We don't need a government push, just rational regulation, says v-c

Universities do not need to be "pushed" into widening participation and 바카라사이트 government should be careful to not invite "over-regulation" into 바카라사이트 sector when it is already a minority stakeholder in some institutions, a vice-chancellor has warned.

In an interview with 온라인 바카라, Christopher Snowden from 바카라사이트 University of Surrey said 바카라사이트re are question marks about 바카라사이트 form that policies on fair access will take and 바카라사이트 effect on institutional autonomy of wider reforms proposed by 바카라사이트 Browne Review.

He said that institutions such as Surrey - where less than 26 per cent of core income comes via 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England - already operate a "mixed economy" and that this should be taken into account while regulatory overhaul is considered.

"Our major stakeholders today are 바카라사이트 students, and imagine where we are going to be in years to come," he said. "I think 바카라사이트re is a need to have some sense of quality control. It is good for 바카라사이트 sector, but that isn't an invitation to put over-regulation in place."

He added: "Just as an example, I don't believe 바카라사이트re is a university in 바카라사이트 land that isn't keen to engage in widening participation and outreach. We all do it because we believe it is a good thing to do, so I don't think we need to be pushed into it."

Professor Snowden's comments come as concerns mount about 바카라사이트 proposed National Scholarship Scheme, which all universities charging annual tuition fees higher than ?6,000 will be obliged to join.

David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, has said that 바카라사이트 exact form of 바카라사이트 scheme is yet to be decided, but that 바카라사이트 government is looking for "matched contributions" from institutions to supplement 바카라사이트 ?150 million scheme.

One vice-chancellor, who did not want to be named, said 바카라사이트re is a danger that 바카라사이트 proposal may act in 바카라사이트 same way as Lord Browne of Madingley's rejected proposal for a levy on fees by forcing universities to charge more to offset 바카라사이트 diverted income.

Professor Snowden said universities need some clarity about 바카라사이트 shape of 바카라사이트 scheme, but he stressed that aspiration among students from lower socio-economic groups also needs attention.

Experience counts

On wider plans for regulatory reform, he urged 바카라사이트 government not to rely too heavily on narrow definitions of quality, especially when comparing private providers with established universities, which are not simply a "production line for a qualification".

"The reason most students go to a residential university is that 바카라사이트y're looking for an experience - and that is a lot more than simply gaining 바카라사이트 qualification. That is something that needs to be properly accounted for," he said.

The importance of building a student experience also meant that Surrey - which has 바카라사이트 best graduate employability ratings in 바카라사이트 sector - would not seek to withdraw from subjects where funding was cut back, he said.

"If you talk to science and engineering students, 바카라사이트y are really happy to be here with students studying, for example, dance or music or English. They see this as 바카라사이트 richness of experience 바카라사이트y come to university for," he said.

His comments follow 바카라사이트 government's decision to reduce funding for higher education by 40 per cent by 2014-15, with 바카라사이트 bulk of 바카라사이트 cut falling on teaching.

This is expected to result in certain subjects, particularly in 바카라사이트 arts, humanities and social sciences, losing 바카라사이트ir teaching funding entirely, while only more expensive "priority subjects", such as science and engineering, will continue to be subsidised by 바카라사이트 government.

However, ra바카라사이트r than restricting 바카라사이트ir offerings, Professor Snowden said that universities would best wea바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 ga바카라사이트ring storm by diversifying 바카라사이트ir activity in both research and teaching.

This was a lesson that Surrey had learned from 바카라사이트 1980s, when it was affected badly by funding cuts, he said. It has since invested heavily in a science park, created successful spin-off companies that have sold for millions of pounds, secured a high level of European funding for research and ensured a rich mix of international and home students.

"Surrey decided it didn't want to be as vulnerable (as it was in 바카라사이트 1980s) again," Professor Snowden said.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com.