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Education Committee Chair awarded Honorary Professorship by Nottingham Trent University

Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee, has been made an Honorary Professor by Nottingham Trent University.

    Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee

    Mr Halfon – who has been Conservative MP for Harlow since 2010 and served as Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills from 2016-17 – has developed strong links with the university.

    He has visited NTU to meet with colleagues and to hear first-hand about the university’s ambitions and achievements across a range of areas.

    The title of Honorary Professor is for a three-year period and is bestowed upon individuals who have made leading contributions to their professions.

    The appointments aim to recognise the importance the University’s partners can have in adding value to teaching and research activities.

    As part of the role, Mr Halfon, who has chaired the Education Select Committee since 2017, will maintain a regular commitment to the university, which will involve him delivering lectures and seminars to students.

    Mr Halfon said: “Nottingham Trent is one of the great universities in our country, allowing our young people to climb the education and jobs ladder of opportunity. It is a university all about aspiration and achievement with a passion for vocational education and preparing students for the world of work - particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    “It is a huge honour to have been asked to be an Honorary Professor of the University and I very much look forward to visiting again in the near future.”

    Nottingham Trent University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edward Peck, said: “I am delighted that Mr Halfon has accepted our invitation to be become an Honorary Professor at NTU. He is one of the most influential and insightful contributors to debates about the current practice of and future policy for education in the UK.

    “His contributions will bring these subjects vividly to life for students, and in so doing illuminate the opportunities and constraints within political processes.’

    Recipients are entitled to use the title ‘Honorary Professor’ in any formal context associated with the university during their appointment.

    • Notes for editors

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      Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards. The award was based on performance and improvement in the Guardian University Guide, retention of students from low-participation areas and attainment of BME students.

      NTU was also the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2017, and The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.

      The university has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.

      It is one of the largest UK universities. With over 35,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University injects £1.6bn into the UK economy. It has been the largest recruiter of UK undergraduates in each of the last four years. With an international student population of 4,000 and an NTU community representing around 160 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook.

      The university is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable NTU to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was awarded University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards 2019.

    Published on 15 September 2021
    • Category: Press office