UPP discuss future of HE sector

Jon Wakeford, UPP's Group Director of Strategy and Communications, today spoke at the fringe event of university mission group, 1994 Group, at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference, in Birmingham. He discussed UPP's role in working in partnership with universities to bring private investment into the higher education sector. To date UPP have procured £1.2billion of funding to develop and operate more than 22,000 student bedrooms, teaching infrastructure on university campuses, and a wide range of facilities management services.

Discussing how the Liberal Democrats can support universities and win back the confidence of students, he said: "For UPP, we have a crucial role in supporting universities and students during this turbulent transition period. It is imperative that the outcome of the changes taking place result in universities that are able to adequately fund themselves sustainably and this will require the majority of universities to work more efficiently. Where savings are realised it is critical these are used to improve the experience of students, be it by improving facilities, the quality of teaching and research or by providing more bursaries or scholarships."