The Archbishop of Birmingham has praised the contribution the University of Worcester makes to its community.
Speaking on a recent visit, The Most Reverend Bernard Longley said he was particularly pleased to see The Hive Library, Europe’s first fully integrated university and public library.
He said: “I’ve been keen to come and see the university for some time, but something I hadn’t fully understood or expected was how the life of the University is so integrated with the life of the city.”
He added: “To be able to see the contribution that the University makes to its local community has been really inspiring, I’m very grateful for that aspect of my visit.”
The Archbishop joined canons of the diocese for a tour of the University’s facilities with Professor David Green CBE DL, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester.
Speaking on the importance of reaching young people with positive messages of the benefits of education, he said: “University is providing a way of developing an individual, and that’s the formation of the person. It’s not just the intellectual formation; it’s the whole person.”
He continued: “Since the University of Worcester has developed the Hive library, it has been able to reach families within the city in a way which opens them up to the importance of what education means and also seeing education as something which is for life.”
He added: “Capturing the imagination and equipping young people with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of themselves as well as their understanding of the world we inhabit, it has been great to see that here today.”
The Archdiocese of Birmingham covers a large area of England, extending from Stoke-on-Trent in the north to the River Thames in the south.
Archbishop Longley said: “My visit today has given me an insight into the way in which this University has developed over the years, and to see its vision come to fruition in so many different ways through things like the School of Nursing, and the School of Allied Healthcare, and the Hive, it has all given me an insight into the way in which partnership has been so important to develop within the City here.”
He added: “Not only have I learned about the University, I feel I’ve learned a lot more about the City of Worcester today.”
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries, telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk