1994 Group Responds To Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee 'Students And Universities' Report

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 04 Aug 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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Responding to the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee (IUSS) report on 'Students and Universities' Professor Paul Wellings, Chair of the 1994 Group of leading research intensive universities and Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University said:

"We will examine with interest the recommendations made in this challenging and wide-ranging report. The 1994 Group supports flexible and diverse higher education provision which allows the sector to meet the wide range of differing needs of students, government, businesses and communities. However, we must ensure that throughout this diverse range of provision the very highest quality of academic experience is maintained."

"1994 Group universities are strongly committed to improving access and are using variable bursaries to assist fair access and encourage students from lower socio-economic groups to attend world-class research-intensive universities. The system of universities offering individual bursary schemes is crucial to meet the specific needs of their students. 1994 Group universities are investing over £28.4m this year in student support and outreach activity. We offer an outstanding academic experience to talented students regardless of their background."

"A national bursary scheme would be a big mistake; it would effectively be a tax, a forced pooling of tuition fee income, which would be distributed away from the institution to which a student pays his or her fee. It would seriously compromise the direct relationship between a student's fees and their education."

"1994 Group universities provide an excellent academic experience and a wide range of support for part-time and mature students and we would welcome the opportunity to work with the Government to examine how to continue to improve the student experience for all students across the sector."

Source
1994 Group

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