Tough questions on science and innovation

by Donald MacLeod

Opening the batting on his first day in the job a cautious approach was only to be expected from Sir Alan Langlands. Competent, unflashy, a straight bat to the questions facing the sector. But some loose bowling from vice-chancellors tempted the ex-Principal of Dundee and former NHS chief to swipe them for six.

Encouraging words from HEFCE’s new head

by Bahram Bekhradnia

Sir Alan Langlands’ speech must have been difficult to prepare, having been in post less than 24 hours. It was measured and modest, and most of those present will have been most encouraged.

Networking in uncertain times

by Bahram Bekhradnia

Networking, and the things you find out outside the sessions, are some of the joys of these conferences. On the train here the Vice-Chancellor of Westminster told me more about Boris Johnson’s scheme to create a new university on the Olympics site.

Public concerns about standards need to addressed

by Conor Ryan

A plea not to be complacent or dismissive in the face of public concerns about standards was made by Sir Alan Langlands, HEFCE’s Chief Executive, during a lively debate in the Q&A session at the conference this afternoon.

New Chief Executive squares up to momentous challenges

by Alison Denyer

 

There was a palpable buzz around the Royal Holloway campus this morning as delegates eagerly awaited the start of their own ‘G20 summit’. Would new HEFCE Chief Executive, Sir Alan Langlands, supply his own ‘Obama drama’? Who might follow French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s threat and walk out of the meeting if he didn’t get his way?  Would protesting students endeavour to interrupt the proceedings?

Striking the right balance in tough economic times

by Conor Ryan

Sir Alan Langlands addresses the conference

With world leaders pressing for greater regulation of the world financial system at today’s G20 conference, it was appropriate that HEFCE’s new Chief Executive, Sir Alan Langlands, was talking about getting the balance right in the university sector in his address to the conference this afternoon.

The value of a stimulus

by Conor Ryan

Third-stream funding – where teaching and research are the other two streams – may be relatively new. But it is making its mark on universities and the wider economy, as HEFCE Chief Executive Sir Alan Langlands discussed in his conference speech. In today’s recession, universities will be expected to reach out more than ever to local employers and other drivers of their local economies.

Obama’s listen and learn approach a model for new Chief Executive

by Conor Ryan

Five hours into his new job as Chief Executive of HEFCE, Sir Alan Langlands said in his speech to the HEFCE annual conference that he was happier following ‘the Obama approach’ of listening and learning over ‘the Sarah Palin approach’ (the latter having led to some instant, though not always correct, answers during the US elections).