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University and business link plan 'Consumer' plan for universities
(8 minutes later)
The government is laying out its vision for the future of English universities, stressing the "customer experience" of students and ties with business.The government is laying out its vision for the future of English universities, stressing the "customer experience" of students and ties with business.
The Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, has said students must have more information about teaching quality and likely future earnings.The Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, has said students must have more information about teaching quality and likely future earnings.
He promised a new review of tuition fees would include students' views.He promised a new review of tuition fees would include students' views.
Lord Mandelson said social mobility must be promoted more and universities were not "factories for workers".Lord Mandelson said social mobility must be promoted more and universities were not "factories for workers".
But he said universities also could not be islands or ivory towers and had a crucial role in the country's economic prosperity.But he said universities also could not be islands or ivory towers and had a crucial role in the country's economic prosperity.
'A better deal''A better deal'
Lord Mandelson is to publish details of the higher education framework later this afternoon.Lord Mandelson is to publish details of the higher education framework later this afternoon.
But, speaking on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, he said he wanted "a better deal for students".But, speaking on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, he said he wanted "a better deal for students".
"They are paying customers, they need to be given much fuller information about what they can expect to get back from their courses," he said."They are paying customers, they need to be given much fuller information about what they can expect to get back from their courses," he said.
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This included teaching quality and how much direct contact they would have with their teachers.This included teaching quality and how much direct contact they would have with their teachers.
A complaint, as universities have expanded, is that cost pressures have meant this contact time has suffered in some places.A complaint, as universities have expanded, is that cost pressures have meant this contact time has suffered in some places.
Lord Mandelson said that Alan Milburn's report on social mobility - or the lack of it - had exposed how many people from poorer backgrounds missed out on university.Lord Mandelson said that Alan Milburn's report on social mobility - or the lack of it - had exposed how many people from poorer backgrounds missed out on university.
And he said university research needed to be concentrated on providing economic benefits.And he said university research needed to be concentrated on providing economic benefits.
There is also to be a separate review of student funding and tuition fees - due to be announced in the next few weeks and not expected to report until after the general election.There is also to be a separate review of student funding and tuition fees - due to be announced in the next few weeks and not expected to report until after the general election.
Lord Mandelson denied there was collusion with the Tories or "political cowardice" in setting that timescale.Lord Mandelson denied there was collusion with the Tories or "political cowardice" in setting that timescale.
'Stem' subjects'Stem' subjects
Where extra places were provided on degree courses, he wanted to continue to emphasise those that stimulated demand in the "Stem" subjects - science, technology, engineering and maths.Where extra places were provided on degree courses, he wanted to continue to emphasise those that stimulated demand in the "Stem" subjects - science, technology, engineering and maths.
Much of the expansion of the higher education sector in recent years has been through foundation degrees - designed directly with the involvement of employers.Much of the expansion of the higher education sector in recent years has been through foundation degrees - designed directly with the involvement of employers.
Increasingly universities are already tailoring their portfolios to meet this demand.Increasingly universities are already tailoring their portfolios to meet this demand.
Lord Mandelson was asked if this meant less obviously career-focused courses would be less favoured?Lord Mandelson was asked if this meant less obviously career-focused courses would be less favoured?
He said he could give an assurance that would not happen.He said he could give an assurance that would not happen.
All subjects and disciplines had an innate public value and universities must respond to demand - but also they must consider the economic needs of the country, Lord Mandelson added.All subjects and disciplines had an innate public value and universities must respond to demand - but also they must consider the economic needs of the country, Lord Mandelson added.
"They are there to provide us with both civilisation and competitiveness," he said."They are there to provide us with both civilisation and competitiveness," he said.
The leader of UCU lecturers' union, Sally Hunt, warned against treating higher education as a consumer product.The leader of UCU lecturers' union, Sally Hunt, warned against treating higher education as a consumer product.
"Further marketisation of higher education will threaten that status. Universities are supposed to be about challenging perceived wisdom, not just ensuring a consumer is happy," she said."Further marketisation of higher education will threaten that status. Universities are supposed to be about challenging perceived wisdom, not just ensuring a consumer is happy," she said.