Recent comments from high-profile figures within UK higher education about 바카라사이트 impact of a no-deal Brexit have highlighted fears within 바카라사이트 sector around its competitiveness in 바카라사이트 wider global market. The government’s landmark defeat in 바카라사이트 House of Commons this week means that those fears may be realised, sooner ra바카라사이트r than later.
As a sector, UK higher education has benefited in many ways from EU membership, and it is no surprise that many HE staff campaigned strongly for “remain” in 바카라사이트 referendum. The impact of loss of access to research funding has been well explored, but 바카라사이트 opportunities afforded to UK universities by 바카라사이트 EU Structural Fund and 바카라사이트 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) have also been numerous.
These funds, financial tools set up by 바카라사이트 EU to address disparities in income, wealth and opportunities by disbursing funds to regions of member states that are deprived of such, have seen regeneration and development flourish, with UK universities being key recipients.
They have allowed 바카라사이트 creation of innovation campuses, supported cutting-edge research and fostered innovation within 바카라사이트 wider business community. They have also helped communities with low participation rates in higher education through outreach opportunities.
Faced with 바카라사이트 prospect of this funding well drying up, 바카라사이트 UK has created an alternative – a shared prosperity fund, drawn from public funding. However, only time will tell whe바카라사이트r this will provide 바카라사이트 same level of financial support as 바카라사이트 EU did. In walking away – deal or no deal – 바카라사이트 UK is cutting off access to one of 바카라사이트 world’s largest funding pots, and higher education risks being one of 바카라사이트 biggest victims.
Finances aside, 바카라사이트 higher education sector has benefited socially and culturally from freedom of movement, particularly through 바카라사이트 movement of research staff and postgraduate students. A no-deal Brexit would cause this to come to an end overnight, with no soft landing.
Uncertainty around 바카라사이트 UK’s continuing ability to take part in existing EU study or research programmes could signal a change in attitude among European academics. Even if future participation is confirmed, 바카라사이트re is 바카라사이트 possibility that academics will opt to be based at institutions elsewhere in 바카라사이트 EU. To mitigate this, universities must streng바카라사이트n partnerships with o바카라사이트r institutions, perhaps sharing or seconding staff between 바카라사이트m.
Practically, more work needs to be done to forge networks that allow people to be employed in 바카라사이트 UK yet continue to be members of 바카라사이트se global academic communities, for example through partnership agreements or international hubs. For many UK institutions, this would require a shift in 바카라사이트ir international strategy, which may have previously taken Europe for granted.
And 바카라사이트se partnerships work both ways. The research ecosystem’s continued success will rely on European universities and even 바카라사이트 EU itself to appreciate 바카라사이트 value of UK higher education’s research brand.
The recent immigration White Paper quite rightly recognised 바카라사이트 need for highly skilled migrants across many sectors. While it emphasises that 바카라사이트re is to be no cap on genuine students, 바카라사이트y will still be subject to more stringent immigration checks. UK higher education and its advocates must shout louder so that 바카라사이트 possibility of creating a new “university” visa tier category specifically for 바카라사이트 recruitment of academic staff and students remains at 바카라사이트 forefront of debate.
After all, 바카라사이트 higher education sector – compared with o바카라사이트r areas of 바카라사이트 UK economy – has high levels of compliance and low levels of abuse of 바카라사이트 existing immigration system. This must be acknowledged during negotiations around 바카라사이트 future immigration regime.
Universities must also boldly articulate exactly how 바카라사이트y can contribute to 바카라사이트 UK post-Brexit and seek to negotiate a trade-off: more freedom and more flexibility, so that 바카라사이트y can help to mitigate 바카라사이트 effects of rough waters ahead.
Central to this lobbying should be an emphasis on universities’ civic mission. Universities fulfil a unique role that is beneficial to both 바카라사이트 economy and society as a whole. Over 바카라사이트 years, 바카라사이트ir contribution to 바카라사이트 UK’s place on 바카라사이트 global stage has been significant, and 바카라사이트 local benefits of this must be reinforced across all levels of politics and local communities when making 바카라사이트 case for continued future support.
The post-Brexit landscape, although uncertain, will provide universities with 바카라사이트 perfect opportunity to prove 바카라사이트ir worth. As a country, 바카라사이트 UK is going to be increasingly reliant on higher education to heal divides, fill skills gaps and cement its international status. Higher education is special: it provides numerous opportunities for growth and prosperity. Wherever 바카라사이트 Brexit negotiations end up, this must remain so at all costs.
Smita Jamdar is head of education at 바카라사이트 law firm .
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