A NATIONAL academy with a mission to enhance students' experience of learning has officially thrown open the doors of its new £2 million base in York.

Paul Ramsden, the Higher Education Academy's chief executive, raised several chuckles when he told the opening ceremony that some people had claimed the occasion would not create the same excitement as Royal Ascot's move to York.

But he was quite serious when he said: "Personally, I think the opening of our premises is far more significant to many more people than horseracing."

The purpose-built building at York Science Park is the result of a merger between the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, the Learning and Teaching Support Network, and the National Coordination Team.

It followed calls by the Teaching Quality Enhancement Committee for a single organisation to be formed to create a more integrated and strategic approach to quality in higher education.

Mr Ramsden told staff and invited guests yesterday: "Our task is unambiguous - to help universities, colleges and staff who work in them to provide the best possible learning experience for all their students."

He said the focus was about enhancing the students' experience of higher education - both academically and in terms of the support offered.

He said services such as IT and libraries were becoming increasingly more important and students were likely to judge their university as much by its support services as their inspirational lecturer.

Mr Ramsden said: "A fundamental aspect of our support is our role in influencing national policy. We have to speak up for institutions with an independent and authoritative voice."

Bill Rammell, MP, minister for life-long learning, further and higher education, ceremoniously unveiled a plaque to officially open the building which has conference, lecture theatre and meeting room facilities.

He said he was there to "strongly underline the Government's support for this initiative".

"I genuinely believe university education has the ability to transform people's lives and open up new opportunities and horizons," he said. He went on to emphasise the importance of students being able to access information about courses, the services available and level of support on offer.

"With the new funding system, students are going to be paying more. Inevitably they will be far more challenging and demanding about the whole learning experience and the quality of teaching they are getting. The work you are doing is particularly important," he said.

Academy chairman Leslie Wagner said the new building symbolised a "new organisation with a new, more pro-active mission and sense of direction" as well as the academy board's confidence in the future.

He said: "This building is the nerve centre of the academy. This is where the strategic decision making takes place but the support goes across the UK."

Updated: 10:52 Wednesday, June 22, 2005