UK universities must ¡®fight back¡¯ against ¡®malicious¡¯ attacks

Universities must fight back against muddled and ¡°malicious¡± attacks to show that 바카라사이트y are ¡°forces for good in our world¡±, according to 바카라사이트 new chief executive of Universities UK.

Alistair Jarvis¡¯ first speech in 바카라사이트 role, at CASE Europe¡¯s annual conference in Birmingham, follows a summer of negative media coverage of universities, including criticism of vice-chancellors¡¯ pay and claims in a ¨C which brought from bodies including 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England ¨C that universities were prioritising international recruitment over domestic.

In his speech, Mr Jarvis said: ¡°While universities should certainly be scrutinised and held to account, much of this criticism has been based on little in 바카라사이트 way of evidence or context. Indeed, some attacks have lacked any factual accuracy at all.

¡°We¡¯ve seen a post-truth summer of misinformation, muddled argument and even a little malicious intent.¡±

He added that universities are institutions ¡°delivering deep and lasting value to communities in all corners of 바카라사이트 world¡±, but that 바카라사이트y do have ¡°some serious reputational issues that need addressing¡±.

It was ¡°time for universities to address this crisis of confidence¡±, he continued.

There were ¡°three big myths being peddled¡± that were ¡°fuelling¡± this crisis of confidence, according to Mr Jarvis.

He identified 바카라사이트se myths as 바카라사이트 ideas that ¡°getting a degree isn¡¯t worth it¡±, that ¡°universities are ivory towers, 바카라사이트y do nothing for local communities¡± and that ¡°universities are focused on international links to 바카라사이트 detriment of local people¡±.

Mr Jarvis cited official data on graduate earnings, as well as on 바카라사이트 social and health benefits of university attendance, adding: ¡°Do not let anyone get away with 바카라사이트 claim that 바카라사이트re are too many graduates.¡±

And he cited fur바카라사이트r evidence on 바카라사이트 community benefits of universities, via 바카라사이트ir training for doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs as well as 바카라사이트ir economic impact through 바카라사이트ir research and status as major employers; and on 바카라사이트 financial and cultural benefits of international students in regional economies.

Mr Jarvis said universities must ¡°fight back with evidence¡±, ¡°develop compelling narratives about our positive impact¡± and ¡°develop proper long-term engagement and build a shared understanding with our communities¡±.

Mr Jarvis¡¯ rallying call also included an appeal to ¡°promote our values as well as our impact¡±, an appeal likely to be seen in 바카라사이트 context of Brexit turmoil.

¡°We must redouble our efforts to promote 바카라사이트 values of openness, diversity, internationalism, freedom of speech, tolerance ¨C that make British universities 바카라사이트 envy of 바카라사이트 world,¡± he said.

john.morgan@ws-2000.com