WORK has now started on a major £2 million project in York which will unite three higher education organisations.

S Harrison Construction, of Malton, has started building a new 17,600 sq ft office building at York Science Park, to be used by the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

The academy, which will officially be launched in the autumn, is the result of a merger between three organisations - the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, the Learning and Teaching Support Network, and the National Coordination Team.

The new organisation was formed after the Teaching Quality Enhancement Committee (TQEC) recommended that a single body be formed to create a more integrated and strategic approach to quality in higher education.

The HEA will work with a range of individuals, subject groups and institutions concerned with the student experience in higher education.

The merger will see the NCT relocate from its current Milton Keynes base to York's Science Park.

John Webster, project manager at the HEA, said: "The new unit will give the Higher Education Academy a great start by bringing together the three organisations to operate from one, purpose-built office complex. Being involved from the early stages has enabled us to influence the internal design of the building, allowing us to request conference, lecture theatre and general meeting room facilities.

"York was a natural choice for location as it is equidistant between London and Edinburgh, and so is easily accessible for people across the UK."

The new unit is expected to be completed by January 2005.

S Harrison Construction has been working continuously for six years on the York Science Park development.

Projects have included extending the Innovation Centre, and completing a retail development at the university.

Updated: 10:04 Friday, May 21, 2004