Plans to develop a ‘new model’ university in Milton Keynes received a big boost today with the local council choosing Cranfield University as the lead higher education provider.
Currently known as MK: U, the university will be developed in partnership with business and will be designed as an educational institution for the 21century, delivering STEM-focused (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) undergraduate curriculum. The university aims to focus on teaching the technology of the future world of work, leading in areas including digital, cyber, autonomy, robotics and artificial intelligence, Cranfield University said via a press release.
MK: U university will be developed in partnership with businesses.
Image credit: Cranfield University
According to Cranfield, building a university in the heart of the city is a key part of achieving Milton Keynes’ long-term vision, which envisages the city growing to accommodate up to 500,000 people by 2050 and involves being at the heart of the Cambridge, Milton Keynes, and Oxford innovation corridor.
“For a long time, we’ve held aspirations for bricks and mortar university in MK..., and this is a significant step towards the creation of MK: U. Through the MK Futures 2050 process, we identified how a university focused on technology could benefit our economy, especially coming alongside the development of the Cambridge-MK-Oxford corridor which also holds great promise,” said Peter Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes Council.
MK: U is aiming to deliver STEM-focused (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) undergraduate curriculum.
Image credit: Cranfield University
In the meanwhile, Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Chief Executive of Cranfield University, indicated that the university is looking forward “to working closely with Milton Keynes Council to create a smart university for a smart city.” It is estimated that around 5,000 students will eventually study at MK: U, with the first cohort arriving in 2023.
Cranfield’s educational, technological and industrial partners on MK: U include Grant Thornton, MK College, tech giant Microsoft and India's Tech Mahindra. MK: U is expected to offer programmes for undergraduates, including two and three-year degrees, intensive three-year degrees with project placements, part-time/apprenticeship pathways and short courses/continued professional development.
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