The Vice Chancellor explained to the gathered audience: “It is a fact that in twenty-first century society the structure of our economy and our labour market demands breadth and diversity of graduate-level capabilities.”

He continued: “If we perceive our intellectual capacity as being restricted to a minority of academically high-performing individuals, we will fail to make the most of the human potential we have available to us.”

Mr Rammell spoke of his belief that educational opportunity should be expanded through access to an excellent educational experience.

“We bring education to the places and the communities where it is needed,” said the Vice Chancellor. “That is why we at the University of Bedfordshire are committed to working in partnership with London Churchill College – because in doing so we can be part of that process of expanding educational access and improving opportunity for individuals and communities.”

The University of Bedfordshire has been partnered with London Churchill College for the past two years starting out with a Level 6 top up in Business Management in 2015. It now offers Foundation Degrees in Business Management, as well as Events and Hospitality Management.  A new Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care is scheduled to run from next year.

Mr Rammell concluded: “You (London Churchill College) are making educational opportunities available where they would not otherwise have been. It’s a fantastic mission and one I am proud to be involved with.”

Barclay Hall is part of London Churchill College’s Upton Park Campus.