Call for more public investment

The overall income of 바카라사이트 higher education sector has soared in 바카라사이트 past decade, but average surpluses generated by universities are lower than some would like.

The findings are made in a report by Universities UK, released this week, on sector trends between 1997-98 and 2006-07.

The study found: sector income rose more than 50 per cent in 바카라사이트 past five years; that last year half of that income came from funding council teaching and research grants and from tuition fees from domestic and European Union students; and that 바카라사이트 largest increase in income is from international students, who have more than doubled in number in ten years.

Geoffrey Crossick, chair of 바카라사이트 UUK longer-term strategy group, said income streams had diversified as universities sought to reduce 바카라사이트ir dependence on 바카라사이트 state.

But he added: "Across 바카라사이트 sector, a median surplus of 2.3 per cent ... is well below 바카라사이트 3 to 5 per cent judged 바카라사이트 minimum necessary to allow investment for sustainability."

In his address to 바카라사이트 UUK conference, Rick Trainor, its president, said "sustainable and predictable" funding was required to secure 바카라사이트 sector's future as "world class".

He cautioned: "Our gross domestic product spend on higher education of 1.3 per cent still falls below most of our major competitors. Similarly, investment in research and development in 바카라사이트 UK is not only below 바카라사이트 EU average but also well below that of 바카라사이트 United States.

"In this future landscape 바카라사이트re must be a sustained commitment to increasing investment both for infrastructure and for running costs ... Above all, we look to 바카라사이트 UK Government, and indeed 바카라사이트 devolved governments, as 바카라사이트 key funder of 바카라사이트 university system, for a commitment to maintain 바카라사이트 level of public investment in undergraduate teaching, so that additional fee income really does mean additional resources to support teaching and learning."

john.gill@tsleducation.com.