University unveils vision for the UK's first 'professional campus'

The University of Southampton has today (10 April 2006) unveiled outline plans to develop the UK's first wholly integrated 'professional campus'. The plans include the transformation of its Boldrewood campus into a flagship site comprising a school of management and a building to accommodate the Marine services of the Lloyd's Register Group.

The plans will enhance what the University can offer in terms of integrated educational programmes and will also establish Southampton as a world-leading centre for a broad range of marine related research and the education of maritime professionals.

Professor Bill Wakeham, Vice-Chancellor of the University, explained: "To sustain our excellence in education, research and enterprise we need to have world-class facilities, and the proposed development of the "professional campus" represents a major step in realising this goal. The "professional campus" concept - versions of which work very successfully for other universities in Europe - would enable the University to benefit from closer alliances with professional organisations which support our mission of education, research and innovation.

"We will be developing the capabilities of professional executives, providing cutting-edge knowledge to help create the visionaries and leaders of the future. Bespoke courses, such as coastal environment management and maritime logistics, would ensure the campus becomes an international destination," he continued.

The Lloyd's Register Group has taken the decision to re-locate its Marine services from the City of London to Southampton, which will enable it to align its marine research and management educational initiatives more closely with the world-class expertise in these areas at the University. Many of its UK shipping clients have offices in the area and having its base here will make it easier to recruit staff with marine technical expertise. However, it will continue to be an integral part of the business cluster in London, where its corporate service departments will remain.

If approved, the redevelopment of the Boldrewood campus would be carefully phased to enable the smooth relocation of the School of Biological Sciences from the site to a planned, purpose-built Life Sciences Institute on the Highfield campus.

Timeline

10 April 2006
Public announcement

September 2006
Public exhibition of plans for the site opens and website launched

Last quarter 2006
Public consultation report produced
Planning application submitted