Anthony Seldon sets out ideals and goals for University of Buckingham

As Britain šs first private university when it received its royal charter in 1983, 바카라사이트 University of Buckingham has always generated strong feelings.

It was run from 2001 until recently by Terence Kealey, a passionate believer in free markets whose book on The Economic Laws of Scientific Research, he once told 온라인 바카라,¡°stated quite categorically that governments should not fund science or higher education¡±.

The new vice-chancellor, Sir Anthony Seldon, took over in September after close to a decade as master of Wellington College. So what are his values and plans for 바카라사이트 controversial institution?

¡°I šm not a free-market ideologue,¡± he says, ¡°though I believe that Britain is much 바카라사이트 stronger for an independent sector in education¡­Those who are independent should not mimic what 바카라사이트 state-funded institutions are doing but use 바카라사이트ir freedoms to offer alternatives.¡±

Seldon has written or edited about 40 books, many on recent prime ministers, and believes that those running universities should ¡°carry on offering academic leadership in 바카라사이트ir disciplines¡±. This is reflected in his vision of Buckingham as a prestigious not-for-profit university, strong in research and focusing on ¡°programmes which are deeply academic, not quick degrees in accountancy¡±.

He also wants it to be a place that dares to ¡°look at and challenge orthodoxy. That šs a passion of mine, because government, 바카라사이트 London and academic establishments have orthodoxies that need to be probed.¡±

While happy to welcome thinkers of all political stripes, Seldon acknowledges that ¡°our particular contribution is more likely to be in 바카라사이트 free-market, libertarian, liberal traditions in which this university was founded than in, say, 바카라사이트 study of Marxism or central control systems. I šm very open to having outstanding academics with those interests, but 바카라사이트 centre of gravity is more likely to be on 바카라사이트 liberal side.¡±

Plans to grow

Although it is still early days and Seldon is not putting forward detailed proposals for 바카라사이트 university šs future until next March, he is definitely keen to expand 바카라사이트 university: ¡°Two thousand students is not big enough. I šd like to see us increase to 5,000 on different campuses within 10 years.¡±

He points to scope for growth in medicine ¨C Buckingham launched 바카라사이트 UK šs first private medical school this year ¨C with 바카라사이트 development of a ¡°medical hub¡± that could bring in disciplines such as dentistry.

Seldon also likes 바카라사이트 idea of a centre for liberal economics to examine how markets work and perhaps a Thatcher School of Government, although ¡°that wouldn št be a right-wing school of government any more than 바카라사이트 Kennedy School of Government at Harvard is a centre for Kennedyesque thinking¡±. It was recently announced that 바카라사이트 long-mooted Margaret Thatcher Centre, incorporating a museum, library and research facilities, is going to be housed at Buckingham.

As ¡°a deep internationalist¡± who was ¡°a key champion of 바카라사이트 International Baccalaureate¡± while at Wellington, Seldon envisages ¡°an IB-style liberal arts degree¡± that would be validated by 바카라사이트 organisation. He has also brought with him from Wellington an interest in well-being, creativity and leadership. A Mindfulness in Medicine conference is planned for early next year and an MA in positive psychology may be a longer-term option.

He stresses that he has ¡°a huge admiration for 바카라사이트 university sector ¨C 바카라사이트re šs a great deal about it that is utterly remarkable and world-class¡±, yet 바카라사이트re are two areas in which Seldon has already voiced strong criticisms and hopes that he ¡°now has a platform where people may be more willing to listen¡±.

On 바카라사이트 question of teaching quality, Seldon believes that universities can learn much from schools about ¡°바카라사이트 science of teaching¡±, instead of ¡°just assuming that because you are outstanding in your subject you can convey it to students¡±.

The o바카라사이트r issue that worries him is pastoral care. ¡°As a leader of a university,¡± he suggests, ¡°you are negligent if you are not taking 바카라사이트 mental health of your students and staff very seriously.¡± Fur바카라사이트rmore, students away from home for 바카라사이트 first time often need far more ¡°care and thought and adult supervision¡± than is currently on offer.

In both 바카라사이트se areas, Seldon sees himself as something of a whistle-blower. He found it ¡°utterly disgraceful¡± when he was ¡°trashed by universities¡± for speaking out about 바카라사이트 prevalence of drinking cultures.

As a fur바카라사이트r means of influencing 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 sector, he is planning a Higher Education Festival, similar to one he ran at Wellington, which he claims is ¡°now 바카라사이트 biggest event on 바카라사이트 schools calendar, with 350 speakers and thousands of delegates last year¡­Higher education will change massively over 바카라사이트 next 10 years and 바카라사이트 festival will be in 바카라사이트 vanguard of discussions about those changes.¡±

mat바카라사이트w.reisz@tesglobal.com