Analysis and Review of Issues Affecting UK Universities - Essay Example

Challenges Facing UK Universities Challeges facing UK universities Introduction In United Kingdom, the role of higher education has been tremendous in shaping the education system both globally and internationally. Many universities remain highly rated in the global academic. Provision of higher training, innovation, capacity-building and knowledge foundation through purposeful research has been an incredible role of United Kingdom universities. In addition, they have created a platform of technological advancement and empowerment through provision of scholarship to diverse students from across the globe. However, today UK universities are entangled in serious problems. Problems Facing UK Universities Firstly, there has been a higher number of students both local and international students are thronging public universities. Although successive governments have increased access to higher education through creation of self-sponsorship and increasing government sponsorship, the large numbers have been counterproductive. With limited classrooms, staff and learning resources, universities have seen pressure on limited resources. In 1995/96, there were about 972,000 direct undergraduate students, but as per 2008/09 the number had risen significantly to over 1.8 million students1. Sadly, there has not been subsequent expansion of facilities. Overcrowding in classrooms, and laboratories have lowered quality of education. Secondly, the financial system has been a great challenge to higher education. The public universities lack sufficient cash to expand facilities such as classes and administrative offices2. With increasing number of students and relatively constant allocation of money from the government, facility expansion has been greatly severed. Besides, a research fund remains a big challenge. With more diverse and scope of studies, the government support has not been enough to meet research needs. Evidently, research is an integral part of higher education and without sufficient cash; the quality of education becomes compromised. Notably, in 2009 there was a huge 20% failure rate of engineering researchers at public universities due to shortage of funding3. However, many public universities have been accused of misappropriation of funds. In the wake of financial reporting systems,university boards should adhere to financial auditing and reporting. In addition, according to Council for Industry and Higher Education Report 2012 (CIHE), it indicated that they have increase in university fee by 9,000 UK pounds. Despite the fee increment, the Funding Environment for Universities UUK 2009, identifies that university boards face institutional bureaucracy to financial reforms. It further identified that lack of institution readiness to change was a great challenge to higher education. The funding delays from government scholarships to both local and international students have led to poor financial planning thus slowing development in public universities. Evidently, Professor Eric Thomas, vice chancellor Bristol University and UUK president noted that "from 2011 to present the day and beyond, the UKs universities are experiencing unprecedented changes in policy and higher education financing." Notably, financial challenges have been identified as sole bedrock of the U.K higher education. In addition, recruitment policy of both local and international students has been an area of myriad challenges4. In recognizing this challenge, Professor Thomas noted that the UK universities have demonstrated commitment to nurturing academic and skills from across the globe, but there is a significant backdrop to the economy. The public universities are unable to tap their trained talents and thus their intellectual growths remain undesirably low. Lack of policy stipulation that allows retention of talented scholars has slowed down academic benefits from qualified graduates. Besides, the shift of education from merit-based qualification to consumer-based services has presented monumental challenge to higher education5. It has significantly raised students agitation and fight for better services thus eroding the fundamental role of academic talents. Thirdly, the shift to e-learning presents a monumental challenge in administrative structures adjustment6. The increase in digital education has eroded traditional craftsmanship and has been a huge challenge. Besides, blending classroom and online learning has affected classroom attendants, and students performance has drastically gone down. Technology comes and goes, but the critical role of classroom learning has been sacrificed posing challenges of future sustainability. Moreover, the rise of students higher education debt in the wake of reduced employment opportunities has led to drop out from higher education. The fear of uncertainties coupled with part-time jobs increased enrolment to Ph.D. programs has increased operational and scheduling of class work to accommodate different mode of studies thus increasing the cost of operation and workload to the staff. Possible Solutions Despite existence of these challenges, there are possible solutions that should be approached in a multidimensional manner7. Firstly, there should be support from government to expand facilities through consolidated funding program. Expansion of laboratories, classrooms and setting upgrading middle-level colleges to offer a number of degrees will not only limit pressure on resources, but it will create more opportunities for many students. However, this solution may not address the immediate needs that include financial shortage. In addition, it is a long-term solution that may not be felt within a short span of time. Although it is arguably a mirage, it is a discourse worth pursuing. Besides, classroom and online learning should be integrated to create a synergistic system. The education stakeholders should design courses offered through online platform and those that require classroom. In defining courses and offering them in an integrated classroom and online platform, higher education will reduce congestion drastically. However, this solution may not help technology, medical and engineering students due to the need of practical skills that require hands-on8. In addition, university funding by government should undergo a purposeful review in order to allow for the current high enrollment into UK universities9. The government should create an independent department that ensures up to date auditing of financial reporting monthly to promote accountability and correct misappropriation. Moreover, government sponsorship should ensure that money transfer to the university is fast as possible. It can achieve this through financial information automated system10. Conclusion Despite the crucial challenges that UK universities face, there are possible solutions. These problems can be largely met through multidisciplinary approach and commitment from each stakeholder. However, due to the multiplicity of their operations, problems would always exist. References List Allen, W. R. 2012. As the world turns: implications of global shifts in higher education for theory, research and practice. Bingley, U.K.: Emerald. Bell, G. 2012. Higher education management and operational research demonstrating new practices and metaphors. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers. Coryell, J. E., Durodoye, B. A., Wright, R. R., Pate, P. E., & Nguyen, S. 2012. Case Studies of Internationalization in Adult and Higher Education: Inside the Processes of Four Universities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Journal of Studies in International Education, 16(1), 75-98. Coughlan, C. 2008. The study of China in universities a comparative case study of Australia and the United Kingdom. Amherst, NY: Cambria Press. Foskett, N. 2010. Globalization and internationalization in higher education: theoretical, strategic and management perspectives. London: Continuum. Garrett, R. M. 2010. Education and Development. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Gürüz, K. 2008. Higher education and international student mobility in the global knowledge economy. Albany: State University of New York Press. Halvorsen, T. 2011. Academic identities - academic challenges?: American and European experience of the transformation of higher education and research. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Miller, P., & Shotte, G. 2010. Franchising Education: challenges and opportunities for coping with the economic recession and the provision of higher education in the United Kingdom. Policy Futures in Education, 8(6), 644. Pinheiro, R. (2012). Universities and regional development: a critical assessment of tensions and contradictions. New York, NY: Routledge. Read More