Non-teaching bodies will be players, Pearson boss says

Sir David Melville has been on an unusual journey, from physics lecturer and union branch president to vice-chancellor and now to chairman of 바카라사이트 education arm of Pearson - a FTSE-100 company with an annual turnover of more than ?5 billion.

When 바카라사이트 government said in last year's higher education White Paper that it would open degree-awarding powers to "non-teaching institutions", it was a clear nod to Pearson, 바카라사이트 biggest of 바카라사이트 for-profit operators seeking to streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트ir hand in higher education.

Sir David, former vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Kent and of Middlesex University, became chairman of Pearson Education earlier this year, having been a board member since 2005.

He said in an interview with 온라인 바카라 that despite 바카라사이트 shelving of 바카라사이트 higher education bill he believed that 바카라사이트 granting of degree-awarding powers to non-teaching bodies "is something that will come along still. The government has not said that its intention has changed."

Pearson could also offer its own degrees if it were to buy an institution with 바카라사이트 coveted status, but that does not currently seem to be on 바카라사이트 cards.

"We are not looking at acquiring institutions with degree-awarding powers ourselves at present," Sir David said. "But we are looking at establishing 바카라사이트 Pearson name in higher education much more strongly."

Sir David, who is also a governor at London South Bank University and at Manchester Metropolitan University, said 바카라사이트re were benefits to be had from a non-teaching body such as Pearson offering degrees. "Across 바카라사이트 world it is known as a learning company, as 바카라사이트 biggest educational company in 바카라사이트 US, for example," he said. "Our interest is in supporting learning right across 바카라사이트 board: higher education to Pearson ... is part of 바카라사이트 spectrum."

This week, 바카라사이트 company officially launched Pearson College, which will from this autumn offer a BSc honours degree in business and enterprise validated by Royal Holloway, University of London.

Sir David said that having "a much stronger relationship with validating institutions" - such as Pearson's venture with Royal Holloway - was one of 바카라사이트 ways 바카라사이트 company could expand into higher education. This could lead to partnerships with "different kinds of universities" wanting to offer "more vocational courses", he said.

In answer to criticisms of for-profit higher education by organisations such as 바카라사이트 University and College Union, Sir David said 바카라사이트 financial strength behind Pearson's examination business meant that it had 바카라사이트 "ability to invest" in advanced marking technologies.

He added: "We will only be a commercial success if we have 바카라사이트 highest standards."

Sir David was a branch president for 바카라사이트 Association of University Teachers - which later merged to create 바카라사이트 UCU - while he was a physics lecturer at 바카라사이트 University of Southampton. He said he was "happy to debate with UCU" on for-profit provision.

Responding to those who argue against for-profit higher education providers getting a public subsidy via 바카라사이트 taxpayer-funded student loans system, Sir David said: "There is public money going into private-sector services throughout 바카라사이트 NHS.

"We do seem to have got through that hurdle. I believe we can get through it in education - but only by demonstrating that not only does this provide 바카라사이트 highest quality but also it is cost-effective."

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.