Professor Malcolm Press CBE DL gives evidence in Parliament on higher education funding
Expertise from Professor Malcolm Press CBE DL, Manchester Met’s Vice-Chancellor, is helping to shape the future of funding in higher education.
Prof Press was invited to give oral evidence at the Education Select Committee on Tuesday April 8, in his role as Vice-President of Universities UK.
Alongside other leaders in higher education and research, Prof Press shared his expert views on ensuring the financial sustainability of institutions, the benefits of research, and the importance of continuing a high-quality system that carries cost.
The immense value that arts and humanities and the creative industry brings was also highlighted by Prof Press, with Manchester Met’s School of Digital Arts cited as an exemplar of good teaching and research practise.
Speaking about the vital role that higher education plays in communities, Prof Press said: “Universities play a very important civic function, a place-based function. We are responsible for 850,000 jobs across the country. We deliver enormous benefit.”
Prof Press was speaking at the Commons Select Committee’s Education Committee which scrutinises the work of the Department for Education, covering work in schools, colleges and higher education.
In response to questions about the economic value that universities generate, Prof Press said: “The recent blueprint by Universities UK showed that for every pound invested in higher education, there’s a 14 pound return…We have a really important part to play.”
The Committee met at Portcullis House and, alongside Prof Press, witnesses called to give evidence included Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England at UK Research and Innovation, and Sir Philip Augar, Chair of the 2019 Independent Panel at Post-18 Education and Funding Review.
UK Parliament regularly benefits from Manchester Met expertise, with Professor Michelle McManus recently helping to shape government policy on safeguarding children in social care and Dr Lucy Montague acting as Special Advisor to the government’s inquiry into high streets.
Prof Press’s expertise in higher education is set to continue at a national level, with his recent election as President of Universities UK, a two-year term he will commence in August this year.
