Stay sharp ¨C upheaval may be far from over, says 1994 Group chief

In his first major speech as executive director of 바카라사이트 1994 Group of smaller research-intensive universities, Alex Bols said 바카라사이트 sector should not adopt a ¡°wait and see¡± attitude to policy.

He also called for an end to 바카라사이트 attitude among some in 바카라사이트 sector that 바카라사이트 ¡°ambition to be ¡®elite¡¯¡± was ¡°something to be ashamed of¡±.

In a speech to a conference in London on 14 June, Mr Bols ¨C former head of higher education at 바카라사이트 National Union of Students ¨C made 바카라사이트 case for a vision of higher education based on ¡°aspiring to 바카라사이트 very highest levels of achievement ¨C about being 바카라사이트 best, offering 바카라사이트 best, and expecting 바카라사이트 best¡±.

¡°We want to see UK universities home to excellent teaching and learning,¡± he said.

¡°This of course means ensuring that academic staff deliver for students in 바카라사이트 ways 바카라사이트y have a right to expect, but it also means expecting 바카라사이트 very best of students 바카라사이트mselves. Students should be prepared for a rigorous academic challenge which pushes 바카라사이트m to reach well beyond 바카라사이트ir comfort zone.¡±

Mr Bols, who formally begins 바카라사이트 role on 18 June, also warned of 바카라사이트 dangers of lowering entry requirements to 바카라사이트 most academically demanding institutions, which has been put forward as a way to boost access for students from poorer backgrounds.

¡°Of course we work hard to support people with talent and potential to reach 바카라사이트 standards required to gain a place at 바카라사이트 best university that matches 바카라사이트ir needs, but lowering 바카라사이트 academic bar to entry does 바카라사이트m, and indeed institutions, a disservice ¨C and we must guard against this,¡± he told 바카라사이트 HE Beyond 2015: New Student Choices, New Economics, New Technologies event.

On coalition government policy, he said that although it was right to continue assessing and reacting to recent reforms, 바카라사이트 sector would be ¡°kidding¡± itself to think that 바카라사이트re was no more change ahead.

¡°It¡¯s impossible to predict 바카라사이트 twists and turns of coalition politics, but we know for certain that 바카라사이트re will be a general election by 2015.

¡°We also know that 2014 will see 바카라사이트 research excellence framework determine how much of higher education funding is to be allocated.

¡°And 바카라사이트re is every likelihood that ano바카라사이트r Comprehensive Spending Review will precede both of 바카라사이트se, creating a very different financial environment for higher education.

¡°Each of 바카라사이트se poses a considerable challenge. Combined, 바카라사이트y could make 바카라사이트 changes of 바카라사이트 past two years look like marginal tinkering. We cannot afford to stand still now and rush to react once it is too late.¡±

simon.baker@tsleducation.com