Sir Howard NewbyChief Executive

Higher Education Funding Council for England

Multilateral Higher Education Policy Forum

19-21 May 2004

The Regional Agenda

• Building from a position of strength – HEFCE role and influence in the regions

• Role of the HEFCE Regional Consultants• Funding initiatives for – widening

participation; HE Innovation Fund; New Technology Institutes; Additional Student Numbers

• HEFCE Strategic Development Fund

The Regional Agenda

• Drivers for change – economic competitiveness and social inclusion

• Government PSA target• Higher Education White Paper; HE Bill 2004• Working towards 50% participation • HEFCE Strategic Plan 2003-08• The Lambert Review• Comprehensive Spending Review 2004

The Regional Agenda

• Building productive relationships with other stakeholders – Regional Development Agencies; Local Learning and Skills Councils; Government Offices; Higher Education Regional Associations

• Greater leverage on Government funding if we work through a policy of partnership and collaboration

• Turning opportunities into success – the case for fully funded growth

The Regional Agenda

• Building on our Strategic Plan 2003-08; working with the grain of our strategies for teaching, research and third-leg funding

• Building on institutional strengths• Where should we focus our efforts in seeking to

achieve excellence?• Will variable fees be an influential factor?• Should the market for higher education influence our

strategic approach?