Partners seal new institutional alliance

23/02/07

Partners seal new institutional alliance

A new collaborative venture between Kingston University, St George’s, University of London and Royal Holloway, University of London has been officially launched. Known as the South West London Academic Network (SWan), the alliance was formally cemented at an inaugural reception at the Royal College of Surgeons attended by more than 120 representatives from member institutions.

The setting for the event had been particularly appropriate since the new partnership would focus principally on health and biosciences education, Kingston’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mary Stuart, said. “It had been clear for some time that this part of London could benefit significantly from enhanced healthcare education provision,” she said. “By working together and pooling our respective expertise, we will be in the perfect position to tailor courses to specific regional needs and increase opportunities for research and professional development,” she said.

The partnership was formed following the allocation of a £4 million award from the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The first course to run – under the SWan banner – a new Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Informatics – has already commenced. The appointment of directors for the alliance’s institutes in biomedical sciences, leadership and management education, and inter-professional practice and learning is now under way.