Author Archive
Are British students really flocking to Dutch universities?
Of all the hackneyed headlines relating to higher education in the national newspapers, “University Challenge” must surely be the most wearisomely overused. But we now have an upstart nipping at its heels: “Going Dutch”. Leaving aside the lamentable lack of imagination inherent in this headline, what is remarkable are the distortions in the articles that follow. (more…)
Don’t dwell on the past – we must be ambitious to succeed in this brave new world
A retrospective outlook in the higher education sector is damaging the UK’s economic growth and global competitiveness, asserts Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK
Universities in the UK are outstandingly strong on many measures, including: teaching and research, business-industry links and driving social mobility. However, they are operating in an increasingly competitive environment, both nationally and globally. To survive and flourish in the new world order, we have to ensure that our line of vision is set forwards and outwards, not backwards – but that does not always happen. (more…)
Reflections from Australia: across the globe, investment in higher education is central to securing growth, finds Nicola Dandridge
I’m writing this 30,000 feet in the air, flying home to London from Melbourne, Australia. I spent a week in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, courtesy of the British Council and the Australian International Education Conference [AIEC]. So, thank you British Council and thank you AIEC. I made three short contributions to the conference and delivered one lecture – a small price to pay for a week in this extraordinary and utterly wonderful country. (more…)
An excellent and diverse higher education sector is key to improving social mobility
Social mobility is now the new holy grail of public policy and while most universities have made great progress, all universities should come to view it as part of their core mission, Alan Milburn told Universities UK’s annual conference this week. (more…)
Let’s look beyond the current debate and focus on how universities contribute to our society
Our 2011 Annual Conference gives us a chance to take stock of the past year and anticipate the significant changes to the higher education sector in the coming months and years. It also gives us the opportunity to welcome Universities UK’s new President, Eric Thomas, and to hear Eric’s vision for the next two years. (more…)
