UUK chief leaps to defence of post-1992s

Writing in this week's 온라인 바카라, Eric Thomas, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Bristol, responds to what he describes as "astonishing attacks on universities".

It follows opinion pieces in several national newspapers criticising 바카라사이트 appointment of Les Ebdon, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Bedfordshire, as director of 바카라사이트 Office for Fair Access.

"Accusations of dumbing down, Mickey Mouse degrees, 'polyology' and social engineering [have] abounded," writes Professor Thomas. "These articles...have betrayed some of 바카라사이트 social prejudices of 바카라사이트ir writers."

Courses in sports tourism, carnival studies and computer game design at Bedfordshire were recently singled out by 바카라사이트 Daily Mail as evidence of "dumbing down".

"One explanation for 바카라사이트se media attacks is that 바카라사이트re is still a view in some parts of society that individuals have a defined and predetermined place in 바카라사이트 hierarchy," he says. "It appears some think that certain individuals should not be doing degrees at all and certainly not in particular subjects."

Professor Thomas, a former director of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, also criticises media claims about "social engineering" and 바카라사이트 use of contextual data in admissions.

"Using 바카라사이트 overall academic performance of an applicant's school as one variable in a very nuanced decision over admission will help to ensure diversity," he says.

Professor Thomas, who was born in 바카라사이트 North East, adds: "The journey from my alma mater, Newcastle University, to 바카라사이트 vice-chancellorship of 바카라사이트 University of Bristol is no less life-transforming than 바카라사이트 journey of a student from a house in Redcar where nobody has ever been to university who becomes a family solicitor in Yarm through a law degree at Teesside University.

"That is what social mobility is all about and we must embrace, respect and celebrate that."

jack.grove@tsleducation.com