Erith and Thamesmead MP visits the University of Greenwich to see how it is boosting opportunity in South East London
South East London MP and Cabinet Office Minister, Abena Oppong-Asare MP, visited her local university in Greenwich today to see first-hand how it is breaking down barriers to opportunity for its students. One of the first two Ghanaian MPs elected to Parliament in 2019 and representing the neighbouring constituency of Erith and Thamesmead, she is passionate about ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has the chance to succeed.
The University of Greenwich has London-based campuses in Greenwich and Eltham and a Kent-based campus in Medway and has been working extensively with the Purpose Coalition to develop its social impact. Most of its students are from the local area and nearly 60 per cent come from deprived areas. It has a strong track record of supporting underrepresented groups - two thirds are Black, Asian or another ethnic minority background. Most students are the first in their family to go to university, with many taking a non-traditional route to get there rather than the conventional A-Levels straight to degree course way.
The University focuses on giving its students employability and real-world skills through its facilities, teaching, support and collaborations with industry, with recent data showing that its graduates earn more on average five years after graduation than other London graduates. IFS data in 2021 assesses students’ social mobility by looking at those who received free school meals and their earnings aged 30 - Greenwich was placed fourth in the country.
Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, said:
"It was a pleasure to visit the University of Greenwich's Avery Hill campus and speak to the senior leadership team about their plans to break down barriers for students, establish local community projects and their ambitions to lead the sector in social mobility.
"Thank you for showing me around your campus, and for your focus in developing students skills in action."
Jane Harrington, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, added:
"We were delighted to host Abena Oppong-Asare MP at our Avery Hill campus. It was great to show her how we develop skills that contribute to growing our public services and the economy, share our achievements in providing an inclusive education, tell her more about our sustainability work, and highlight our impactful research."
