University of Reading and CEM agree independent futures
Release Date 20 September 2010
The College of Estate Management (CEM) and the University of Reading have agreed a plan which will see CEM pursue the awarding of its own degrees. This will involve the withdrawal of the University's validation for the College's undergraduate and postgraduate programmes over time.
The two institutions have enjoyed a strong and productive relationship since the 1960s and have, as part of recent discussions, explored the potential for a merger of the two organisations. However, both institutions now believe the time has come for each to build on its own strengths. This will be best achieved as strong and autonomous institutions and will ensure there is clarity relating to the respective brands, markets and programme provision in those markets.
For existing students whose courses are currently validated by the University of Reading, there will be no change in validation arrangements. Meanwhile, the College will continue to work closely with the University to ensure that new validation arrangements are fully in place as the University progressively withdraws from its validation role on behalf of the College.
Dr Ann Heywood, Principal of the College of Estate Management, said: "The College is a mature and established institution with a worldwide reputation and a distinctive model of delivering courses by distance learning that has proved its success for 150,000 people at all levels of their careers. We would like to thank the University for its support over many years. However, it is right the College should take this step to full independence, retaining valued existing relationships and building new ones, and above all preserving the value of the degrees and diplomas awarded to CEM students."
Professor Tony Downes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading, said: "As a world-renowned provider of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in property and real estate, surveying and construction, the University of Reading remains committed to providing quality programmes that attract the brightest students and provide the sectors with a highly-skilled workforce. We wish the College every success in the future and we will, of course, ensure the validation of the qualifications of their students within the timeframe agreed."
A joint working party is being set up to oversee the transition.
ENDS
Further media information
College of Estate Management - Chelgate, 020 7939 7939: Terence Fane-Saunders, 07917 193287, tfs@chelgate.com; James Darley, 07941 967620, jd@chelgate.com
University of Reading - Alex Brannen, Director of Communications, 07834 006243, a.brannen@reading.ac.uk
Notes to editors
The College of Estate Management
CEM is an independent educational charity founded in 1919 and has the single focus of remaining the leading international provider of distance learning, education and training for the property and construction professions. With over 4000 students a year in over 100 countries around the globe, CEM has a royal charter and is a substantial institution in its sector, well-recognised as an independent force for personal improvement, offering a suite of 19 diploma, bachelor's and master's programmes from the UK, in its own name, as well as in association with other validating bodies and professional accrediting partners.
The College's trustees recently voted unanimously to work towards having taught degree awarding powers (TDAP) in place for CEM's centenary year (2019).
The application for TDAP will be made against the background of the CEM business plan, which will consolidate a sustainable future for the College, its students, staff and all other stakeholders. As a sign of its confidence and commitment, the board has voted £4 million from reserves towards making learning more speedy and accessible for students and for continuing international expansion.
More information at www.cem.ac.uk
The University of Reading
School of Real Estate & Planning, University of Reading
The School of Real Estate & Planning, part of the Henley Business School at the University of Reading, was established in 1968 and is now the largest centre in the UK for research and teaching in real estate and planning.
In the Complete University Guide 2010, the University of Reading ranks 2nd in the country for Land and Property Management as well as Town and Country Planning and Landscape.
The School's comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and its planning courses are also fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute.
An impressive 98% of students enter graduate level jobs. The School enjoys a worldwide reputation for research excellence and has a strong record of collaborative research with both the private and public sectors. Staff play a full part in the research activities of the UK professional institutions involved with land, property and planning. The School's research and expertise lies in Real Estate, Investment & Finance, Valuation, Leasing and Market Practice, Planning Policy, Environment, Sustainability and Community Participation.
School of Construction Management and Engineering, University of Reading
The School of Construction Management and Engineering is one of the world's largest university departments dealing with the built environment, with particular strengths in surveying, design management, construction innovation and sustainable technologies. The School possesses several specialist construction-related research centres, all of which operate in close collaboration with industry.
In the latest Research Assessment Exercise in 2008 (unit of assessment for Architecture and the Built Environment), the School was in the top three departments in the country for construction management with 70% of activity rated as ‘internationally excellent' or ‘world-leading'.
The School's undergraduate degree programmes in quantity surveying and building surveying are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the undergraduate degree programme in Building Construction and Management is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building. Full-time postgraduate MSc programmes are offered in Construction Management and Renewable Energy, with part-time MSc programmes in Project Management and Intelligent Buildings.
More information at www.reading.ac.uk