Written evidence – University of Gibraltar (GLT0006)
Background to the University of Gibraltar
Overview:
The University of Gibraltar opened in September 2015. In its first academic year it enrolled 278 part-time students, 45% in excess of forecast, involving 13 nationalities, almost all of whom are EU citizens. The University is expected to grow its numbers to 1,500 students within four years and will need to rethink its strategic lines given Brexit. Currently on offer are professional courses, undergraduate taught and postgraduate research degrees with fees comparable to the UK average. The PhD programme is the University’s flagship offering and is supported by a small yet experienced research team which has successfully attracted just under £100,000 of EU funding in the last twelve months.
University Mission:
Its mission is ‘to respond to current societal needs as well as shape personal and professional futures through the pursuit of education, training, and research’. It is committed to quality teaching and learning, world-leading research, academic freedom as well as to the sustainable development of Gibraltar, and the region. Partnerships with business, government, charitable foundations, healthcare and educational institutions lie at the heart of its mission.
University of Gibraltar Act 2015:
The Act was passed by the Gibraltar Parliament on 30 March 2015 and sets out the core underpinnings of this institution. Governance structures include a Board of Governors and an Academic Board principally composed of experienced higher education professionals from around the world. The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, advised by Quality Assurance specialists from the UK, will guarantee the standards of the programmes and awards offered by this Institution. The University programmes currently comply with the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency’s Quality Code.
Importance of the University:
The act of establishing HE provision on the Rock represents an important step in its participation in the global knowledge economy. The University can:
Faculties and Institutes:
The University has three Faculties Business (incl ICT and Law); Health and Sports Science; Tourism and Hospitality as well as a Centre for Professional Development and Continuing Education. In addition, the University currently has two research institutes - Institute for Life and Earth Sciences (mainly focused on natural sciences) and the Institute for Gibraltar and Mediterranean Studies (mainly focused on history, culture, migration and postcolonial studies). The Institutes are composed of a balanced cohort of local and international academics formally associated with the university that contribute to research, teaching and student supervision. Our flagship programme, the PhD, supports student investigations into the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer’s in Gibraltar, the impact of digital technology in the classroom, the effects of climate change on ocean plankton ecosystems, police discretion in small communities, big data and migration; as well as the origins of Gibraltar Literature.
The University currently partners with Kingston University, Queen Margaret University, University of Western England as well as University of Salamanca. Partnerships centre around teaching and research collaborations.
Future Strategy:
The focus in 2016-18 is on the development of new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in nursing, business, marine science, education and sports as well as on the establishment of a new Institute for Education and a Centre for Marine Science. The building of new student accommodation on campus will pave the way for international student recruitment. The University will also be hosting a Commonwealth PhD Scholar in 2017.
Exiting the European Union
Research:
- The University of Gibraltar is a research-intensive university and its business model assumes access to EU research funding under Horizon 2020/EISF. Over 30% of our research income was expected from this source and our early success indicates that this figure was perhaps conservative.
- It is understood that the UK will still be seeking to participate in EU research collaboration and funding programmes, such as Horizon 2020, once the UK formally leaves the EU. The University of Gibraltar is asking HMG that it be included in the new scheme and in particular, we are requesting access to the competitive grants to be offered by the new research body soon to replace the UK Research Councils.
Innovation and Exchange:
- Our new University relies on international partnerships as it sets up its own provision. An inability to participate in international exchange programmes such as Erasmus places our University in a vulnerable position as it seeks to establish these important relationships.
- We have requested HMG to include us within any agreement currently being brokered for UK universities. In particular, if UK establishes its own transeducational funding programme, we have requested that the University be permitted to apply on the same basis as any UK university.
- The free movement of people (including students) via the land border with Spain is also critical to the success of the University. Brexit may result in tighter immigration controls for EU nationals seeking entry/re-entry into Spain which could negatively affect the University’s ability to recruit EU/international students.
Tuition fees rise for EU students as a result of Brexit:
- The enrolment of international students is considered an essential part of the University’s strategy towards achieving a greater level of self-financing, and the level at which tuition fees are set will have a critical impact on the University’s ability to attract international students.
- The fees that EU students are required to pay following Brexit will depend on UK's exit negotiations. If the UK is required to charge international fees to EU students, and Gibraltar is required to do likewise, then the University of Gibraltar faces significant recruitment challenges in Europe. It will, thus, need to focus recruitment in Africa and Asia.
- A preliminary assessment suggests that as a new University, it will take us eight years to build a reputation in these overseas markets. This presents a significant challenge as we are unlikely to meet our original student targets and associated income, essential to sustain us.
Arrangements/possibilities for Student Loans during the period of negotiations, and indefinitely thereafter:
- UK students attending universities in England and Wales are eligible under current rules to receive loans from the Student Loan Company for England and by Universities Wales.
- We would like UK students who come to the University of Gibraltar to have access to these student loans, and request that these student loan arrangements are extended to Gibraltar on identical terms. Gibraltar students that study in UK would not be affected and would continue to be funded by Gibraltar education authorities.*
Employment of EU staff:
- We understand that any changes regarding employment of EU staff in the HE sector will depend on the kind of relationship negotiated after Article 50 is triggered. This matter also has implications for our University and we ask that Gibraltar be included within any agreement on immigration status of current and prospective EU staff that may be concluded for UK universities.
* HM Government of Gibraltar offers full grants to all Gibraltar students who have a place to attend higher education in the UK. The large majority of local students will continue to opt to go to the UK for their undergraduate degrees, since the range of courses available in the UK will always be much wider than can be provided in Gibraltar. This, also given the small pool of Gibraltar students, means that the University of Gibraltar is heavily reliant on international recruitment.
17 January 2017