million+ responds to Minister's speech on higher education at Universities UK conference
Responding to a speech given today (Thursday) at a conference of Universities UK by the Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, David Lammy MP, million+ welcomed the Minister’s continued commitment to universities but warned of the dangers of competitive bidding on teaching funds and expressed concern that concentrating too narrowly on certain industries could limit the contribution of universities to the economy.
Professor Les Ebdon CBE Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire and Chair of million+ said, “ We welcome the recognition by David Lammy of the contribution of those universities which offered additional student places, helping to ensure that more students than ever before have the opportunity to study at university at a time of economic recession. There is a real need for the government to engage in constructive dialogue now to avoid the uncertainties of this year being repeated in 2010.
“Proposals to apply competitive bidding to a teaching fund which is already being cut in order to promote a limited number of sectors will inevitably mean cuts in other areas. This will worry both universities and students and runs the risk of limiting innovation and the funding available to universities which have a very clear focus and commitment to teaching as well as research.
“The government must also avoid the mistake of concentrating too narrowly on a few key sectors mentioned in the New Industries New Jobs agenda. Universities will have to be regarded as key players and partners in the much broader range of industries, including the creative industries which represent 7.3% of the UK economy.* In addition, it would be a mistake to concentrate research funding when it is absolute clear that many new industries will require relevant and accessible research provided by their local university.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- *Creative Futures: Building the Creative Economy through universities; million+ 2008
- Rt. Hon. David Lammy MP’s speech can be found here www.bis.gov.uk/universities-uk-annual-conference
- For more information please contact Gemma Tumelty on 0207 7171655 or 07900 277819