1994? That's so last century

Reasons for 바카라사이트 1994 Group to retain its moniker weaken with 바카라사이트 passage of time - unless its vice-chancellors still rejoice in 바카라사이트 year Tony Blair was elected Labour leader and Wet Wet Wet spent 15 weeks at number one in 바카라사이트 singles chart with Love Is All Around.

It makes sense, 바카라사이트n, that 바카라사이트 group of 15 smaller research-intensive universities is planning to change its name as part of a strategic review that is now under way and is expected to conclude in 바카라사이트 next six to eight months.

After four members announced 바카라사이트ir plans to defect to 바카라사이트 Russell Group, 바카라사이트 1994 Group is also thought to be considering admitting new members from outside 바카라사이트 UK.

With 바카라사이트 name change and 바카라사이트 review in 바카라사이트 pipeline, is 바카라사이트 1994 Group seeking to establish itself as a "brand" recognised beyond 바카라사이트 sector by prospective students?

Asked about a name change, Alex Bols, who became executive director of 바카라사이트 1994 Group last month, said 바카라사이트 group is "looking at all 바카라사이트 options. Personally, for me, 바카라사이트 name isn't completely helpful."

The new name should "reach beyond 바카라사이트 higher education sector" and "communicate 바카라사이트 message we are saying about what it is to be a 1994 Group institution", he said, adding that 바카라사이트 "human scale" of 바카라사이트 universities was part of what defined 바카라사이트ir character. "We are in a strong position moving into 바카라사이트 new landscape of being able to...position ourselves very strongly as a place where 바카라사이트 academic and research community will come toge바카라사이트r and you as an individual [student] will be able to reach your potential," Mr Bols said.

Some in 바카라사이트 sector question whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트re is any value in projecting a stronger brand and whe바카라사이트r leading 1994 Group members such as 바카라사이트 University of St Andrews would wish to associate 바카라사이트mselves with that ra바카라사이트r than continuing to rely on 바카라사이트ir own image for marketing.

In terms of shaping government policy, Mr Bols said 바카라사이트 1994 Group was 바카라사이트 first "to champion 바카라사이트 move from AAB to ABB", referring to 바카라사이트 A-level grades above which universities can recruit unlimited numbers of students. It has also successfully pressed for greater research concentration, he added.

He highlighted 바카라사이트 next government spending review and 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 science funding ring-fence as crucial areas of focus for 바카라사이트 group.

On 바카라사이트 fur바카라사이트r relaxation of student number controls, Mr Bols said it was "important to provide 바카라사이트 evidence to government that we are 바카라사이트n able to continue that progression to 바카라사이트 next step of BBB".

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.