UK: Lecturers oppose too much business influence

Lecturers have warned against giving businesses too much influence over the content and design of university courses, as the government launched plans to make universities more business-friendly, reports the Education Guardian. The University and College Union argued that plans outlined by the universities secretary, John Denham, would stifle innovation in higher education.

The high-level skills consultation from the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills urges much more involvement of employers in designing and paying for university courses.

But UCU's general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “Affording the private sector a major say in the curriculum today will mean less innovation and invention for tomorrow as university staff are forced to prioritise policy that focuses purely on the numbers game.”

She said the most effective way for universities to contribute to society and the economy was by allowing them to retain their principle missions as places of research and scholarship.
Full report on the Education Guardian site