Event Detail : 03 February 2009

Sean Fielding, Director of Communication and Partnership at Exeter University, gave the forum an engaging talk and presentation on the University's new development plans.

Mr Fielding started his talk with some historical facts and figures.  The University first started in Gandy Street, in what is now the Phoenix Art Centre, and had links with the Exeter Museum.  The University then moved to the Streatham Campus in 1960, with 1973 heralding the era of real expansion to the Campus.  Mr Fielding presented plans and aerial photographs showing the considerable physical impact that the University has on the City of Exeter.  

Mr Fielding provided examples of how the University contributes to the local economy and community as a whole.  From a financial perspective, the impact the University has on the City equates to approximately £300m per year.  Around £4,900 is spent per student per year (around £8,000 per year for international students) with this money going directly into shops, restaurants and other businesses in the City, which contributes to the culture and diversity of the City as a whole.  Mr Fielding explained how students volunteer a significant number of hours with about 70 community organisations. Further, Mr Fielding stated that the RAG charity contributes approximately £70,000 per annum to City charities.  "Excellence in Exeter" has been set up to encourage achievement in schools, both in an academic and sporting context, for 8 – 18 year olds.  350 sports students from the University go into local schools to help with training.

Mr Fielding described the growth in the student population.  The University had received a 50% rise in applications, whilst the increase on a national level was only 2.5%.  Undergraduate international applications had risen by 200% and postgraduate international applications by 150%.  1,750 of the students in the University are international students.  90% of the staff are of international research quality.

Looking at the league tables, it could be seen that Exeter was 13^th in the Times Good University Guide 2008, placed above Southampton, Birmingham and Manchester.  Mr Fielding explained that it was the University's intention to enter the top 10 and it was felt the University had very real prospects of achieving this.  In the National Student Survey 2008, the University was rated a very commendable 4^th place.

Mr Fielding discussed the University's plans for growth.  It is hoping to attract an extra 2,200 students by 2016 and these will be mostly postgraduate and international students.  The University estimates that this will bring a considerable amount of additional money into the City, and will trigger the need for a new phase of developments of the University campus and the University is planning to invest around £270m in new facilities.  The University also wants to become a "Destination University" and is planning to spend around £150m on student residences.  There is also planned expenditure of around £25m on a new Business School and around £18m on a new Biosciences School. 

The University has a partner – INTO – which brings international students to the University, and which will have a centre on the University campus.  The Forum Project is the focal point of the University's plans and will provide extra lecture and social spaces, and will cost around £50m.

Mr Fielding described the current pressure on houses in multiple occupation in the City and explained that the University aims, in partnership with others, to build new on-campus accommodation.

Mr Fielding showed the audience a fly-through of the new Forum which will become the new centre of the Campus, creating a new heart and iconic destination with learning and social space.  The Forum will include a 450-seat lecture theatre which will be available for conferences and other such events. 

Mr Fielding explained how the University intended to cope with this new phase of growth.  A Community Liaison Office had recently been appointed to deal with services shared with the City and to deal with such matters as anti-social behaviour, of which there would be zero tolerance. 

Mr Fielding concluded by saying that there was more investment involved in the University's plans than in the Princesshay development and that the University was proud to say that they had 730 heart of Devon suppliers on its procurement list.