Matt Western MP, Shadow Higher Education Minister visits Oxford Brookes University
Matt Western MP, Shadow Higher Education Minister visited Oxford Brookes University today, Thursday 20 October.
He discussed Oxford Brookes’ outreach work with schools, colleges and sixth forms to support prospective students with the progression to university. This included a discussion with students and staff based in the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice and learning about the teaching and research focused on human rights and housing for those facing crises.
As an MP with a keen interest in sustainable energy, Matt enjoyed seeing Oxford Brookes’ pioneering Geo-Exchange Heating System which is helping to reduce carbon emissions on campus by 20%. This part of the visit involved discussion on research related to low-carbon buildings and sustainability undertaken by the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development and Sustainable and Resilient Futures Network. He also chatted to staff and engineering students from the Oxford Brookes Racing team who showcased the electric car they built and raced in the Formula E student championships at Silverstone this summer.
Matt said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting Oxford Brookes today. Speaking with students and staff about the outreach work the university does with Oxford’s local schools, colleges, and sixth form highlighted the central role universities play in the communities they serve.
"Labour has always been on the side of universities. We will always support our world-leading universities, recognising their ability to drive growth, improve educational attainment, and redress regional imbalances."
Professor Alistair Fitt, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University said: “This was a welcome opportunity to discuss the higher education landscape and showcase the inspirational teaching, research and outreach work taking place every day at Oxford Brookes. It was also an opportunity for Matt to hear from our fantastic students on their experience of higher education and life at Oxford Brookes.”
Following the visit, Matt Western MP took part in a Westminster Hall debate (2 November 2022) focused on the 'Contribution of international students to the UK'. Reflecting on his time visiting Oxford Brookes, the Shadow Higher Education Minister spoke positively about the international students he met and the value they bring not only to the University, but the country as a whole. A clip of these comments are available to view via Twitter below.
Shadow Higher Education Minister @MattWestern_ spoke yesterday about our inspirational international students following a recent trip to our Headington Campus.
— Oxford Brookes University (@oxford_brookes) November 3, 2022
Image: Professor Joe Tah, ProVice-Chancellor and Dean of Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment at Oxford Brookes University, Matt Western MP Shadow Higher Education Minister, Tor Nielsen, Tessa Waldron and Ollie Vobe of Oxford Brookes Racing, and Gordana Collier, Head of the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics at Oxford Brookes University, and the Principal Academic Adviser for Oxford Brookes Racing.