Birkbeck welcomes recognition in House of Lords that its new academic structure will enhance its contribution to lifelong learning
Lord Watson of Invergowrie recently visited Birkbeck, meeting with Professor David Latchman, Vice-Chancellor, and some students.
Birkbeck has welcomed recognition by Lord Watson of Invergowrie in the House of Lords that the new academic structure it is introducing on 1 August will enable it to enhance its flexible learning offer to students of all ages and from all backgrounds.
During the second reading of the Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Entitlement) Bill Lord Watson said:
“Last month, I was privileged to visit Birkbeck, University of London, and to meet with the master (Vice-Chancellor), David Latchman, and some of his students. Now in its third century, Birkbeck has come through a restructuring and believes that the Bill will enable it to enhance its offer to people of all ages who have work or caring responsibilities during the day; I have no doubt that it will.”
If enacted, the Bill will enable the government to press ahead with plans to establish a lifelong loan entitlement that allows adults to apply for loans to cover fees of up to four years of post-18 education up to the age of 65. This will put lifelong learning at the heart of the education funding system for the first time.
Birkbeck has raised the need to provide better support for lifelong learning with successive governments and supports the establishment of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement. It also welcomes continued scrutiny of the government’s plans, to ensure the LLE helps to deliver a post-18 education system that truly provides maximum benefit to learners and the economy.
Professor David Latchman, Vice-Chancellor, Birkbeck, University of London said:
“The Lifelong Loan Entitlement that the government is proposing to introduce from 2025 will provide the type of support for lifelong learning that I have been calling for for many years. By providing people with loans to cover the fees of four years of education, including degrees and short courses, after they reach the age of 18, it has the potential to radically alter the higher education landscape in favour of lifelong learners.
“We still have some questions about aspects of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement and I welcome the continued scrutiny of the legislation.
“I am really pleased that the value of the new academic structure that Birkbeck is introducing from 1 August, which it will transition into without need for any compulsory redundancies, was recognised during the debate.
“I am also pleased that Birkbeck’s overall contribution to lifelong learning was acknowledged in the debate. It is particularly fitting that such positive comments were made about the College during its bicentenary year.
“The acknowledgement of Birkbeck’s contribution comes at a time when we are proud to announce that, following a change in the law that allowed University of London colleges to continue as members of the University whilst also being given university status in their own right, Birkbeck has recently achieved this milestone.”