British universities have become spineless lackeys of central government, lickspittles at the trough of subsidy. They plead they are a "golden investment" in the nation's future, yet they cry "higher purpose" when this claim is challenged. Those who went to university, including captains of industry, go along with this confidence trick to justify the advantage they gained from the experience, and hope their children can benefit too.
This caricature may explain the latest spat between universities and the government at the start of the new Research Excellence Framework, on which each university's research grant will be fixed. If the student fees row is over for the time being, the row over the third of the university budget devoted to research is about to be joined.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Universities need the guts to break this Faustian pact with research | Simon Jenkins | Comment is free | The Guardian
