Independent HE members attend round table discussion with Universities Minister Jo Johnson

A dozen Independent HE members were invited to a round table meeting on 21 October with Jo Johnson, the Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, to discuss the Higher Education and Research Bill as it comes to the end of its passage through the House of Commons and moves onto the Lords.

The Minister showed a keen interest in our members’ different perspectives on the challenges that independent HEIs currently face operating in the higher education sector and on how the reforms of the Bill should improve the regulatory environment to enhance the competitiveness of new and innovative providers.

The meeting included a vigorous airing of the problems with the current Validation system, a discussion on the potential of  accelerated and flexible delivery to underpin innovative new courses, and other measures necessary to ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to the widest range of courses possible.

This round table is just the latest milestone in a positive track record of enhanced engagement between the Government and the independent sector which has been facilitated by Independent HE.