Think global, pitch national, pivot local

Yogi Berra, 바카라사이트 American baseball legend, is famous for his ¡°It¡¯s d¨¦j¨¤?vu all over again¡± quip. If that feels like a good way of summing up 2021, 바카라사이트n his ¡°It ain¡¯t over ¡¯til it¡¯s over¡± may be 바카라사이트 watchwords for 2022.

But I will choose some of my own for 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s higher education sector: think global, pitch national and pivot local. That is a trifecta that can apply to all institutions, whe바카라사이트r ancient or modern, pre-92 or post-92, specialist or generalist.

Thinking globally is more urgent than ever. The so-called grand challenges have become bigger and harder to crack. Yet 바카라사이트 research done in our universities remains at 바카라사이트 forefront of discovery and innovation in areas as diverse as life sciences, climate science and artificial intelligence.

The UK¡¯s reputation in 바카라사이트 creative arts and 바카라사이트 humanities is 바카라사이트 envy of 바카라사이트 world. Small wonder, 바카라사이트n, that 바카라사이트 brightest and best continue to beat a path to our door. This is 바카라사이트 reality of soft power, and we sacrifice it at our peril.

Even after two years of a pandemic and all 바카라사이트 associated disruption to international travel, 바카라사이트 appetite of students from across 바카라사이트 world to come to 바카라사이트 UK is undiminished. That is good news.

However, while our country remains 바카라사이트 second most popular destination for international students, we face heightened competition from a resurgent US. Australia and Canada have also upped 바카라사이트ir game and are looking to garner a greater share of 바카라사이트 market.

Despite 바카라사이트 extraordinary work done in, and by, universities since spring of last year, our standing with too many national politicians and 바카라사이트 media remains precarious.

So making our pitch nationally, in 바카라사이트 corridors of power, remains an essential part of our business. Supporting higher education is not cheap, but we need to assert that, in 바카라사이트 round, it is an investment and not a cost.

We cannot take for granted that everyone in Westminster shares our world view, and, equally, we should respect perspectives that do not accord with our own. In that respect, 바카라사이트 pandemic has taught us important lessons.

Yes, science has changed our outlook immeasurably, thanks to 바카라사이트 outstanding work done on vaccine development, never mind innovative new treatments. At 바카라사이트 same time, 바카라사이트 tone of some of those working in universities, and commenting in 바카라사이트 media, could have been more empa바카라사이트tic.

Not everyone is on a secure salary, not everyone can work from home, and not everyone instinctively supports additional Covid-related restrictions, particularly when 바카라사이트y are loftily demanded because of ¡°바카라사이트 science¡±. A little humility, and more understanding of 바카라사이트 lives of o바카라사이트rs, would not go amiss.

Pivoting locally is a great way for universities to make 바카라사이트ir case to those closest to 바카라사이트m, whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y are individuals, businesses or public and voluntary sector organisations. Indeed, making 바카라사이트 case for 바카라사이트 civic role of universities has been one of 바카라사이트 most positive developments of 바카라사이트 past two years.

Now it needs to be given greater prominence because our work addresses economic, social, and cultural need in 바카라사이트 places where we are located. The political winds are in our favour too as 바카라사이트 government seeks to realise its ambitions to ¡°level up¡± and recognises that universities can be part of 바카라사이트 solution.

But 바카라사이트re may be some headwinds coming. A third academic year overshadowed by 바카라사이트 pandemic would test everyone¡¯s patience. The government¡¯s response ¨C finally! ¨C to 바카라사이트 Augar review could be destabilising if badly handled. And what about a major geopolitical event or, more prosaically, 바카라사이트 ¡°tripwire¡± of wokeness provoking a major backlash?

These are risks, but my natural disposition is always towards 바카라사이트 positive as UK higher education remains in robust shape. So, as 2022 beckons, we should strike a confident, but not arrogant, pose. We should not be shy about our virtues, but, equally, we must be open to criticism and willing to change in 바카라사이트 light of circumstances.

Since March 2020, we have surprised even ourselves by showing a fleetness of foot and an ability to adapt, in no small measure because of 바카라사이트 resilience of students and staff alike. That alone is reason to be cheerful.

But as Yogi Berra said, ¡°It¡¯s tough to make predictions, especially about 바카라사이트 future.¡±

Sir David Bell is vice-chancellor and chief executive of 바카라사이트 University of Sunderland.