NEWS - HE NEWS

1994 Group Executive Director highlights need for investment to prevent serious decay in higher education

Issued on 13 November 2009

In a speech today, Paul Marshall, Executive Director of the 1994 Group will say:

“The challenges facing the higher education sector today are numerous, complex and serious. The status quo is not an option. Further investment is the only viable option to prevent universities from being forced into severe cutbacks that would cause a serious decay in the UK’s higher education system with universities struggling to maintain teaching or research quality, unable to invest in the necessary world-class facilities or staff and incapable of meeting our students’ or nation’s needs.”

“It is crucial that the higher education funding review sets out a sensible and robust system of funding that does not simply resolve our immediate funding crisis but delivers a genuine vision for higher education that can be shared by institutions, students, taxpayers and government in the longer term.”

“Universities must target investment at enhancing the student experience and must ensure that no student is unable to attend university because of cost. Higher education should continue to be free at the point of delivery with repayments contingent on income after graduation.”

END

Notes for Editors

1. Paul Marshall’s speech ‘Responding to today’s challenges in Higher Education’ was made at the Association of University Administrators (AUA) Annual Planning Forum in Warwick today (13th November 2009).
2. The Financial Sustainability Strategy Group report for HEFCE ‘The sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education’ concluded that the sector was already papering over the cracks in the delivery of the student experience. Their conclusion was that a 15-20 percent increase in funding was required over the next five years to continue that process. It demonstrated that universities are struggling to fund their activity in a sustainable way, and this will be a significant threat to the quality. The FSSG report concluded that the ability to secure the quality and fitness for purpose of higher education is currently coming under severe strain. http://www.hefce.ac.uk/Finance/fundinghe/trac/fssg/
3. The 1994 Group represents 19 of UK’s leading student-focused research-intensive universities. It was established in 1994 to promote excellence in University research and teaching. www.1994group.ac.uk 1994 Group members include 10 of the top 18 universities in the UK in The Guardian University Guide League Table published on the 12th May 2009; 7 of the top 10 universities for student experience are 1994 Group universities (2009 National Student Survey).
4. The 1994 Group represents: University of Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Institute of Education University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Reading, University of St Andrews, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, University of York.
5. For a copy of the full speech or press enquiries please contact Alistair Jarvis, Director of Communications, 1994 Group. Tel: 0207 872 5596 / 07779 232731. Email: alistair.jarvis@1994group.co.uk