University leaders, including Professor David Latchman CBE, Master of Birkbeck, have written an open letter – published in today’s Times newspaper – to highlight the significant benefits that UK universities secure from the country’s membership of the European Union.
The letter – signed by the President of Universities UK and members of the Universities UK board (listed below) – states that the UK’s membership of the European Union is central to the success of UK higher education and to ‘universities’ positive impact on the economy and society’.
Below is the letter and full list of signatories:
Sir, Britain’s universities are national assets which contribute £73 billion to the economy and they drive innovation and growth. The UK’s membership of the European Union is central to that success and to universities’ positive impact on the economy and society.
The UK benefits directly from £1.2 billion annually in European research funding and is the largest beneficiary of EU research funds to universities. This supports UK-based research and transnational research projects which pool knowledge to solve social and economic challenges in a way that no country acting alone could do.
EU programmes facilitate the mobility of researchers, staff and students, providing opportunities for young people and contributing to the excellence of our research base. EU structural funds invest in British skills and infrastructure to deliver local economic growth and support university-business collaboration.
Without an influential voice in the development of EU policy, the UK would lose its ability to influence policy affecting research and higher education.
As university leaders, we are committed to ensuring that these benefits of EU membership to the British people and to our universities are properly understood, and that our voices are heard in the debate about EU reform.
Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, President of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Surrey
And members of the Universities UK board:
Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff University (Chair, Higher Education Wales)
Professor Pete Downes OBE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Dundee (Convenor, Universities Scotland)
Professor David Eastwood, Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham
Professor Simon Gaskell, Principal, Queen Mary, University of London
Professor Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor, Oxford Brookes University
Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading
Professor Michael Gunn, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Staffordshire University
Professor Julian Crampton, Vice-Chancellor, University of Brighton
Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow DBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kent
Professor Graham Henderson CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Teesside University
Professor David Latchman CBE, Master, Birkbeck, University of London
Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow
Professor Mary Stuart, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lincoln
Professor Chris Brink, Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University
Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Aberdeen
Professor Sir Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bristol
Professor Dame Julia King DBE, Vice-Chancellor, Aston University
Professor Paul O’Prey, Vice-Chancellor, University of Roehampton
Professor Steve West, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of the West of England, Bristol
Professor Michael Farthing, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sussex
Professor Nick Petford, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Northampton
Professor Chris Husbands, Director, Institute of Education
. Reply . Category: Higher education . Tags: EU, European Union, Times, Universities UK