NEW director Kevin Tomlinson believes that the next academic year is when the Thanet campus of the Canterbury Christ Church University College will really make its mark. In September when the university begins its third year it will have the equivalent of 600 part-time students, and is on the way towards its five-year target of 1000 places.

This is no mean feat for a young university as competition grows rapidly between educational establishments to attract students. As well as being an outlet for local students, Thanet is also attracting interest from outside the area with its range of programmes, in particular business studies and nursing.

Mr Tomlinson, who took over as campus director from Roger Clayton after being head of business and management, said: "Since we joined the national university and colleges admission system, UCAS, it has put us into a much wider marketplace and this is reflected in the interest in our programmes. We do offer a really broad range to people wishing to study either the two year HND or DipHE level or the three year degree courses.

"Life-long learning is our belief and we are keen to encourage people from all backgrounds and all ages into higher education. We are working closely with businesses, the community and schools to provide the best service possible. We are building a ladder of opportunity for people. I am determined to get the message across that higher education is not for the elite but is achievable through hard work. You don't have to be rich to go to university."

The Quality Assurance Agency recognised the university's excellence in business studies and remarked on the programmes being delivered at the Thanet site. Mr Tomlinson, who specialises in e-business, e-commerce and e-marketing, said: "It is a terrific challenge for all of us involved in the Thanet site to see it develop and reach its potential but I am sure we can succeed."