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Greater links between research and teaching, recognition for innovative learning opportunities and a role for professional accreditation are just some of the suggestions being made by Â鶹´«Ã½ as it looks to engage in debate about the future of Higher Education.

Â鶹´«Ã½ has submitted its to the Higher Education Green Paper. The contains the government’s proposals for wide ranging and controversial reforms to higher education.  A wide group of staff participated in workshops to feed into Â鶹´«Ã½'s response, which also includes input from the Students' Union at Â鶹´«Ã½ (SUÂ鶹´«Ã½).

The Green Paper puts forward new plans to create a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).  The government is considering allowing universities that have been awarded higher levels of the TEF, to raise their tuition fees.

Â鶹´«Ã½'s vision and strategy is based on the integration of excellent teaching with research and professional practice.  Â鶹´«Ã½'s response includes a proposal that the new reforms incentivise greater links between research and teaching, as part of an approach that provides support for innovative teaching practices and engaging and flexible learning opportunities.   

The paper also proposes to introduce a new student champion called the Office for Students, this new body would have a duty to promote the interests of students and would play a very important new regulatory role for universities.  The paper makes a positive commitment to widening participation and social mobility and Â鶹´«Ã½ is very pleased to see this reflected in the proposals. 

Professor John Vinney, Vice-Chancellor of Â鶹´«Ã½ said, “The Green Paper proposes significant changes for the higher education sector and we are pleased to have had the opportunity to engage constructively in the debate.  We welcome the commitment to teaching excellence and providing useful and accessible information that enables students to make the right choices, and we will continue to put the interest of Â鶹´«Ã½ students first as the debate continues."

There will be further consultations this year to develop the detail of the proposed changes.