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UKeU

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to compensate universities who are owed money by UKeU. [183648]

Alan Johnson: UK eUniversities Worldwide (UKeU) is currently in discussions with its creditors, including some Higher Education institutions. The Higher Education Funding Council for England is monitoring the situation.

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research he has undertaken into the failure of UKeU; and what future plans he has for the UKeU. [183649]

Alan Johnson: UK eUniversities Worldwide (UkeU) is being wound-down, as announced by the higher Education Funding Council for England on 18 June 2004. Some activities, notably the eChina Project and the e-Learning Research Centre will continue and have been transferred already from UkeU. I understand that the Higher Education Funding Council for England has
 
14 Jul 2004 : Column 1232W
 
asked the e-Learning Research Centre to examine the eUniversities experience and disseminate its findings throughout the sector.

University Teaching

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage more graduates to undertake a career in university teaching. [183619]

Alan Johnson: The responsibility for recruiting university teaching staff lies with Higher Education Institutions, as the employers.

However, the Department has implemented a 'Golden Hello' programme of funding to encourage new entrants into teaching shortage subjects, through the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Each Golden Hello is worth £9,000 over three years to an individual.

Vocational Course Drop-outs

Chris Grayling : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the drop-out rates on vocational courses were in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003. [183645]

Mr. Ivan Lewis : Drop-out and retention rates are not available for all vocational courses undertaken in England. However, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) routinely collect and publish retention data for learners on LSC funded further education provision. Retention rates for 2001–01, 2001–02 and 2002–03 are shown in the LSC statistical first release, "Further Education and Work Based Learning for Young People—Learner Outcomes in England: 2002/03", available on the LSC website: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/National/Documents/SubjectListing/SectorData/StatisticalFirstReleases/sfr04.htm. A paper copy can be found in the Commons Library. Table 2 of this publication shows success, retention and achievement rates by level and type of qualification. The same publication also gives success rates for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) studied through LSC funded work based learning for young people.

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