17-Sep-2008

1

Balancing the needs and

expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education

institutions

Professor Wendy PurcellVice-Chancellor & Chief Executive

University of Plymouth, UK

The University of Plymouth

the Enterprise university

An ambitious university where innovation and

creativity are at the heart of all activities

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the autonomy of

higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

What are the

higher education

needs and

expectations of

society?

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

17-Sep-2008

2

•Contributing to the knowledge economy

•Development and maintenance of a broad, advanced

knowledge base

•Quality education and training – lifelong learning

What are the higher education needs and

expectations of society? 1

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

•Creating centres of excellence in research, consultancy

and advice

•Embedding international, multi-cultural education in the

curriculum

•Promoting equal opportunities and access to HE

What are the higher education needs and

expectations of society? 2

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

University of Plymouth Colleges (UPC)

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

17-Sep-2008

3

What does a university bring to a

region?

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

•Education – lifelong learning

•Employment and providers of skilled graduates

•Providing cultural and sporting facilities

What does higher education bring

to a region? 1

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

•Business support – personal, professional and

business development

•Supporting the public sector and local services

•Enterprise, innovation and knowledge transfer

opportunities

What does higher education bring

to a region? 2

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

17-Sep-2008

4

The Peninsula Arts Programme

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

Socio-Economic Research & Intelligence

Observatory (SERIO)

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

What is meant

by the

autonomy of

universities?

17-Sep-2008

5

•Staff and students

•Curriculum and teaching

•Academic

•Research and publication

•Administration and finance

•Governance

What is meant by the autonomy of

universities?

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

Drivers, developments and challenges

in Higher Education

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

•Students as consumers

•Demographic changes

•Leitch targets

•Global competition

•Diversity income streams

Drivers, developments and challenges in

Higher Education

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

17-Sep-2008

6

How can we balance society’s

expectations and a university’s

autonomy? Is there a conflict?

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

•Transparent and accountable

•Building sustainable partnerships

•Regularly assess risk and diversify income streams

How can we balance society’s

expectations and a university’s

autonomy? Is there a conflict? 1

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

•A professional and business-like approach

•Work with stakeholders to gain market intelligence

•Robust governance structures and procedures

How can we balance society’s

expectations and a university’s

autonomy? Is there a conflict? 2

OECD: Balancing the needs and expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education institutions – Professor Wendy Purcell

17-Sep-2008

7

Balancing the needs and

expectations of society with the

autonomy of higher education

institutions

Professor Wendy PurcellVice-Chancellor & Chief Executive

University of Plymouth, UK