Risks to university science departments “need a response”

Citation

(2006), "Risks to university science departments “need a response”", Education + Training, Vol. 48 No. 2/3. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2006.00448bab.007

Risks to university science departments “need a response”

University science departments are not in crisis, but there are risks and opportunities in the future that need a response, according to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), which has investigated the provision of subjects of strategic national importance, such as science and modern languages.

In a letter to the Education Secretary, Ruth Kelly, HEFCE chairman David Young said: “We have a healthy and vibrant higher-education system in this country… The dynamism of the English HE sector is a great strength, and interventions should, as a rule, be kept to a minimum.”

The report made a series of recommendations aimed at protecting five areas of strategic importance, including the provision of courses in modern languages (including Arabic, Japanese and Mandarin) and science, mathematics and engineering. The recommendations included:

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  encouraging universities and colleges to give early notice to HEFCE where strategically important courses could be at risk;

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  ensuring that universities take account of the specific needs of employers when planning courses; and

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  ensuring that one or more centres exist for the study of important and vulnerable subjects.

Bill Rammell, Higher Education Minister, noted that the latest figures from UCAS for university acceptances showed an encouraging level of students applying to read key strategic subjects. Data showed a higher-than-average increase in the number of students accepted to study mathematics, physics and chemistry last year. Mr Rammell said: “We have considered the proposals carefully and have studied the trends in applications to universities. I am pleased that the figures show some encouraging increases in those applying to read mathematics and science. However, we are not complacent and will keep this under review. The actions HEFCE proposes, alongside the initiatives we are taking in schools to improve teaching of these key subjects, should help. Most of our Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development competitors also have concerns about student demand for science and mathematics courses. I am confident that the work being done throughout our education system will place us in a strong position. I particularly welcome HEFCE’s proposals to support national centres in key minority subjects such as Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern and south-east Asian studies.”