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    • > 29 January 2004

29 January 2004

Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to be established

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is inviting universities and colleges in England to bid for funding to set up Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs). The CETLs will reward and invest in excellent teaching practice to benefit students and staff.

Around £315 million will be available between 2004-05 and 2008-09 including £140 million for capital. HEFCE expects that more than 70 CETLs will be established, some at single institutions, and some based on collaborations between two or more universities or colleges. Bids are invited from all HEFCE-funded higher education institutions, and further education colleges with more than 500 full-time equivalent HEFCE-funded students.

Each CETL will have a distinct focus reflecting its track record of successful student learning. This may be subject-based, involve learning in the workplace, learning at a distance, or enabling students to learn effectively in their first, final or postgraduate years. CETLs will bestow recognition and distinction on their teachers, help to enthuse learners, provide high quality learning facilities, and stimulate development and change in teaching and learning.

Dr Liz Beaty, HEFCE Director for Learning and Teaching, said: 'We believe that universities and colleges will draw on their wide knowledge and experience to design creative and diverse proposals for CETLs. These will help to ensure that innovative and exciting centres have a lasting impact on teaching and learning to the benefit of staff and students.'

Role of the HE Academy

The new HE Academy will be a key factor in ensuring the success of the CETL initiative. The Academy will support the development and activities of CETLs through workshops and advice during the bidding process, and by promoting collaboration and dissemination of good practice after the CETLs have been set up.