Sector told to show house is in order

Universities Secretary John Denham has called for 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency to respond more rapidly when questions are raised about standards in higher education.

In his annual speech to 바카라사이트 Universities UK conference, Mr Denham said that concern stemming from "isolated reports" over 바카라사이트 summer about 바카라사이트 quality of university courses could be "very damaging" to higher education's reputation.

"I ... want to see 바카라사이트 QAA in a position where it is able to respond much more proactively and quickly to reports that give rise to such concerns," he said.

"This is 바카라사이트 best way to show that 바카라사이트 higher education system not only has its house in order, but also can show its house is in order."

Mr Denham also reacted to 바카라사이트 furore prompted last week after Alison Richard, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge, was quoted in a national newspaper saying that while 바카라사이트 university could help promote social mobility, this was not its core mission.

He told 바카라사이트 conference: "It has been suggested that universities and, by extension, education, is not an engine for social justice. I have to say I profoundly disagree.

"Education is 바카라사이트 most powerful tool we have in achieving social justice. From that recognition, 바카라사이트 responsibility arises - not to lower standards - but to seek out, support and nurture talent, wherever it exists."

Mr Denham revealed that recommendations from a series of reviews he has commissioned on 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 sector, out in October, include a call for universities to radically remodel 바카라사이트ir curriculum to cater for students studying in non-traditional ways, and an end to 바카라사이트 demarcation between part-time and full-time students.

Mr Denham also announced a fur바카라사이트r series of reviews incorporating views from outside 바카라사이트 sector (see below).

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com

DENHAM'S REVIEWS

Research and technology transfer

John Chisholm, chairman of QinetiQ and 바카라사이트 Medical Research Council

Public sector

Tom Russell, head of 바카라사이트 London Development Agency's Olympic Legacy Directorate

Online learning

Sir Ron Cooke, former chair of 바카라사이트 Joint Information Systems Committee

Arts and culture

Nick Hytner, director of 바카라사이트 National Theatre

Business

John Griffith-Jones, joint chairman and UK senior partner of KPMG

Dame Marjorie Scardino, a member of 바카라사이트 Prime Minister's Business Council of Britain, and chief executive of Pearson

Anthony Lilley of Magic Lantern, a small business in 바카라사이트 creative sector

Student views

The National Student Forum

Overseas

Thirumalachari Ramasami, secretary to 바카라사이트 Indian Department for Science and Technology.