Docklands go ahead

A London docklands university is to become a reality with the Government's decision to approve a Pounds 16 million technology centre in the Royal Docks in East London.

A Pounds 7.8 million grant from the Single Regeneration Challenge Fund, announced this week by Environment Secretary John Gummer, will be matched by Pounds 8 million from the University of East London and various private sources, including the Peabody Trust and Bell Cable Media.

The funds will support the proposed Thames Gateway Technology Centre, a university-industry meeting point which will be the hub of the new Royals University College. The centre, to be built on a two-hectare site provided by the London Docklands Development Corporation, will be designed to help the local economy. The college is backed by a consortium including the University of East London, Queen Mary and Westfield College, London Guildhall University and City University.

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