Higher Education Capital: Investing in the Future 17 May 2012

Event overview

The UK's higher education sector is a national asset, contributing to the economic success and social well-being of the country. However, in order for this to continue investment must be sustained.

Attracting over 2.4million students from the UK and overseas the UK's higher education sector must provide outstanding facilities and opportunities for each one of its students. Enhancing the effectiveness of teaching, research and boosting the overall student experience can help this to be achieved.

A report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) entitled ‘Performance in Higher Education estates: EMS Annual Report 2010' recognises that good-quality buildings, equipment and information technology are essential to academic excellence in teaching and research. Nevertheless, the government's new funding arrangements for Higher Education means that capital funding will be reduced from £532 million in 2010-2011 to £223 million for 2011-2012. It is therefore vital for universities to invest in sustainable projects that will generate income and encourage efficiency savings.

In addition, the 2011 White Paper ‘Higher Education: Students at the Heart of the System' highlights the importance of research and innovation. This was also supported by a government commitment of over £200 million to developing national technology and innovation centres. Capital projects, such as the Department for Business Innovation and Skills' Catapult Centres, are vital to developing a research infrastructure that is needed to retain and further a culture of excellence within the UK's Higher Education sector.

At a time of financial constraint and in an ever growing market place it is imperative that universities create and develop a unique identity to remain at the forefront of global competition.