29.03.07
Minister for Higher Education to launch the 1994 Group's new visual identity at the Houses of Parliament
The 1994 Group will hold an event at the House of Commons this evening to launch its new visual identity. The event will be hosted by Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Higher Education and Lifelong Learning.
The event will be attended by over 200 guests from the political, academic and media communities including the Vice-Chancellors of member institutions, Alumni, Ministers, Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
The launch will see the unveiling of the Group's new visual identity, a re-developed website and a launch publication detailing the Group's aims, structure and activities. The event provides the 1994 Group with an opportunity to raise awareness of its identity, activities and substantial contribution towards the rapidly developing Higher Education sector.
Speaking at the event, Bill Rammell MP said 'The 1994 Group makes a substantial contribution to the HE sector. I'm pleased to be here to celebrate the work of the group, and to launch a new identity that will help to raise awareness of that work.'
Professor Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter and Chair of the 1994 Group, said, 'The higher education sector is rapidly developing. With its new identity, with a clear vision, and with the enthusiastic support from its members, I am proud that the 1994 Group is at the forefront.'
The visual identity has been developed by the award winning design company Blast. Colin Gifford, Director of Blast described the new visual identity as 'designed to communicate the modern and progressive nature of the organisation, while underlining the established status of the member universities that it represents.
It reflects the group's pro-active outlook through a series of statements which clearly define the objectives of the group to its various stakeholders. The tone of the identity is both academic and forward thinking, which is reflected in the colour palette and typographic styles.'
In his speech, Professor Smith focused on the important role universities play within the wider communities in which they are located. 'Our universities,' he said 'provide the life blood upon which their communities can prosper. Along with this economic contribution, however, must come recognition of the universities' social responsibility.
A university has a duty to engage with its local community. It is in this role of partner and adviser that universities and their students can make an important contribution.'
Notes for editors
The launch event at the House of Commons today will see the unveiling of the Group's new visual identity, a launch publication and a re-developed website.
The launch publication, designed by Blast, is a three part book providing information on the Group's aims, structure and activities. Book one provides an overview of the Group's background, values, activities and aspirations. Book two provides detail of the Group's profile and performance based on data and excellence indicators. Book three provides an overview of each member institution relating their individual excellence and achievements through to the distinctive character of the Group. Copies will be circulated to all key sector stakeholders and can be requested from the 1994 Group Office.
The new Group website www.1994group.co.uk has been designed by Blast and programmed by the Web Team at the University of Sussex. The website will be updated regularly to include, amongst other items, press releases, activity updates, information notes and performance analysis papers. The website will go live at 18.00 on 29 March 2007.
Established in 1994, the Group brings together nineteen internationally renowned, research-intensive universities. The Group provides a central vehicle to help members promote their common interests in higher education, respond efficiently to key policy issues, and share best methods and practice. Our members tend to be campus-based, small- to medium-sized institutions. They operate on a scale which allows them to respond rapidly and flexibly to student needs whilst having sufficient size to make a substantial contribution to high-quality research.
Our members make the research and teaching experience more personal, maximising contact between staff and students. The majority of the top 1994 Group academics who achieved outstanding results in the Research Assessment Exercise also teach. The Group's aggregate performance in the National Student Survey substantially exceeds the sector as a whole.
Members of the 1994 Group are Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham, East Anglia, Essex, Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Lancaster, Leicester, Loughborough, Queen Mary University of London, Reading, Royal Holloway University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies University of London, St Andrews, Surrey, Sussex, Warwick and York.
For more information about the 1994 Group contact Tom Norton on 020 7164 2094.
For design guidelines or questions regarding the 1994 Group identity contact Colin Gifford at Blast Design on 020 7359 7422 or giff@blast.co.uk
Website www.1994group.co.uk