The Director of the Office for Fair Access is Prof. “Les” Ebdon, grammar school boy and, until very recently, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire (ranked 102/117 by the Guardian University Guide, and 88/116 by the Times Good University Guide, fees £9K, drop out rate 11%, compared with national rate of 7.2%). He is reported as…
We have spent the last few months examining the EU’s contribution to the modernisation of higher education in Europe, and we have now published a report setting out our findings. The European Commission is clear that: “the potential of European higher education institutions to fulfil their role in society and contribute to Europe’s prosperity remains…
Some years ago I was chair of the committee in overall charge of Oxford University’s admissions policy and I spent a great deal of my time in outreach activity. In fact, Oxford has spent many £millions over the years on attracting students from all sorts of backgrounds to apply to Oxford. The result is, according…
Many must have been shocked at the resignation of Sir Howard Davies, Director of the LSE and at the damage done to that great institution by its association with Libya. I am only surprised that it has taken so long for this issue to become public. LSE has not been transparent about sources of donation,…
There is to be a debate on Wednesday in the Lords on the Browne Review of Higher Education. I fear I will not be able to participate, and 26 Lords have already signed up to speak. If I were to contribute, it would be along the following lines. I do not agree with the totally…
