Higher Education News Week - 28th June 2024
Voters back using public money to bail out universities (timeshighereducation.com)
Times Higher Education, June 28 2024:
· The article suggests that a significant majority of UK voters are in favour of using public funds to help UK universities facing financial crises
· Both Labour and Conservative supporters agree on the importance of government action to prevent university closures
· The University and College Union (UCU) advocates for tuition fee elimination and increased business contributions to higher education funding
· With the general election approaching, universities are highlighting their value in skills training and community development
University of Northampton offers voluntary severance to 500 staff (bbc.com)
BBC News, 27th June 2024:
· The University of Northampton faces a £19.3m deficit, attributed to a decline in international student numbers and other factors
· A scheme is offered to 500 staff, aiming to mitigate financial challenges while regretting the need for such measures
· Contributing Factors: Increased pension costs and repayments for the new Waterside Campus are also impacting the University’s finances
· The University and College Union (UCU) welcomes the scheme as preferable to compulsory redundancies but seeks better terms to effectively address the financial issues
Study shows students using AI in exams earn higher grades – and can get away with it | The Independent
The Independent, 27th June 2024:
· The article emphasizes the need for the education sector to adapt to AI’s growing role in learning and assessments
· The study reveals that AI-generated answers can evade detection and score higher than student submissions
· Even experienced markers find it difficult to identify AI-generated content
· The rise of advanced AI tools like ChatGPT raises concerns about the integrity of academic assessments
· Educational institutions must evolve their assessment methods to maintain integrity in the face of advancing AI technology
Next government faces hard choices on English universities, say experts
The Guardian, 22nd June 2024:
· The article emphasises the need for a strategic approach to secure the financial sustainability of higher education institutions in England
· English universities face tough financial decisions, with options like raising tuition fees, increasing grants, or capping student numbers
· The current tuition fee of £9,250 has been frozen since 2016, despite inflation suggesting it should be £12,000
· The government could raise fees from 2025, increase teaching grants, or limit student numbers to maintain current subsidies
· Without intervention, many universities risk financial deficits, with job cuts and course closures already occurring - as indicated in the article about Northampton above
