Plans for an innovative partnership between higher education and the business world have been unveiled.

The University of Sussex has announced plans to develop a research-led campus in West Sussex designed for a mix of world-class science, technology and business students, with research and teaching focused on the needs of industry.

Degrees on offer could include automotive and aviation engineering, pharma/biosciences, computing and information technology, and business and management. The campus would offer undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in innovative ways. This could include fast-track degree courses, completed in two years rather than three, modular learning to meet the needs of continuing professional development and opportunities to learn via computer links.

The plans, which are still in the early stages, also identify a 150-acre site that would accommodate up to 4,000 students and 800 members of staff, drawn from the region and internationally. Research and business facilities would be accommodated on the site, which is managed woodland next to Tilgate Park in Crawley.

Professor Alasdair Smith, the university's vice-chancellor, said: "This is an innovative and exciting opportunity, in keeping with Sussex's radical tradition of developing new approaches to higher education.

"There is still a long way to go to make this a reality. But by working together with business and the wider community, Sussex can make a real contribution to the future success of the region."

Councillor Doug Murdoch, Crawley Borough Council's executive member for planning and economic development, said: "This is great news. To locate one of the most innovative centres of business and academic excellence at the heart of the Gatwick Diamond will benefit businesses, local people and the region." Businesses also welcomed the university's plans.

John Peel, director of the West Sussex Economic Partnership, said: "This initiative between the university and the business community will help to strengthen our place at the cutting edge of business research and development."

Support for the educational element of the estimated £300 million development costs would come from funding bodies but the bulk of the total funding would be drawn from the private sector.

Wednesday July 14, 2004