Media
150th Anniversary celebrations come to Delhi
Contacts:
Binda Rai +44 (0) 20 7862 8545
Peter Quinn +44 (0)20 7664 5584
Press Release: 29 January 2008
A party was held in Delhi yesterday (Monday 28 January) to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the University of London External System. More than 100 students attended the event which was hosted by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Sir Graeme Davies.
They key theme of the event, which was also attended by Jonathan Kydd, Dean of the University of London External System, was the launch of the 150th Anniversary book entitled The People’s University 1858-2008.
Former graduates of the University of London External System in India were all formally presented with a copy of the 150th Anniversary book by the Vice-Chancellor. Some graduates had travelled as far afield as Kolkata and Mumbai to be there.
The Vice-Chancellor, Sir Graeme said: “I am delighted to be celebrating the 150th Anniversary in India, with whom the University has a very special relationship.”
Sir Graeme said he was aware of the growing demand for higher education in India and that he hoped the University of London External System would be able to support India in some small way to bridge the existing gap.
He added: “The University of London External System has a history of helping colleges to become universities in their own right. It has been instrumental in the formation of British higher education – all English and Welsh universities founded between 1849-1949 offered University of London degrees through the External System before obtaining charters to award their own.
“And again, between 1946-1970, the External System played a significant role in establishing many Commonwealth universities under a unique scheme of ‘special relations’. These include the University of Nigeria and the University of the West Indies. So we have been able to help set up universities and let go at such a time when the institution feels it no longer requires our input.”
A dinner hosted by Rod Pryde, the first Minister at the British Council in India, was also held in the evening to mark the 150th Anniversary. It was attended by a number of senior officials including the Deputy High Commissioner, Creon Butler
Creon Butler, who followed the family tradition of being educated at the University of London, said the University of London External System has played a very significant global role. It has ensured that people in some of the remotest parts of the world have been provided with access to high quality education.
In congratulating the University of London External System on its 150th Anniversary, Creon Butler said “its impact on the lives of people all over the world has been immense and I am sure that it will continue to have an influential role in the future”.
With 41,000 students in 180 countries (2008 figures) around the world, studying on more than 100 study programmes, the University of London External System is marking its 150th Anniversary with a series of events throughout 2008. The events in Delhi constitute one of four global launches; Hong Kong on 13 January; London and Delhi, 23 and 28 January respectively and Lagos on 15 February.
-ENDS-
Notes for Editors:
Picture caption:
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Sir Graeme Davies, presents one of the
University of London External System students with a copy of the 150th Anniversary book at a
reception in Delhi on Monday 28 January. More than 100 current students and alumni attended the
event at the International Habitat Centre.
The University of London
- The University of London was established in 1836 and is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse universities in the United Kingdom.
- The University’s founding principle is to provide education for all, irrespective of race, creed or political belief.
- In 1858, the University of London was granted its fourth charter, which paved the way for the establishment of the University of London External System.
- The University of London External System is a unique global network of 41,000 students in 180 countries, on more than 100 study programmes ranging from social sciences to law to health.
- The External System has been instrumental in the formation of British higher education – all English and Welsh universities founded between 1849-1949 offered University of London degrees before obtaining charters to award their own.
- Between 1946-1970, the External System played a significant role in establishing many Commonwealth universities under a unique scheme of ‘special relations’.
- Through the External System higher education was made available to a much wider range of social classes; it pre-empted 20th Century developments in open, flexible and distance learning by more than 100 years.
- Famous former students and alumni of the External System include five Nobel Prize Winners: Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, Ronald Coase, Wole Soyinka, Derek Walcott and Nelson Mandela.
For further information please contact:
Binda Rai
Head of Global Media and Public Relations
University of London External System
Email: binda.rai@london.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7862 8545 (office)
+44 (0)7920 476483 (mobile)
Peter Quinn
Senior Communications Manager
University of London External System
Email: peter.quinn@london.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 5584 (office)