KENT MAGAZINE AW - University of Kent

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2 3 4 The pace of change currently under way in higher education is unprecedented. Already this autumn we have seen the recommendation by a government task force that students should be able to make their university choices after their A level results and, at the time of going to press, the Tomlinson Committee was preparing to reveal its plans for a shake-up of 14 to 19 education and the Education Secretary, Charles Clarke, was ready to unveil an international education strategy.And underpinning all of this is the continuing debate over the introduction of top-up fees in 2006. University Vice-Chancellor Professor David Melville, a member of the Working Group on 14-19 Reform and the government’s Foundation Degree Task force and Chair of the Universities Vocational Awards Council, discusses Kent’s position in this fast-pace environment. KENT magazine:Why is higher education so firmly at the top of this government’s agenda? I don’t recall it being so much of an issue for previous governments. David Melville: Well, there are several reasons.The main one is that ministers have identified universities as having a purpose within government aims, much in the way that schools have.These are broadly related to the big issues of economic development and social inclusion. Another contributing factor is the increase in central control by government. Km: Do you think that being under the spotlight in this way is for the better? DM: As publicly-funded bodies we should be accountable to the nation. As an individual institution we have to learn to take best advantage of the directions determined by government within the framework of what we want to be. It’s important to work with policymakers, not against them, in order to help them achieve their objectives whilst ensuring our own core objectives are sustained. Km:You have an extensive and long-standing involvement with further education. In particular, I’m thinking about your former role as head of the Further Education Funding Council for England and as a member of the 14 – 19 Working Group. Do you think this influences how you approach your work here at Kent? DM: I think it gives me a viewpoint to look at the education system as a whole. One example of the way things have changed at Kent has been the increase in the number of partnerships with other institutions – and they are not confined to those in higher education.This has become a key feature of the way we now work. It’s an approach that is helping us to maintain our position as a research-led university while developing new initiatives to broaden our base. An important part of this is supporting our Associate Colleges to do what they are good at whilst we focus on our own strengths. 10
1 Previous page; Brussels 2 Medway boats 3 Congregations, Canterbury Cathedral 4 Sports Centre, Canterbury Campus 5 Professor David Melville 5 Km: Kent is planning to charge its students £3,000 tuition fees, the maximum amount allowed.Are there plans to introduce bursaries to help students and where will the extra income be spent? DM: We are already drawing up plans for a wide range of bursaries which we hope to support from a combination of University funds and private donations. Our aim is to spend any extra fee income generated on improving student and academic facilities. However I don’t see that top-up fees will generate sufficient additional funding and we will have to continue to look to other sources of income. Km: Like many universities, Kent has an increasingly powerful regional role. Does this regionalisation in terms of planning and funding hinder development on a wider scale? DM:That’s a good question. We undoubtedly have a clear responsibility to the region. Just consider the impact of the Universities at Medway initiative, which incidentally is a great example of just how successful working in partnership can be.The University of Kent, working with the University of Greenwich, Mid-Kent College and Canterbury Christ Church University College, has developed this £50m scheme which is at the heart of the strategy to bring economic prosperity to Medway. A key project in the North Kent section of the Thames Gateway regeneration programme, it will add £10m of additional expenditure and create more than 600 direct and indirect jobs. However, its core purpose remains the provision of highquality teaching and research for its 7,000 students. There is no doubt that our many strengths come from having a location in a unique region. However, the very nature of higher education means we have to have a national and international focus. Our mission is clear – we will work to develop and maintain a national and international reputation for our teaching and research quality. Km: But isn’t it becoming increasingly difficult for UK universities to compete on a global scale? DM:You’re right – current figures show that the UK’s share of the international student market has declined recently, even though actual numbers are rising. However, the good news is that Kent has been identified as leading the way in developing initiatives that will stem the tide. In fact, the Education Secretary, Charles Clarke, recently commended the development of the University of the Transmanche, which he said was an excellent example of how universities in the UK should be developing in other countries in order to widen their international appeal. Again, this is another partnership scheme – a trans-national project developed by Kent together with the three Lille Universities and the University of the Littoral. Its first students started their studies this autumn. Another area of development is the University of Kent at Brussels which now has students from 55 countries. I see our campus there as being something that will grow significantly over the next ten years. Coming back to your question, I think one of the most important things to remember is that our presence in Europe is not just about attracting European students to the University, but also those from overseas who will see what we are doing as a unique opportunity. Km: One of the things some politicians – and others – say is that we are simply over-educating the workforce.What is your response? DM: As far as Kent is concerned, we have one of the highest percentage of graduates going into graduate jobs. Nationally, the recent number of graduates entering into the job market is simply bringing us into line with our competitor countries. However, I do believe there is a need for more young people to be educated with technical skills to encourage those who currently opt out of education to stay in the system. It’s also important to remember that universities have always been involved with vocational education. At Kent we recognise that skills alone are not enough – whatever the course. Our aim is to ensure that our graduates are equipped with the ability to acquire new knowledge – and the capacity to use it. Km: But surely the increase in student numbers must mean a reduction in the quality of education Kent, and other universities, are providing? DM: All universities have grown, many much more rapidly than Kent.The changing nature of the student population – for example we have more students studying closer to home – means change is inevitable for all of us who are providers of higher education. The picture is that we have shifted from an elite system of university education for a very small percentage of the population to one that compares with other countries. Undoubtedly, we are taking a wider range of students but our A level point scores haven’t significantly changed in the last ten years. One thing that has changed is that we have more mature students. Often they are without traditional qualifications but often they are more successful in terms of degree results. I would say that the student population at Kent, although more diverse nationally and culturally, has not fundamentally changed. I also think it’s worth mentioning that during the last 12 months alone we have made more than 20 external appointments to Chairs.They come from a wide range of other universities, and together with the recent internal professorial promotions, will make a significant contribution to the University’s research activities. And of course, our position in the league tables is improving. We were pleased to see this year’s Sunday Times league tables flagging up our good unemployment rate, our flexible degree programmes, our European activities and our internationalist approach. I have been pleased to hear that that the changes at Kent have been generally welcomed by our alumni, many expressing their support by the contributions they are make to our fundraising efforts. It’s good to see that people who obviously appreciated their time at Kent and the benefits it brought them once they graduated want to see it opened up to more and more people. 11
Page 1 and 2: ENT The magazine for the University
Page 3 and 4: Contents 4 News 8 Development news
Page 5 and 6: 2 3 4 Building work under way at Un
Page 7 and 8: English student Samantha is a talen
Page 9: RIDING THE WAVES OF CHANGE 1 ‘Ano
Page 13 and 14: SHAPING THE WORLD The University of
Page 15 and 16: 1 2 3 4 5 Please describe a ‘typi
Page 17 and 18: 1 Rising sons 2 Older workers 3 Sey
Page 19 and 20: Diane Houston WORK, YOUR FLEXIBLE F
Page 21 and 22: WHO’S WHAT WHERE Mandy Boursicot
Page 23 and 24: 1 ‘During one amazing session, in

KENT MAGAZINE AW - University of Kent

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