Upcoming Events :
Seminar: Outsourcing and Contract Procurement
Tue 28 Feb 2012
Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London, SE1 9BB
CBI urges businesses to invest in higher education
Thu 11 Feb 2010
The business sector is being encouraged to divert funds towards universities in England.
Earlier this month, the Higher Education Funding Council for England confirmed that university budgets are to be cut by £449 million, which should lead to a drop in the number of student places.
According to the CBI, the budget cuts will also put constraints on teaching funding, a state of affairs it described as a "concern".
The organisation has therefore urged the private sector to find ways of putting money into universities over the next few years, possibly by sponsoring courses and foundation degrees.
Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, told Personnel Today that providing more bursaries could also be another option.
He added that most business people acknowledge that they have a responsibility to do all they can to support the skills system.
The University and College Union has already warned that if the planned funding cuts do go ahead, 15,000 jobs in the higher education sector could be at risk.
Stephen Hart, a senior solicitor at Winckworth Sherwood, commented: "There are many ways in which businesses can work together with universities - and indeed universities will have to examine them more deeply as public funds dry up.
"Strategic partnerships, particularly looking at facilities and resources, may unlock opportunities for both."
