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14 Sep 2009 12:19:00
University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon CBE is urging the Government to invest more and not less in higher education.
“The way to get out of this recession is to give people the best skills they can get so that they can compete in the job market in the long term,” he said.
“We’re told we are climbing out of recession – all the more reason why universities like Bedfordshire and our students should be at the back of the queue when it comes to further Government cuts.”
Professor Ebdon was responding to the publication of the OECD’s recent annual Education at a Glance report of 30 leading countries.
The report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development shows that going to university pays dividends later in life through higher salaries, better health and less vulnerability to unemployment.
Its author believes that countries which want to come out stronger from the economic crisis should create and fund enough places in universities.
The publication of the report follows controversy this summer over the number of university places available. Applications to the University of Bedfordshire this year were up 29 per cent but because of the Government cap only a small number of extra places were made available.
Professor Ebdon, also chairman of the think tank million+, has urged the Government to ensure more places are funded next year to enable all those students who want to enter higher education can do so.
“The UK still invests a smaller percentage of its wealth on higher education compared with many of our competitor countries. Now is the time to fund more places if we want our young people to have the best chance possible once the current economic crisis is over,” he added.
Latest news» 2009» September» Vice Chancellor calls for investment - not cuts
