Time for some classical logic? Mobility Commission: A tactical withdrawal or simply running away? The very public resignation of all of the board members of the Social Mobility Commission was painful to watch. The events today have highlighted the profound discomfort that many of us have about the state of our nation and our sense of fair play and equality. We are watching the country stagnate as able talent is set aside on the grounds of being ‘disadvantaged’. We are truly living in a poorer place. Alan Milburn and colleagues finally seem to have woken up to the reality that there is no will within Government to address a deep-rooted problem that affects the whole of the UK. Why they waited till right up to the end to run away, or execute a tactical withdrawal, is disturbing. Indeed, it is now apparent that the UK Government never took Social Mobility seriously. Instead, the Social Mobility Commission appears to be there to cover up the real intentions of a crudely drawn s...

Building a new bridge for students or sigh! - same old bridge? The BBC have reported: "The launch of a "major review" of university tuition fees is expected in the next few weeks - despite speculation that it was going to disappear into the political black hole of a minority government consumed by Brexit ." Will tuition fees be scrapped or saved by university review? BBC News 1st December 2017 On 20th November, on the lead up to the budget, TEFS reported: The most likely outcome is that a major review will be announced. This is likely to be reported in time for the Conservative election manifesto in the New Year as another election looms. See: The Budget and Student Fees: Give My Head Peace ! It came as a surprise that it did not get a men tion in the budget. Despite the glaring omission, it seems the problem will not go away. Neither will the students burdened with debt. Now the BBC are predicting a "major review".  The Governme...

Figures by Sara Cunningham Bell, Victoria College Belfast 2001 The budget (1) appeared to offer little to students that are hard pressed or indeed much incentive for those from a lower income background thinking of pursuing higher education. The prospect of little or no earnings growth for the next 20 years and inflation expanding has been reported widely (2) and confirms that the party is over for most of us.   The risk of spiralling debt will hold back many would-be students from lower income backgrounds. However there are some positive factors to consider first. Reasons to be cheerful…….. There are many factors for such students to consider even if they have little confidence in the future. There are some concessions that may help in settling the nerves and assist planning for a successful future.   It seems that raising the ‘Student Loans Repayment Threshold’ will cost £615m for the government by 2022/23. This will be offset to some degree by the ‘Tuition Fee ...

Testing the New Model Scottish Army uniform at the Edinburgh Festival . The support for students in Scotland is diverging far from that in England and this could be seen as a threat to the UK government and its political objectives.   The independent report for the Scottish Government: “ A New Social Contract for Students - Fairness, Parity and Clarity ”(1), out this week just before the budget, is welcome because it sets out the basic needs of an individual student. It makes no distinction with regard to support for the individual between Higher and Further Education. It also goes some way to seeking equality by defining a basic economic requirement for all students regardless of their background. Rich or poor we are all Homo sapiens with generally the same nutritional needs.  Even with some flawed assumptions apparent, it sets out a 'line in the sand' with regard to providing equal time and resources for students studying.  Students in the rest of the UK will...

Students demonstrating to oppose a plan to remove the cap on fees in Belfast in 2011. Ironically, marching past the satirical ‘Give My Head Peace’ at the Opera House http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006pq94 The government budget will be proclaimed in parliament on 22nd November 2017 (1) and there is considerable anticipation of possible U-turns on austerity. Leaks about their intentions for the NHS and housing have emerged in the last few days. How, or indeed if, student funding will be reformed remains uncertain. Needless to say, there has been a flurry of activity from various interested parties. The most likely outcome is that a major review will be announced. This is likely to be reported in time for the Conservative election manifesto in the New Year as another election looms. The student protests last week are very significant in this scenario; yet were relatively under reported for some reason. The Guardian (2) and New Statesman (3) were observant enoug...

“One casualty is one too many” A submission to the Treasury Committee Student Loans Inquiry that addresses specifically the terms of reference relating to; “ the impact of student finances on students ”. The inquiry states that, “ It will focus on the impact of student loans on the public finances, the success or failure of fee funding to act as a 'market' for higher education, and the impact of student finances on students ”. By Professor Mike Larkin. 23 rd October 2017. Emeritus Professor of Microbial Biochemistry, Queen’s University Belfast. Retired early and living in Edinburgh.   Thirty six years of experience in teaching and supporting students at all levels in Higher Education.   Research experience in environmental science and biotechnology, microbiology and biochemistry. Former lead academic of the award winning QUESTOR Centre ( http://www.questor.qub.ac.uk/ ).   Former UCU president at Queen’s University Belfast, Chair of UCU No...

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When is a University not a University? Belfast Telegraph Article 20th October 2015 see: http://www.belfasttelegraph. co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/ were-all-poorer-if-profit-not- learning-is-bottom-line- 34122818.html#comments When it is a business perhaps?    The recent episodes of Queen’s: A University Challenged on BBC were illuminating.   They shed some light onto the vast extent of an operation that is typical of a modern university.   But shocking to many was the incessant stressing of Queen’s as a “business”. That the programme makers dwelled on this reflects an emphasis deliberately concocted by the management. This uncovering of Queen’s as a “business” reveals an inherent dilemma and tension affecting many universities. The programme’s episodes serve us well by opening up the debate about what a university is, what it is for and its mission in our advanced society.   For if indeed it is a “business” it is a strange one.   Strange for a busines...