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Student Forum urges learner-focused higher education

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 27 October 2009

Students and universities have been invited to get online and be heard by the National Student Forum, which today launched its most interactive report on higher education in England.

The second annual report calls for students to be seen as equal partners in their education from start to finish, working flexibly, together with tutors, to find the way of learning that suits them best.

Amongst its recommendations, the group particularly looked at the flexibility of universities in the courses they offer and how students can combine qualifications gained in one institution with those gained in another.

However, it emphasised that this flexibility must not come at the cost of excellence, which is as valuable in teaching as it is in research. Students must be confident in the system they are part of and feel confident that they will receive teaching of the highest quality as they embark on their studies.

Ultimately, universities and colleges can only respond to the needs of students by working with them and by giving them the opportunity to design and manage their own learning.

Maeve Sherlock, Chair of the National Student Forum, also specifically urged senior staff and local student unions to use the Forum’s report as a starting point to “work together to help tailor the learning opportunities and support services provided to students and learn from the examples of good practice already identified.”

She said:

“We want to begin a dialogue with students, HE staff and HE sector bodies. This is why our second report is an interactive publication, inviting feedback from staff and students and asking them to provide their own examples of good practice. This is the best way to find out what is happening on the ground and to maintain high standards. “

She added:

“Students invest a good deal of time and money in their higher education. They deserve the best possible academic experience, opportunities to acquire key skills and knowledge, and mechanisms to engage with staff as equal partners in their learning.

“We’ve examined some important areas for all students, identified what students should reasonably expect and shown how this is already being done in many cases. However, we will only see everyday improvements for students if universities and colleges use our report to review their own arrangements.”

The group looked at a wide range of issues as they examined the higher education sector, including teaching and learning, technology-enhanced learning, student accommodation and employability: of particular relevance during an economic downturn.

This year’s publication has also looked especially at issues affecting postgraduate students; mature and part-time students and disabled students.

Receiving the report, Lord Young, Minister for Students, re-iterated the call for the sector to work together in partnership.

He said:

“The Forum has produced another excellent report, which examines the issues that are most important to students themselves.

“We need to work together, Government, universities and students, to identify how we can maintain a system that provides the best possible experience for those who are studying. Teaching and learning are obviously central to this but we also want to make sure that students’ everyday concerns are heard and answered.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce and the National Student Forum is invaluable in raising the issues that matter to them. I have appreciated, as always, the opportunity to engage with the sector and to feed comments back to the work we do in Government.”

Notes to Editors

For further information or to arrange an interview with either Maeve Sherlock or Lord Young please contact BIS press office on 0207 215 5979.

2. To view the report online or to contribute visit: www.nationalstudentforum.com

3. The Forum is part of the wider Student Listening Programme and has been developed in partnership with the National Union of Students, the National Postgraduate Committee, the Mature Students’ Union, the Open University Students’ Association, Skill – the national bureau for students with disabilities and the British Council. Each of these organisations has worked closely with BIS to nominate students to be Forum members. And they have worked very closely with BIS to ensure that the Forum accurately represents the diversity of our student population.

4. The Student Listening Programme ensures students are able to make their views and ideas heard with Ministers responding to specific issues raised. The programme includes ministerial visits to university campuses across England with Ministers meeting students face-to-face to hear their experiences first-hand.

Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.

Contacts:

BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Sophie Benger
Phone: 020 7215 5979
Sophie.Benger@bis.gsi.gov.uk