The College of Law has recently been granted a university title
It will now be known as the University of Law.
As a result of the takeover, the institution will become the UK’s first for-profit university.
This is a landmark decision for the UK education sector. Higher Education has already seen many changes over the last few years, but this notion of a university that is for profit is perhaps one of the greatest shifts.
As a specialised ‘University of Law’ we are a new type of institution, focussed on teaching and learning, working alongside the research-intensive universities which continue to provide leadership in research and our existing partners such as the Open University.
The move away from research, which has traditionally defined universities, is a significant one. It illustrates that, for the University of Law, the focus in entirely on the students, using research gleaned from other institutions to allow them to concentrate on teaching.
Whilst the University is acknowledging that research is significant, it seems that the aim for this institution is to make students aware that they are the top priority. This desire to appeal first and foremost to them reflects its status as a for-profit institution.
With the dramatic increases in students’ fees, there is more demand for value for money, better facilities and better services… by shifting their energies to teaching and learning, it seems that the University of Law will meet these increased expectations.
So what does that mean for other universities? Abandoning research is not a possibility, as it is allows fresh thinking, new methods, and groundbreaking discoveries. But, there will need to be some changes.
Working with businesses to create stronger links between organisations, and students would be a good start, but it can’t be the only change.
There is no doubt that this will alter the face of higher education. We just wonder how…
Source: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/
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