|
The Governments Education Opportunities |
The Governments vision for the future of the sector
The Future of Universities in a Knowledge Economy, was presented by Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. It states that colleges and universities should be expected to teach all students skills such as business awareness, as well as to prepare a statement outlining how they promote student employability.
Assessment research under the framework will consider the impact of past research on the economy and society, and universities that produce research with this sort of impact will be ‘rewarded’. Applicants for grants from the Research Councils already have to describe the potential impact of their proposed work be it part time or full time income potentials.
Students will also be expected to use more information on individual courses at different universities before they apply, including the number of contact hours they can expect for part time courses. Drop-out rates, employment prospects, and greater detail on course content and facilities will also be provided.
Universities will also be asked to improve efforts at widening access, but the government will not interfere with universities’ admissions processes. Instead Martin Harris, Director at the Office for Fair Access, has been asked to prepare a report on how institutions can widen participation and ensure that students from under-privileged backgrounds are fully supported.
The framework states the government’s aim for 50% of young people to enter higher education. Part-time and distance learning will be encouraged to try to increase student numbers as well as funding for research that enhance both part time and full time income earning opportunities, particularly for the sciences, technology, engineering, and maths (the STEM subjects), will be concentrated on the top research centres, the framework says.
It includes no suggestions for the system of top-up fees as a review of their impact since introduction in 2004 is due to start this year.
Announcing the plan, Lord Mandelson said: “In the decade ahead we will expect more from our universities than ever before. They will need to use their resources more effectively, reach out to a wider range of potential students and devise new sources of income, at the same time as they maintain teaching and research excellence.”
Dr. Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group of Universities, of which Cardiff University is a member, said the Group supported the commitments to STEM subjects and protecting the top research centres, but was wary about giving businesses more say.
“Higher education must always be more than just training for a job,” she said, adding that “a Russell Group degree is for life – not just for that first graduate job” not just a part time opportunity. She also welcomed giving students more information about courses, but cautioned against a simplistic ‘food-labelling’ system.
Other university groups, including the 1994 Group, the Million+ Group, and the University Alliance, said they supported aspects of the framework. However, the Chair of the 1994 Group, said that investment in science should not be at the expense of other subjects and not jsut a part time income opportunity.
“Addressing current national priorities and future global challenges relies on the successful interplay of all subjects. We must protect our entire research base,” he said.
“Of course students should receive information about their course so they can make an informed choice before applying to university. However, an obsession with creating league tables and stripping everything down to statistics is not the way to recognise the merits or suitability of different degree courses,” said UCU general secretary Sally Hunt.
She added that universities should not just be about satisfying a consumer and generating incomes for part time income, and warned that over-reliance on student evaluation would lead to ‘rampant’ grade inflation to secure positive feedback. |
|
|
|
|
Want to be a start you own business and Win a mini!