HEFCE seeks power to prioritise subjects

Funding councils need more power to intervene in 바카라사이트 development of particular disciplines in higher education, vice chancellors and academics heard this week, writes Tony Tysome.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England, which is reviewing 바카라사이트 way it funds teaching and research, would like a more effective system for influencing which subject areas are given a high priority, said Bahram Bekhradnia, HEFCE's director of policy.

Speaking at a conference on departmental reviews on Wednesday, he said 바카라사이트 council's review might lead to "a more interventionist approach" to funding teaching which would change its relationship with institutions as a result.

"We are in a position now where if we want to, or if 바카라사이트 Government asks us, we can encourage 바카라사이트 development of some particular discipline or aspect of academic development, we have very blunt instruments for achieving that," he said.

Mr Bekhradnia admitted 바카라사이트re are weaknesses in 바카라사이트 present system for reviewing provision, including a danger that interdisciplinary work might be discouraged.

Roger Brown, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Quality Council, argued that a single approach to reviewing teaching and research was needed at departmental level.