New University Challenges

Post by Liz Pearson, Director The Creative Way

This week’s record rise in UCAS applications provides a sharp reminder – if one were needed – that the demand for higher education looks set to rise. But HEFCE’s recent announcement of cuts in teaching budgets provide an equally sharp reminder that rising demand is outstripping the capacity of the public sector to fund any significant increases in the supply of HE.

Last week’s Creative Way Round Table event at The Work Foundation looked at the case for continued investment in higher education in the Thames Gateway and explored the range of potential innovations which might strengthen provision and boost the case for investment.

Will Hutton framed the discussion with an overview of the accelerating process of structural change in the economy, emphasised the shift to knowledge based sectors and knowledge intensive occupations, and pointed out that this shift provides the basis for a higher share of GDP to go into higher education - in the longer term.

The trick now is to ‘catch the tide’.... and position for the longer term.

Some interesting issues were raised. The question of curriculum, for example. What does a curriculum for a knowledge economy look like... ? (interesting here to reflect on developments now underway elsewhere, at the Universities of Aberdeen, Hong Kong and Melbourne, for example). How do we meet increased expectations as to the experience and rewards likely to flow from participation – and personal investment – in higher education? And what are the implications of closer industry involvement in the funding and provision of higher education?

These are all big questions.... and one response in harsh times could be to batten down the hatches and withdraw from collaborative engagement. A more enlightened approach, and one the discussion seemed to favour, will be to strengthen collaborative engagement as a means of de-risking the process of piloting innovative changes in curriculum, new models of delivery and new funding models.

We’re now facing harsh times – but as Sir David Melville reminded us, Thames Gateway institutions have a strong track record of successful collaboration – and the capacity for successful innovation.

Contact us at The Creative Way if you’d like to find out more....