Culture minister visits 'wonderful' Edge Hill campus

During a whistle-stop visit, Andy Burnham MP, was given a tour of the Ormskirk campus, which included the Performing Arts and Sports facilities, as well as the Media building, where he was greeted by staff and students.

The first stop of the campus tour given by Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater, was at the back-stage area of the Performing Art building, where all 350 performing arts students are given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the theatre including set design and lighting.

The Minister and MP for Leigh said: "Edge Hill University has a wonderful campus that is obviously providing industry-standard facilities to its students, enabling them to be ready to enter the world of work as soon as they leave.

"As a university providing a campus experience, I think prospective students would find it difficult to get any better than Edge Hill. The buildings are fabulous, with a really welcoming atmosphere."

Dr John Cater said: "The University was delighted to welcome Andy Burnham to Edge Hill for an informal visit to discuss the University's contribution to economic regeneration, community and elite sport, and to the media, performance and the arts.

"The Minister has strong ties to the University, with several members of his family having studied here. He was most impressed with the University's investment in outstanding facilities for learning and teaching and student and community support, which he described as amongst the best he'd seen in British higher education.

"We look forward to retaining our relationship with the Minister as we seek to further enhance the attractiveness of the University and the region as a place to study, work and live."

During a meeting with students, the Minister was just as keen to find out about their experiences and what brought the students to Edge Hill as they were to find out his thoughts on new media and the career path for journalists in the future.

Talking about his ambitions on leaving university, he said: "When I graduated, I tried really hard to get a job in journalism, but I found it impossible. I remember it feeling like it must be who you know, not what you know.

"I am happy to say that the traditional gatekeepers to the media world are changing and it is a much more level playing field now.

"The media world is changing on a daily basis and students today will need to be able to cope and embrace that change.

"What I have heard here today from academics and students alike reassures me that Edge Hill is providing the best in academic theory, together with flourishing partnerships that provide excellent practical learning environments for students."

When asked about the role of higher education establishments like Edge Hill in the recommendations of the Digital Britain report, he said: "In light of the Digital Britain report, partnerships between institutions like Edge Hill and corporations like the BBC will be all important.

"Media City in Salford will offer a huge range of opportunities to students to increase their employability and to gain transferable skills.

"As the media world develops, it is moving towards a business ethos, with intellectual property protection and rights high on the agenda.

"Access to digital technology means that the creative barriers are being lowered and once an idea or a piece of work finds its way onto the internet, it is automatically seen by lots of people to be public property.

"The talented students of today need Government legislation to protect their intellectual property so that they can express their ideas in a safe environment that will ensure that they get the credit they deserve.

"Media students today need to leave universities like Edge Hill with a self preservation kit made up of legislative knowledge and practical skill to protect their intellectual property. Only then will the correct balance between the demand of the consumer and the intellectual right of the artist be fully protected."

Roger Shannon said: "Today's visit gave Andy Burnham a chance to see at first hand how the University contributes to the creative industries in film, television, animation, advertising, journalism, music, theatre and dance.

"In discussions with both staff and students in the Media Department, Andy Burnham drew attention to his Department's recent reports - Creative Britain and the very recently published Digital Britain - which encapsulate the Government's strategy towards the creative economy in the wake of the digital revolution.

"As Professor of Film and Television at the University, it was most heartening to hear how in tune Edge Hill University is with such national policies for the future of the media industries."