Universities Are Central
To Economy And Social Mobility - Lord Mandelson Says In Keynote Speech
In his first major
speech on higher education since taking responsibility for it
under the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS),
Lord Mandelson today outlined his views on the essential issues
facing universities ahead of an HE Framework on the future shape
of the sector that he will publish later this year.
To an audience of university vice chancellors and representatives
from across the HE sector, he emphasised the crucial role
universities play in building a stronger UK economy and responded
to some of the key challenges of social mobility raised in Alan
Milburn’s report ‘Unleashing Aspiration’ on access to the
professions published last week.
Ahead of an independent review on university tuition fees due
later this year, Lord Mandelson said the central questions around
how higher education is funded cannot be separated from the issue
of access to a university education for those from poorer backgrounds.
Speaking at Birkbeck College, London, he said:
“Over the last decade we as a country have
invested hugely in our universities. We have actively pursued a
policy of widening access. We have put knowledge and science at
the centre of our vision of our economic future, and protected its
funding at unprecedented levels.
“We have instituted a fees system that has, in my view, been a
radical and signal success in strengthening the resources
available to universities without sacrificing accessibility to
students.
“But we are obviously facing an incredibly difficult decade of
rebuilding growth and future strengths in Britain. There are tough
decisions ahead. Our graduates face the toughest job market for
years. And ultimately those big twentieth-century higher education
questions are still with us. For what end? For whom? Paid for how?”
Outlining the key role of universities on the economy, Lord
Mandelson said: :
“It seems to me that in defining the economic role of
universities we come up with a set of linked challenges all of
which are tied to the critical role of universities at the heart
of a knowledge economy.
“Equipping people as rounded intellectual beings but also giving
them the skills they will need in a global economy.
“Turning more of the knowledge that is generated in UK
universities into jobs and growth, especially by bringing
businesses and universities together to collaborate.
“These are management challenges for individual universities; but
they are a strategic challenge for the UK as a whole. The
diversity of mission statements and the autonomy of universities
in defining precisely how they serve their students and customers
is clearly vital. But there is also a need for a collective
strategic vision for the sector and its role in our national
economic life. That is the balance we will aim to strike in the
Higher Education Framework.”
On social mobility and Alan Milburn’s report, Lord Mandelson said:
“A university education remains the gateway to the professions
and a ticket to higher lifetime earnings on average. So I think we
have to ask: why, for all the work in the sector and all the
seriousness with which it has tackled this question are we still
making only limited progress in widening access to Higher
Education to young people from poorer backgrounds – especially at
our most selective universities?
“We clearly need to look again at how, and how early we
identify and engage potential candidates for university. I am
attracted to the idea of stronger links between the professions,
universities and schools - work experience, early mentoring,
clearer lines of communication about what preparing for university
and a career in the professions means at every stage of secondary
education.
“I agree with Alan Milburn that as well as the usual criteria of
standardized testing, there is a strong case for using other more
contextual benchmarks for talent spotting that look at the way
candidates have exploited the opportunities open to them in their
lives. Some universities in the UK are using these approaches.
There is good evidence that they work. And any Vice Chancellor
that takes a broad and innovative approach to identifying talent
will have the firm backing of the government.”
Lord Mandelson made it clear that he would not pre-empt the
independent review of fees planned for launch in the autumn. He
added:
“I do not believe that we can separate the issues of fees, access
and student support. Any institution that wants to use greater
costs to the student to fund excellence must face an equal
expectation to ensure that its services remain accessible to more
than just those with the ability to pay.
“Whatever funding mix for higher education we develop, there must
always be a link between what an institution charges and its
performance in widening access and supporting those without the
ability to pay.”
Notes to Editors
1. A full copy of Lord Mandelson’s speech can be found at www.bis.gov.uk or on request by
calling the BIS Press Office on 020 7215 5979.
2. The Department for Business Innovation and Skills will promote
open and competitive markets, proportionate regulation, an
enterprise and innovation culture, skilled people, thriving
universities, life-long learning and world-class science,
technology and research.
3. Our university sector is world class. Government spending on
higher education is over 25 per cent higher in real terms than in
1997. Next year alone the overall budget has increased by just
over four per cent to over £7.5 billion. This means funding for
research can rise by around eight per cent and teaching by two and
half per cent.
4. There are currently record numbers of students at university
with over 300,000 additional students in the system since 1997.
Inclusive of last week’s announcement of 10,000 extra places
available to universities in STEM subjects, we expect there to be
50,000 more accepted applicants this year than just three years
ago. The 10,000 extra STEM places are being offered on a fees only
basis. It is up to individual institutions whether or not or how
many places they want to offer with HEFCE to overseeing this
process.
5. The Panel on Fair Access to the Professions published its
final report last Tuesday. Lead by the Rt Hon. Alan Milburn. Its
18 panel members examined the barriers and pathways to reaching
professions for all people - regardless of their background. The
report was commissioned by the Prime Minister following the New
Opportunities White Paper which examined the issue of social
mobility and its importance for the economy and social justice,
ensuring everyone has the chance to fulfil their potential and
secure the jobs of the future. To see the full report visit: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/strategy/work_areas/accessprofessions.aspx
6. If we are to remain a world-leader, and to secure the greatest
benefits from postgraduate provision in the UK, we must respond to
concerns raised by the HE and business communities. The
postgraduate review will cover those key concerns –
competitiveness of UK postgraduate study, the needs of employers,
and widening participation so we can benefit from skills wherever
they lie.
7. The Department for Business Innovation and Skills will promote
open and competitive markets, proportionate regulation, an
enterprise and innovation culture, skilled people, thriving
universities, life-long learning and world-class science,
technology and research.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Sophie Benger
Phone: 020 7215 5979
Sophie.Benger@bis.gsi.gov.uk