Description
A conference organised by the Higher Education Academy and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) to reflect on the success of higher education in further education colleges, and the challenging future ahead, was held last week.
Over 160 delegates attended 'Higher Education Further: Looking forward:policy, strategy and practice' to explore the current and rapidly changing environment facing the higher education in further education sector.
The Academy’s Chief Operating Officer, Jane Pither, took part in a panel chaired by John Peart from the National Union of Students and including Anthony McClaran, QAA's Chief Executive; John Selby, HEFCE's Director of Education and Participation; and John Widdowson, member of the Association of Colleges' Board.
“The Academy’s focus is on the student experience at both HEIs and colleges,” comments Jane Pither. “This conference was an excellent opportunity to bring together senior policy makers and strategists from higher and further education to draw on experiences from the past while contemplating the future.
Gillian Hayes, Deputy Director of Reviews at QAA and Chair of QAA's Higher Education in Further Education Colleges' Liaison Group, said: 'This conference has been a great success and offered staff from both higher education institutions and colleges the chance to come together and discuss the challenges ahead and reflect on the outstanding success of the last few years with some of the key policy makers.
'The issue of future funding was understandably a key focus of concern raised by delegates during the Question Time-style panel. In addition to the challenges facing UK higher education wherever it is delivered, colleges face a substantial amount of change. There is a need for colleges to turn potential threats into opportunities to make sure that they are giving their students a good learning experience.'
The Academy’s Higher Education in Further Education (HE in FE) Enhancement Programme supports further education colleges offering higher education programmes. Follow the link below for further information
