41
(cont'd)
The formal agreement reached in December 2009 to create a city-centre Lifelong Learning Articulation
Framework between Glasgow Caledonian University, the University of Strathclyde and the four
existing city-centre colleges will be one of the mechanisms by which such collaboration and shared
development can be explored.
GGAP looks forward to building on its existing links with the three city-centre colleges as they move
towards a formal merger.
42 It will be interesting to see the results of the merger of three colleges who have a background in three
distinct curriculum areas. Whilst it is obvious that all three colleges have added a wider portfolio of
subjects I think it is fair to say that they could well act as a regional centre for some of the curriculum
areas and an international centre for nautical studies. The development of the new estate in itself will
attract increased participation.
As the merger will form one new college I am not sure why a single staf development programme is
mentioned as I thought this would be a given.
43 The curriculum for the new college is comprehensive and should meet the needs of employers and
students.
44 As a university which is committed to - and at the forefront of - widening access and increasing
participation we believe it is essential the curriculum of the merged institution not only of ers an
enhanced experience for learners whilst at college but also extends the range of progression and
articulation opportunities open to them. We will comment further on this issue in our response to the
SFC consultation on the college curriculum.
45 We are unconvinced of the arguments to claim "centre of excellence" status bearing in mind recent
quality reviews of parts of the proposed constituent colleges. We would be interested in the dei nitions
used which lead the merged college to claim regional, national or international provider status and do
not agree with the statement that the three Colleges have a unique strength to provide this as other
Colleges, including ourselves, do provide regional, national and international provider status in the
stated areas e.g. Cardonald College for Creative Industries.
We are disappointed that there appears to be little planning in relation to the coherence of higher
education provision in the proposed Learning Quarter through involvement of the two universities
within this area and the potential for shared services and joint delivery.
We would have welcomed discussions with the three merging colleges in relation to curriculum
planning and the potential development of Public Value for Glasgow and the city region.
We note that the merged college has "a commitment to a comprehensive and mixed portfolio" which
is at odds to the proposal issued by SFC on 3 December 2009, Consultation: College Curriculum in
Glasgow City Centre- Scottish Funding Council (SFC) proposals. We are concerned that there has been
a lack of joint discussion regarding curriculum which should be the basis of any new build proposal as
detailed in SFC Estates Strategy Guidance and would seek reassurance that there will be joint discussion
going forward otherwise the City Centre College will not achieve what it could do in working together
with other Colleges to deliver the portfolio of teaching for Glasgow's future.
Section 6, Academic Benei ts and Curriculum, appears to show all WSUM activity within the three
existing colleges being replicated within the new college. One would expect to i nd some curriculum
changes, perhaps new areas of activity or alterations in the level of provision within some subject areas
if rationalisation and avoidance of duplication is to take place.
It would have been helpful to understand how the college intends delivering e-learning and IT-enabled
services for staf , learners and associated employers.
We are aware of recent issues surrounding quality improvement and enhancement in some parts of
the colleges proposing to merge. We welcome the consultation document's commitment to improving
quality, retention and achievement.
The commitment to Equality and Diversity should not need to be stated but is also welcome.
We would hope that the items listed in the Learner Engagement Strategy are already in place as they
rel ect existing good practice in the sector and some are recommendations falling from Promoting
Excellence.
CONTINUED OVERLEAF
137
Appendix 10: Consultation Results