19 January 2011
Goldsmiths Strengthens Links With Lewisham College
Students from Lewisham College will continue to benefit from
links with Goldsmiths, University of London, as a progression
agreement between the two institutions celebrates its fourth
year.
The agreement exists between the two colleges to encourage
Lewisham's students to go on to study computing at Goldsmiths. It
was created by staff at Lewisham College and the Departments of
Computing and Widening Participation at Goldsmiths. The aim was to
show students from the local area that studying at university was
within their reach and to help students who did apply to get along
well.
Plans are now being put into action to increase the interaction
between students and local businesses. The students will be
carrying out interviews with the businesses to provide links with
industry and to show the students the kind of skills they will
require for the world of work.
Mark D'Inverno, head of the Department of Computing, said: "This
progression agreement is developing and each year we try to
strengthen the relationship. In the past we just shared information
but now we're doing much more. There were students from Lewisham
College who thought Goldsmiths wasn't an option but we have been
able to welcome them in."
Jeanne Kasunzu, a second year student in Creative Computing,
said: "I hadn't followed the same process as other people to get to
college and so I didn't think I would be able to go to university.
But then I saw the leaflet at Lewisham about the links with
Goldsmiths and I was delighted to be accepted. I was really
committed to coming here and it's been fantastic. I'd really like
to thank everyone for enabling me to come here."
Maxine Room, Principal of Lewisham College, said: "We worked
hard through the last year to make sure our students have creative
futures and that is what this agreement offers. What is really good
is about how positive everyone has been - no one is talking about
doom and gloom - and we're all working together to give the
students a better future."
Goldsmiths' Warden Pat Loughrey said he wanted to thank James
Ohene-Djan, from Goldsmiths, and Sharon Muncie, from Lewisham
College, for being the people who pioneered the agreement. He said:
"Behind every great initiative there are people who dared to
believe and to take the initiative. Without your work, and Mark's
support, the students would not be getting this experience. I am
determined that we're not just in Lewisham, but that we're of
Lewisham too. There are things we can do to ensure this college
feels it belongs to and is proud of the community in which it sits.
This agreement is very significant in making that happen."
The Progression Agreement has increased understanding between
staff and students of the computing provision at Goldsmiths and
Lewisham College and inspired projects and bridging work between
the institutions.