At this year’s Conservative Party Conference, the Education Policy Institute (EPI) has partnered with Sheffield Hallam University to co-host an open fringe panel discussion: ‘Build back higher: How the government and universities can work together’.
Levelling up, a strong public sector workforce, global-leading innovation and industry, highly skilled jobs, recovery from Covid-19, net zero. Not just a government wish list, but areas in which universities can – and are – making a demonstrable, strategic and long-term impact across the country, and in partnership with the government. Despite this impact, the higher education sector is facing important questions about its own role and long-term future. How can we close the gap between universities’ potential and the nation’s needs?
This panel event will focus on how the government and universities can work together to tackle key issues facing the UK, ensuring this critical sector is well placed to help deliver on shared priorities. The discussion will cover securing high academic standards for all, developing a coherent skills system, through collaborating with FE and supporting lifelong learning and making universities drivers of successful local communities. The panel will also discuss resourcing universities appropriately for a more stable and sustainable future and empowering universities to respond, in partnership with government, to national challenges including pandemic recovery, levelling up, the fourth industrial revolution, and Net Zero.
We are delighted to confirm that Natalie Perera, EPI, Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Sheffield Hallam University, Rachel Wolf, Public First; Alun Francis, Oldham College and Larissa Kennedy, NUS will be speaking on this panel, alongside invited speaker Neil O’Brien MP.
** Note: This event will take place in the conference secure zone. To access the secure zone you will need to obtain a pass directly from the Conservative Party.**
