Higher education: the future

Wednesday 21 May 2003

A University of St Andrews economist will lead the collective voice of UK University academics as they meet to discuss the implications of the Government’s White Paper on the future of Higher Education.

Professor Gavin Reid is the newly elected President of the NCUP (the National Conference of University Professors) – the national network of academics which aims to promote beneficial developments in the UK university system.

The body will hold a one-day meeting in London today (Thursday 22nd May, 2003). It is the first meeting since Professor Reid’s appointment.

Professor Reid said: ‘The government white paper on the future of higher education has raised the stakes to a new, and all time high. This government white paper has generated tremendous controversy, notably on the issues of student loans, and on the broadening of access to university education.”

‘This white paper sets out an agenda, rather than dictates one. Our purpose is to be proactive in the policy making process, rather then merely responding to new regimes; so this format is useful from the NCUP’s perspective,’ he said.

Professor Reid has previously been a Councillor and Vice-President of the NCUP and will now serve a two year term of office as President. He is Director of CRIEFF (Centre for Research into Industry, Enterprise, Finance and the Firm) at the University of St Andrew’s Department of Economics.

Of his recent appointment he said: ‘It is a great honour to be holding this office within the NCUP, particularly at this pivotal time in the development of higher education policy in the UK.’

Recent meetings of the NCUP have emphasised regional themes, and focussed on the roles of the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly of Wales, in determining key features of higher education policy. They also hold more specialised meetings on themes such as commercialisation and intellectual property, and modern developments in post- graduate education and supervision.

Professor Reid continued, “The one- day meeting today will focus on themes like access regulation, regional diversity, student finance, HEFCE policy, and research concentration. Speakers will include Dr Liz Beaty, the new Director of Learning and Teaching at HEFCE, and the economist, Professor Geraint Johnes, of Lancaster University, who is an expert on university finance’.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The NCUP was founded in 1989. Its founders felt that professors had a particular responsibility for the academic directions of universities. As a result, the NCUP provides a forum for the discussion and expression of their collective voice on contemporary issues. The NCUP is dedicated to the impartial communication of information and advice about higher and further education in general.

PRESS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING AT KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON. (A PRESS BRIEFING WILL BE HELD) ¿ PLEASE CONTACT MARGARET GOODE AT THE NCUP SECRETARIAT FOR INFORMATION ON ATTENDING – TEL: 01792 295261; email [email protected]

The Speakers and their subjects are:

Professor Michael Shattock, Institute For Education – ‘Teaching And Research’ Professor Claire Callender, South Bank University – ‘Student Debt’ Professor Ron Barnett, Institute For Education – ‘The End Of The University’ Dr Liz Beaty, Director, Learning & Teaching, Hefce – ‘Hefce Policy’ Professor Geraint Jones, Lancaster University – ‘Student Finance’ Professor Maurice Kogan, Brunel University – ‘Reducing The Research Platform’

Weblinks

The NCUP www.swan.ac.uk/ncup CRIEFF http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~www_crieff/gcr.html

ENDS

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050103, or email [email protected] Ref: G Reid NCUP event pr 200503.doc View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk


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