Angry students in rising fees rally

Student demonstrate at Oldham University Campus.

DEFIANT students rallied together yesterday to save University Campus Oldham from becoming a victim of spending cuts and rising tuition fees.

Angry under-graduates who took part in the demonstration argue that proposed fees of up to £9,000 could see the uptake of places at the university drop and cripple future students with a lifetime of debt.

Third-year business management student Mofozzul Choudury Imran (26), from Westwood, is also the Student Union chairman for the Oldham campus.

He said: “It is vital for Oldham that institutions like UCO stay here to provide future generations in the local community with opportunities.

“We have so much talent and ability coming from local colleges but the fear of paying off such a huge debt could stop people from coming.

“It has opened so many doors for me and we need to fight 100 per cent against cuts.”

Sweeping cuts to higher education funding mean that student contributions are set to increase, with the current charge of £3,290 almost doubling to £6,000 from 2012.

Prof Peter Slee, deputy vice-chancellor of Huddersfield University, said that courses would be demand- driven but that it is too early to tell what effect on student numbers the changes will have.

Matty Beck,(19), a second-year student studying technical theatre, said: “Oldham will struggle to attract students as there is a lack of accommodation in the town. I commute from Manchester city centre.

“I feel let down by the Government, I wouldn’t have come to university if these fees were in place, I don’t see how people will be able to afford it. Would it be best to take your chances and get experience in a job?”

Fifty students from the university boarded a coach to London this morning to show their support in a national student protest.