³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

A London docklands university is to become a reality with the Government's decision to approve a Pounds 16 million technology centre in the Royal Docks in East London.

A Pounds 7.8 million grant from the Single Regeneration Challenge Fund, announced this week by Environment Secretary John Gummer, will be matched by Pounds 8 million from the University of East London and various private sources, including the Peabody Trust and Bell Cable Media.

The funds will support the proposed Thames Gateway Technology Centre, a university-industry meeting point which will be the hub of the new Royals University College. The centre, to be built on a two-hectare site provided by the London Docklands Development Corporation, will be designed to help the local economy. The college is backed by a consortium including the University of East London, Queen Mary and Westfield College, London Guildhall University and City University.

LSE director John Ashworth talks to Huw Richards about his time in charge and why he is leaving