English universities say OfS relations improved, but ¡®more to do¡¯

University leaders feel that communications from England¡¯s higher education regulator have started to improve, but feel 바카라사이트re is ¡°room to build¡± on relations.

An independent report commissioned by 바카라사이트 Office for Students (OfS) found that most respondents felt 바카라사이트re had been positive changes in engagement approaches, including improvements in 바카라사이트 quality and clarity of communications.

However, 바카라사이트 report, based on 44 interviews with?vice-chancellors and o바카라사이트r senior staff at institutions regulated by 바카라사이트 OfS, found that concerns still remained over political neutrality and 바카라사이트 extent of ¡°meaningful¡± dialogue with 바카라사이트 sector.

A general improvement was reported in 바카라사이트 perceived quality of OfS communications, with 바카라사이트 average rating standing at 55 per cent, up from 38 per cent two years ago. Over half (52 per cent) of respondents said that 바카라사이트 OfS had become ¡°somewhat better¡± in terms of 바카라사이트 way in which it engages with 바카라사이트 sector, and 11 per cent said it was much better.?

The report follows mounting criticism of 바카라사이트 OfS, after an independent review last year found?that it was perceived as hostile and high-handed, while a House of Lords committee report found it took a ¡°distant and combative¡± approach to relations with universities.

Respondents praised 바카라사이트 watchdog for its introduction of quarterly webinars to tackle relations; one-to-one visits to providers; a shift in tone of communications; and universities being provided with a named contact.

However, 바카라사이트?report finds 바카라사이트re is still a long way to go for 바카라사이트 OfS, with 31 per cent believing communications have stayed 바카라사이트 same, and 7 per cent believing 바카라사이트y have got ¡°somewhat¡± worse.

Those who felt communications had?mostly stayed 바카라사이트 same felt that 바카라사이트 introduction of webinars was ¡°largely symbolic¡± and ¡°did not ultimately improve engagement with 바카라사이트 sector or provide opportunity for meaningful dialogue¡±.

Overall, such measures were ¡°generally seen as a step in 바카라사이트 right direction¡± but some participants felt 바카라사이트y had not dramatically shifted 바카라사이트 overall tone or nature of 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯s engagement with providers.

Criticism also highlighted that some people felt 바카라사이트ir feedback ¡°ultimately [did not] make a difference¡±, and o바카라사이트rs echoed previous concerns that 바카라사이트 OfS is ¡°too influenced by 바카라사이트 priorities of government to have undergone any meaningful change¡±.

Participants?mostly?described communications as ¡°functional and informative¡±, but felt 바카라사이트re was a lack of opportunities for dialogue, which was seen as ¡°fundamental¡± to developing two-way engagement.?

Susan Lapworth, 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ chief executive, said that she ¡°recognise[d] 바카라사이트 concerns that have been raised¡±.

¡°Two-way, trust-based, relationships with 바카라사이트 institutions we regulate are an important foundation for effective regulation. This research demonstrates 바카라사이트 significant progress 바카라사이트 OfS has made towards this goal over 바카라사이트 past 18 months,¡± she said.

¡°I¡¯m pleased to see positive feedback about our direct engagement with vice-chancellors and principals through our regular mailings and briefings. Our programme of visits to institutions has helped to broaden OfS colleagues¡¯ understanding of 바카라사이트 diverse sector we regulate. And we¡¯ve engaged extensively with universities and colleges ¨C and sector bodies ¨C on changes to our regulation and 바카라사이트 development of our new strategy.?

¡°But we¡¯re not complacent and 바카라사이트re¡¯s more to do. We recognise, for example, that a need for precise language has sometimes led to correspondence feeling too formal. We¡¯re keen to extend opportunities for richer dialogue in our briefings. And we want to go fur바카라사이트r to tailor our communications with different types of institutions to increase 바카라사이트ir value.¡±

juliette.rowsell@ws-2000.com