UEL boost for East End

What does tertiary education do for London? Not a lot, says one report. In another of our series of regional focuses, THES reporters look for a sense of community within the M25 area.

THE University of East London has embarked on the single biggest development project in London with an Pounds 80-million scheme to build a campus in the heart of the Docklands area.

UEL's enterprise - in partnership with Queen Mary and Westfield College and Guildhall University - will use public and private money to build the UEL Docklands Campus. Phase one, which is due to open in September 1999, will provide a national facility and a resource for a poverty-stricken East End community.

After an abortive attempt in 1994, vice chancellor Frank Gould succeeded in securing all but Pounds 11 million - which the university will provide - of the Pounds 40 million cost of phase one from Government and private sources.