Academic Developments are at the heart of the Ultimate Campus University project and the University will seek to further foster a culture of true lifelong learning.
By building on existing high quality undergraduate and postgraduate provision Keele will remain relevant throughout the course of the learning and working life.
Academic Development
A number of groups have been established to examine some of the themes and disciplines identified in the initial vision of the Ultimate Campus University project.
Academic developments will focus upon the following key themes:
- Active Ageing
- Sustainability and Environment
- Health and Wellbeing
- Planning and Regeneration
- Short Courses
Active Ageing
How Keele responds to population ageing is an important part of the vision underpinning the UCU21C project. The engagement of older learners defined as aged 50 and over) in education and training, with particular attention to their involvement in higher education and identifying routes to developing this further. Supporting the professions who care for or support older people, through the provision of high quality and innovative education.
Sustainability and the Environment
There is considerable expertise at Keele that falls under the wider environmental agenda and the growth of the campus will provide the opportunity to expand courses and research in this area. The University has announced an ambitious environmental vision to develop and exploit campus resources, whilst creating an innovative “hub” for teaching and research. The Keele Hub for Sustainability will use renewable and low carbon energy sources on campus, linked to research for Sustainability. This will be complemented by environmental education – undergraduate degrees postgraduate masters, short courses for industry, and outreach activities.
Health and Wellbeing
The University has been investigating a series of developments around the theme of Health and Wellbeing, the focus of which are services for health promotion, rehabilitation, clinical trials , existing campus health services and developing the undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. Opportunities to enlarge the current academic offer in health have been identified alongside the development of multi professional CPD training and development.
Planning and Regeneration
The theme of Planning and Regeneration cuts across existing programmes at Keele and the three broad themes identifies above. There is a national and regional shortage of urban design and spatial planning specialists and the University is working collaboratively with public and private sector practitioners to develop courses in this area.
Short Courses
Keele’s intention is to optimise overall engagement with business as partner organisations and deliver a mix of programmes in response to varying needs of both learners and employers who want to dip into Higher Education to update knowledge and skills. The University aims to establish postgraduate short courses and/or Continuing Professional Development courses in the areas of Active Ageing, Sustainability and the Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Planning and Regeneration.