Innovation and the University of London

Flying the flag for the UK’s higher education centre – a truly global asset.

The University of London is an unusual animal: a Federation of 18 autonomous Colleges and Institutes with Charles Holden’s magnificent 1937 art deco Senate House at its heart.

Innovation has always been central to its mission, stemming from its founding principles enabling students of all denominations, class and backgrounds to work towards a University of London degree.

In 2013 those principles seem to me to be very much alive and I see examples all around the University. As we continue to widen access to our academic services, this summer we will be the first English University to offer four short Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs) via our International Programmes, adding to the 54,000 students we already have across 180 countries.

Creative collaborations with business and across the Channel

Links with business are finding extraordinary collaborative expression through the new Centre for Creative Collaboration, whose recent mould breaking achievements include the development of a prototype paving stone that translates human kinetic energy into electricity, and the founding of a new business model, creating assets from old documentary film.

Across the Channel, The University of London Institute in Paris continues to develop its unique BA in French Studies, allowing students to experience French language and culture through a full immersive programme.

As we enter an uncertain time for the Higher Education sector, the University of London is well placed to fly the flag and help turn it into a truly global asset.

We welcome the launch of the National Centre for Universities and Business as a major contributor to the mission to increase world-class collaboration in a world city.