LETTER: New universities underfunded
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr David Triesman
Sir: The finding ("Teaching at new universities fails to make the grade", 12 October) that ratings for teaching excellence tend to coincide with research excellence ratings is unsurprising. The ethos of a university largely depends on the interrelation between research and teaching. The traditional universities have, traditionally, been funded to undertake research alongside teaching both undergraduates and postgraduate students. The new universities have not benefited from that tradition to the same degree, despite many important initiatives often supported by the enthusiasm of their staff.
There is much evidence to suggest that the new universities could more successfully contribute to the research and development powerhouse of UK plc, given the appropriate resources.
The special earmarked "development research" fund needs to be enhanced significantly to allow the new universities a fairer share of research resources. The process, however, must involve additional resources and not be part of a robbing-Peter-to-pay-Paul, robbing-old-to-pay-new, process. That would be government shooting itself in both feet. It would be absurd to diminish the quality of research in the older universities both because of its intrinsic value and its contribution to teaching excellence.
Research is investment in the nation's future. Good investment pays for itself. Universities, old and new, are starved of resources, which affects not just the development of the nation's wealth but also what its people achieve through higher education teaching.
Yours faithfully,
David Triesman
General Secretary, Association
of University Teachers
London, W11
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments