LSBU’s Vice-Chancellor calls for “more responsive and collaborative” tertiary education
London South Bank University (LSBU)’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Phoenix has called for “more responsive and collaborative tertiary education” as part of his recommendations to create a UK university sector that is better in ten years’ time.
Universities UK this week launched its blueprint for the future of the UK higher education sector. It sets out a “bold” plan for how universities and the government should work in tandem to reform higher education.
The blueprint argues that universities are “uniquely placed in the country’s infrastructure to help drive economic and social benefits across all four nations”. It is authored by a series of experts from within higher education.
Professor Phoenix collaborated with Dame Ann Limb, Pro-Chancellor, University of Surrey and chair, City & Guilds, to write a chapter.
Professor Phoenix says: “Creating an effective tertiary skills system is not only crucial in ensuring that the UK’s education model is sustainable, it is also central to improving regional economic growth and upward social mobility. The new government’s key economic, social, and education policy drivers all point to placing greater value on collaboration and connectedness - across nations and regions, education and training providers, regulators and employers.
“Our blueprint focuses on the role that universities can play in creating a more coherent tertiary education system, working with partners in the wider HE and FE sectors,” he added.
“It will also be important for universities to work with schools and other providers of secondary education, to ensure there are clear pathways into tertiary education for all learners, even if they have had challenging experiences in their earlier education.”
The recommendations also include improving regulation to remove requirements for duplicate reporting to different regulators.