Memorandum submitted by the Heads of Chemistry
UK (HCUK)
The Heads of Chemistry UK (HCUK) is the body
that represents the interests of departments engaged in chemical
education, scholarship and research in universities and similar
institutions throughout the United Kingdom. Through its Standing
Committee, the HCUK has considered the consultation paper carefully
and the response from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
The HCUK supports the Royal Society of Chemistry
(RSC) response fully, and would emphasise the following.
UNIVERSITY FUNDING
Qu. 4. IS
THE CURRENT
FUNDING SYSTEM
FIT FOR
PURPOSE? IS
THE PURPOSE
CLEAR?
RSC response:
The purpose is clear, but the current system
is not fit for purpose. There is insufficient resource overall
and the relative funding between subjects is inappropriate.
The current system is too geared to what
universities wish to provide and what 18-year-olds wish to "purchase".
The mechanisms for ensuring that national needs are met are either
not appropriate or insufficiently used.
HCUK agree that the mechanisms for ensuring
that national needs are met are either not appropriate or insufficiently
used but that universities should also retain their autonomy.
The only way of achieving both is to provide a system which rewards
university commitment to key disciplines otherwise universities
may justifiably follow resource rather than national need.
Qu. 6. SHOULD
THE £3,000
CAP ON
STUDENT FEES
BE LIFTED
AFTER 2009 AND
WHAT MIGHT
BE THE
CONSEQUENCES FOR
UNIVERSITIES AND
FOR STUDENTS,
INCLUDING PART-TIME
STUDENTS?
RSC response:
No comment.
HCUK recognises that lifting of the cap on student
fees may be potentially beneficial to institutions in England
but that it could create a significant funding gap between institutions
in different parts of the UK. The effects on participation would
need very close monitoring.
December 2006
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