§ 20. Mr. HopkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress made in establishing centres of excellence in United Kingdom universities. [139552]
§ Ms HewittThe Government want to see a diversity of excellence in universities, with universities adopting a variety of missions, building on their strengths. The Government believe that all universities should focus on producing excellent teaching, though the nature of teaching may vary. Some universities will also want to focus on excellent research, some on excellent knowledge transfer, and some on a combination of these, so there is a diversity of excellence. The Government have supported the development of centres of excellence through a number of programmes.