- The University of Kent and the University of Greenwich have legally merged to form the London and South East University Group (LASE), creating the UK's first super-university.
- Accommodating over 50,000 students across four campuses in London, Medway, and Kent, LASE is now the third-largest higher education institution in the UK.
- LASE chief executive Professor Jane Harrington stated the combined scale will help the group tackle the crisis of young people not in employment, education, or training (Neets).
- The merger is designed to bolster financial resilience as UK universities face rising operational costs, international recruitment challenges, and a forthcoming student levy.
- Both universities will continue operating as distinct academic divisions under their original names while offering students shared facilities, services, and expanded subject choices.
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