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