The proposal is to create a specialist, inter-disciplinary centre of excellence in the Olympic Park that would draw on the unique strengths and expertise of London’s higher education offer. It would operate in conjunction with the new digital and creative facilities that are already being developed in the park and green technology projects that are proposed across East London.

The aim is for it to become a major international centre attracting students and academic and business partners from around the world. The facility should act as a catalyst for regenerating east London on the back of London’s 2012 legacy of world-class sports and media facilities and the digital revolution that is transforming all aspects of our lives.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:

“The 2012 legacy planning provides a crucial opportunity to stretch our thinking to the limits about how we exploit the investment we are making in East London. We have already laid out the building blocks in our Legacy Masterplan and now we must now provide inspirational detail to bring it alive.

“If we get it right I can see the Olympic Park become a world-renowned hub for research and learning in sport, science and green technologies. I am absolutely committed to making this proposal a top political priority and I will listen to all ideas and do all I can to remove any barriers to its delivery.”

The Mayor and the Government are consulting on the proposal until the end of May. At the same time the project steering group (made up of representatives of the Mayor and Government including the Higher Education Funding Council for England) will commission a feasibility study with a view to the launch of a prospectus by the end of July inviting formal statement of intent.

Sir Alan Langlands, Chief Executive , Higher Education Funding Council for England said:
“We are pleased to support the demand study to examine the feasibility of developing learning and research provision in the Olympic Park. This forms part of our work to co-ordinate and facilitate the higher education sector’s response to the opportunities presented by the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games”

The full consultation document can be downloaded in pdf form by clicking here