UCU campaigns against increasing privatisation of UK's higher education

The University and College Union is campaigning against the increasing trend of universities forming partnerships with private education companies. Britain's main lecturers’ union is opposing what it views as a leaning towards the privatisation of higher education. A growing number of universities are linked with companies such as INTO, Navitas and Kaplan for recruiting and teaching overseas students on programmes for English language and study skills.
The union balloted members of Essex University on the possible introduction of a pathway programme with INTO, finding 90 per cent of the voters were against the venture. Queens University, Glasgow Caledonian and Westminster have also protests against the involvement with INTO.
According to Dr Michael Hughes, Executive Chair of the British Association Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes, some companies were "pretty aggressive" when trying to create a partnership with a university. He added that he was, "also concerned about quality of teaching as people are being brought in with less experience."
Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary stated: "We are not prepared to watch our universities risk hard won reputations and future financial health by signing capital and revenue over to what are in effect private sector property developers." We've seen the disastrous consequences of this kind of privatisation across the public sector and will fight it wherever it rears its head."
It is not just the UK that is being targeted by private companies. Canada is being targeted by Navitas, an Australian firm, who is being met with stiff opposition.