A call for greater understanding

by Alex Bols

The second day of the conference brought out a number of interesting points. Firstly is that higher education has significantly expanded in the past 30 years – both in terms of numbers of students and institutions. But perhaps the most striking difference is not the change in size but the way in which HE has changed.

We must talk about quality

By the HEFCE communications team

The debate on public confidence in the quality of higher education started before the official ‘challenge debate’ with questions at the first plenary on quality. A number of vice-chancellors had been on the receiving end of a grilling by the innovation, universities and skills select committee hearings on quality and standards.

Quality and standards remain in public debate

by Alex Bols

The conference started by looking at the challenges facing the higher education sector. The two key issues emerging from the discussion were, perhaps unsurprisingly, the recession and the public and parliamentary debate about quality and standards.

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.