Press Release: Buckingham goes to Africa

14 February 2011

14 February 2011

The University of Buckingham has signed a ground-breaking agreement with Victoria University, in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, in the presence of David Willetts, the minister for Universities and Science.

The initiative, which is the brainchild of Misho Ravic, CEO of Edulinks, envisages that Victoria University will become the premier higher education institution in East Africa, attended by students from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Rwanda. He said: “We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with The University of Buckingham. This is an important further step in our plan to develop top quality education in Africa and the Middle East in collaboration with British institutions”.

David Willetts, who witnessed the signing of the agreement in his London office on 31st January 2011, said: “I am pleased to be a witness to this exciting new venture in Uganda. It will bring the rigour of British academia to a new university. International collaborations such as these are of mutual benefit, enabling partner organisations to learn from one another and to share vital expertise. I welcome the fact that British universities are so active internationally and have a world-wide reputation for excellence.”

The new Victoria University, which is expected to open its doors to students later this year, will run both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in subjects such as accounting, computing and business. Initially it will deliver programmes produced by Buckingham, but over time the universities intend to undertake joint research and to consider further degree programmes that are consistent with the regulatory requirements of UK Higher Education and the Ugandan National Council for Higher Education Standards.

The Vice-Chancellor Terence Kealey said: “The University of Buckingham is proud to be able to play its part in the creation of a new university. It is with great pleasure that I sign this agreement under the terms of which a new university will adopt the educational ethos and high standards of Britain’s only independent university.”

Also present at the signing ceremony in London was Tim Yeo, MP for South Suffolk, and Mrs Chloe Woodhead, Chairman of Council at The University of Buckingham.

Contact details:

For further information please contact:
The University of Buckingham Publicity Office
Tel: +44 (0)1280 820338 / 820213, or
Christopher Woodhead
Managing Director of University of Buckingham Press and Business Development Manager
Email: christopher.woodhead@buckingham.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1280 828338

Misho Ravic
CEO of Edulink
Email: m.ravic@edulink.ae
Tel: +44 (0)7786 857161