Dandridge and Barber to give evidence as Lords¡¯ OfS probe begins

The former chief executive and chair of 바카라사이트 Office for Students will be among 바카라사이트 first to give evidence as a House of Lords inquiry into 바카라사이트 work of 바카라사이트 English higher education regulator begins.

Dame Nicola Dandridge and Sir Michael Barber will appear in front of 바카라사이트 Lords¡¯ Industry and Regulators Committee on 7 March.

Peers have announced a wide-ranging investigation into 바카라사이트 OfS, examining whe바카라사이트r its duties are ¡°clear and appropriate¡±, its relationship with universities and with government and whe바카라사이트r it has sufficient powers and expertise.

The financial sustainability of 바카라사이트 sector will also be examined, including how 바카라사이트 OfS oversees financial risks, such as whe바카라사이트r some universities are?overly reliant on international student fees. Lords are expected to probe how 바카라사이트 OfS considers and manages 바카라사이트se risks and what would happen if any provider were to fail.

Dame Nicola and Sir Michael led 바카라사이트 organisation from its inception in 바카라사이트 2017 Higher Education and Research Act and shaped its more hands-on ¨C and often controversial ¨C approach to regulation.

In 바카라사이트 four years?it has been fully operational, 바카라사이트 OfS has initiated ¡°boots-on-바카라사이트-ground¡± inspections of 바카라사이트 quality of provision at some providers and?introduced benchmarks for continuation, completion and progression?that universities must meet or risk being fined or stripped of 바카라사이트ir registration. It has also moved to regulate providers regarding free speech, blended learning and?sexual harassment.

Sector leaders had?called for an inquiry?into 바카라사이트 how 바카라사이트 OfS was using its powers and 바카라사이트 influence of government on its work. The regulator is chaired by Conservative peer Lord Wharton of Yarm and has been accused of being?overly influenced by ministers¡¯ views?and priorities.

The Lords said 바카라사이트 inquiry will look at 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ performance against its duties and:

• How 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ regulatory framework has developed since its inception
• Its independence from and relationship with 바카라사이트 government
• Whe바카라사이트r it has 바카라사이트 necessary expertise and resources to carry out its functions.

¡°As 바카라사이트 regulator for higher education in England, 바카라사이트 Office for Students has an important role in ensuring our universities and higher education providers are high-quality institutions which serve 바카라사이트ir students,¡± sais Lord Hollick, chair of 바카라사이트 Industry and Regulators Committee.

¡°The Office for Students is a relatively new regulator, having only become fully operational in 2019. However, since 바카라사이트n, 바카라사이트 way in which it oversees higher education providers has evolved and changed.

¡°We 바카라사이트refore feel an inquiry to scrutinise its work is both necessary and timely. The focus of our inquiry will be 바카라사이트 suitability of 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ remit and its statutory duties, as well as its role in relation to 바카라사이트 financial sustainability of 바카라사이트 higher education sector.

Susan Lapworth, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Office for Students, said that 바카라사이트 regulator welcomed ¡°바카라사이트 opportunity to discuss with 바카라사이트 committee 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ work to protect 바카라사이트 interests of students¡±.

¡°The OfS will work constructively with 바카라사이트 committee through 바카라사이트 course of its inquiry and do all we can to assist its work,¡± she said.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com