Professor D Warner- Higher Education

Professor David Warner- Higher Education Professor David Warner is Wales’ longest-serving vice chancellor of Swansea University. He became vice-chancellor of the then Swansea Institute of Higher Education in January 1998. He led the institute through a successful two-year inspection and then in 2008 was given permission to change the name Swansea Metropolitan University. The university was last year named Britain’s most financially efficient higher education institution. There is no real definition for Higher Education. I believe Higher Education teaches you transferable skills, such as communication and information technology, debate skills, problem solving which all will be needed throughout working life. It provides you will a better chance of employment and also brings people form different walks of life together; this can strengthen understanding of different cultures and beliefs. Some Higher Education courses provide a vocational program directed to specific areas such as Teaching. Professor David Warner gave us two definitions: 1. The level of work you do NVQ4 plus 2. Who pays We discussed the history of Higher Education. The first University was established in the middle ages. By the 1980 there were 47 universities including CATS and new plate-glass units. In 1992 there were over 100 universities as legislation enabled polytechnic institutions to adapt to the title of University. Diversity of the UK Higher Education System • Chartered University- Ancient University, Civics/redbrick, Plate-glass, former CATS • ‘Statutory’ Universities • Higher Education institutes • Higher Education in Further Education • Growth of the Private Sector • Situation in Wales- the Welsh Assembly Government have control due to the referendum. In the lecture we looked at four key legislations. • Education Reform Act 1988 • Further and Higher Education Act 1998 • Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 • Higher Education Act 1994 • The Future- Welsh Government The aim of the documents is too create a better Higher Education system and better funding. Higher Education aims to: • Allows people to develop their capabilities and reach their potential, both personally and academically. • Contribute to an economically successful country • Improve knowledge and research In the UK Higher Education has changed now there are more female students due to women having more rights and women having careers as opposed to being housewives like previously. Part time degrees are now available so they suit people with jobs or families better making it easier to attend university. There has been a growth in the number of international students attending UK universities. There has also been more funding available. HEFCW Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, the aim is to develop and sustain internationally excellent higher education in Wales, for the benefit of individuals, society and the economy, in Wales and more widely. HEFCW (2012) quoted: There are 11 Higher Education that we fund directly in Wales. Higher Education in Wales is a major economic force producing 30,000 graduates a year, contributing more than £1 billion annually to the Welsh economy; it is a major employer in Wales. It is not only good for the individual but also good for the economy.