The publication of the digital economy bill this week has highlighted the Government’s outdated approach to the penalising of illegal file-sharing.  I don’t support illegal filesharing, but this does seem to take a 20th Century approach to digital communications. The earlier Digital Britain report seemed more progressive, applauding, for instance, Ravensbourne’s role in providing “training that innovates to meet the challenge of the constantly evolving media industries”.  So I am glad to hear that TalkTalk has launched the ‘don’t disconnect us‘ campaign against a law that would be very difficult to enforce, will probably not prevent illegal down loading, and – most importantly – does not appear to respond to the ways in which media are changing.

The Digital Britain report described the new Ravensbourne as “an outstanding new development”, a development which continues apace.  However, having visited the building last week I am concerned about the slow progress of the cladding which is now about 3 weeks behind schedule. The manufacturer, Schneider has increased production of the panels by having two shifts working a total of 20 hours a day. With their Polish subsidiary also in tile production they intend to get back on schedule. But this does mean the building won’t be waterproof now until January, rather than December as planned.

Peter Mandelson’s recently published White Paper on Higher Education ‘Higher Ambitions’ has some surprising insights on the student experience, which resonate strongly with what Ravensbourne is trying to achieve.  The notion of rating the value of courses by the rate of employment of graduates, for example, is one which would provide impressive results at Ravensbourne.  Our Skillset Academy status was awarded partly on the basis of our employment outcomes.  And the importance of building industry links:  we have developed an impressive enterprise and innovation programme, with partnerships with a host of leading digital media partners. While this is a labour party initiative I have no doubt that it’s been agreed by the conservatives and will be the basis of their strategy should they win the next election.

Ravensbourne will have to sustain that impressive level of results if it is going to compete in what is bound to be a fierce public sector funding environment over coming years, and in the context of increased student fees -  Mandelson also announced the team (seven of them) to assist Lord Browne in determining future fees and funding for HE.  Guess what, five of the seven were educated at either Oxford, Cambridge or Harvard so you can guess the likely outcome.

Earlier this year I visited Medialab-Prado in Madrid, an inspiring space aimed at the production, research and dissemination of digital culture. I was so impressed with the intensive courses on offer I’ve sent a Ravensbourne contingent there this week to investigate opportunities and future collaborations. Their collaborative workshops, lectures and seminars are open to anyone with an idea or project that needs to be developed within a digital framework. The opportunity to commercialise some of the outcomes of these projects seems possible.

Medialab-Prado is funded by the Madrid City Council’s Arts Department and also produces cross-border performances and exhibitions. An exciting set up with co-creation and open source at its core, it has much to teach us. It’s vital that we learn from good practice in other countries and that we remain committed to encourage international partnerships with leading edge organisations like Medialab. I have invited their Spanish team to come to England after we relocate, to offer an experimental fortnight in our new building…

Wednesday was taken over by a most successful Convocation held in The Vue Cinema at The O2. Hundreds of graduating students and their families gathered next door to our new home to celebrate another remarkable year of student achievement. Congratulations to all our 2009 graduates, we wish you the very best for your creative futures.  

We continue to develop our important relationship with Greenwich Council. Meetings were held this week to detail the offer from the Council to help with the equipping of the new building and to further define our support for Greenwich schools, particularly in the area of technology.

And last but not least, our November newsletter is out. Happy reading.