Universities ‘now seen as self-serving oligarchies’

UNIVERSITIES are now viewed as ‘self-serving oligarchies’ because of scandals over pay, free speech and value for money, a leading vice-chancellor has warned.

Sir Anthony Seldon, of the University of Buckingham, said higher education institutions have ‘lost the country’ and that the criticism heaped upon them could threaten their survival.

He added: ‘The elites at least have given up on us. Sometime, earlier this decade, their perception of us began to change from being what we are, the most vital organs of innovation, economic drive, social cohesion and cultural energy in Britain, into self-serving oligarchies.’

It comes as universities face increasing criticism they are operating like businesses – chasing ‘bums on seats’ for tuition fee revenue and paying leaders six-figure sums.

Sir Anthony made his comments in an article for the Higher Education Policy Institute think-tank. He urged Universities UK, which represents university leaders, to introduce reforms.