More graduates needed, says Teesside University
TEESSIDE University bosses today said increasing, not reducing, the number of graduates emerging from higher education was essential as the region emerges from recession.
The comments came as a graduate recruitment body called for a phased increase in student top-up fees and an end to the Government’s 50% target for participation in higher education.
The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) said the moves were “vital” to raising standards, arguing that the “artificial” 50% target had devalued degrees.
Political parties were urged to support the gradual removal of the cap on student top-up fees by 2020 and to help launch a national savings scheme to prepare families for the cost of higher education.
But Graham Henderson, vice-chancellor of Teesside University, said: “As our economy emerges from recession we will need more, not less, skilled graduates and I would not support a reduction in the number of students in our university sector.
“The government has set up an independent enquiry into tuition fee levels and it is important to wait the results of that review before commenting.”
Teesside University, The Times Higher Education University of the Year, has around 28,000 students and more than 2,000 staff. It saw student growth in 2007-08 of more than 1,000 students.
Earlier Mr Henderson said “social inclusion and business engagement” were key for the university.
Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, said: “These proposals reflect the views of 750 major employers which collectively recruit around 30,000 graduates a year in the UK. In our opinion, there has never been a greater need for Government, employers and universities to build a shared vision for higher education. I do not believe it is overstating the case to say that the UK’s prosperity and productivity are depending on it. We know that some of these calls to action - particularly those which relate to funding and finance - are unlikely to receive a universal welcome.”
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