The Higher Education Summit: The Future of Universities

10 complimentary places available on a first come, first served basis, please contact Sean Evans to book: [email protected].

“We must respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by Brexit and the changing nature of our economy.” Jo Johnson, Universities Minister.

The Higher Education and Research Bill represents the biggest shake up of universities in England since 1992. It comes at a time when the sector is already struggling to come to terms with the implications of Brexit. The Government aims to boost the economy and close the skills gap by introducing more flexible HE courses, increasing the number of course providers and improving access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. At the same time, “United Kingdom Research and Innovation” will be established to facilitate and support university research. Despite Chancellor Philip Hammond’s commitment to matching EU funding for universities, there is still concern that leaving the European Union will affect student numbers and co-operation with international institutions.

The Higher Education Summit will explore how all these major changes will impact on the future of universities and provide vital insights into the future of the sector.

Overview

Chair                          

• Vicki Goddard Chief Operating Officer, University of Salford

Speakers                          

• Professor Sir Ian Diamond FBA FRSE FAcSS Vice Chancellor, The University of Aberdeen
• Peter Sellen Chief Economist, Education Policy Institute
• Brooke Storer-Church Senior Policy Adviser in the Skills Team, Higher Education Funding Council England
• Tammy Goldfeld Head of the Careers Service, the University of Manchester
• Dr Geoff Stoakes Head of Research, Higher Education Academy
• Grace Simpson Higher Education Policy Adviser; Student Opportunity, Higher Education Funding Council England

Why attend:

• Benefit from the latest insights into Government policy and its potential impact on the higher education sector.            
• Have your questions answered by leading experts.            
• Connect with other high quality delegates from across higher education, discuss shared challenges and problem solve solutions.            
• Anticipate the coming challenges and learn how to overcome them.            
• Plan ahead and protect your institution from the adverse effects of Brexit.            

The Higher Education Summit boasts a variety of outstanding speakers from across the university sector. Each one has been handpicked based on their experience and expertise to ensure that all delegates benefit from relevant, high-quality presentations. Expect speakers to cover a wide variety of topics including:

Better Access: Figurers from the Higher Education Statistics Agency suggest that the number of students from deprived backgrounds going to the UK’s top universities has fallen in the last decade. Meanwhile, students from wealthy families are around six times more likely to go to the most selective universities. This has raised concerns that, despite Government assurances, young people from low income households are being put off from higher education by the increase in tuition fees to £9,000 a year. A 2014 study by the London School of Economics also found that degree applications from minority ethnic candidates were “significantly less likely” to result in an offer. How can universities boost social mobility by better engaging with minority groups and those from disadvantaged backgrounds?

Post-Brexit Reality: There are currently more than 125,000 EU students studying at UK universities. There are also 32,000 EU academics working in higher education, accounting for 17% of all teaching and research posts. Following the Brexit vote, surveys suggest a third of foreign students are less likely to study in the UK and observers have warned that universities could lose up to 15% of EU staff. There are also serious concerns about the potential loss of the £1 billion a year that universities receive in EU research funding. How can universities cope with Brexit and the potential loss of a vital funding source?

Improving Outcomes: In 2016, researched showed that 20% of new graduates were unemployed or remained in non-professional jobs up to a year after leaving higher education. At the same time, the UK’s leading employers are still suffering from a skills shortage with 69% of CBI members saying they were concerned about finding enough highly-skilled staff. Can universities do more to match their courses to the demands of employers? Will greater flexibility in HE courses improve employability without compromising standards?

Supporting Research: The 2015 Nurse review called for more state support for the UK’s research councils in order to “collectively make up more than the sum of their parts”. The Higher Education and Research Bill has proposed setting up United Kingdom Research and Innovation, a body which will oversee and co-ordinate funding across different academic areas. This has raised concerns about Government interference in higher education research and critics have suggested that any major overhaul should be delayed until the full impact of Brexit is understood. What impact will Government policy have on the future of higher education research?

Delivering Value for Money: One third of undergraduates in England don’t believe their course is value for money. According to the Student Academic Experience Survey, these low ratings are largely due to the low number of teaching hours offered on some courses. How can universities deliver a better return on investment? Can universities help students feel more engaged by exploiting new technologies and e-learning?

Click here for more information and to register.