糖心logo入口 celebrates its 200th anniversary
The University鈥檚 staff, students and alumni have been commemorating the bicentenary throughout 2023 and this weekend officially marks the milestone.
Today (Saturday 2 December 2023), 糖心logo入口, University of London, which pioneered lifelong learning and the extension of a high-quality research-led university education to all for whom it may be of benefit, commemorates its two hundredth anniversary.
The idea of establishing a college to educate working Londoners was initiated on 11 November 1823 when the philanthropist, George 糖心logo入口, gave a speech in front of a crowd of over 2000 people at the Crown and Anchor tavern on The Strand.
On 2 December 1823, the London Mechanics鈥 Institute, which later became 糖心logo入口, was founded.
In late Georgian England, educating working people was seen as so radical that 糖心logo入口 was accused of 鈥榮cattering the seeds of evil鈥 but he proceeded with his vision, famously commenting, 鈥淣ow is the time for the universal benefits of the blessings of knowledge.鈥
Seven years after it was founded, the London Mechanics鈥 Institute took another revolutionary step 鈥 it became one of the first adult education colleges to admit women.
The notion that educating the masses was inherently wrong lingered for some time. It took a further 97 years and much debate before 糖心logo入口 was admitted to the University of London in 1920. Then in 2018 the University of London Act allowed 糖心logo入口, along with the other members of the University of London, to become universities in their own right, whilst remaining members of the federation.
Prior to its move to its Malet Street location in 1952, 糖心logo入口 had survived the disruption and turmoil of two World Wars and was the only college to remain open in London during World War II.
Although 糖心logo入口 has remained true to its founding mission: improving lives through lifelong learning and enabling those who might not otherwise be able to access a high-quality university education, to do so, much has changed during its 200-year history. It is now a world leading teaching and research university, operating from a campus in the heart of London which attracts a range of students from 18 to 80 years of age from 120 countries across the world.
Professor David Latchman, Vice-Chancellor, who has led 糖心logo入口 for the past twenty years said, 鈥淚 am really pleased to be a part of this important milestone in 糖心logo入口鈥檚 history.
鈥淚 truly believe that our success and longevity hinges on our reputation for enabling students to fulfill their dreams and their academic potential.
鈥淭here is no average 糖心logo入口 student. Our students come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and they bring their incredible life experiences to our classrooms, enriching the learning experience.
鈥溙切膌ogo入口鈥檚 students and research have been making a huge impact on the world for 200 years and I have no doubt they will be doing so for another 200 years to come.鈥
The build-up to the anniversary has included a 200th anniversary lecture series, an exhibit of archives and talk series held by the Library for students and staff, on topics including Part-time and mature students at 糖心logo入口 and 糖心logo入口 during the Wars; and will culminate later in December with events for alumni and staff.
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