Showing 753 results

The Polytechnic of Central London (PCL) was redesignated as the University of Westminster following the Higher and Further Education Act (1992), which created a single funding council, the Higher Education Funding Council, for England and abolished the remaining distinctions between polytechnics and universities. As a university, Westminster gained the power to grant its own degrees. The name was changed from "Polytechnic of Central London" to "University of Westminster" by Special Resolution passed on 30 March 1993 with the consent of the Privy Council given on 16 June 1992. The objects of the Company (PCL had been incorporated in 1970) were altered by a Special Resolution on 17 May 1994. The redrafted Memorandum and Articles of Association defining the University's responsibilities and constitutional framework came into operation on 25 May 1994. (N.B. The 1992 presentation ceremony programme details that the University came into existence on 25 June 1992.)

The merger of Harrow College of Higher Education and PCL in 1990 was followed in 1991 by the commissioning of an Accommodation Strategy. This identified the legacy of the fragmented and widely dispersed estate, spread across more than 20 sites. The University has been consolidating onto its main sites in the West End, at Marylebone Road, and at Harrow. A major redevelopment of the Harrow site was completed in 1995 to house the School of Communication (now the School of Communication and Creative Industries). Little Titchfield Street was then refurbished to house the School of Law (completed in 1998), and its former site in Red Lion Square, acquired through the amalgamation with Holborn College of Law, Languagues and Commerce in 1970, sold.

In 1997/98 the University introduced a new devolved structure based on four campuses - Cavendish, Harrow, Marylebone and Regent - supported by a small core of central service units. In 1998 the University acquired the Policy Studies Institute and also the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and in the same year opened Polyclinic for the teaching and provision of complementary therapies.

Further information on the University is available on its website: http://www.westminster.ac.uk

Established 1997 - first meeting 28 Nov 1997.

This committees is now defunct, having been succeeded by the University Research Committee.

The University and PCL established itself as one of the leading UK academic institutions offering courses and training programmes for overseas government officials and groups nominated by various ministries.

In keeping with this tradition, a unique postgraduate course in Diplomatic Studies and Practice was introduced in 1980. It attracted members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Court of St James's as well as diplomats from various Ministries for Foreign Affairs and officials from overseas government departments. The course was offered by the Diplomatic Academy of London which was an integral part of the University's School of Social and Policy Sciences [later the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages].

The Diplomatic Academy ran a wide range of post-experience courses and training programmes leading to the award of an MA Degree in Diplomatic Studies and MPhil/PhD by further research. Courses offered by the Diplomatic Academy of London were valued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, overseas Ministries for Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic Missions in London, international and regional organisations, multinational corporations and individual students for their relevance and focus on career development.

The Diplomatic course was a blend of academic studies and professional training. The Schools of Law, Languages, Communication, Social and Policy Sciences, Economic and Business Studies and the London Management Centre contributed to the academic disciplines. The professional aspects were covered by career diplomats, journalists, lawyers, politicians and senior officials from various government departments.

c.2003 the Diplomatic Academy was considered the largest academic institution in Europe which ran a wide range of post-experience courses and training programmes. It was awarded the title of Associate Member of the London Diplomatic Association. In the 2002 QAA the University was rated as an excellent institution in the teaching of Politics (diplomacy and international relations).

c.2003 The Diplomatic Academy's MA in Diplomatic Studies was run in both London and Paris. Students attending the University of Westminster Paris Centre had the opportunity to spend one semester in London. Paris students were entitled to use all the facilities of the Faculte Libre de Droit d'Economie et de Gestion de Paris.

The Diplomatic Academy closed c.2012. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office opened their own Diplomatic Academy in 2015.

There were originally three trusts connected to the University: Regent Street Polytechnic Trust (RSPT), Quintin Hogg Trust (QHT) and the Quintin Hogg Memorial Fund (QHMF). There is also a Prizes and Scholarships Fund.
RSPT and QHT are closely linked, but their aims were different - QHT had a wider remit of education whilst RSPT leased buildings for use by the University. In 2000 proposals were made to rationalise the Trust structure and address the potentially insolvent status of QHT. The University planned initially to render RSPT dormant and continue with QHT as an active Trust, however, it would have been too costly to transfer the substantial property holdings of RSPT to QHT. Therefore, new proposals were agreed, which resulted in the governing document of RSPT being replaced with a more modern instrument and a limited company established on 21 August 2001. The following day, 22 August 2001, the names of the two charities were switched. The plan was then to render RSPT (formerly QHT) dormant by transferring its activities to QHT (formerly RSPT). This finally happened on 18 July 2007 when RSPT ceased to exist.
The name swap confuses the historical record as researchers seeking older QHT records have to remember to search under RSPT prior to 2001. Fortunately, the Trustees meetings for all the Trusts take place on the same day, twice or three times each year. From December 2001-2007, a single Agenda covered all the Trustees meetings and, although separate Minutes continue to be issued for each Trust, all the documentation is often filed together. Additionally, the Trustees are the same for all the Trusts.

The following information is taken from the Charity Commission's website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission [accessed 12/11/2020]

Regent Street Polytechnic Trust #292361

Registered with the Charity Commission 13 August 1985, this charity owned a beneficial interest in certain long leasehold properties with leases expiring between 11 Oct 2919 and 11 Oct 2933. Its charitable objects were ‘The advancement of education (and for other charitable purpose) in such manner as the Trustees may from time to time in their absolute discretion determine and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) for such charitable purposes as they in their absolute discretion may consider to be calculated to further the work of the Polytechnic of Central London.’
It also acquired certain freehold properties. All the properties were rented to the University of Westminster for use as administrative offices, academic activities or student residences. As of 18 July 2007, this charity was removed from the Charity Commission's register as it ceased to exist. Previously called the Quintin Hogg Trust.

Quintin Hogg Trust #1010404

This charity was registered on 10 April 1992 as an educational charity, owning docklands properties (disposed of c2000). Current scheme dated 21 August 2001, amended by resolution 4 April 2017. The charitable objects are ‘Its object is the advancement of education; The Trustees may allow the land and buildings belonging to the Trust described in part 2 of the Schedule to this Scheme to continue to be appropriated either wholly or in part for use by the University of Westminster.’
Its aims are to utilise surpluses generated for investment in further premises for the provision of student accommodation for the University of Westminster and to make donations to that University for the furtherance of its work in the educational field. It also funds a number of scholarships (covering fees, living accommodation and travel) as well as other awards in the field of education.
The Trust was established by Deed on 11 April 1990 in the name The Regent Street Polytechnic Trust. On 21 August 2001, the Trustees passed a resolution and changed the name to Quintin Hogg Trust.
Since 4 April 2017, QHT has been administered by the Quintin Hogg Trustee Company (QHTC), a company limited by guarantee, registered at Companies House (#10281253). The former trustees of QHT are members/directors of QHTC.
Previously called the Regent Street Polytechnic Trust.

Quintin Hogg Memorial Trust #288144

This charity was registered on 20 December 1983. Current scheme dated 30 Sept 1991, amended by Schemes dated 29 April 2002, 3 April 2014 and by resolution 4 April 2017. The charitable objects are ‘to promote the education of the students of the Polytechnic of Central London by the provision of facilities for their recreation and such other facilities for the advancement of every aspect of their education and subject thereto, the education of other young persons as the Trustees think fit.’
The 1991 Scheme combines four original Charities which were regulated under declarations of Trust dated 14 December 1904, 9 March 1905, 16 June 1925 and 22 November 1935.
The Trust owns land and buildings at Chiswick which are used as a sports venue primarily for the University of Westminster and its students. The Trust charges the University a rent for the use of its assets.

University of Westminster Prizes and Scholarships Fund #1010405

This charity was registered on 10 April 1992. Current scheme dated 21 August 2001, amended 28 November 2007. Its object is the advancement of education by the awarding of prizes and scholarships tenable at the University of Westminster. The Trust achieves its object by raising income through investments and donations.