157 Group publishes impact review and international case studies
5th November 2010
For immediate release: Friday 5 November 2010
157 Group publishes impact review and international case studies
---BEGINS---
The 157 Group has published its 2009-10 impact review and a set of materials highlighting the value of its member colleges' international work. The publications were released at its annual reception at the House of Commons on Thursday 4 November 2010, where guests included the minister for universities and science, David Willetts MP, and members of RC 2020, a not-for-profit association of community colleges in the United States, UK, Canada and Australia.
The international materials comprise a policy paper entitled Colleges' international contribution; six case studies about colleges' international work; and World-class choice: The voice of international students in FE, a collection of stories about eight learners from other countries who are studying at 157 Group further education colleges.
Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, "We are delighted that David Willetts is here with us to welcome the leaders of successful colleges from around the world and to share our celebration of colleges' important international work.
"Our impact review describes our achievements over the past year and the extent to which we have met the aims we set out in our strategic plan. At a time when our sector and the country are facing extraordinary challenges, it is essential that we continue to play an influential role in ensuring that further education is valued for its significant contribution to the economy and to society."
Frank McLoughlin, chair of the 157 Group and principal of City and Islington College, said, "In 2006, Sir Andrew Foster advocated that principals of large, successful colleges should play a stronger role in the sector, with greater involvement in national representation, and raising the profile of further education. The 157 Group has been working hard to realise his vision."
Dr Rufus Glasper, president of RC-2020 Inc and chancellor at Maricopa Community College District in the US, said, "It's a fabulous privilege to be here and have the opportunity to share innovation and best practices with the 157 Group. We recognise that these are challenging times for all these countries to become more effective and efficient, while at the same time being asked to be more productive."
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---NOTES TO EDITORS---
Details of the publications mentioned can be found on www.157group.co.uk
http://www.157group.co.uk/files/impact_review_2009-10.pdf
http://www.157group.co.uk/files/colleges_international_contribution.pdf
http://www.157group.co.uk/international-case-studies
---About the 157 Group---
The 157 Group represents 28 of the most influential colleges in the FE sector. It was formed in 2006 in response to paragraph 157 of Sir Andrew Foster's report on the future of further education colleges, in which he argued that principals of large successful colleges should play a greater role in policymaking.
---About the RC-2020 - RC-2020, Inc. was founded in 1989 to create an open exchange of ideas among leaders of large community colleges throughout the United States and other parts of the world. RC 2020 memberships are institutional and invitational. Member institutions are long standing, innovative, large, urban community and technical colleges throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
---CONTACT---
Gemma Knott 07581354750
Email [email protected]
The 157 Group Limited
P O Box 58147
London SW8 9AF
Website: www.157group.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
