Mon 26th September, 2011
There has never been a better moment to move beyond the Oxbridge obsession – that’s the view of University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon CBE DL.
Professor Ebdon was speaking as chair of the leading university think-tank million+ ahead of the Liberal Democrat Conference this week.
Million+ has challenged the Coalition Government’s ‘narrow’ approach to the role it wants universities to play in driving social mobility. In a new report, Universities driving social mobility – Beyond the Oxbridge obsession, launched today (Monday), million+ warns that the Government’s “limited vision of social mobility will yield only limited results” and that “There is also a real risk that an emphasis on ‘fair access’ to a few universities will reinforce old hierarchies rather than promote the Government’s wider objectives of ensuring that talent and achievement are recognised and rewarded, whatever a person’s family background.”
Professor Ebdon said: “To date Ministers have been too focused on the progression of relatively small numbers of younger students from free school meal backgrounds and state schools to a relatively small number of universities.
“These are very limited aspirations and will do little to ensure the progress of people from groups traditionally under-represented in higher education – those from poorer backgrounds, those who are the first-in-family to go to university, black and ethnic minority students and mature and part-time students.
“If the Government truly wants universities to drive social mobility it must recognise and promote the opportunities that are offered to students from a wide range of backgrounds by modern universities like the University of Bedfordshire. There has never been a better moment to move beyond the Oxbridge obsession.”
Latest news» 2011» September» Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor challenges social mobility agenda
