HEFCE Annual Meeting 2009

20 November 2009

Review of the year and the challenges for higher education

One hundred and eighty delegates, many of them chairs of governing bodies, gathered at SOAS's Brunei Gallery in London for HEFCE's 2009 Annual Meeting on 20 November.

The meeting followed the recent Government higher education framework 'Higher Ambitions' and the announcement of a review of HE and student finance.

It provided an opportunity for delegates to reflect on the last year – with HEFCE's chief executive, Sir Alan Langlands, who took up his post in April, and his colleagues looking ahead to the challenges facing the sector.

Summary of the meeting

Delegates were urged not to be downcast in these challenging times by HEFCE Chair, Tim Melville-Ross in his opening remarks. 'It is very important to work together to address the ever-increasing challenges,' he said. ‘Higher education is so important that it must continue to put the case for growing investment.’

Those remarks set the tone for the annual meeting where delegates heard a frank assessment of the policy and financial environment facing the sector. Sir Alan Langlands explained that the sector would be affected not only by the 'Higher Ambitions' framework and fees review, but also by the recent skills white paper and the forthcoming pre-budget report.

Steve Egan, HEFCE’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance, emphasised the opportunities for greater efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources, while Heather Fry, HEFCE's Head of Learning and Teaching, explained how HEFCE and partner organisations were addressing concerns raised by politicians, policymakers and students for improved quality in the student experience, not least with the prospect of higher fees after the finance review.

After ten years of growth in funding per student, the sector faces uncertainty over future funding. Now more than ever, it is important to work together both to make the case for greater investment and to set and develop priorities and make choices. As Sir Alan put it, it is about aiming for the best rather than preparing for the worst.

Page last updated 30 November 2011