Sunderland University to End Glass Degree โฃProgrammes, Sparking โIndustry Concerns
SUNDERLAND, โUK – Sunderlandโ University will discontinue its glass โdegree programmes next year, a decision prompting fears it will stifle glass-making artistry and expertise in the region. The university’s governing bodyโ persistent the programmes where not “financially viable” after a feasibility study estimated โขa ยฃ9.4 million cost to relocate them to the โcity campus.
the move willโ impact current students and led to redundancies among experienced and talented teaching staff. Beyond the immediate academic consequences, industryโ figures warn the loss of specialist universityโข equipment and training will severely hamper the โfuture of โglass art and manufacturing in theโค North East.
The university commissioned an external team โtoโ assess the possibility โof moving the degrees to its city campus.the report concluded the relocation would be prohibitively expensive given โคthe number of students enrolled.University officials stated they โare exploring options for repurposing the glass-making equipment.
Mature student Penny Riley-Smith expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s justโ veryโข sad to feel that the university does not value us.” sheโค added that โขthe loss ofโ experiencedโ teachers was “sad to โคsee.” Students and โartists also voiced concerns about losing accessโค to the university’s โspecialized โฃfacilities.
The decision raises questions about the future of specialistโ arts education at sunderland University and the broader impact on the regional creative economy.The university has not โyet announced a specific timeline for โphasing โฃout the programmes, but confirmed the end will occur next year.
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