Following the confirmation of Professor Les Ebdon being appointed the new Director of OFFA, Professor Janet Beer, Chair of University Alliance and Vice Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University said: 

“We look forward to working with Professor Les Ebdon to ensure fairness is maintained at the heart of university access. His experience within the sector and of working with Government will put him in a good position to take up this important post.

“All universities are committed to providing opportunities for those who have the ambition and ability to succeed, regardless of their background. For many, the life-changing experience of university opens up opportunities they would not otherwise have.  Alliance universities, along with the rest of the sector, will continue to work closely with OFFA to ensure we stick to our commitment.”

“[Parity of esteem] is a laudable aim, but it never did provide that equality of status because it does not compare like with like. It’s trying to put different types of qualifications into a single system. It doesn’t help anybody,” Hackett said.

Read the full article here - (behind paywall) 

In an article in Times Higher Education (THE) Libby Hackett, director of the University Alliance said the unexpected hit was bad for student choice as many of the institutions affected were performing strongly on applications.

“You are looking at universities that have held up very strong demand per place or have increased applications and at the same time they are seeing a significant drop in places of up to 14 per cent in just one year,” she said.

“Overall, the places being taken out of the system in 2012-13 or transferred to further education means there will be about 25,000 fewer young people able to go to university compared with this year. With growing demand for graduates in our economy and massive youth unemployment, this seems nonsensical.”

The Alliance wrote to government ministers late last year suggesting “fairer” ways to apply the margin to avoid a “false divide” in the sector, but a decision on the future of the policy, as well as the AAB plan, has been delayed.

“We urgently need a decision on core and margin for 2013-14 that reflects student demand and to enable universities and other higher education providers to undertake essential planning decisions as well-run, efficient businesses,” Ms Hackett added.

Read the full article.

In the article “Pile them high”, The Economist argues that ‘Steep tuition fees are not deterring most students. But the attempt to create a market in higher education is off track.”

Libby Hackett, Director of University Alliance, comments: “At a time when our global competitors are increasing the number of graduates in the workforce to increase their capacity for economic growth, how can Britain justify a reduction in university places?”

Applications from Britons for full-time places at English universities fell back slightly from last year’s record high, providing the first evidence that higher tuition fees could be deterring some would-be students, according to new statistics released by Ucas, the universities admissions service, Chris Cook reports. Read the full article here.
Libby Hacket, director of the University Alliance, a “mission group” of 24 newer British universities, said: “We must not forget there will still be thousands of young people who will be unable to find a place at university this summer and will join the growing number who are unemployed”.

In response to today’s UCAS figures, Libby Hackett, University Alliance Director, said:

“While the latest UCAS figures show a slight drop, we must not forget there will still be thousands of young people who will be unable to find a place at university this summer and will join the growing number who are unemployed.  This is not good for them and it is certainly not good for the UK economy.

“At a time when our global competitors are increasing the number of graduates in the workforce to increase their capacity for economic growth, how can the UK justify a reduction of 15,000 university places – especially when there are such high levels of youth unemployment?

“These headline figures also mask the popularity of particular courses and universities. There are many Alliance universities that are showing increases in demand on last year’s applications. Courses based on the needs of both students and employers, often in new growth areas in our economy, with high graduate employment levels, are increasingly popular with applicants.

“It is time for thought leaders across the political, business, academic and charity worlds to work together, to think long term about how we ensure there are enough places to meet greater demand from young people and have the high-skilled capabilities we need to grow the economy.”

• Media Contact: Andrew Henry,ahenry@university-alliance.ac.uk or 07833 236 629
• Full UCAS figures available here.

Professor Janet Beer, Vice Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University and chair of University Alliance said:
“I am delighted that Professor West has been elected as the new chair of University Alliance. At a time of major change and economic downturn, it is vitally important for universities to work together in a constructive way, looking for solutions to the big policy questions. At University Alliance we strive to put innovation and enterprise at the core of everything we do. This has allowed us to become a trusted voice, working closely with government and business to advocate a world-leading, enterprising and innovative higher education sector.”

Professor Steve West said:
“It is a great honour to be taking up this position next summer, to be representing such an important group of universities at a time of huge change. It is important that in the face of change we continue to focus on the long-term, setting out our vision for a strong, diverse and internationally acclaimed higher education sector. Under Janet’s leadership University Alliance has developed a constructive and positive approach to working with key players across Government and the sector. I look forward to continuing in these close-working relationships with government and business to champion our world-leading higher education sector.”

The announcement comes at the same time as Kingston University joins University Alliance. Kingston has become the 24^th member of University Alliance, a group of universities with a distinct focus on forming close partnerships with business, the professions and their communities.

—End—

Notes to Editors:

Media Contact: Sam Jones, sjones@university-alliance.ac.uk or 07767673982

About University Alliance
University Alliance is a group of 24 universities offering a distinct student experience shaped by a commitment to delivering world-class research and a culture of enterprise and innovation built on close partnerships with business, the professions and their communities.

Alliance universities educate over 28% of all UK students and achieve some of the highest graduate-level employment rates. Alliance universities offer a research- informed, academic learning environment and a culture of innovation and enterprise, equipping graduates who will help deliver growth to the UK economy. Our universities maintain a revolving door with business to help ensure graduate employers get innovative and thoughtful, professionally accredited graduates with the right skills to help grow their businesses.

Alliance universities: Aberystwyth University, Bournemouth University, University of Bradford, Cardiff Metropolitan University, De Montfort University, University of Glamorgan, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Hertfordshire, University of Huddersfield, Kingston University, University of Lincoln, Liverpool John Moores University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Northumbria University, Nottingham Trent University, Open University, Oxford Brookes University, Plymouth University, University of Portsmouth, University of Salford, Sheffield Hallam University, Teesside University, University of Wales, Newport, University of the West of England.

Professor Steve West
Professor Steve West became Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England, Bristol in May 2008, aged 46.

Professor West trained as a Podiatrist and Podiatric Surgeon in London, working in the NHS and private/commercial sector from 1980. He entered academia in 1984 as a lecturer, then senior lecturer, at The London Foot Hospital and Westminster University. In 1990 he took up post as Associate Dean and Head of Podiatry at Huddersfield University and later became Dean of the School of Health and Behavioural Sciences in 1992.

In 1995 he joined UWE Bristol as Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care. In this post he merged three Colleges of Health into a new Faculty, establishing one of the largest Faculties of Health and Social Care in the UK. In this time he also consolidated the delivery of nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, radiography and occupational therapy, onto three regional campuses.

In 2005 he became Pro Vice-Chancellor at UWE Bristol, with the planning and resources portfolio. In 2006 he became Deputy Vice-Chancellor. He was later appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor in August 2007, and then Vice-Chancellor in 2008.

Research interests
Professor West is a Fellow of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. He continues to develop his research interest in the Diabetic Foot and holds a number of honorary appointments nationally and internationally.

Civic engagement
Professor West is Vice-Chair and Non Executive Director of the South West Strategic Health Authority, Chair of Universities South West, Treasurer of the University Alliance, a Non Executive Director of the Leadership Foundation, Vice-Chair of the UUK Health Education and Research Network, an Appointed Member of the UUK Health & Social Care Committee and the UUK International & European Policy Committee, and an Appointed Member of the HEFCE Healthcare Education Advisory Committee.

Professor West is also a Member of the Regional Council of The Prince’s Trust, a Trustee of the Bristol Urological Institute, a Patron of the Royal West of England Academy, President of the City Academy Bristol, Member of the Bristol Initiative, Member of the Prosperous and Ambitious Board of the Bristol Partnership (Bristol City Council), and Honorary Vice President of the Bristol Oporto Association.

“The Government’s commitment to research funding following excellence wherever it exists will safeguard the UK research base and is indeed welcome. By continuing to fund small but excellent research facilities, Government is recognising the critical role they play within the innovation ecosystem. Maintaining a balance between fundamental and user-led research, the Government is ensuring our research-base remains both world-leading and sustainable. We look forward to working with the Research Councils and Hefce as a framework for this as it is developed.

“Fundamentally this strategy is about recognising the need to put innovation centre-stage of economic growth. To build a sustainable and balanced economy this needs to happen right across the country with businesses, small and large, working closely with universities. The innovation voucher scheme is something we have been calling for and will be welcome news to many of our universities. We already have evidence that this type of activity has a profound impact on growth and opens new links between universities and businesses – an essential ingredient in a knowledge-based economy.”

Janet Beer, Chair of University Alliance and Vice Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, said:

“We welcome today’s strategy for its frankness and ambition; in being a clear assessment of the challenges facing our economy and in highlighting the importance of innovation in maintaining our global competitive advantage. It comes at a crucial time – with other countries spending more on research, now is the time for a clear vision that puts innovation at the heart of growth.

“I am pleased that at the strategy’s core is the recognition that universities, right across our diverse sector, are leaders within the innovation ecosystem. Universities are going to play an increasingly critical role in the future, in particular in drawing together the many strands of the strategy and realising many of its ambitions. We are delighted to see that the Technology Strategy Board has had its funding increased. They will continue to play a critical role in driving innovation-led growth.”

Notes to editors:

For further information or to speak with Libby Hackett contact Andrew Henry on ahenry@university-alliance.ac.uk, 07833 236 629. More information about University Alliance can be found on our website, www.university-alliance.ac.uk