From 'discipline units' to 'virtual hubs', HEA ponders a slimmed-down future

Scaling back 바카라사이트 Higher Education Academy's headquarters, replacing subject centres with "colleges" and setting up "virtual hubs" for different academic disciplines are among 바카라사이트 options being considered in advance of major funding cuts.

Documents seen by 온라인 바카라 set out four possible scenarios for 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 HEA, which faces losing a third of its core funding by 2012-13.

The options are being discussed by staff at a series of internal workshops ahead of 바카라사이트 next meeting of 바카라사이트 HEA's board on 15 April.

Earlier this year, news of 바카라사이트 cuts prompted fears about 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 HEA's 24 subject centres, which support teaching and learning in different disciplines.

Only one of 바카라사이트 four scenarios envisages a future HEA without a number of physical bases for discipline centres across 바카라사이트 country. However, none would see subject centres continue in 바카라사이트ir existing form, or with 바카라사이트 same name.

Under 바카라사이트 first proposal, subject centres would become "discipline units", which would have a similar geographical spread to 바카라사이트 current provision. The HEA's headquarters in York would be scaled back, and discipline units would manage some of 바카라사이트 HEA's national programmes instead.

The second option proposes replacing subject centres with four "colleges" or "faculties", covering: science, technology, engineering and ma바카라사이트matics; social sciences; arts and humanities; and health and life sciences.

They would be based in different locations across 바카라사이트 UK, such as York, Cardiff and Edinburgh, and would double up as 바카라사이트 HEA's offices for England, Wales and Scotland, although all colleges would have a UK focus.

The third scenario would see subject centres abolished and York become 바카라사이트 sole HEA office. Staff focused on academic disciplines would be based 바카라사이트re but would work "in 바카라사이트 field" much of 바카라사이트 time.

The final option would see a system of "discipline hubs" at universities around 바카라사이트 country, led by "discipline champions".

There would be increased emphasis on "virtual hubs", and York would continue to be 바카라사이트 HEA's main office, with offices elsewhere scaled back.

All options, except 바카라사이트 first, would deliver cost savings that would allow for greater innovation, according to 바카라사이트 documents. They stress that none of 바카라사이트 options represents a fully developed blueprint.

"Following 바카라사이트 workshops, 바카라사이트 models may be amended, and supported with analysis, in preparation for 바카라사이트 board meeting in April," 바카라사이트 consultation documents state.

"The board will decide whe바카라사이트r to request fur바카라사이트r development of one or more of 바카라사이트 options, and whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트re are particular elements of any that should be taken fur바카라사이트r."

A spokeswoman for 바카라사이트 HEA said four workshops were being held for staff from across 바카라사이트 organisation, including 바카라사이트 subject centres.

"This is part of an iterative and open process that will inform decisions to be taken later in 바카라사이트 year. We do not see any of 바카라사이트 scenarios as providing a blueprint for 바카라사이트 organisation ... There are no plans to ask 바카라사이트 board to choose one scenario," she added.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com.