The University of Bradford is to branch out across the region and expand its overseas operations in a new alliance with Leeds Metropolitan University.

The arrangement also will allow:

l joint bids for funding

l exchanges and secondments to widen staff experience

l students to use services at both universities such as job shops and placement schemes

l increasing co-operation in film studies, leisure, sports management and business courses.

Initially, the two institutions will concentrate on expanding in North and West Yorkshire using the new brand name Yorkshire Learning.

But the respective vice-chancellors hope that the agreement they have signed will establish a framework for future partnership that will lead to international expansion through joint recruitment of overseas students.

In a joint statement, Professor Colin Bell, vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Bradford, and Professor Leslie Wagner, vice-chancellor at Leeds Metropolitan University, said: "We believe this partnership meets the needs of the age.

"It uses complementary strengths in research and teaching and learning of two different universities, both with different histories but shared contemporary values to enable them to serve better their communities.

"We also hope that it will be a major part of the growing closeness of the two cities of Leeds and Bradford and will form an important contribution to the Yorkshire and Humberside region."

During the next year they will work closely together in the region. As Yorkshire Learning they hope to increase opportunities for students to progress from further to higher education using their existing links with post-16 colleges.

Bradford has a close association with Bradford College and Harrogate College is already a part of Leeds Metropolitan University.

Both universities will use the latter link to extend higher education to the Harrogate area of North Yorkshire that is currently without a provider. To begin with this will focus on career and professional development, technology training and consultancy services for the business community using the internet.

They will also continue to work with the University of Huddersfield and the further education colleges to offer foundation degree programmes for West Yorkshire.

"This alliance will allow both institutions to achieve their full potential as independent institutions while allowing us to respond to the future challenges and opportunities facing higher education," said Professor Wagner.

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