High-level visitor meets the staff
THE man responsible for funding Britain's universities has just visited Huddersfield.
And Prof David Eastwood was full of praise for the success of the town's university, which has seen student numbers rise to more than 19,600.
Prof Eastwood is the chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
He was welcomed by the university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Tarrant.
Prof Eastwood came to Huddersfield to see the success and progress made by the university, in particular at its campuses in Oldham and Barnsley.
He met senior staff and members of the governing council, as well as visiting the Barnsley campus.
Despite a drop in student numbers at many UK universities, Huddersfield University comfortably met its recruitment targets this year and last.
It now has more than 19,600 students on its courses.
Julie Pink, the university's head of schools and college liaison, said: "There is a real feeling, particularly in the region, that Huddersfield is very much an up-and-coming university.
"The teachers and the prospective students that my team speaks to are all aware of us.
"They regard us as an institution where you can get a quality degree, a real contender in the West Yorkshire market."
She added: "I would say that there are a number of factors to the university's success. We are generally considered to be a more-selective university, where you are guaranteed a quality education.
"The university also did so well in the National Student Satisfaction Survey. In league tables we came 20th overall and first among all the new universities. ''
