Incoming UUK president Steve West says institutions will “respond to scientific evidence” as students return
Universities will deliver “as much teaching, learning, support and activities in person as we can” in the coming academic year, the new president of Universities UK is to tell the organisation’s annual conference.
Steve West, vice-chancellor of the University of the West of England, will use his inaugural address as president of the vice-chancellors’ group in Newcastle tomorrow to state that public health considerations caused by the pandemic are the “driving force” behind universities’ thinking.
“Parents, students and governments can be assured that universities are ready: we’re strongly encouraging students to get vaccinated without delay, and we’re taking our responsibility to provide safe and welcoming campuses extremely seriously,” he is expected to say.
“We are ready to adapt and respond to the scientific evidence as we and our public health colleagues continue to put the health and safety of staff and students first…Universities will be delivering as much teaching, learning, support and activities in person across our campuses as we can.”
At the same time, West will echo many in the sector who believe some element of online learning is here to stay, saying institutions will “continue to harness the benefits of technological advances where this enhances the overall student experience”.
West will also tackle head on critics who have demanded universities revert to the pre-pandemic mode of teaching: “To politicians and commentators who have asked, ‘Why not everything in person?’ Well, I respectfully point out that the move to some teaching, learning and assessment online was already happening pre-Covid because students have been clear that digital developments can enhance their learning and outcomes.”
Elsewhere in his address, West is expected to make the case for universities to be central to the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, which seeks to boost economic development in regions across the UK.
Previous government moves related to this agenda have generated concerns that universities could be left out of one of the big ideas of the current Conservative administration.
“The stakes are high,” West will say. “The right policy decisions can ensure that anyone with the potential and ability to succeed at university can do so and deliver the supply of talented, highly educated, skilled people that business, public services and communities need.
“But the wrong decisions may constrain, damage and set back the very towns, cities and regions that the government most wants to level up, slowing our recovery and delaying our push towards an inclusive, prosperous global Britain.”