bring. I believe we can make a real difference to addressing some of the some of the major social, health and educational questions of today."

Links

UCL Council's IoE paper (UCL user name and password required) 
Institute of Education