The University of Greenwich will become the 24^th member of the Alliance, which describes itself as a group of “the most innovative and enterprising universities in the UK – major institutions combining science and technology with a focus on delivering for the professions, business and the community”.

The move follows decisions by Coventry, Glasgow Caledonian, Kingston and Teesside universities to all join the Alliance from Million+ since 2009.

The more recent moves may be evidence of a shift in positioning by some institutions under the new, more marketised fees and funding system.

David Maguire, Greenwich vice-chancellor, said: “Greenwich is an ambitious institution focused on top-class research and business engagement, as well as excellent learning and teaching, so University Alliance is our natural home.

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“This step is an important recognition of Greenwich’s achievements so far in enhancing its reputation as a leading London university.”

Greenwich will join the group on 1 April.

Meanwhile, Alliance chief executive Libby Hackett and chair Steve West travelled to Australia to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Australian Technology Network, which comprises five of the “most innovative and enterprising universities”.

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The link aims to include the development of a UK-Australia higher education policy leaders group; the potential for partnerships in Asia; collaborative work on international student visas; shared examination of student fee and loan models and work on the “integration of student entrepreneurship and internship programmes” into curricula.

On Australia’s funding model, Ms Hackett said there may be “lessons we can learn from them”, noting that the nation had “achieved a demand-led system that is affordable and sustainable to the government”.

She added that in Australia “the idea of a social contract is very well established, between the student and the state, where there is about a 50-50 sharing of cost”.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com