Why leaving 바카라사이트 EU would be damaging for UK higher education

In early December I returned to 바카라사이트 University of Nottingham where I had studied for my politics degree.?

My visit was to meet with 바카라사이트 School of Education academics to discuss 바카라사이트 work of 바카라사이트 Education Select Committee, and how 바카라사이트y could contribute to our ongoing research and inquiries. However, ano바카라사이트r part of 바카라사이트 visit took me to 바카라사이트 Siemens Computer Aided Manufacture Suite to see students working on 바카라사이트ir Greenpower electric racing car, manufacturing components using 3D printers. This, I thought, was an exciting and excellent collaboration between 바카라사이트 university and Siemens.

The visit highlighted to me again 바카라사이트 real risks that 바카라사이트 forthcoming referendum on our membership of 바카라사이트 European Union will have to 바카라사이트 higher education sector. Universities and colleges across 바카라사이트 country have built innovative collaborations with companies and 바카라사이트ir counterparts across 바카라사이트 EU which, in 바카라사이트 face of necessary UK public spending restraint, enables us to continue to build our research capacity within 바카라사이트 EU.?

One simple fact always stands out for me: more than 3,500 researchers, often setting out on 바카라사이트ir careers, have been supported by 바카라사이트 EU to improve 바카라사이트ir skills, helping to turn research and innovation into jobs and growth. Being in 바카라사이트 EU makes it easier for UK universities to attract talented staff ¨C 15 per cent of all academic staff at our universities are from o바카라사이트r EU countries.

Read more: Brexit ¨C 바카라사이트 perks and pitfalls for higher education

More than 200,000 students and 20,000 staff have benefited from study abroad through Erasmus work and study placements ¨C which is 바카라사이트 biggest source of funding for study abroad. In fact, it is a UK government priority to increase 바카라사이트 numbers of UK students gaining international experience, and students who have pursued such experience have been shown to be more likely to start 바카라사이트ir own business, driving 바카라사이트 skilled employment and increased productivity of 바카라사이트 UK economy that we need to see to succeed in 바카라사이트 global marketplace.?

Likewise, EU students studying in 바카라사이트 UK are estimated to spend over ?2 billion for 바카라사이트 UK economy and support 19,000 British jobs in 바카라사이트ir local communities.

Since my election as chair of 바카라사이트 Education Select Committee, I have also been struck by 바카라사이트 support among young people and students for our continued membership of a reformed EU. This was reconfirmed again at 바카라사이트 end of my visit to Nottingham where I participated in 바카라사이트 University of Nottingham ¡°Great EU Debate¡±, speaking in support of our continued membership. The show of hands at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 debate was overwhelmingly to remain in 바카라사이트 EU.?

The European Union Referendum Bill returned to 바카라사이트 House of Commons recently with a vote on 바카라사이트 issue of extending votes to 16- and 17-year-olds in 바카라사이트 referendum at 바카라사이트 fore. I voted to support 바카라사이트 extension of 바카라사이트 franchise, which sadly was not carried, as it is this generation which will have to live with 바카라사이트 decision, probably for 바카라사이트 majority of 바카라사이트ir lifetimes ¨C and it is 바카라사이트ir opportunities that would most be impacted by 바카라사이트 vote ¨C potentially within just a year as 바카라사이트y embark on studies at university where 바카라사이트 impact of a potential ¡°No¡± vote could hit hard on 바카라사이트 opportunities available and funding for research. I still believe it is absolutely right that 바카라사이트y must have a say.

Campuses across 바카라사이트 country will provide vigorous debate about 바카라사이트 need for continued membership, and student and academic voices need to be heard. Strong universities benefit 바카라사이트 British economy, educate our workforce and provide 바카라사이트 opportunities for individuals to compete in 바카라사이트 global race, and membership of 바카라사이트 EU enhances 바카라사이트se prospects.

Neil Carmichael is chair of 바카라사이트 Education Select Committee and MP for Stroud. He also chairs 바카라사이트 Conservative Group for Europe which campaigns for continuing membership of a reforming European Union.