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29 Jun 2011 08:40:19
The Higher Education White Paper ‘will do very little for the student experience and student choice’.
That’s the view of University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon CBE.
Speaking as Chair of the think-tank million+, Professor Ebdon said: “A White Paper that aims to put ‘students at the heart of the system’ is very welcome in principle. However there appears to be nothing new here for students and absolutely no evidence that the competition Ministers are trying to inject will actually improve the quality of the student experience.
“Worse still, Ministers are putting at risk the social mobility they insist is at the heart of their reforms. A mini-market in ‘AAB’ students could favour students from independent schools and actually constrain a university’s ability to widen access.
“Meanwhile, by failing to acknowledge that universities plan to charge fees above £7,500 to protect the quality of the student experience in the face of huge cuts, encouraging low-cost providers would be in the interests of the Treasury and not in the interests of students.
“At a time of unprecedented change for UK universities, the Government should not be in the game of undermining degree awarding powers. The strict criteria for awarding degrees in the UK is why our universities are very highly regarded both in Britain and internationally. Watering-down quality and using taxpayers’ money to incentivise private providers may benefit shareholders but it will do very little for the student experience and student choice.
“What Ministers needed to do today was to make crystal clear that studying at university is the best career move that people can make. Students should be encouraged to study for the degree that they need, to get the job that they want, rather than shop around for the cheapest course. The Government appears to know the cost of everything but the value of nothing.”
Latest news» 2011» June» Higher Education White Paper offers nothing new for students – says Bedfordshire VC
