LSBU takes part in Brexit impacts roundtable discussion with Education Select Committee
LSBU recently hosted Parliament's Education Select Committee on campus, for a roundtable discussion with students and staff on Brexit and its implicationsParliament’s Education Select Committee visited London South Bank University (LSBU) to canvas a range of opinions from staff and students about the likely impacts of Brexit on higher education, on Wednesday 7 December.
The Education Select Committee is currently on a tour of a pre-selected group of UK universities to gather evidence about the future implications of Brexit for higher education and will report its findings during the first half of 2017.
Select Committee members joined a group of LSBU staff and students in a roundtable discussion focused on three main areas of concern relevant to the future of higher education. The three main questions discussed were:
- What are the main priorities for higher education following Brexit?
- What should the Government focus on achieving in the short-term, during negotiations and beyond?
- What opportunities, if any, can Brexit provide for universities to ensure that they remain competitive in a global market?
In addition to the Select Committee Chair Neil Carmichael MP (CON), the five MPs taking part included: Ian Mearns, MP for Gateshead (LAB), Lillian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South (LAB), Marion Fellows, MP for Motherwell and Wishaw (SNP), William Wragg, MP for Hazel Grove (CON) and Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North (LAB).
Commenting on the Select Committee’s visit to LSBU, Vice Chancellor Prof. David Phoenix said, “It’s pleasing to see that the Education Select Committee is taking time to canvas opinion about the likely impact of Brexit on higher education from those that may be directly affected.
“The Select Committee’s visit to the University hopefully provided them with a range of useful perspectives they wouldn't have otherwise obtained and it also provided an opportunity for LSBU staff and students to contribute their views to the Committee’s evidence gathering process.
“Here at LSBU we remain committed to ensuring that the University continues to be a welcoming place. Our many EU staff and students are a valued part of our vibrant and diverse community and will continue to play a vital role in the future of LSBU.”
Neil Carmichael said, “This was a very useful exercise and we are immensely grateful to all the students and staff for taking the time to join us.
“As a committee we want to engage directly with the higher education sector so that our deliberations are highly informed by real life experiences. One of the common themes to come out of this roundtable discussion is that people want more clarity and a roadmap for the next couple of years.”
Read more about the EU Referendum and Brexit.