Key Points
- Recently, the University of West London (UWL) opened up their Ealing campus to visitors for the Open House Festival.
- These included student-led tours which allowed visitors to tour the modern facilities of learning and socialization.
- Among these included laboratories, radio studios, flight simulators, Paul Hamlyn Library, and an exquisite fine dining training restaurant.
- A private university archive exhibition has been organized to exhibit a history of more than 150 years of diverse students, courses, and founding universities.
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor Sara Raybould mentioned the long-term community background of the institution and its current impact on the region.
- The annual Open House Festival takes place all over London in September each year and provides free access to architecturally and historically important buildings.
- In separate news for different institutions, UWL has appointed Dr Richard Courtney as Dean of its Claude Littner Business School.
uk/local/ealing/">Ealing (West London Times) September 19, 2026 — As reported by the Ealing Times, the University of West London welcomed members of the public to its Ealing campus as part of this year’s installment of the capital-wide Open House Festival. The event featured comprehensive, student-led tours designed to give attendees an inside look at contemporary academic environments and student life.
Visitors were guided through a wide array of modernised teaching, learning, and social spaces. According to the coverage, the itinerary included advanced specialist laboratories, a professional-standard radio studio, an aviation flight simulator, the contemporary Paul Hamlyn Library, and the university’s operational fine dining training restaurant.
In addition to modern facilities, attendees were given access to a special university archives display. This exhibition showcased materials reflecting the diverse student bodies, varied academic courses, and historical founding institutions that have shaped the university for more than 150 years.
What statements were made by university officials regarding the event?
Commenting on the significance of opening the campus doors to the local community, Sara Raybould, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of West London, stated:
“UWL’s campus has been part of West London for generations, and the event was a valuable opportunity to share our heritage, showcase our transformed campus and demonstrate the important role [we] continue to play in the region.”
The Open House Festival takes place across London every September, providing free public access to buildings and spaces that tell the architectural and social story of the capital and the communities within it.
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What other developments have recently taken place at the University of West London?
Alongside its participation in the cultural festival, the institution has announced leadership updates. UWL has appointed Dr Richard Courtney as the new Dean of its Claude Littner Business School, marking a fresh chapter for the faculty’s strategic direction and academic management.
Background of the Development
The Open House Festival has grown into a cornerstone cultural event in Greater London, designed to democratise access to the city’s most notable, historic, and progressive architectural spaces. For educational institutions like the University of West London, participation in the festival aligns with a broader strategy of civic engagement and campus modernisation.
Over the past decade, UWL has invested significantly in transforming its Ealing estate—updating everything from practical laboratories to simulation suites—to mirror modern industry standards. By opening these spaces to local residents, the university aims to demystify higher education facilities, bridge the gap between academia and the local neighbourhood, and celebrate a heritage that stretches back over a century and a half through its predecessor institutions.
This institutional showcase and ongoing campus modernisation are expected to directly affect prospective students, local West London residents, and regional business partners. By offering transparent public access and highlighting modern, industry-aligned facilities like flight simulators and specialized labs, UWL strengthens its local reputation and appeal for future student recruitment cycles.
Furthermore, community-facing events foster stronger civic ties, potentially driving local partnerships and collaborative workforce initiatives spearheaded by figures like the newly appointed Dean of the Claude Littner Business School, Dr Richard Courtney. For prospective applicants and local stakeholders, these developments signal a continued commitment to high-standard educational accessibility and regional economic integration.
